Revolutionary ~ Happy Mother’s Day
What an indictment of our world Isn’t this normal? Isn’t this the way This then is the reason
that love of freedom
and the desire of escape
from oppression and hate
has to be called “Revolutionary.”
it should always be? Free
to do what we want, free
to think what we want, free
to be what we want, free
to love who and how we want:
This is basic, bedrock. A foundation
of life. It is true
that life can be tough
and things aren’t always what they seem
but this, this insane atrocity
of nature doesn’t even deserve mention
in the pages of our bloody history
books, films, and fictions, much less
become reality. But it has
and worse yet, it could again.
for revolution. We need revolutions
in hearts and minds and souls.
We need a revolution inside
Mother Earth herself, alive
with eternal love and respect
and sacred duty to each other:
she will give birth
to our ever-growing, ever-shining
redeemed and hopeful future.
It is a revolution
against the horrors of death itself.
Misty Morning ~ Louisiana
Photo of the Day: April 19, 2013. An Editors’ Pick from our 2012 Photo Contest.
The Greenwood Plantation’s Oak Alley on a Misty Morning
Photo by Bonnie Marquette (Wakefield, LA); Photographed February 2012, St. Francisville, LA
Night Sky Observed from Paros Island, Greece
Summary Authors: Stavros Hios; Jim Foster The image above shows a view of an illuminated, old sailing ship and the glow of the Milky Way as observed from the island of Paros, Greece, in the Aegean Sea. Since the Moon was in the new phase and because this area (southernmost point of Paros) is quite isolated, the night sky was nearly pitch black. The camera is facing in the direction of the constellation of Sagittarius — toward the center and densest portion of the Milky Way. Sagittarius has more Messier objects than any other constellation. The brightest of these is the Lagoon Nebula (Messier object M8), visible with the naked eye — at top. Just above M8 is the Trifid Nebula (M 20). Photo taken on July 15, 2012. Photo details: NIKON D7000 camera; F/5; 70mm lens; ASTROTRACK
Photographer: Stavros Hios
essere nella merda lol :) raccontare barzellette
my “creek ” forming off front steps to porch … is time to build boat and sail to Cuba ? lol
How To Create A Moon Garden
A moon garden is just as it sounds, a garden meant to be viewed by moonlight. Moon gardens usually feature flowers that bloom exclusively at night or at dusk, flowers and plants that reflect moonlight well in shades such as silver or white, and fragrant aromatic plants and flowers to entice your other senses in the dark of the night when you may be able to see less.
Historically moon gardens were not only enjoyed for romantic strolls and evening pleasure as they are today but were used in religious practices in honor of the moon. Through out time many cultures have worshiped the moon and so the plants and flowers that flourish more in its glow. In some cultures only women or “witches” tended gardens believing they produced more powerful herbs for potions. Traditional gardens are not only enjoyed by moonlight, but planted, sown and tended by moonlight as well. Everything about a garden was done by the phases of the moon.
Whether your motivation is simple enjoyment during the night or for more historic purposes a moon garden in a beautiful thing.
