Happy

Mother’s Day

We had a beautiful day in Redding for this Mother’s Day.

“One of the early calls to celebrate a Mother's Day in the United States was the "Mother's Day Proclamation" by Julia Ward Howe. Written in 1870, it was a pacifist reaction to the carnage of the American Civil War and the Franco-Prussian War. The Proclamation was tied to Howe's feminist belief that women had a responsibility to shape their societies at the political level.
In the years after the Mother's Day Proclamation, Ann Jarvis founded five Mothers' Day Work Clubs to improve sanitary and health conditions. In 1907, two years after Ann Jarvis' death, her daughter Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother and began a campaign to make "Mother's Day" a recognized holiday in the US. Although she was successful in 1914, she was already disappointed with its commericalization by the 1920s.” (More)

Mother’s Day Breakfast



I had a delicious breakfast in celebration of Mother’s day. In addition to the usual Natures Path organic cereal with banana and strawberries, this years blueberries from the Family Tree Farms are now at Raley’s. They are big, fresh, and tasty.

One year I wrote to them and inquired as to where I might find a blueberry tree. They got the joke, and responded with a very nice reply and an invitation to come down to Reedley and see the farm. I just might do that, one of these years.



Part of my waking process each day is to take a cruise through the newspapers,  magazines, and blogs on the Internet. I got up relatively early and looked for Mother’s Day stories. I looked and looked and saw that the regular stuff that passes for news these days, was there, but Mother’s Day was way down on the Totem pole, (if it was even mentioned at all).



I would list all the newspapers, magazines, blogs, and websites I look at each day, but it would take up way too much space and time for me to type. Suffice it to say that; “If you are a regular reader of my blog, I read your favorite, and local papers, plus some of my more esoteric sources, nearly every day.”



Not one news source had a Mother’s Day headline. (Except Mother Jones magazine!)



I attended a regularly scheduled district meeting today. I thought it should have been rescheduled, but it wasn’t my call. Nevertheless, it did get me out and about on this 70 degree, gorgeous day.



As I am writing this, this evening, the forecast thunderstorms have arrived. I am soooo glad I didn’t get the Buick washed earlier.

Some of today’s pictures were taken by the river at Caldwell Park.

Sterling Rose Update
 

The thunderstorm is a wonderful soundtrack on this 97th official Mother’s Day. There are occasional shafts of sunlight appearing on the tree next to my balcony, so I think I will go out and look for the rainbows.

Happy Mother’s Day

Mom's Day

Or Night As The Case May Be

Cascade Theater Friday night

I have 13 min left before midnight, so I had better get moving while it still is Mother’s Day.

The Phil Seymour Band had a good time playing on Friday at the Post Office Saloon. The band sounded good and everybody was happy we were there.

We thought the crowd might be a bit thin since Stephen Stills was playing around the corner at the Cascade, but we had a room full. It was a good night for music in Redding.

Bright colored awnings cheer up Placer Street shops

I took a few pictures before we started. It was a windy, but very pleasant evening.

I call him “Lumpy”

Most of the day Saturday was spent listening to the recording of Friday’s performance.

I did take a few breaks to snap a picture or 2. The dove family was out by the dog playpen. Dad was on the fence while mom and the youngster were scratching and pecking in the grass. The dad, I call him Lumpy, didn’t seem to think I was a threat, so I got some nice pix of the family.

Baby dove takes a look at me without fear

It was a good day for Lassen pictures. There were designer clouds adding good light and shadow to deep blue colors.

Saturday afternoon Lassen

The clouds were looming over our surrounding mountains, but overhead the skies were clear and blue. The sunlight on some of the driveway roses was exceptional for photography.

Roses along the Treehouse driveway

What a place for enjoying the splendor and magic of this world we are lucky enough to live in. After a few hours of mixing and editing recordings, I looked outside and there was Mars in the night sky just left of the Moon.

Mars and Moon

I took many pix of our satellite and the planet, but I thought the one above would be the most fun to see on this blog.

Traditional Mother’s Day Breakfast

Yesterday I read a couple of my previous Mother’s Day blogposts and noticed that each had a picture of fresh fruit and cereal. It was fun reading the research results found regarding the day in May when we honor our mothers. You can find those posts HERE, or just use the blog search feature box on the upper left of this page.

One of the surprising things about this blog is who is reading it. I initially wrote these posts for friends and family who like to read and see how I am doing. It is also a journal to record events I have experienced throughout the years with the intention of someday writing a book. Over the years people around the world have let me know they read this blog. That is fun to know.

