More cool things from Rancho Mirage Public Library

Imagine as kids being able to create a book like this. Kids are learning good stuff while having fun. 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 - 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 We’ll provide the supplies and help you create a special book featuring your favorite constellations.

A lovely rose

The rose is such a perfect flower and this is a wonderful rendition of one and the background is just perfect. Robert Mapplethorpe Rose, 1987 Dye transfer print - flush mounted on board 24 × 20 in | 61 × 50.8 cm Edition of 7 Part of a limited edition set Includes a Certificate of Authenticity Contact for price

Now that's a big basket

I'm always intrigued by unusual architecture and loved this big basket.

'Photo credit: Kenneth Sponsler/ Shutterstock When the Longaberger Company, a now-defunct basket manufacturer, was looking to construct its new headquarters in 1997, the company found inspiration in its signature product. The result was the striking — and aptly named — “Big Basket” building in Newark, Ohio, taking the shape of a massive picnic basket complete with “woven” sides and 75-ton handles. The seven-story building has certainly caught the attention of those driving by on Ohio State Route 16 ever since, but sadly, the original Longaberger Company shuttered in 2018, and the “Big Basket” closed its doors. While you can no longer step foot inside of this unique building for the time being, you can still drive by and admire it from the outside. At one point, there were plans to convert the building into a luxury hotel, but those plans were abandoned and the building’s fate remains uncertain.'

Ah....poppies....love them

And these ones seem to be dancing. Thanks to D.Katie Powell for sharing her painting.

The image I used for this #directwatercolor was from @landscapeartclub on IG.

Dining at The Sylvia Hotel yesterday

A late lunch /early dinner. We were late for lunch as we were watching the Blue Jays. It was a laugher at 12 to 1 for the Blue Jays. Always fun to watch games like that.

Too much of a good thing for famous places tourists love to visit

I agree with limiting the influx of tourists to these famous spots but I hope it doesn't become a case of who can pay the most.I remember the last time we were in Paris it didn't even seem like the same city with all the tourists. From "Travel Tomorrow" "As the world’s leading tourist destination, France faces the pressing need to better manage the influx of visitors during peak seasons. This influx poses threats to the environment, the quality of life for local residents, and the overall visitor experience. The urgency to address overtourism is evident worldwide, as international travel rebounds following the Covid-19 pandemic. Many iconic French attractions, including the Mont-Saint-Michel abbey in Normandy, have reported beimg overwhelmed by the sheer number of tourists. Etretat only has 1,200 residents, but its famous Channel beach, made popular by the Netflix series “Lupin“, sees up to 10,000 tourists daily during the high season, causing concerns about erosion and the preservation of natural landmarks.

Another work of art that appealed to me

Joshua Oceguera Cantarito, 2022 Acrylic, industrial marker, China marker, collage on panel 23 1/2 × 20 in | 59.7 × 50.8 cm Unique work Includes a Certificate of Authenticity US$1,200

From "French Village Diaries"

I can never resist posting a picture of sunflowers. "Welcome to summer and the first sunflowers spotted on a bike ride yesterday evening. Today is fête de la musique in France and we are looking forward to celebrating with live music in Chef-Boutonne this evening."

From Heather James Fine Art

I do like this Picasso and I imagine there is quite a price attached to it. You have to inquire to get the price. It's just rather perfect somehow in its simplicity and love the colours.

I do love the logo of the Miami Marlins

Climate activists

While I could never condone their actions they certainly raised awareness of their concerns and so far without harming any artwork. I hope it stays that way.

Happy Fathers' Day

This kind of nails it...

From Wiki: "Father's Day is a holiday honoring one's father, or relevant father figure, as well as fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. The single most common date among world countries is the third Sunday of June, which was founded in the state of Washington, United States, by Sonora Smart Dodd in 1910.[1][2][3] The day is held on various dates across the world, and different regions maintain their own traditions of honoring fatherhood. In some Catholic countries of Europe, it has been celebrated on 19 March as Saint Joseph's Day since the Middle Ages. Sikhs celebrate Father's Day (ਪਿਤਾ ਦਿਵਸ) on 29 December, birthday of Guru Gobind Singh. In some Islamic countries, it is set following the months of the Islamic calendar. Father's Day is a recognized public holiday in Lithuania and some parts of Spain and was regarded as such in Italy until 1977. It is a national holiday in Estonia, Samoa, and equivalently in South Korea, where it is celebrated as Parents' Day. The holiday complements similar celebrations honoring family members, such as Mother's Day and, in the United States, Siblings Day, and Grandparents' Day."

A bit of art today....love the colour!