The first thing you need to figure out to plant a moon garden is where to put it. Like any garden the location of a night garden will affect your overall result. In the case of a moon garden you want to be sure you choose a location that receives good moonlight. Naturally planting a moon garden against your home where it will always be in shadow is an unwise choice. However most people do prefer to place night gardens close to their homes where they can easily stroll out into the night and enjoy them. Not to worry if you don’t have a location that receives good moonlight, this will not bar your way from having your own garden to be enjoyed at night. Modern advances allow today’s gardeners the advantage of artificial lighting. Even grown indoors a plant that blooms at night still blooms. You can strategically place lights throughout your garden to provide your own “moon light” if needed. You may want to include a few lights anyway for evenings that the moon is obscured by clouds or not as full. Also be sure to consider existing architecture or any you may plan on adding. Many moon blooming flowers are vine or creeping plants. You can cut costs by choosing locations that have existing structures for these elements to “crawl”. Consider placing your garden near fences, large stones or existing trees. Try to use existing architecture that allows substantial moonlight of course though. If you plan on creating some of your own architectural elements, be sure to choose a location that has amble space. Water and koi ponds are often used in conjuncture with moon gardens to add the soft soothing sounds of water to the garden at night and a bit of activity during the day when moon garden’s can be less spectacular. The next step in planting a moon garden is to decide what you want in it. Outside of the architectural decisions made in step one of this guide, plants and flowers are naturally the star of the garden. What plants make good choices for moon gardens? Here is a sampling of some ideas for plants and flowers that fit the above mold. Some of these actually fit all three categories such as the Night Blooming Cereus which blooms solely at night producing massive and fragrant white blooms. Now to bring all your moon garden elements together. First test your soil. Be sure it is suitable for the plants and flowers you have chosen for your garden. If you have voted to go with plants that are not common to your area you my have to create some soil locations for certain plants by adding sand or more rich soil, etc. This is why it is important to have your moon garden planned entirely before planting. You need to know what type of environment each plant you chose needs. Also be sure to note the zone or hardiness for the plants. Many moon flowering plants are not suited for colder weather. One option is to set your moon garden up to have different seasonal looks. In the winter you could have simply evergreens living, back dropped by the spindly fingers of deciduous trees with a frozen pond for affect. Remember moonlight can make the simplest of things amazing. In the summer you could use more warm blooded plants for a magnificent show of blooms. Planting your moon garden is as easy as following your plan. Every gardener’s plan will vary by their personal tastes, desires and skill level. This guide is intended to inspire and provide tips and advice to create a moon garden, the planting itself is all up to you.
Step 1:Choosing a Location for Your Moon Garden
Step 2: Choosing Plants and Flowers for Your Moon Garden
Step 3: Planting Your Moon Garden
Butterfly and Rhododendron
Photograph by Julia Baverstock, My Shot This Month in Photo of the Day: Nature and Weather Photos This beautiful rare butterfly was on a rhododendron bush in my grandfather’s garden, Dartmoor, Devon. (This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.) ************
Butterfly and Rhododendron
Rakher Upabas at Loknath Temple at Barodi
Hindu Devotees Celebrating Rakher Upabas at Loknath Temple at Barodi
Photo of the Day: March 30, 2013. An Editors’ Pick from our 2012 Photo Contest.
Photo and caption by Md. akhlas Uddin (Sylhet, Bangladesh); Photographed November 01, 2012, Sonargaon, Narayanganj, Bangladesh
Devotion for God by K M Asad
In Bangladesh Hindu religions people it calls Rakher Upabas. During the ritual of Rakher Upabas (fast) people from Hindu community observe this three-day in every evening long ritual by lighting a lamp and keep fast until the lamp burns out. Loknath Dham is a praying and worshiping center of the follower and believer of “Baba Loknath”. He is one of the greatest saints in the Hindu religion and preached to his followers
“When ever you are in danger, Remember Me, I will save you.”
This worshiping ceremony starts from the evening time and continues for two or three hours. The devotees pray with spiritual concentration for fulfilling their good wishes.
February 24, 2013 Eruption of Sakurajima
Summary Author: Marc Szeglat Shown above is an impressive fusillade from Sakurajima volcano, on the island of Kyushu, Japan, as viewed on the night of February 24, 2013. Throughout the past four years, Sakurajima has been in a state of elevated activity. During the first two months of 2013, approximately 200 explosive events were recorded. On occasion, an eruption is accompanied by lightning. As can be seen on the picture, the lightning seems to emanate from near the crater rather than from a cloud above the volcano’s 3,665 ft (1,117 m) summit. This phenomenon isn’t fully understood. Our small exploration group (Richard Roscoe, Martin Rietze and Marc Szeglat) noticed that the flashes appeared in the first seconds following very powerful explosions. Scoria and very fine-grained volcanic ash were observed during such eruptions. For five consecutive nights we were stationed in front of the volcano and saw two eruptions with lightning. Photo taken on February 24, 2013.
Photographer: Marc Szeglat
Yo vengo de la Habana ;)
Seaside, Havana
Photograph by Paolo Pellegrin
This Month in Photo of the Day: National Geographic Magazine Features
The century-old stone wall of the Malecón, Havana’s famous oceanside esplanade, shields the city—imperfectly—from the battering of roiling seas. On calmer nights people come out to stroll on the street.