Last week, I got an invitation/comment from the ahamoment video production team to come to their traveling studio this Tuesday to film me describing my ‘aha’ moment(s). That was certainly an interesting surprise. I wonder which aha moment will come to mind at the time?

Tonight’s Mother’s Day Moon

Today’s Video;

Hoof It from Seth Boyden on https://vimeo.com">Vimeo

.

Wild Wonderful World

Mothering Sunday

A 16th Century Holiday

Treehouse rose dressed up

Mothering Sunday is a Christian holiday celebrated throughout Europe that falls on the 4th Sunday in Lent.

The modern Mother’s Day is a story of American 19th century history, war, songwriting, intrigue, and ultimately a 20th century entrepreneurial woman named Anna.

Mother’s Day Sterling rose

We begin with the woman who wrote the “Battle Hymn Of The Republic” lyrics to the melody of “John Browns Body”, Julia Ward Howe . You might find it interesting that the Julia Ward Howe lyrics indicated the “end times” would be coming during the civil war.

She started Mothers for Peace Day in 1870.

Looking for love?

Anna Jarvis succeeded in getting Mother’s Day proclaimed as a holiday in 1914. She publicly stated her disappointment in the commercialization of the holiday soon after. The fact that two years earlier in 1912, Anna Jarvis trademarked the phrases "Second Sunday in May", "Mother's Day", and created the Mother's Day International Association, makes her protestations about commercialism seem a bit disingenuous.

“Little Angel”

Males get to go about the happy business of “sowing seeds, visiting flowers, pollinating along their merry way”, but it is Mothers who have the power to use that seed for creating life. 

Evidently that distinction gets lost among societies where women are treated like property and second class citizens. Even here in America, there are members of a right wing political party who keep introducing legislation to take away women’s rights.

Fluttering from flower to flower

The Scent Of A Mother

Aromatic rose

Find out how, why, and what makes neonates happy, as you follow the trail of discovery with Malcolm Campbell in his enlightening, and heartwarming post, Mom And Apple Pie

Today’s Spring Video;

CHERIE 25 Habillage from MATHEMATIC SAS on http://vimeo.com">Vimeo

.

Mothers Give Us Life

Whishing You The Best

Mother's Day 2010

In America, mothers come in all colors;
The Brookings institution reports that about 83 percent of the U.S. population growth since 2000 was minority.

Dams Are Doomed

One of 4 dams that will be removed from the Klamath river

I watched CSPAN coverage of a American History Channel presentation of a meeting in Portland, Oregon, today, about the removal of dams on the Klamath river.
Indians, farmers, documentarians, fishermen, and the electric corporation that owns the dams were all represented on the panel. It is a great example of the long process required to achieve an equitable solution. You can see the video, HERE. You can also read a comprehensive historic overview of the Klamath river disputes, HERE.

Book Report

The book I am reading this Mother's Day afternoon. 5/9/10

I like it.

When I was younger, I did an intensive investigative study of Symbols, from Pre-Egyptian, Rosicrucians, Masons, and others, up through the 20th century. Because of what little knowledge I gained from that exercise, I was eagerly awaiting the latest Dan Brown adventure, and was quick to snap it up when it appeared in the new book section of the Redding library, because it was reported to combine a whole bunch of ancient legends into the fabric and design of our nations capital.

When it comes to finding hidden meanings in every building, manuscript, and painting in Washington, DC, he does not skimp. I could find bits and pieces of just about all things spiritual and scientific, somehow interconnecting in The Lost Symbol. However, if I wasn't already intrigued by ancient symbols, and their meanings, I would not be able to sustain my interest because of the tediously plodding pace. I sort of recommend it if you have nothing else to read.

Dorothy's Flowers

Dorothy O'Neil holds her 2 favorite cards. 5/8/10

I would like to thank Dorothy for planting and tending her flowers behind 'A' building. They continue to catch my photographic eye and find their way onto this blog with regularity. I used images from Dorothy's garden for some of my Mother's Day cards. She graciously displayed the cards on her table at the Treehouse annual rummage sale.

Today's Relatively Appropriate Song;

Love

Oh Venus

Venus, If You Will

Venus, in the Friday 9:00PM sky. 5/7/10

I wanted to get a picture of the bright object that I have been seeing shortly after sunset the past few evenings, because, to my naked eye, it seem to be multi colored, (like the dog star, Sirius was a couple of years ago). Thursday, I tried balancing the Lumix on the sill of the 2nd floor landing as I was returning from the Blues Society jam, but I didn't hold the camera steady enough. So, tonight I used a tripod and full 10x optical zoom to get the following image;

Image of Venus using LumixTZ1 10x optical zoom

Strangely, the colors are the same that I would see, twinkling, each night when I looked at Venus in the western twilight. I had to consult a map, HERE, to be certain that the 'evening star' I was seeing, was in fact, Venus.

