Crash course...

 The adult Sunday school class I attend subscribes to a program called The Wired Word.  Every week we are provide with a choice of two topics for discussion.  The members of the class (there are about 20 of us) take turns choosing the topic and leading the discussion.

This Sunday it's my turn.  I chose the topic "People Weigh Pros, Cons of Data Centers." Since I knew very little about data centers, preping for this has been a real education for me.  

One of the things that made me interested in this topic is the fact that there is a data center being built in our county.  It has been under construction for over a year now.  

Here, in a nut shell, is what I learned.  "Data centers. sometimes known as 'server farms' are the buildings where cloud data is stored. When we transfer our data into the cloud, we are transferring it on to servers in a data center (hence the meme there is no cloud, just someone elses computer).  Data centers typically take the form of windowless, warehouse scale buildings containing hundreds of servers (pizza box-shaped computers) stored on shelves in cabinets that are arranged in aisles."

So now you know what I know.  I'm looking forward to a lively discussion tomorrow because I'm sure there will be some strongly held opinions.  It's that kind of group.

That famous smile...

 My west coast brother informed me that, on this date in 1911, the painting "Mona Lisa" was stolen.  It was recovered a little bit over two years later and the thief was sentenced to less than 8 months in prison.  That seems to me a very small penalty for stealing something as rare and amazing as the Mona Lisa.

It was painted by Leonardo da Vinci during the years 1503-1519.  He worked on it, carrying it with him to various other assignments, during all those years, adding minute details and layer after layer of translucent paint.  It's no wonder she's so beautiful.  

In case you're wondering what else he painted, he painted "The Last Supper" between 1495 and 1498.  You've probably heard of that.  I have seen it and it's quite amazing.  In addition to being a great painter Leonardo was an inventor.  The last time I was in Italy we were taken to a museum where many of the inventions he had drawn had actually been constructed.  It was fascinating to see the collection.  He was truly a Renaissance man.  But you can read all of the books about him on your own time.  

What I really wondered about today was why the thief who stole the painting from the Louvre in1911 didn't get a longer sentence.  He actually kept the painting hidden in his apartment for two years and the well publicized hunt for it made the painting famous.  He was arrested when he finally tried to sell the painting.  The reason he gave for stealing the painting was that it was painted by an Italian artist and the thief, who was Italian, wanted to return it to Italy.   Evidently the French saw this as an act of patriotism and so didn't give him a harsh punishment.  I'm sure it also helped that the painting hadn't been damaged.

What's for supper?

 My west coast brother informed me that today is "National Bacon Lover's Day" and also "International Hawaiian Pizza Day."  He then went on to say that, in his opinion, Hawaiian Pizza is really more of a dessert than a pizza.  As you probably know, Hawaiian pizza is made with ham and pineapple (and tomato sauce and cheese) so it really is a pizza, sort of, but I agree with my brother, it just doesn't seem like real pizza to me.  I like pepperoni and bacon and other kinds of sausage, and mushrooms and black olives and cheese of course - lots of cheese - on my pizza.

However, Hawaiian pizza happens to be my spouse's very favorite kind of pizza, which works out well for both of us.  When we go to our regular pizza place (B'Antonio's in case you're interested) we each order our own pizza - small, hand tossed crust, Hawaiian for him, some kind of meat pizza for me.  Each pizza comes cut into six nice size pieces.  We each eat three at the restaurant, then bring the rest home.  Usually, we each have one piece for lunch the next day and two for supper.  Pizza is an amazing food, that tastes just as good as a     left-over.

In case you're wondering where I'm going with this blog, it's too late tonight, but my wonder spouse and I have already agreed to go out for supper tomorrow evening.  He always reads my blogs so he will probably respond favorably to my not so subtle hint.  Happy eating everyone.  

Take that picture...

 Today is "World Photography Day."  I had to find this out all by myself.  My west coast brother and sister-in-law spent the day roller skating, so no time to research special days for me.  My brother did, however, send me a picture of his wife doing the "Limbo" on skates.    I am in awe of anyone still skating at the age of 70 and my sister-in-law, all 4' 11" of her, is very very good at it.  My brother at 6' 6" may not be quite as graceful, but then again he does have farther to fall.  

My daughter regularly babysits for my great-grandson (almost six months old) and she sends me pictures of him at least two or three times a week. I am delighted to receive these of course. 

The two pictures I received today make me appreciate how easy it is to take, save and share pictures these days.  They all live on my phone.  I have a friend since college who has always loved to take pictures and has more than 30 fat albums to prove it.  It was always assumed that when she came to visit she would bring with her many albums with up-to-date pictures of her children and grandchildren.  She did surprise me though at her most recent visit.  The pictures she showed me were all on her phone, and she informed me that she was saving them to the cloud. How times change.  She also surprised me by admitting that none of her three children or their spouses want any of her albums; maybe a picture here or there but no albums.

And speaking of photographs, my wonder spouse and I have decided that from now on, instead of preserving and framing the jigsaw puzzles we have finished and really like, we will just take a picture.  We can project these pictures on our TV if we want to look at them or show them to guests (just like we do with trip pictures). 

