Friday, on the drive down to New Jersey, I first heard “Half Light” on my husband’s playlist and I was intrigued by the sound. Later that night, we watched the film which was a good choice for Halloween night. The music is eerie and perfect for the film score. Tomandandy is a music production company that makes computer music for scoring films and commercials.
“Mothman Prophesies” is a 2002 supernatural film based on a 1975 book by the same name. The works claim to be based on actual events that occurred between November 1966 and December 1967 in Point Pleasant West Virginia. Richard Gere is the lead and quite good. I don’t like scary movies but I enjoyed this one which is eerie and a good mix with the music for the unexplained supernatural events in the film.
I forgot to reblog this yesterday because we left early in the morning for New Jersey. Halloween is over for another year, but I thought you might enjoy seeing these fun images of happy little trick-or-treaters!
I like this picture because it reminds me of the pumpkins my architect carved for our children. He was never satisfied with a traditional jack-o-lantern, but carved R2D2 and Picasso pumpkins among others for our doorstep! From this shot, you can see other non- traditional examples of carving.
In the United States today, Halloween celebration is a multi-billion dollar industry, second only to the celebration of Christmas because of the costumes, candy, parties, haunted houses, cards, movies and decorations.
But what is being celebrated? The roots of Halloween began over 2000 years ago by the Celts of Ireland , England and parts of France. It was the Fire Festival known as Samhain (sow-en) and celebrated at harvest time. On that night the belief was that the spirits of the dead freely moved among the living. The fire was to protect the living. In the 7th century, the Roman Catholic Church…
Yesterday, we made a run to Paramus New, Jersey to the nearest IKEA. David wanted some lights and I went along for the ride. I had a wonderful surprise on the way home!This is a partial reblog.
Very neat and well equipped children’s playroom!
Past products.
Man or woman cave. . . office in a very tiny space.
Modern white kitchen..yes cabinets, lights , fixtures…everything!
Modular bookcases assembled and placed together.
Only drawback for some people is that the furniture comes in flat boxes , yes for you or someone you love to assemble after you get the items home. Directions and all the hardware are supposed to be in the box with simple instructions. . . hmm. The stores will now deliver and assemble everything from kitchen cabinets to beds….for a fee , of course. This is most helpful for the New York City renters…
Oh I have to quickly get your attention before you click me off after seeing this grand 18th century portrait of Govanni Paol Pannini! Here is the more well know panini or hot toasted Italian sandwich , we all know and love.
And this is two favorites in one. . . . caprese panini!
Back to Mr. Pannini, the painter. . . . . . . . His paintings popped into my mind the other day, but of course I couldn’t remember his name or the time of his life. But the professor, used to my deficient memory, was able to determine whom I was describing.
Pannini was a painter and architect and the most famous of the Roman view painters know as the Vedutisti . He was a part of the Romantic Period at the end of the 18th century. This was a movement in art and music that was a reaction to the Age of Enlightenment where rational thought was most valued in the Industrial Age. Romantics once again valued beauty and emotion of by gone days.
Pannini’s art is a visual history of Rome and her ruins and monumental buildings and art. Panini’s work is highly detailed, usually in a large scale painting or print of vista or city scape. Some are views of museum like spaces where you can visit without leaving home. Look closely at the pictures that are filled with images. Just an amazing visit to the Eternal City !
The Roman Forum
Interior of St. Peter’s Cathedral and honestly the scale feels that large. It is the largest church on earth.
The Pantheon built during ancient Rome as a temple to the pantheon of gods first constructed from 27-25 BC. It is the best preserved ancient monument in Rome. Later it became a Christian Catholic Church and is known for royalty buried there. The most famous person laid to rest is Raphael, the renowned Renaissance painter.
These last two are favorites of mine with the beauty, history and whimsy of the construction. Notice the curtain being drawn back and the ancient monuments and domes of churches, all together as if Pannini couldn’t decide which to paint so he included them all!
Several people have asked me my favorite places to visit and I do have a list. I feel strongly that if you have only one trip in a lifetime. . . . .go to Italy. The whole country is a museum, art gallery, historical site with beauty and drama everywhere you look. . . . and did I forget the food?