Nice Day

Mt. Lassen from the Cypress and Pine fountain. 5/7/10

I finally took the time earlier in the day to stop and get a few pictures of Lassen from the fountain island at Cypress and Pine. I could see from the car, many times when I have driven by, that this would probably be a good place to point the camera at Lassen. It was.

255 'Real' Scientists Explain
Global Warming
Natural causes always play a role in changing Earth’s climate, but are now being overwhelmed by human-induced changes.
Read more HERE

Treehouse Rummage Sale

Rose outside the rummage sale. 5/7/10

I stopped into our annual rummage sale to see if Dorothy would put a few of my, one of a kind, hand crafted, suitable for framing, Mother's Day cards on her table. She was happy to do so. As I left the community room, one of the ladies pointed out a small bush with lavender colored roses. I took a picture and went back to my apartment to make a new card.

Everywhere I looked there were more beautiful roses.

After I returned with 3 new one of a kind, hand crafted, suitable for framing Mother's Day cards, I went out behind 'A' building to photograph some fresh blooms from Dorothy's garden.

I brought a couple of freshly printed cards down to the sale and, once again, as I left, there was another rose calling for a picture.

The 'hits' just kept on coming. 5/7/10

I had to go away from all the wonderful flowers around the Treehouse, and get a few things from around town. Guitar picks. I had tried Bernie's and Herried music stores with the desire to purchase more of my usual brand, and style of guitar picks, to no avail. Today, after I took the pictures of Lassen from the Pine and Cypress fountain island, I tried the other music store and got a reasonable facsimile made by Peavey. We shall see.

Phlower Photographer Phil

I was tempted to write a post about the necessity of supporting this wonderful country by paying taxes, but I decided not to confuse those who think the wonderful corporate money fairy will pay for America's infrastructure and services. I sure am glad I didn't write about that!

Today's Relatively Appropriate Song;
Sunny Afternoon - The Kinks

Blessed

A World Of

Abundance

Flower in Macy's parking lot, cement divider. 4/25/10

I woke up with some congestion, and a ragged speaking voice when I answered the phone at 8:30 in the morning.

"This is Phil."
"Are you okay?"
"What?"
"Your voice sounds kind of ragged."
"I was sleeping."
"Oh, did I wake you up?"
(No, it was the sound of the phone ringing), "Yes."
"I'll call back later."
"No. What do you need?"
"Are you going to the club today?"
"I wasn't planning on it. Why?"
"I need to cash a check for $150."
"We don't cash checks. Besides, we don't have that much money in petty cash. That's why it's called, 'petty cash'."
"Oh, I get it. It's what the word means."
"Right. Well, good luck."

First flower of the day, along the Treehouse driveway.

A couple of hours later, I got up, ate breakfast, took a shower, ( I didn't actually take the shower anywhere. It is still right where it has always been), did all the basic morning stuff, and realized that my voice was still a ragged, low, rocky, rumble. Add to that an occasional cough, and I had a feeling that something was trying to set up house in my respiratory tract.

More flowers in concrete dividers at Macy's parking lot.

I tried a tablespoon of some local honey, but all it did was taste good. It was time I replenished my Silver solution. That's what they call the new nano particles of silver in suspension, these days. It used to be ionic colloidal silver, but there are some new methods of processing that supposedly makes a more effective potion.

I hope this silver stuff still works.

I drove over to the Shasta Mall, where there is a GNC store, to purchase a bottle of silver solution. To reduce the amount of walking that I would be doing, I parked in the lot around the side, by Macy's. It was a short trip in and out from there.

When I came back to the car, I spotted an odd looking yellow flower, growing all by itself, in the concrete divider next to the Buick. I took a couple of pictures, got in the car, gargled some silver, and headed out of the lot to Hilltop. But, wait! Look over there in that other concrete thing, pretty colored flowers that I don't know the names of. I stopped and took a few pictures that I can share with you

Another fun flower in the Macy's parking lot.

I couldn't resist this shot of Shasta Bally.

I noticed that across Hilltop, by T.J. Max, there seemed to be a good view of Shasta Bally, so I drove over and checked it out. I liked it, so I took a couple of pictures and added them to my Shasta Bally collection, HERE. (I just decided to start this collection today, so I haven't rounded up the 50 or more Shasta Bally pictures I have in my albums, so there are just the ones from today, and last week when I went to Whiskeytown Lake.)

