State of the Blog: Belated Acknowledgement

I owe an assist to The Je ne sais quoi.

In March of 2106, I instituted the habit of ending posts with “Thank you for reading” [State of the Blog: TYFR]. I clearly remember having the idea while listening to the Winchester CD.

Equally clearly, I must have gotten the idea, at least in part, from Jeniese Hosey, author of The Je ne sais quoi. I was obviously reading her blog. In 2015, she was one of my Saturday Referrals [Cover Girl]. On the post just prior to the one I cite I’m On The Cover of Redbook!!!, she ends with “Thanks for reading.”, See Jane Write Bloganista Mini-Con Recap. I must have read it dozens of times.

This proves the theory that one needs to be exposed to an idea multiple times before it sinks in.

[List of previous SotB posts]

So, thank you Ms. Hosey … and thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

Eclipse Party

Despite my brave words about being in the moment [Eclipse Safety], I gave in to the temptation to pick up a camera during totality. But then, ‘How do I turn this into a blog post?’ is hardly an unusual thought for me.

~~~

Thematically appropriate food & drink, plus champagne. I don’t drink much these days, but I’d have this again, The French 75 Cocktail is a Favorite Champagne Recipe. Our “eclipse version” had cognac instead of gin and St. Germain instead of simple syrup.

Label is horologically accurate for the east coast.

~~~

Coach Kate makes sure that Kavan is ready for the eclipse.
Photo by Christy Daniels

Eclipse party video by Kate Bushman.
Party graciously hosted by Keith and Brenda Gray.

Eclipse links
Here are the paths of the next 15 total solar eclipses
Silhouette of the International Space Station During a Partial Solar Eclipse
The Most Amazing 2017 Total Solar Eclipse Photos Taken From Space
The Most Extreme Way to Watch the Eclipse? Chase It in a Jet

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

Rodney’s Saga YouTube Channel

I was wrong.

I promise, I won’t make a habit of miscellaneous schooling videos. Milton Drives On

Miscellaneous videos ain’t going anywhere. So, we will try to get better at them.


First step: YouTube Channel

Rodney’s Saga

This organizes what we already have. I was surprised at how much of it is driving.

Next Step: Up Our Game
Better videography. More interesting editing. Perhaps better equipment.

Stay tuned.

Thank you for reading … & watching,
Katherine Walcott

Driftwood Horse Art, Guest Photos

Rita Dee
Helmholz Fine Art
Manchester VT

Photos taken with permission of gallery.
Photos posted with permission of photographer.

Similar Statue
[Driftwood Disaster Statue]

Roaming Reader Photos
2016
[Antique Horse Toys]
2015
[Fall Colors in the Adirondacks]
[Summer in a New England Garden]
[Foto Friday: New England]
2014
[Show Today: Winter Tournament, Rocking S] Snow Photo
[Fancy Ribbon]
[Mail-Order Horse] Gratuitous Balloon

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

Spotted Practicing Eclipse Safety

Glasses and map from Great American Eclipse. Props to Amazon and the USPS for getting the solar binoculars here on time, after faffing about. (Amazon, not the PO. Our local PO does good job.) Sneers to an unnamed astronomical equipment company for taking 8 days to let us know our order was out of stock. It’s not like the increase in demand was a surprise, people. Yes, I should have ordered earlier (again, not a surprise event), that’s on me. Order management is on them. (Pulls self out of rant spiral.)

Enjoy
Astronomy Cast suggests sitting back and grooving on the cosmic experience, if this is your first totality. Don’t worry about photos, or data, or whatever. You can go all science nerd at the next one. Ep. 448: Prepping for the Eclipse

NASA’s eclipse site
American Astronomical Society eclipse site
Really, it’s hard to avoid hearing/reading about it

Be Safe
By now, you’ve heard about eye safety. But why, other than we like our eyes?

However, it’s extremely dangerous to look at the sun, even if most of its light is obscured by the moon. Just as a magnifying glass can focus enough sunlight onto a leaf to start a fire, the lens in your eye can also focus that sliver of light onto your retina to burn it. And because retinas have no pain receptors, you can permanently damage your vision without even feeling it happen. Let us make this perfectly clear: Don’t look at the sun during a solar eclipse! LiveScience > Space.com, STEM Camp: Build Your Own Solar Eclipse Viewer (Emphasis mine.)

Did you know that counterfeit eclipse glasses are a thing? How can someone do that and sleep at night? Anyway,

• The glasses should have certification information, with a designated ISO 12312-2 international standard.
• The actual manufacturer’s name and address should be printed somewhere on the glasses.
• Don’t use glasses that are wrinkled, scratched, or more than three years old.
• Don’t use regular sunglasses, no matter how dark they are.

NASA recommends buying glasses from from one of five manufacturers:
• American Paper Optics
• Baader Planetarium (AstroSolar Silver/Gold film only)
• Rainbow Symphony
• Thousand Oaks Optical
• TSE 17

Consumerist.com: Please Do Not Buy Counterfeit Solar Eclipse Glasses

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott