Buds, Videos & the Gimbal

White Lilac Tree Budding 2024

The trees and shrubs are often neglected for photographs when they are budding. This year I set out deliberately with my old Samsung phone to take pictures of the bits of green showing.  

I was disappointed in the many pictures I took. The photo above is heavily edited. I use the Samsung cell phone camera because it is so easy to upload the images to my computer; and, it takes much better pictures than my iphone 13, way better. Unfortunately, the cell phone LCD screen doesn't display well enough for me to take quick pictures that will turn out well. 

At present, I'm still heavy into daily watching YouTube wild camping videos. There are about a half dozen campers that I regularly watch with 3 of them being the most watched. It takes talent to put together a good video. The 3 that I watch a lot are excellent video creators.

Are there homemade videos that you regularly watch?

What do you look for in a video the most (that makes for good viewing)?

Crocus 2024

Smoothness. The the camera's stability as it moves is tops for me. Most of the campers hike as they record. Without using a gimbal, a device you put the camera on to balance the movement, (think gyroscope,) the video jumps too much to make for comfortable viewing when the video maker is walking on rough terrain. Long arm selfie sticks or GoPro like extension arms to mount camera are what some hiking video makers use.

Music. If the music is too loud, overly dramatic, or just does not fit the atmosphere of what the films is about, the entire video can become not so great to watch. 

Talking. If there is too much talking going on, then it interferes with my enjoyment of the scenery. 

Sadly, there's a wonderful YouTube channel of travelers who hike, that just about describes every detail of what is being filmed. As in writing, don't hog the audience experience. Show, don't tell thing.

Baked Kale Chips

Baked Kale Chips & Garlic Powder

The first time making baked kale chips with garlic powder is probably my last.

They are a fun texture to eat.

They are not a fun flavor. Note, that my sense of smell and taste has been greatly limited since the covid booster in 2022. Sadly, I was able to taste the kale chips.

I had to shovel them in, chew, and chase with spring water in order to tolerate them.

I didn't use any oil, just wash and bake on low.

I might use them crushed up to add to another veggie or salad. 

 

The Return of Old Growth Forests

This is a very interesting documentary. There is good information about trees, and the forests. Enjoy

Poetry Thursday: Eliza Cook 1818 ~ 1889

From The Poetical Works of Eliza Cook,
Song of the Seagull, last stanza

We hold our course o'er the deep or the land,

O'er the swelling tide or weed-grown strand;

We are safe and joyous when mad waves roll,

We sport o'er the whirlpool, the rock, and the shoal;--

Away on the winds we plume our wings,

And soar the freest of all free things

Oh! the sea-gull leads a merry life

In the glassy calm or tempest strife.

 

Eliza Cook

In 1980, I bought an old book that was to be the first of a collection of poetry books by women poets. Alas, I didn't find the old obscure books of poetry to make the happen. So the Eliza Cook poems have rested in boxes, cabinets and bookshelves in all my moves for these last 44 years. 

Ninteenth Century sing songy poetry is easier to read under a big shady tree on a sunny summer's day with a nice picnic spread out on a flowery blanket. 

Reading other stanzas of the poem quoted above, I didn't find myself breezing along. The wording didn't go comfy with my 21st Century senses. Strange. I grew up reading such metered lines of poety. Thus, my youthful brain was more at ease than my elderly mind of today.

If you have a chance to read old poetry, then give it a try. Despite the wordiness, sweetness excess (imho), the experience can be refreshing in the way of contrasts.  

Thoughts About Keeping It Simple

I had a thought yesterday about what I was going to post. After deciding on a post title, I search the Internet to make sure the words aren't being used in some way. Nowadays, with so many millions of people online, it is very difficult to find a genuine title you create that isn't in some way of wording, being used already by someone else.

Thus, the title I chose was tossed because it is the name is too close to a television series title, The Edge of Everything (HBO).

Ink drawing 2001

Anyway, the thought is about how being on the edge of an idea or on the verge of something, I feel that we can get lost in adding too much detail. Keeping it simple isn't as simple as it should be. Nobody, methinks, likes forgetting something important. The plan should be thorough, the best it can be.  

Is there a trick to keeping it simple? 

If minimilism is the theme, then simple is easy.

If not, then struggle city we go.

For down sizing aka simplifying life, I decided to only keep the books that fit on my bookshelf, the pans I cook with, the dishes I use, and, the clothes I like that I actually wear. I wish myself a lot of luck getting that done.

Solar Eclipse 8 April 2024

The solar eclipse from here in northwestern Vermont was a magical event. The total dark part didn't last long enough.

I used a glasses' filter over an old cell phone lens. The photograph is of the eclipse about half way through. None of the other photos show the Moon or any part of the phases.

Did you have a chance to see the eclipse?

Solar Eclipse over Vermont
during the dark totality

Day 97 of Week 14 March 2024

The rarely used top shelf can have some surprises. Clearing out things, I emptied my dish collection in the bottom cabinet. I didn't bother with the top hanging cabinets until I decided to rearrange things.

A beverage center is a must for me. I don't know why, but it makes me feel organized, spiffy, relaxed. With all I need right there, there's no turning around to see dishes in the sink or have reason to go hunting for something or other.

Moving things, I found more dishes to donate on the top shelf. So a packing them up I go for a thrift store drop off next week.

Do you have a beverage center counter space?

Have a best beverage weekend!

Make homemade pasta

Draw a bird

Dance with a partner

Read about the history of rayon

Write a letter to a friend

Organize a hike with your family

Create a playlist 

Plan a vacation

Put together a paint & picnic tote

 

Earthquakes & Earth's Geomagnetic Field

Near Whitehouse, New Jersey this morning at 10:23 UTC, a 4.7 magnitued Earthquake, 7.0 km, NNE at 4.7 km in depth.