There is a commercial on television that begins by saying "Our children really don't want our spoon collection."  I'm pretty sure that our children really don't want our framed puzzle collection.  

  Then again, we do have 10 grandchildren to give them to. 

Honoring Grandpa

My west coast brother has informed me that today is "Never Give Up Day" and "National Bad Poetry Day."  Both of these 'days' remind me of my maternal grandfather.  He was certainly a man who never gave up.  In his youth he worked in the Pennsylvania coal mines in order to earn enough money to go to seminary.  He eventually graduated from seminary and became a minister in the Brethren church.  He faced a small problem in his first church assignment.  He spoke only High German and English while his parishioners spoke Low German.  A little bit like US English vs Scottish. If you've visited in Scotland (a land that I love) you will understand what I mean.

He learned to communicate and was eventually well received.  In addition to his life-long career as a pastor, my grandfather also loved to write poetry.  While I don't think his poetry is bad, many people would consider it unsophisticated.  He self-published at least three volumes that I am aware of.  While flipping through one of his books of poetry, "Poems For All Classes" published in 1922, I came across this poem which seems very appropriate for "Never Give Up Day."

The title is "Do What You Can"

Say not within your heart, I see no chance in this broad world for me,

And sit not down to fret and whine

Because you think you ne'er shall shine 

Before the world as others do; fret not for there's a place for you.

The little star that shines on high does not make bright the entire sky,

But should each little star complain 

Because all heaven's great domain is not made bright by its small ray, And for that cause should fret and say  

"Because these brilliant rays of mine do not reach all 

I'll cease to shine."  

The heavens all o'ercast would be with gloom and darkness. 

None could see the beautiful and radiant light 

which gladdens many hearts at night.  

I, in this world am but a star.  

My light may not extend as far into the dark world's gloom as some,  Who through the world may go and come, 

But God has given me some work 

To do, my task I will not shirk; 

I'm one small star in his great plan, therefore I'll do the best I can.

My grandpa as I knew him.  I was nine years old when he died.

Grandpa and Grandma on their wedding day.  Circa 1900.

Was this for real???

My west coast brother informed me that today is "Balloon Airmail Day." Naturally this piqued my curiosity so I did a little reasearch. Here is a little bit of what I found. The concept of airmail was first whispered in the corridors of innovation during the late 19th century, but it wasn't until the early 20th century that the idea truly took flight. As airships grew in popularity, forward-thinking entrepreneurs saw an opportunity to transform the postal service. Thus, airmail was born, marking the beginning of a new era in communication. On Balloon Airmail Day, we commemorate the pioneering spirit of those who dared to dream big. From the early experiments with hot air balloons to the luxurious airships of the 1930s, this holiday honors the innovators who bridged the gap between two modes of transportation: airships and mail. Their courage and vision laid the foundation for a global postal network that continues to connect us today. I was particularly interested to learn that one of these early test flights was launched in Lafayette, Indiana. I urge you to Google this topic. You will find an amazing amount of information. Then, in commemoration tie a note to the string of a helium balloon and let it fly. If you attach your name and contact info you might just get a friendly response.

Twice terrified...

 Well, terrified might be a little too strong a word but not by much.  Let me explain.  This all happened about 40 years ago but the memories are still vivid.

These memories were brought back when my west coast brother informed me that today is "National Roller Coaster Day." I have ridden on a roller coaster once (only once), and as I said the memory is still vivid.

I had just finished a week long training session leading to a designation I was trying to earn as a relocation specialist (an add on to my Realtor / Broker status).  This would, we thought, bring more business into our company, and it did. The training program was held at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge near Knoxville.  They had, probably still have, a huge hotel with lots of meeting rooms and a large glass domed atrium which boasted several restaurants.  

The first terrified moment came when we attendees were gathered under the glass for lunch on the third day of the conference.  We were told that a tornado was coming and the whole area must be evacuated.  We were all scared but the evacuation was handled very smoothly.  We were led out of that big open area into long, tunnel-like, utilitarian hallways behind the kitchens that guests were never intended to see, well away from any possibility of flying glass.  Waiters, cooks, all kinds of staff guided us, finally, out of the labyrinth and to our hotel rooms.  As it happended the tornado went south of us and did not do any damage to the hotel, but the whole evacuation experience was rather scary.

Knowing that my conference was at Dollywood, which boasted an amazing amusement park, my first husband brought our two children down so the three of them could spend the weekend after the conference with me. I innocently agreed that this would be lots of fun.

As soon as we got to the amusement park the kids decided that we all must go on a roller coaster ride.  I had never been on one before, nor had my husband.  I don't remember how he handled it.  All I do remember about that ride was that as soon as the coaster made its first plunge I started screaming, and kept it up for the entire ride.  I was truly terrified.  My then teenage children thought this was hilarious.  The chant "Oh Mom, you were so scared!" followed by gales of laughter, still rings in my ears.  Teenagers are not kind.