Lot 37 Erik Parker Soul Saver, 2021 Silkscreen print on 335gms coventry rag paper 32 in diameter | 81.3 cm diameter Edition of 30 + 5 AP + 3 PP Part of a limited edition set Estimated value: $10,000–$15,000

Glenda Jackson

From CNN" — "Two-time Oscar-winning actor and former UK politician Glenda Jackson has died peacefully after a short illness at the age of 87. Glenda Jackson, two-time Academy Award-winning actress and politician, 87, died peacefully at her home in London this morning after a short illness with her family by her side,” her agent Lionel Larner confirmed to CNN on Thursday." She certainly gave the world a lot of pleasure through her fine acting. We had the good fortune to see her in a play in London in 1976 called "White Devil". She played an amazing death scene as I recall. And I think we paid about 75 cents to see the play. London theatre was cheap in those days and we always got the cheapest seats since the theatres were small and you got a good theatre experience from pretty much anywhere in the theatre.

Another wonderful sunset photo taken by John

I always appreciate these!

Ah...midges

Too bad we didn't know about the "midge forecast" when we were in Scotland. They loved me just as mosquitos seem to love me too.

From "Scotland Now" "As summer begins and the temperature rises, a website has provided a handy five-day 'midge forecast'. While there are many positive aspects to the warmer months of the year, the prevalence of midges is certainly not one of them. To help locals and tourists alike avoid midges this year, an insect repellent company has created the Scottish Midge Forecast. The interactive map shows the places in Scotland that are most likely to be midge-free over a five-day period, and also which spots to avoid. Slainte!"

I really liked this

Tofino, Vancouver Island. One of my fav places. 36 by 12 inch Original Sold. Prints Available on my site Art by Mark Prosser

Larry the cat

From Interesting Facts: "The British prime minister's office has a "chief mouser" named Larry the Cat. While royal-watchers eagerly tuned in to the coronation of King Charles III, a smaller but equally devoted fan base took note of another recent milestone related to the British government: February 15, 2023, marked the 12th anniversary of the arrival of Larry the Cat, the latest in a long line of pets at the U.K. prime minister's residence, but the first to be awarded the title of chief mouser to the Cabinet Office. As with his predecessors, Larry's presence at 10 Downing Street has been treated with largely playful coverage by the U.K. tabloids. Adopted from the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home for his alleged hunting abilities, the domestic shorthair was "roasted" by the press when a rodent surfaced at a Cabinet dinner early in his tenure, and he later drew attention for his tussles with fellow mouser Palmerston from the Foreign Office. The government's media arm has even gotten in on the fun with an official profile that lists such feline responsibilities as "testing antique furniture for napping quality" and "contemplating a solution to the mouse occupancy of the house." Meanwhile, Larry's unofficial Twitter account has compiled more than 800,000 followers thanks to a steady stream of reliably cheeky quips. Reportedly tolerant of the family dog that accompanied current PM Rishi Sunak into office, Larry showed his predatory instincts remained sharp by chasing away a fox that wandered too close to 10 Downing in October 2022. While U.K. residents may have their hands full with the usual complement of domestic and international issues, they can feel comfortable knowing that Larry is doing his part to keep government operations running smoothly."

The art of Ethan Cook

I found his work quite attractive. I'm always amazed how simplicity can be so effective.

From Wiki: "Ethan Cook is a Brooklyn-based contemporary and process artist best known for his large-scale canvases of unmodulated color blocks that he partially weaves himself.[1] Cook creates work with the appearance of a traditional, nonobjective painting; however, his work does not contain any paint, only carefully woven fabric.[2][3] Cook's process work has been likened to the work of Abstract Expressionists Mark Rothko and Agnes Martin, and his art has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, Architectural Digest and Interview Magazine, among other publications."

The art of Polina Raiko

I read that a dam collapse in Ukraine flooded her house museum. I really like the art I saw. Sad that a disaster brought her art to the attention of the world. From Wiki: "Raiko was born 5 May 1928 in Oleshky.[1] She had three sisters.[2] She was deported to Germany during the Second World War,[3] but later returned to Ukraine before marrying Nikolay Alekseyevich Raiko in 1950 at the age of 22.[4] They survived by growing their own fruits and vegetables and doing seasonal work on a kolkhoz.[5] They had a daughter, Elena in 1951. Their son, Sergey was born in 1953. The family built a house on 74 Nyzhnia Street, Oleshky near the Chaika and Konka rivers in 1954.[4][1] Her husband and son abused alcohol.[5] Her son was imprisoned for three years after he nearly destroyed the family home and sold stolen items including the electrical wiring. After his release, he stabbed his mother with a knife. In 1994, Elena died in a car accident. Raiko's husband died in 1995. In 1997, Sergey was sent to a refuge colony.[4] He died in 2002 from cirrhosis.[6] In the autumn of 1998, she began painting her home as a method to process her family hardships. She used her ₴74 monthly pension to buy paint and brushes. She eventually painted the entire property. Her home became a local tourist attraction. In 2003, the Kherson Centre Totem creative group planned to publish an album of Raiko's works. She died on 15 January 2004.[4] Her grandson sold her house for US$5,000 to Andrius Nemickas, a Canadian living in Kyiv with his Ukrainian wife.[5] Her house is protected by a federal cultural heritage law.[7] It is considered a national cultural monument of Ukraine.[5] Inspired by Raiko's paintings during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, pro-Ukrainian activists in Russian-occupied Kherson used a dove as a symbol of cultural resistance.[8] Her house has been destroyed in the flood following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam.[9][10]"

