Life Cycle of a Drop of Water

Lovely animated short that explores the life cycle of a single drop of water through an elaborate pop-up book. Includes nine scenes that were animated using 1000's of photographic stills. Beautiful piece of work by photographer Chris Turner, paper engineer Helen Friel, and animator Jess Deacon. Nice reminder to turn off the water. 

Balmorhea

I am still working on my rattan growth article (see Verification). In between writing sessions, when I am reflecting on group means and Tukey-Kramer Minimum Significant Differences (MSD), I have been very much enjoying the music of Balmorhea, a minimalist instrumental ensemble from Austin, Texas. In particular, their 2010 release, "Constellations" (shown above). One recent review describes the music this way: This is music for the children of the pioneers lying barefoot in a grassy plain with the dome of a moonless sky spread out above them. This is music for a sailor staring out at the black ocean and longing for a foreign port. Indeed. Well worth a listen.

Baguette

The snowstorm gave me the time to finally make baguette using the recipe from Peter Reinhart's Bread Bakers Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread (shown above). Made the patê fermenteé the first day, let it sit for an hour and then put it in the refrigerator.  Prepared the final dough and shaped and proofed the loaves on Saturday after the sun had come out and everything started to glisten. The bread was delicious. [NOTES: Go here for the basic baguette recipe. Or better yet, just buy a copy of this wonderful bread book and get detailed instructions for making 50 different classic breads, e.g. ciabatta, pain á l'ancienne, New York bagels, andama. Well worth it].

Nikki Loves Snow

The family member that has most enjoyed the foot of snow in our yard, and is the best outfitted for it, is undoubtedly our dog, Nikki (see Nikki). She runs outside and burrows, and barks, and jumps, and snaps at the snow. And then takes her seat - and virtually disappears. White on white.

Snowstorm

NASA image of the gigantic snowstorm that hit New England and dumped about a foot of snow in my backyard. Winds got pretty blustery, but we still have power. The neighborhood is as quiet as it's ever been, the snow is still clean and white,  and the house is toasty warm as I write. Beautiful, non-threatening weather event. [NOTE: Image is from NOAA’s GOES-13 satellite; my house is somewhere under the red square (approximate].

Letterpress

Nice little video by Naomie Ross about letterpress printing. I am a big fan of this method of putting words on paper. Tactile, not digital. Movable type, and ink, and noble machines that press inked letters to paper. Invented by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century and currently experiencing somewhat of a revival. Excited about the "Introduction to Letterpress" class that I've signed up for at the Center for Book Arts. 

Snowing like crazy at the moment. Good day to be inside. Making bread (see Waiting for the Snow).

Bonnet Macaque

A bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata Geoffroy) scampers along the wall of a British hill station in the Western Ghats with her baby holding on tightly underneath. I may be wrong, but I believe the image was taken in the BRT Wildlife Sanctuary in the Biligiriranga Hills of southeastern Karnataka. [NOTE: I had mixed results trying to blow the dust and crud off this old slide. Sorry]. 

Murmuration

A flock of starlings, a very large flock, is known as a "murmuration" when it swirls and twists and turns together through the sky. One such flock is shown in the video above flying over the River Shannon in Ireland. Phenomenal. [NOTE: Really nice camera work by these two independent filmmakers from London (Sophie and Liberty)]. 

Shukke Tokudo

I enjoyed the Super Bowl, but for me the most powerful and moving event last Sunday was Catherine's (see Catherine's Hands) priest ordination ceremony (shukke tokudo). Image above shows Susan Jion Postal and Dennis Myozan Keegan cutting the last strand of hair (shura) from Catherine's head. As the ceremony continued, she received inner and outer robes, a bowing cloth (zagu), an okesa, rakusu, kechimyaku (lineage papers), and a set of oryoki bowls (see Just Enough). She also received two new names, Chikudo and Shuho. It was a joyful day.

[NOTE: Catherine was a member of my jukai class at EHZC several years ago. I am grateful to and deeply proud of my jukai sister for taking this step. For the benefit of all beings. Gassho]. 

Offer Some Incense

Big weekend coming up. I have an article to finish writing (see Verification), a Priest Ordination ceremony (shukke tokudo) at EHZC to participate in, and then there's that Super Bowl game. Good time to offer some incense to call forth the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, to slow down, and to reflect on the health and happiness of all sentient beings. Small cash offerings (see above) may be distributed as appropriate. Happy weekend to everyone. May your favorite team win. [NOTE: Image shows a small altar next to some shady stairs at Angkor Wat in Cambodia].