Friday, July 04, 2008
Ben marries Besty, Only in Philly!
Last night on the evening news I caught the marriage of Ben Franklin to Betsy Ross. OK, not the real ones but two historic interpreters who fell in love and just happen to portray Ben and Betsy. They got married by the mayor in character in front of Independence Hall on July 3rd. Only here in Philly does that work with out being totally weird, I actually think its kinda cool. Happy Fourth of July everyone!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Of Post-It's and Polka
OK these are light and fluffy articles and topics but they touched me as a former (and always in my heart) Minnesotan. Post-It notes were invented in Minnesota at 3M (not far from the current Mall of America which used to be the site of the sports stadium where I went to ball games and watched the 4th of July Fireworks growing up). But in all my years of using post-it notes and being proud of their place of origin I never knew there was a right or wrong way to apply them. Apparently there is!! In this little piece on a Post-It note flag being made at the Betsy Ross house here in Philadelphia for Flag Day, I learned:
1) to minimize curl you peel them off the pack side ways, not bottom up.
2) to apply best put both thumbs in the center and press out to the edges.
(There is even a training video!)
I also enjoyed this piece on the demise of polka in northern Minnesota where it has been a big thing but is not being embraced by younger generations. I can remember traveling to central and northern Minnesota with my dad (an Episcopal Pastor) to attend to just the kind of Polka fests and Polka Masses described here. It was fun and kitchy all at the same time. The polka training a got a start on then became necessary to survival at the many wedding receptions I attended during my Grad School days in Milwaukee Wisconsin. It made me want to grab a partner and roll out the barrel!!!
1) to minimize curl you peel them off the pack side ways, not bottom up.
2) to apply best put both thumbs in the center and press out to the edges.
(There is even a training video!)
I also enjoyed this piece on the demise of polka in northern Minnesota where it has been a big thing but is not being embraced by younger generations. I can remember traveling to central and northern Minnesota with my dad (an Episcopal Pastor) to attend to just the kind of Polka fests and Polka Masses described here. It was fun and kitchy all at the same time. The polka training a got a start on then became necessary to survival at the many wedding receptions I attended during my Grad School days in Milwaukee Wisconsin. It made me want to grab a partner and roll out the barrel!!!
What it means to be a Boy Scout
I was both pleased and surprised to hear such a touching and positive commentary on NPR about the Boy Scout Tragedy in Iowa. I was never involved in Scouts my selve but know many who were and respect the organization. This commentary touched me, reminded me of what kids are capable up when "challenged up" and made me cry. So you may want to grab some tissues before listening
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Informal Political Poll
Both the weather and the politics seem to be heating up here in Philadelphia, with just a week to go till the primary elections. We, well at least the democtates, will get to have more of an impact then usual for Philadelphia. Today, while walking our 5 block circut to the thrift store and back, my son counted 11 lawn or window signs for Obama and only 2 for Clinton. So while the state as a whole my be closing the gap our corner of West Philadelphia, our at least those who are willing to show thier preferences via a lawn sign, are favoring Obama. The same seems to be true over in sacradoctrina's corner of the burbs too!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Maya Blue
There was an article in the paper today about the mystery of Maya blue pigment being solved. I am probably one of only a few people who would notice or care. It is exciting on a number of levels.
First: I used to be an Mesoamerican Archaeologist who specialized in pottery analysis. Since this blue pigment is found on some pottery I think it is cool to know more about how it was made.
Second: This article pointed out that the discovery was made because of remnants found in vessel that a researcher found in the storage shelves of the Field Museum in Chicago. I also used to be a Museum Registrar. In a time when funding for museums and the arts can be hard to come by, especially for less glamorous projects like appropriate storage and climate control, it is great to have the role of museum objects in new discoveries highlighted. It has long been the argument of museums that their role in preserving and documenting cultural history is as important as new expeditions and excavations. It may even be more important as the ability to do new expeditions becomes more difficult, dangerous and expensive.
Third: It involves two great institutions I care about. The Field Museum in Chicago is a great place and probably one of the reasons I wanted to do arcaeology and museum work in the first place. Wheaton College also in Chicago is a wonderful Christian College and a number of good friends are alumni or current students, one is even in the anthropology department that made this discovery. (Wheatons site has a great longer article too!)
First: I used to be an Mesoamerican Archaeologist who specialized in pottery analysis. Since this blue pigment is found on some pottery I think it is cool to know more about how it was made.
Second: This article pointed out that the discovery was made because of remnants found in vessel that a researcher found in the storage shelves of the Field Museum in Chicago. I also used to be a Museum Registrar. In a time when funding for museums and the arts can be hard to come by, especially for less glamorous projects like appropriate storage and climate control, it is great to have the role of museum objects in new discoveries highlighted. It has long been the argument of museums that their role in preserving and documenting cultural history is as important as new expeditions and excavations. It may even be more important as the ability to do new expeditions becomes more difficult, dangerous and expensive.