Great to have the Blue Jays win yesterday

Sorry to have missed this when I was in Thailand

Kids must love this. We went to a lot of temples but nothing like this. From: Interesting Facts "Away from the typical Thai tourist trail and scarcely mentioned in guidebooks is the extravagant Wat Samphran Temple. Also known as the Dragon Temple, it has an exotic dragon sculpture that curls all the way up a 17-story cylindrical pink tower. The 80-meter height (262 feet) of the tower is symbolic of the age that Buddha died, while the dragon’s five claws stand for the five precepts of Buddhism. Perhaps best of all, the dragon doubles as a tunneled walkway that lets visitors walk to the top of the tower, where panoramic views await."

Photos....who knew?

I did find this rather amazing. From "Interesting Facts" "Two centuries ago, imaging pioneers were only beginning to tinker with ways to capture the world around them using chemicals and light, and now cameras are embedded in our daily lives. We don’t know how many photos were taken in the 19th century, but it’s likely it was a few million at most. In 2014, it was estimated that humanity took a staggering 1 trillion photos that year, which means that every two minutes of 2014, we likely took more photos than were taken in the entire 19th century. Experts believe that the number of cameras in the world passed 45 billion in 2022 (that’s more than five cameras for every person). As cameras continue to get better while shrinking (sometimes to the size of a grain of sand), that number is only increasing, with estimates suggesting humans will take 2 trillion photos in 2025. When that happens, every single minute of the day will create more photos than an entire century of human history."

National corn on the cob day

I do love corn on the cob. I think I ate 9 on my first time I met Jim's parents. They were rather amazed.

Inspiring quotes from female comedians

I enjoyed reading these quotes and thought some of my readers might too. https://www.inspiringquotes.com/15-motivating-quotes-from-female-comedians/YZL2lf448gAGJ-MF?liu=26da72d4899d29579ae9719e3d9b2e04&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1811198653

A wonderful evening with Donna and Earl

We went to Minerva's last night...well where else would we go:) The food was wonderful as always. Great to see you guys.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Richard

Richard came over yesterday and gave Jim an early Father's Day gift...juggling balls. His old set had one that was in pretty rough shape so they didn't really work very well. And he did all sorts fo tech stuff for us. That won't be a surprise for anyone who knows our family.

For dog lovers

I have always loved dogs and usually get a good welcome from them. It seems they are even smarter than we think. A vet once told me that a dog that barks is in distress. I think this is an over simplification but I don't like the sound of dogs barking and I've found it a good thing to tell people who have dogs that bark. https://www.newsweek.com/2023/06/02/does-your-dog-truly-love-you-science-has-answer-1800708.html?utm_source=recommendedreads.com

I'll just have to go swimming there for sure

I loved watching the polar bears when I was a kid. Of course, we had no idea how awful this must have been for them. We visited many wonderful zoos in many parts of the world over the years. I see the whole idea of zoos differently now but we sure did enjoy seeing all the wonderful animals. "A new pitch by Tony Osborn Architecture & Design (TOAD) imagines the complete conversion of the same pools where polar bears used to swim into a space for leisure bathers. As well, the perimeter trench that separated the polar bears from the visitors above would be covered to create an underground, tile-covered, cave pool with a waterfall at its entrance."

A great writing assignment idea

When I was teaching English I was always looking for ideas for writing assignments for my students. Students who were excited about a topic wrote so much better. I think this idea would have produced some great writing especially when they learned what an impact it had in getting adoptions. AUTHOR Julia Diddy "By putting pencil (and crayon) to paper, an elementary school class honed their creative writing and drawing skills while also helping some overlooked shelter pets find adoptive homes. Second-grade teacher Kensey Jones was mulling over new writing assignment ideas for her students at St. Michael’s Episcopal School in Richmond, Virginia. Jones had become a volunteer at Richmond Animal Care and Control a few years earlier and so decided to combine her passion for animal welfare with her next school project: She had the kids write letters on behalf of the animals at the shelter. Her students were thrilled by this chance to “actually make an impact on the world,” Jones told The Washington Post, and they took the assignment to heart. Some of the shelter’s most difficult-to-adopt residents (23 dogs and one cat), who had been in the shelter much longer than average soon found themselves with exuberant bios and colorful hand-drawn portraits attached to their kennels. The impact of the students’ efforts was undeniable: 21 of the 24 animals were paired with new owners within weeks."