RenoVous

 The Antarctic ice sheet is approximately 1.2 miles thick, covering 98% of the continent. NASA satellite imagery confirmed it actually gained mass from 2021-2023, but this was simply due to increased precipitation, and definitely did not make up for 20 years of loss. Scientists have recently been able to better map the bedrock beneath.  Geological features shape how ice flows, sculpting the glacial surface, and having a clearer picture of this process will help scientists predict ice changes in response to warming. They found river channels stretching hundreds of miles, sharp transitions between highland and lowland terrain, suggesting tectonic boundaries.  Deep valleys exist 18.6 miles beneath the ice that were previously unknown, or unclear. About a year ago, a team drilled a spot 2 miles down to reach 1.2 million year old ice, the oldest ice core yet.  (Older ice has been found, about 6 million years old, but it is not a continuous core). Analysis will show how Ea...

 Here's a throwback Thursday shot from 2017. Yesterday was 10 years since we got Mighty. It was a couple months after my dad died, and Chewy was noticeably depressed, so we knew we had to find him a friend. Chewy was very picky, didn't often care about other dogs, he was more concerned with sniffs.  But he immediately liked Mighty.  This was 10 years ago today. Snuggles. Mighty's always been good for a picture.  He's patient, and he'll hold still for me. Now the grays. My handsome old man.

 Before the Summer of Love, the Human Be-In brought between 20-30,000 people to the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, on this day in 1967. Organized by artist Micheal Bowen, he wanted to bring the "tribes" of psychedelic hippies and anti-war activists together, in part to protest California's recent ban of LSD. It was the beginning of "Peace, Love, and Rock & Roll" with a side of civil rights sit-ins and teach-ins. Psychologist Timothy Leary spoke of his advocacy for psychedelic drugs.  This was the first time he used the phrase, "Turn on, tune in, drop out," which was to encourage being aware and detaching from mainstream society to find spiritual rebirth through drug use. The stage was just a flatbed truck and an amp, but bands such as Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and Big Brother and the Holding Company performed. The following June would host the Fantasy Fair and Magic Mountain Festival and then the Monterey Pop Festival in July.

 The Calennig apple is a traditional Welsh New Year's gift, carried door to door by children who sing rhymes for good luck.  They may receive treats or coins in return. The apple, with a tripod of sticks, represents the sun's rays.  The studded cloves are for fragrance and health, while the sprig is for perennial life and good fortune. Today is known as "Hen Galan" or Old New Year. The Gwaun Valley is one of a handful of places that still celebrates according to the Julian calendar. Celebrations continue at the pub, the historic Dyffryn Arms, whose interior is listed as having "outstanding national historic importance." Beer is poured from a jug, which is filled directly from the barrel.  Just like the old days.

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 Spotted Lake, also known as Khiluk Lake or Osoyoos - located in Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada. It is a soda lake, and every summer as the water evaporates, there remains this mineral-rich crust with circular brine pools. Minerals include sodium sulfates, calcium, magnesium sulfate, as well as trace amounts of silver and titanium. The local tribes have long considered it sacred for its healing properties.  According to their legends, each pool has a different ability. In 1916, minerals were extracted to make ammunition for World War I. It is one of the world's most mineral-dense lakes, and the way they have accumulated over time is a rare phenomenon.  Scientists are still studying the natural processes that led to this formation, how the mineral concentration and evaporation interact in this environment.

  Along the Carson River. And another stop at the Fort Churchill ruins.

 The Harlem Globetrotters played their first game on this day in 1927. They're not actually from Harlem though.  Their founder, Abe Saperstein, had taken over coaching duties for the Savoy Big Five in Chicago.  It was a specific choice to base the team out of the famous African American neighborhood in New York, as he wanted to promote their racial makeup. It wasn't until 1939 that the team started employing the tricks and the comedy bits, making the 40s-50s one of their most popular runs.  But for me, it's the early 70's team, and that's largely thanks to Scooby Doo. BJ Mason, Curly Neal, Geese Ausbie, Meadowlark Lemon, Gip Gipson, and Pablo Robertson. After Meadowlark retired, attendance started dropping.  But they have earned their place in America's history, with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well as a permanent exhibit at the Smithsonian Institute.  In 2002, players were inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Camping was a perfect setting to start on this book, and I'm nearly done already. I had also started  The Absinthe Forger  after finishing Here One Moment  but that's not something that sucks you in like Larsson does.  I can't even say for sure that I'll finish before I have to return it to the library. But the author has given some background on himself, a freelance writer who has done articles for The New York Times , Wall Street Journal, and Food & Vine.   I see he's written another book called, Why Beer Matters.   He's lived abroad in Prague for many years, so I'm sure he's had some good ones. Evan Rail What have you been reading??

  Awards Season has begun! Chase Infiniti Ariana Grande Ego Nwodim Odessa A'zion Mia Goth Wunmi Mosaku Jessica Biel Elle Fanning And I'm pulling a couple from the opening of the Palm Springs Film Festival. Teyana Taylor Colman Domingo