Third: It involves two great institutions I care about. The Field Museum in Chicago is a great place and probably one of the reasons I wanted to do arcaeology and museum work in the first place. Wheaton College also in Chicago is a wonderful Christian College and a number of good friends are alumni or current students, one is even in the anthropology department that made this discovery. (Wheatons site has a great longer article too!)
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Book Awards
For those who don't know or don't follow those kinds of things the Caldecott and Newbery Awards for children's books have been awarded. As a lover of books, especially children's books, I am always interested in seeing what wins. Often I find they are books I don't know yet or that I know and don't like or know and find too politically correct for my taste. So I was very excited this year to find that I already knew and loved the two top choices. Those who know my personal preferences will also know I am excited that both are also historical fiction!!!
The Caledecott winner (for children's picture book) was The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick set in a 1932 Paris train station. There was apparently some controversy/discussion over the selection of this book since it is not a traditional picture book and is not aimed at the preschool/K set. It weighs in at 544 pages (most of them are beautiful black and white drawings) and it is listed as intended for the 9 to 12 crowd. Victoria read it easily over the summer and really enjoyed it. I may try it with Andrew this summer, we will see, some of the story line about an orphan can be just a bit scary.
The Newbery Winner was Good Maters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz. It is a beautifully illustrated book that captures a feel of Medieval life. It is not really a novel/chapter book but rather a series of short poems, dialogues or prose pieces about different children in a medieval village. The author is a librarian in Baltimore and wrote it to be used as preform aloud pieces for the sixth graders studying Medieval history because they were having trouble with finding resources they could relate to. I found it at a used book store this fall and picked it up to use as review for the medieval history we had just finished studying since I too had found grade school level things hard to find for that time period.
I think it is especially cool that she is a school librarian and went into work on the day she won where the students gave her a plastic tiara to wear. Ok, I am a total nerd who was good friends with all my school and local librarians and still think it would be a cool job to have.
In linking Amazon to this book I noticed she has also written a picture book on the archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann that I will have to check out.
The Caledecott winner (for children's picture book) was The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick set in a 1932 Paris train station. There was apparently some controversy/discussion over the selection of this book since it is not a traditional picture book and is not aimed at the preschool/K set. It weighs in at 544 pages (most of them are beautiful black and white drawings) and it is listed as intended for the 9 to 12 crowd. Victoria read it easily over the summer and really enjoyed it. I may try it with Andrew this summer, we will see, some of the story line about an orphan can be just a bit scary.
The Newbery Winner was Good Maters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz. It is a beautifully illustrated book that captures a feel of Medieval life. It is not really a novel/chapter book but rather a series of short poems, dialogues or prose pieces about different children in a medieval village. The author is a librarian in Baltimore and wrote it to be used as preform aloud pieces for the sixth graders studying Medieval history because they were having trouble with finding resources they could relate to. I found it at a used book store this fall and picked it up to use as review for the medieval history we had just finished studying since I too had found grade school level things hard to find for that time period.
I think it is especially cool that she is a school librarian and went into work on the day she won where the students gave her a plastic tiara to wear. Ok, I am a total nerd who was good friends with all my school and local librarians and still think it would be a cool job to have.
In linking Amazon to this book I noticed she has also written a picture book on the archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann that I will have to check out.
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Good Tree
We bought our Christmas Tree today and got it put up. It has been a much better experience then usual. The new tree stand we bought at the end of last season worked great, went together easier and faster, meaning much less grumbling to "humbug" the experience. We had a working saw to trim the trunk (in past years we have broken saws or had to borrow from neighbors). Vicky counted the rings in the cut and it was a 16 year old tree.
Best of all the tree itself is full and beautiful, one of the best we have had in ages. It was also an easy purchase, it was only $30 and the guy running the lot was VERY helpful and patient in showing us a number of trees till we found what we wanted. He even let Andrew help carry it to the car and showed him how he was tying it on.
I hope you to have a good tree experience this year. If you live in the W. Philadelphia area (or drive through it going to burb land) and still need a tree I would give this tree lot a try, all trees were #30 no matter what size, the guy was helpful and it felt good to support a local person rather then a big operation.
The Lot is on 61st and Lancaster Avenue across from the Kentucky Fried Chicken (hey you could grab dinner while you are there too!)
Happy Decorating
Best of all the tree itself is full and beautiful, one of the best we have had in ages. It was also an easy purchase, it was only $30 and the guy running the lot was VERY helpful and patient in showing us a number of trees till we found what we wanted. He even let Andrew help carry it to the car and showed him how he was tying it on.