Health food from Trader Joe's. 4/25/10

Trader Joe's is right there in the same locale, so I stopped in and got a couple of food items, including their frozen chile relleno. I figured that would discourage any bug trying to set up shop in my body. I headed home thinking that I might not be able to do any recording projects today that required a good singing voice.

CHP helicopter as seen from my balcony. 4/25/10

I got home, nuked the relleno, put on some music, and tried to hear the stereo over the sound of a circling helicopter. We get a helicopter around here about twice a day. They sometimes are helping the police on the ground trying to capture a thief, or some one running from a DUI traffic stop. Sometimes it seems like a waste of money, (thousands of dollars every time the helicopter flies), but I am sure that it gives some people a sense of security, and it has to be a whole lot of fun and excitement for the guys in the chopper. Yee Haw!

Mother's Day Cards

I carefully examine the color density and saturation.

I produce greeting cards for a select few, discerning and gracious people. But now, I have decided to extend my reach for this coming Mother's Day. I am making up a limited number of quality, hand picked, small run, printed greeting cards from some favorite flower images. There is only one card printed of each flower photograph. I have some ideas on how to use these to bring joy and happiness to the Mothers who receive them, and raise money for some local organizations, as well as recoup my expenses. We shall see hoe that turns out.

I treat each card as an individual work of art. 4/25/10

I put my heart, and talent, into each card. God provides the living beauty of the flowers, that someone carefully plantedand tended, and I get to photograph those flowers in such a way as to keep their vibrant essence alive in card that will express someones love for their Mother. Wow, I love my life. I am so blessed.

More Moon

A little more moon is showing tonight. 4/25/10

Today's Relatively Appropriate Song;
There's A Moon Out Tonight - The Capris

Doo Wop Dreams

I Really Like This Printer

It Works!

The wireless feature of the new printer is even more useful than I imagined.

I did several different projects today that required printing, but didn't need me to physically be tethered to the printer while I was creating the projects. That was so convenient.

I tidied up the graphics on the Coquette CD label from a comfortable seating position in the living room, where I was listening to the quality of one of the new 'professional grade' CD's that I had just burned. (It sounded great).

A graphics program came with the printer, and though I might use it one day for a novelty CD, I prefer to use a full featured program with professional graphic design tools to create the CD artwork. I found a simple solution to placing good graphics on the template for the CD function of the new printer.

I could export the art I already have done in Pages, as a PDF to the desktop. Then I used the Grab application to copy the image and convert it to a PNG image that I then imported to the printable CD graphics program as a picture. Once it was there, I used the sizing handles to shape it in a way that fit the template.

The print command gave me a page that located the printer, presented some options for further editing and fiddling, (which, if I did my graphics correctly, I rarely fool with), and, once I pressed return, ('enter' on some machines), the Epson began printing on the CD that I had loaded earlier. By the time I got out of my chair and walked to the bedroom, ( where I keep the printer), the CD was already printed and waiting. I like that.

Mothers Day Cards, Too.

My friend, and fellow musician, Bose, stopped by today to get a couple of my one of a kind, suitable for framing, cards to send to his Mom. He wanted to pick the pictures from recent images I had taken of roses.

I hooked up the HDTV to the Macbook and we began wandering through the flowers. He found what he wanted, I opened Pages, brought up the greeting card template I had made, dropped the photo into the image placeholder, hit print, looked over the print page to be sure the settings were right, and sent the information to the printer in the other room. By the time he selected another flower, I went in to the bedroom and returned with his printed art. I scored, folded, got an envelope for it, and handed it to him while we talked about whether the mail would get to his Mom in time for Mothers Day. That was really cool.

Promo Material

I was gathering up some Mother's Day cards that I had already made, to take with me when I went out to the do some things around town. I realized that I might need an extra flyer to be with any cards I might display somewhere, so, while I gathered my things in the kitchen, I sent the info to the printer, got my wallet, keys, and other stuff, stopped by the printer and got the fresh flier on my way out the door. I really liked that.

I think I am about ready to write my review of the Epson Artisan 710 for Best Buy, and Epson.com, but, I have yet to use the copy, scan, or memory card functions, so I will hold off for a bit. The same goes for the on line media company I got the blank printable CD's from. I will wait and see how they hold up under heavy use, (Once Marian and Leona have copies for their cars and home stereo, they will play them nonstop). I am sending some today.

I'm so glad I got involved with some projects that utilized some of the useful features of this new printer, today. I had planned on writing about the oil spill, the wayward communications satellite, and Karl Rove's scheduled visit to Redding, but this was a lot happier topic.

Today's Relatively Appropriate Song;
A Day In The Life - Neil Young & Paul McCartney



Life Is Good