See more pictures from the November 2012 feature story “Cuba’s New Now.”
Go behind the words with a podcast from the story’s author »
Take a visual tour of Cuba »
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Tutti siami rei ~ le lacrime sono la miglior preghiera
Photograph by Matthieu Paley, National Geographic After a hailstorm, nomadic Kyrgyz girls venture outside their mud hut beside the Aksu River in a remote part of Afghanistan. The nomads sometimes stop here for a few weeks between migratory seasons if grass for their herds is too scarce at the summer or winter camps. See more pictures from the February 2013 feature story “Stranded on the Roof of the World.”
Kyrgyz Girls, Afghanistan
This Month in Photo of the Day: National Geographic Magazine Features
Novice Shaman, Mongolia ~ Бөөгийн хонхорын тахилга Shaman Byambadorj
Photograph by Carolyn Drake, National Geographic This Month in Photo of the Day: National Geographic Magazine Features A novice shaman makes an offering of milk to the spirits at her initiation outside the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar. See more pictures from the December 2012 feature story “Masters of Ecstasy.” 
Novice Shaman, Mongolia
Why Aren’t We Screaming Drunks? ~ Hafiz
by Hafiz (Daniel Ladinsky) The sun once glimpsed God’s true nature Thus that radiant sphere With a wonderful God like that Hafiz’s guess is this: Any thought that you are better or less Quickly
Original Language English
And has never been the same.
Constantly pours its energy
Upon this earth
As does He from behind
The veil.
Why isn’t everyone a screaming drunk?
Than another man
Breaks the wine
Glass.
– from The Gift: Poems by Hafiz the Great Sufi Master, by Daniel Ladinsky
Wonderful Team Member Readership Award
Thank you very much bearspawprint for nominating me for the award.
The Rules:
1. Display the logo on your page.
2. Finish the sentence: “A great reader is someone who …
3. Nominate 14 readers they appreciate.
4. Inform the readers with either comments or pingbacks.
Finish the sentence: “A great reader is someone who … spreads the love of reading to others.
Here are my nominees for this award …. everyone of you who follow this blog … thank you for sharing my online sanctuary with me,
love and blessings, Carina
Those who became complete ~ Yunus Emre
English version by Kabir Helminski & Refik Algan
Those who became complete
Reality is an ocean; the Law is a ship.
They might have come to Worship
Those who think the Four Books
Yunus means “true friend”
Original Language Turkish
didn’t live this life in hypocrisy,
didn’t learn the meaning of things
by reading commentaries.
Many have never left the ship,
never jumped into the sea.
but they stopped at rituals.
They never knew or entered the Inside.
were meant to be talked about,
who have only read explanations
and never entered meaning,
are really in sin.
for one whose journey has begun.
Until we transform our Names,
we haven’t found the Way.
– from The Drop That Became the Sea: Lyric Poems of Yunus Emre, Translated by Kabir Helminski / Translated by Refik Algan
IRAN: Persian bread making / Produkcja perskiego chleba
http://youtu.be/MDeAReAjKiU
Double Pink Rainbow Over Glen Ashley, South Africa
Photographer: Jacques Joubert; Jacques’s Web site
Summary Authors: Jacques Joubert; Jim Foster
The photo above showing a high-arching pink rainbow was captured at sunset near Durban, South Africa. The camera is facing toward the anti-solar point. Like the setting Sun, the rainbow colors we’re familiar with acquire red or pink hues once the Sun dips close to the horizon. This is because as the Sun sets (or rises) the increased path length sunlight takes through the atmosphere acts to scatter out the green, blue and violet colors from our view. The partially formed secondary bow having a radius of approximately 51 degrees can be seen about 9 degrees outside of the primary bow. Note the dim anticrepuscular rays (right side of primary and secondary bows) as well as the collection of reddened light near the center of the primary bow. Photo taken on October 22, 2012.
Photo details: Canon 5d MKII camera; 16-35mm lens; f/2.8; ISO 200; 1/2 sec. exposure; photo taken at 5:54 p.m.