Are you familiar with Pannini’s work? Do you have a favorite painter?
Older Man Who Eats Alone Goes Viral. When You Take a Close Look at What’s on the Table, You’ll See Why
This is such a touching story of love. We all need to be loved and to love and are blessed through those experiences during our short journey on this earth.
Seeing someone eating alone at a fast-food restaurant isn’t necessarily an unusual sight, but what one woman snapped a picture of at an In-and-Out Burger has been shared more than 7,000 times within the past week.
What got Madina Bashizadah’s attention was not the older man sitting alone or the walker beside the table, but the photograph propped up toward him as he ate his hamburger.
The photo featured his late wife.
“Oh my god I just died!!! He has a picture of his wife with him as he eats!” Bashizadah wrote on Twitter.
“The older gentleman was sitting down enjoying his meal and I noticed that he had a photo with him,” Bashizadah told the Huffington Post. “Automatically, I assumed she wasn’t here with us and I started tearing up because it was such a beautiful moment but heartbreaking at the same time.”
Bashizadah told the Post that other people asked him about the photograph and he was “excited to talk about her.”
We found out that she was his sweetheart, his wife who passed away 5 years ago. They met at 17 but the war had kept them apart. He had searched for her for 10 years and one day as he was telling his barber the story, the barber calls his daughter in and it ends up being her. They were married instantly and it lasted for 55 years until she passed. He takes her photo everywhere. On one side of the laminated photo it’s him and her sitting on a couch together and on the back it has a photo of him and her side by side when they were young. Goes to show you true love does exist.
Take time to love and be loved as the time is often short.
Hawaii was a place I had always wanted to go and I have just recently gone twice. David gave a paper at a conference in Honolulu on two different occasions. I flew from Arizona and met him the first time, and then we went from New York this year. I can only say, it is not a disappointment at all and the name “Paradise” is most appropriate. We were on Oahu on both trips and Kilauea is on the big island. If we ever go again, we want to spend all our time on the big island. I want to see the volcano and the lava flow as well as go on a jungle excursion . David wants to visit the world famous observatory on the same island.
This morning I saw Graham Nash on Morning Joe. He was singing this powerful song from the past, my past, “Teach Your Children Well.” Nash was a member of the folk, rock super group, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and sometimes Young. Their songs “Our House” and “Southern Cross” are also very familiar.
When the group was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this was their introduction:
David Crosby and Graham Nash.
“They are the longest running American musical experiment in vocal harmony and social relevance.”
For all the teachers and parents out there. . . . “Teach Your Children Well!”
This is Raymond Burse and I will tell you why he is the “Hero of the Week.” He is a very bright talented man who gained publicity when he was chosen a Rhodes Scholar during his academic years, studying Chemistry at Oxford University. On returning to the United States, he studied and graduated from Harvard Law School. He later worked and excelled as an executive at General Electric in the appliance section. Now he is the interim president of Kentucky State University. I think we can all agree that Mr. Burse is an impressive man.
Now he has chosen to make a statement to improve the lives of his new family at Kentucky State University. On his second interview for interim president, he surprise the members of the governing board by announcing his intention, if chosen. His plan was to increase the minimum wage of the lowest paid employees from $7.25 to $10.10 from his own salary. This was a cut in salary for him of $90,000 ! He is a very humble man who is quick to say that his pension from GE enables and fuels his generosity.
Mr. Burse says he wanted to encourage all the members of the University family to feel that the sky is the limit and feel they are both valued for their work and invested in the family. Mr. Burse grew up as a very poor boy in rural Kentucky. He has made minimum wage and has family who have as well. He has dreamed and lived the American Dream of hard work leading to success. Now, Mr. Burse is working not only to restore fiscal responsibility to Kentucky State, but to pass along his dream , not for himself this time, but for his new family ! Without a doubt, he is a hero !
I have not heard a whisper about this test until I read Shaun’s post. Has anyone else? Maybe some people who live in the Southern US? Just doesn’t sound good at all and seems to indicate something sinister to me.
TalesAlongTheWay 