Earthquake 4.8

It was so weird to feel and see movement, I sent in a report to the United States Geological Society (USGS). Then I checked their earthquake make to see a red dot! There actually was an earthquake at the time I felt it. 

via GIPHY

On Earth, there are humans that are sensitive to Earth's geomagnetic field. We have sensations and/or experience physical symptoms when there is tectonic plate movement of some sort. The experience is similar to what birds and animals feel. 

My symptoms include no sleep at night, wide awake like insomnia episode from one to multiple nights in a row. It is going on a week since I slept before 5 AM. When I wake up after a strong earthquake, I feel very rested, cozy, lighter. That hasn't happened this week. 

I also have physical sensations that range in intensity (smooth - edgy), vertigo, bed, chair or ground swaying, and a feeling of passing out. 

2024 6.0 and higher, significant earthquakes: 

Note, all are in the southwestern Pacific Ocean Ring of Fire

April

5th    6.8 Northern Mariana Island (Pacific Ocean)

3rd    6.4 Taiwan

2nd   7.4 Taiwan

March

27th    6.7    Vanuatu (Pacific Ocean)

27th    6.4    Vanuatu

23rd    6.9    Papua New Guinea

22nd   6.4    Indonesia

16th    6.8    Macquarie Island Region

That's a lot of shaking going on for Earth. I haven't read an analysis report, whether this is an increase, normal activity phase or whatever.

From what I have read about humans predicting earthquakes, there is no scientific evidence to explain why or what is going on in humans. I myself cannot predict when an earthquake is going to happen. There have been times when I have said there is an earthquake going on because I have a symptom as it happens, not before. 

An earthquake can be on the other side of the Earth from my location. That range of distance is creepy because when the tectonic plates shift, rock grinding against rock, sound traveling over 3000 miles doesn't fit what I know about science. The Earth geomagnetic field makes sense to me. I believe Earth is a living system, not just parts making up the whole. 

There's probably thousand of folks that pay no attention to a brief wooziness now and then. 

On the prediction aspect of earthquakes, I believe that folks with the ability to see into the future can predict an earthquake to the region, but maybe not the date and time. I know of no study of such a phenomena or project to increase human earthquake predictability. 

I daily, sometimes check multiple times the USGS earthquake map. More this last 12 months or so because there's a feeling I have to do that. If I ever have a significant strong feeling there is going to be a major earthquake in a specific area, then I would report it through the appropriate channels. The scientists can do what they will with the information. My guess is there are enough scientists that won't be dismissive that maybe the report will help in some way. I hope someday there is a reporting procedure for folks like me to report our symptoms.

Today's earthquake in New Jersey has thousands of reports from folks sent in. 

Did you feel the New Jersey earthquake?

Do you have symptom experiences?

P.S.

Study...Laboratory earthquake forecasting: A machine learning competition, January 2021

National Academy of Sciences of the USA

🔴 12 Hours of Tropical Island Bliss

For some moments of Peace, live stream

Health & Sunshine Enjoyment

California Poppy Seedlings 2024

After my previous post, I've decided to lean towards health and fitness information and entertainment. What do I see the first I click on Health?

Information about women and heart attacks.

Thank you, just what I need to cheer me up, another caution about what could shorten my life. If I keel over this week from a heart attack, the headline can read:

Blogger nearly predicts demise, Watch for the Signs

Seriously, know the signs of a heart attack is important because it can save your life. Please don't wait and see. Call, report your symptoms and let the professional decide the next step. If you aren't satisfied with the information, then get a 2nd opinion. 911 may be your solution.

Symptoms of a Heart Attack

Right off, I, once again, decide to put effort into being outdoors more to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. I use sunscreen as well as an umbrella as a parasol. Speaking of which, this year I need to find a new umbrella for walking as what I have are old or too dark.

For my health, aside from a good diet, enough sleep, exercise is crucial to being healthy, mind and body. So far, I've lost 3 pounds. Keeping it off means telling the lemon sandwich cookies...No! 

Creating my own trail mix can take care of cravings for sweets. Mixing up a flavored water will also help in that regard. Adding more veggies and being creative with salads is also a goal.

What is your favorite exercise for sunshine? For rainy days? Do you mix your own trail mix? Flavored water?

Reel, Shorts,Videos & Self Image

Altocumulus Clouds (Ac)
2000-7000 m (7000=23000 Feet)
1 April 2024, Vermont

I'm so homely! vs self image

One of the main reasons I watch Facebook Reels, and Youtube shorts and videos is to see fun grass roots image creator folks with a wider perspective than what's in the news. In other words, to cheer me up. 

As it happens, I notice that I'm not feeling cheered up. I've started to quickly scroll past dancing, in your face close up beautiful people, fitness, folks preaching they aren't old, and look at-me-ladies guys with tattoos (now that's just sad). After a while, it got to me that I will never be that young again. I didn't expect to think that way. 

Would an Over 60 website help? Yes. I say over 60 because being in your fifties, you are still young. I believe, the slide picks up momentum when you hit 60 years, no matter how fit or young you look. 

The closer you are to the end of your life, the heavier that vibe becomes. Being fit can hold you up better.

All those, younger by far, attractive people are denting my self image. I caution folks, especially the elderly, who watch a lot of reels, shorts and videos created by real people, try not to allow feeling inferior get a hold of your self image. Think...Everyone is beautiful...You included.

Instead of being dissatisfied with your appearance, feel inspired to become fit, lose weight, eat well, enjoy life out and about walking, talking with friends, engaging in an activity like bird watching or photography.

What pulls you down, creates a path you can use to find your way upward.