In honor of Flag Day 2015

Presented herewith is a graphic history of the official flag of the United States of America as approved by the Congress of the United States:

(Looks kind of like a pane of postage stamps, doesn't it?)

This might be fun for the young ones. And, while we're on the subject, let's peel apart the 1801 Union Flag of the United Kingdom:

Now that, I think, is cool. (Thanks to Dr. M.Viant for the tip.)

Senior moments

One of the very nice things about retirement is the freedom to just relax and enjoy the moments. Last night we had dinner with my wife's two sisters at my sister-in-law's house. A very pleasant meal, with varied samples of some of the freshest fish available in our small corner of Northern California.

The after-dinner time, however, was the most pleasant. Just mature adults discussing the weighty national and world events of the day with sincerity, judgement, and intelligence.

...or not.

Nostalgia

This is almost painful.

Anyway, when I was a kid of four years, my parents faced the costs of essential-for-living items:

But, more recently, I've certainly seen things get smaller, not larger:

All in all, not too bad. :)

Definitely Spring

We've recently established a new garden area for our Frank Lloyd Wright Sprite based on some Chicago Fair in the early 1900's.

The designer, Bill Castlelon, really likes peonies, and he designed one into the Sprite garden.

And here it is, plucked:

It is truly awesome.

Signs of Summer

This is Mark Canha. He may not be with us for a long time, but he hits the ball.

Go A's!

Periodic Table

Nothing more.

Veterinary Medicine

Lion, meet CT Scanner:

Self-Portraits

First, back in February of 1960, famed American popular artist, Norman Rockwell, made a bit of fun of himself:

 That was then. Today, thanks to the Internet and Twitter, we have a contemporary version:

If the bottom painting's painting had been of The Prophet, there might well have been trouble.

Fly, fly away

Somedays I want to give it all up and just fly, fly away. . .

Winter 2015

Two feet of snow were predicted for New York City last night.

Sure enough:

Meteorologists are getting better all the time.

I scream, you scream ...

I sort of like this attitude. Of course, I like carrots, too. (Click to enlarge.)

My very own woody!

Merry Christmas & Happy 2015

Two-faced Cow

 

This just has to make you smile a little bit.

Look carefully. :)

The Closer Inverness

Having spent a few happy days this summer on the Eastern shore of Tomales Bay, mostly scarfing down fresh oysters from the Hog Island Oyster Farm, we decided to vist the Western shore of the Bay. We headed for Inverness, California.

Now, Inverness is not the kind of place you stumble upon when driving somewhere else; it's on a one-way road and you really have to want to go there. Those who do are usually looking for hiking trails and kayaking bayous, or they live there.

Downtown is signified by a slight widening of the two-lane road, a sparsely-planted island in the middle of the road, and a commercial building on each side of the road.

The building on the East is a general store. The one on the West has a post office on the right side, and a restaurant on the left. The restaurant opens for lunch at noon, although most customers show up around 11:30.
                                                                                       
It's called "Saltwater Oyster Depot", and it's rustic on the outside, trendy white on the inside. If you look closely, you'll notice that the roof had to be kicked up to allow for the entry doors...really cute.

A long bar, with coat hooks between the chairs, fills one side. And there are tables, for the cold foggy days that prevail. Outside, there are additional tables and some all-weather banquettes. Also, outdoor toilet rooms (with combination locks: 1-2-7-8.)   

 

We ordered the "Raw Deal" from the menu. One dozen oysters and one glass of Sauvignon Blanc. I had the wine, because I was driving, and we shared the oysters. The three different types of oysters were delicious, as was the onion sauce.

Then we ordered a pizza to share. We chose the Marin County cheese pizza with brussel sprouts and happy-pig bacon. They had no sprouts, so we had mushrooms. The pizza was very good.

Not cheap, but worth the trip. Marin, of course, is a special place, and so is Saltwater. Our fellow guests were suitably dressed in expensive but scruffed up outdoorsy clothes; all the men had beards, and the women salt-and-pepper hair swept back into a bun.

Friends, this is not Walnut Creek; but it's worth the trip.

Inflation? What inflation?

Book Section

Of course.

The McIlhenny Company reigns supreme.

At most of our dining tables while in Japan:

and it was welcomed by some.

Absolutely stunning.

About 5000 pictures make up this timelapse demonstration of the beauty of nature:

http://vimeo.com/98276732

Memorial Day 2014

Consult your funeral director first

After the overload of protein immediately below, I felt the need for a cleansing antidote.

Herewith:

Let us all know how it worked for you.

(Please)