- Glen Ashley, South Africa Coordinates: -29.765551, 31.062727
~ Frozen Misurina Lake, Veneto, Italy ~
Summary Authors: Marco Zante; Jim Foster The photo above shows Misurina Lake in Veneto, Italy covered with snow and ice. The light conditions this foggy morning lent an ethereal look to the wintry landscape. Snow depths in wooded areas ranged from approximately 15-20 in (38-50 cm); the average thickness of the ice on Misurina Lake was perhaps 12 in (30 cm). Actually, when the ice thickness approaches 24 in (60 cm), polo is occasionally played on the frozen surface. Note the incremental contours that show patterns of ice formation and, in some cases, patterns of ice disturbance. Forest trees include, silver fir (Abies alba), Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra), larch (Larix deciduas), black pine (Pinus nigra), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway spruce (Picea abies). Photo details: Camera Model: Canon EOS 1100D; Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II; Focal Length: 35mm; Aperture: f/14.0; Exposure Time: 0.0025 s (1/400); ISO equiv: 100; Software: Adobe Photoshop CS6 (Windows). ******************** Step 1 Soak the codfish for 24 hours. Remove the spinal bone and the other fish bones. In a casserole with oil, brown the onion, add a little salt. Step 2 Add crushed anchovies and chopped parsley. Step 3 Cut the codfish into chunks, flour the chunks then sprinkle grated cheese on them. Step 4 Add a little milk to the casserole, keep on low heat, add codfish and cook. Step 5 Add more milk if necessary, season with a little salt and pepper and cook till ready. The casserole with the codfish should never have the lid on because this will make the fish turn dark. There should be abundant oil, low heat, as it should not fry but cook lightly. Do not stir with a ladle as the fish tends to come apart, simply move the casserole in a clockwise direction. more recipes @ original link Academia Barilla
Photographer: Marco Zante; Marco’s Web site
*********************
Codfish Vicenza-style
Time ~3 hours and 30 minutes
Ingredients
Servings 4
Preparation
30 minutes preparation + 3 hours cooking
Chef’s Tips
//www.academiabarilla.com/italian-recipes/step-step-recipes/codfish-vicenza-style.aspx
Rough Green Snake
Photograph by ~ Jason Wiles, My Shot This Month in Photo of the Day: Your Photos Rough green snake in a Japanese maple tree. The irony of this photograph is that this incredibly angry looking pose is actually the snake yawning. (This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.) What Makes This a Photo of the Day? The focus of the frame, the snake’s yawning mouth, is tack-sharp, which is what makes this a success. I also appreciated the extra information from the photographer, as I too would have assumed this was one disgruntled fellow. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Rough Green Snake
Al-Naba Watermill…Previous Vital Source of Flour and a Living Witness to Roman Age
HAMA, (SANA)- The most famous among the forty stone watermills that used to pump life into Abo Qbeiss valley in Hama is al-Naba (fountain) watermill, which survived among the rest to stand as living witnesses to previous civilizations. According to the head of Abu Qbeiss town council, Mohammad Ali Abdullah, what most characterizes al-Naba watermill is its location at the top of Abu Qbeiss fountain that runs through high mountains with white karst edges. This location at the most exuberant point of the fountain has made al-Naba watermill the most active among other watermills in the region since hundreds of years, Abdullah said in a statement to SANA. “It used to be a vital source on which people of Abu Qbeiss area depended for securing flour till the end of last century,” he added. People in the areas between Sahal al-Ghab and Mysiaf were depended on this watermill till the first 80s of last century when it stopped working by the time flour was secured in profusion by mechanical mills. Abdullah highlighted that, in addition to being a source of flour, al-Naba watermill is considered an important cultural and archeological monument that adds to the many touristically attractive ruins the town is rich with, including castles and churches that date back to the old Roman period. Many believe, said Abdullah, that al-Naba watermill has stood its ground over hundreds of years with all main parts of its work are in the shape they were first designed in, including millstones and channels. Speaking of its parts, Abdullah noted that al-Naba watermill consists of two 1 diameter basalt wheels that are connected via vertical axle with iron blades which move by the force of the falling water causing the wheels to rotate. The watermill is fed by two stockrooms that can be filled with wheat or barley. Water pumps into the watermill directly from the fountain through two channels, 15 m long each, which are engraved into black basalt stone. H. Said