I hope you to have a good tree experience this year. If you live in the W. Philadelphia area (or drive through it going to burb land) and still need a tree I would give this tree lot a try, all trees were #30 no matter what size, the guy was helpful and it felt good to support a local person rather then a big operation.
The Lot is on 61st and Lancaster Avenue across from the Kentucky Fried Chicken (hey you could grab dinner while you are there too!)
Happy Decorating
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Anthroplogical & Archaeological Find Updates
No, they are not my personal finds. The most interesting things I find these days are more likely to be from under the couch cushions then under the ground, or to be the notebook, bracelet, slotted spoon and white bowl left by our relatives on Thanksgiving. Instead this is one of my periodic updates of interesting Archaeological findings in the news:
1) Hot Cocoa : A vessel showing the earliest use of cocoa (chocolate) by the Maya was found in the Ulua Valley in Honduras in an area not far from where the group I worked with used to dig. The analysis on the residue in the vessel was done by the MASCA group at the University of Pennsylvania Museum where I used to work. So this is the most interesting and most personal find for me. It always amazes me what we can find out and it is also interesting how creative man has been over time in his use of the natural resources that God has given us and the many wonderful treats God has hidden there for us to find as we explore it.
2) Early Roman Worship: The finding of a cave turned place of worship that possibly commemorates the founders of Rome: Romulus and Remus. Even if Romulus and Remus are a myth this is a fascinating find and an interesting look at early pagan religions and worship in ancient Rome as well as the art and technology of the time.
3) More From Pompeii/Herculaneum: They have just found a royal throne, significant because up to now they were only known through depictions in art. Though it is a very grizzly site in some ways I continue to find Pompeii and Herculaneum fascinating. The nature of the catastrophe there has left so much for us to learn from, both about art, religion and daily life in an ancient Roman city but also about the fragility of life and the fleeting nature of all that we store up on earth and think is so important and lasting. The UPMAA where I used to work had a fair number of objects from there in the collection and one of my coworkers was doing her PHD research work on the excavations there. However, I had never seen in person (only in photos) the casts made by the eruption of those who were trying to flee but didn't make it. This Oct. while we were in Minneapolis we got to see a traveling exhibition on Pompeii that included some of the casts, they were very moving. It was a very well done exhibit complete with a kid level free audio tour. I am not sure where else it is being shown but if you get a chance to see it you should.
4) Michelangelo Sketches: The Vatican has just fund some misplaced sketches Michelangelo did for the dome of St. Peters.
5) da Vinci Lost art/found?: They are using modern technology to try and find out if a famous work started by Leonardo da Vinci is still there behind a fresco put up by a later artist. Modern technology and the ability to even investigate these things non invasivly is just amazing.
1) Hot Cocoa : A vessel showing the earliest use of cocoa (chocolate) by the Maya was found in the Ulua Valley in Honduras in an area not far from where the group I worked with used to dig. The analysis on the residue in the vessel was done by the MASCA group at the University of Pennsylvania Museum where I used to work. So this is the most interesting and most personal find for me. It always amazes me what we can find out and it is also interesting how creative man has been over time in his use of the natural resources that God has given us and the many wonderful treats God has hidden there for us to find as we explore it.
2) Early Roman Worship: The finding of a cave turned place of worship that possibly commemorates the founders of Rome: Romulus and Remus. Even if Romulus and Remus are a myth this is a fascinating find and an interesting look at early pagan religions and worship in ancient Rome as well as the art and technology of the time.
3) More From Pompeii/Herculaneum: They have just found a royal throne, significant because up to now they were only known through depictions in art. Though it is a very grizzly site in some ways I continue to find Pompeii and Herculaneum fascinating. The nature of the catastrophe there has left so much for us to learn from, both about art, religion and daily life in an ancient Roman city but also about the fragility of life and the fleeting nature of all that we store up on earth and think is so important and lasting. The UPMAA where I used to work had a fair number of objects from there in the collection and one of my coworkers was doing her PHD research work on the excavations there. However, I had never seen in person (only in photos) the casts made by the eruption of those who were trying to flee but didn't make it. This Oct. while we were in Minneapolis we got to see a traveling exhibition on Pompeii that included some of the casts, they were very moving. It was a very well done exhibit complete with a kid level free audio tour. I am not sure where else it is being shown but if you get a chance to see it you should.
4) Michelangelo Sketches: The Vatican has just fund some misplaced sketches Michelangelo did for the dome of St. Peters.
5) da Vinci Lost art/found?: They are using modern technology to try and find out if a famous work started by Leonardo da Vinci is still there behind a fresco put up by a later artist. Modern technology and the ability to even investigate these things non invasivly is just amazing.
