Remember me telling you about the meteorite in June that crashed into the roof of a house in Henry County, Georgia? Here is a link to more information about it....
I found this very interesting! Just imagine the speed that this was going when it crashed into the house. The owner said they are still picking dust out of the furniture from it! One thing and I know that in the scheme of things, no one else will really care but if they do end up calling this meteorite, the McDonough meteorite, I do hope that they will say the town name correctly. On the news, it is pronounced "MICK- dunna". The locals have always said "Mick-donna". Just a slight difference perhaps but it hurts my ears to hear it incorrectly!
No meteorites in Rockdale County but we do have butterflies! If only they would be still long enough for me to take a few photos for you.
Richard should have some good photos for you! Look out for another post soon!
Hello, my friends. How are you all doing? Sailing along through the summer? Well, Wimbledon is over, and I can't help but feel sad. I enjoy the tennis (what I had time to watch) but honestly, it was the brief glimpses they would give us of London that would make me sit up and pause the TV and admire whatever scene they chose to give us. Sometimes, it was Buckingham Palace, Elizabeth Tower, Tower Bridge, or the view of the Thames with all the new modern buildings. What a city!
Just before Wimbledon, the Brits had the Glastonbury Festival. It is a musical festival that has taken place since 1970 on 900 acres in Somerset, which is in Southwest England. This year it was from June 25 through June 29. Reading some of the reviews, it seemed that many criticized Sir Rod Stewart. Say what? What is wrong with people? Don't you know a good entertainer when you see one? I really liked the video of him singing the song "Sailing".
"Sailing" was written by Gavin and Iain Sutherland, two brothers from Scotland. In the words of Gavin... " The song has nothing to do with romance or ships. It's an account of mankind's spiritual odyssey through life on his way to freedom and fulfillment with the Supreme Being.". There, isn't songwriting fascinating? You all know I think so.
And LIVE AID was on July 13, 1985! So, gee whiz, that was 40 years ago now. The most memorable thing for me was Freddie Mercury with Queen, what a performance, don't you agree?
Oh, and those scenes from London? I forgot to mention St. Paul's Cathedral! This is NOT from the TV screen, it is a photo that Richard took one year that we were there. The area around St. Paul's has changed so very much!
On a walk recently at Panola Mountain State Park, Richard spotted this moth beside the trail resting on a tree. He did very well to see this, it was well camouflaged. It is a Luna moth and it is very special to see one. The Luna Moth only lives from 7-10 days and it does not eat. It has no mouth or digestive system, living off whatever was eaten in the pupal stage. The Luna Moth is nocturnal and since they are attracted by lights, you are more likely to see it in a parking lot or on a tennis court, for example. (Which is the only other time that we saw one. Christopher was about ten years old taking tennis lessons. He was astonished that hardly anyone else noticed this bright green moth, with a 4 inch wingspan!)
Male Luna moths have bushy antennae while the female have much thinner antennae. So, is the one we saw male or female? Looking at photos, I can't tell. Anybody want to guess? And you have to look very closely but it is missing the long bits hanging down...what do you call them? Those bits must have been taken off by a predator. You all must be mightily impressed by my scientific wording, "those bits", but if you understand what I mean, well, that's what it's all about isn't it?
Trying to walk every day in this heat is tricky. We have to be out very early and even then, it is hot. Very! Wish us luck, we just keep sailing along.
Rod Stewart at The Royal Albert Hall from 2004! Enjoy!
While I was watching the Capitol 4th on PBS, I was pleased to hear the Beach Boys as the final act! Just to hear those opening notes of "Wouldn't It Be Nice" brought me joy but THEN, the lead singer had such a great, strong vocal. (I wonder if that might have been Christian Love, Mike Love's son? Does anyone know?) Anyway, I thought it sounded wonderful. I have the video for you above! Enjoy!
The Championships, Wimbledon! Hasn't it been interesting? I really loved the story of Carlos Alcaraz taking a water bottle from his own bag to someone in the stands who had a medical problem. Isn't he just the nicest guy? And a pretty darn good tennis player too, I know but honestly, I appreciate his kindness. Have you noticed the members of the British military in the background at Wimbledon? I guessed they must be used for security reasons. I looked it up and that is correct. (They also help people to their seats, make sure mobile phones are switched off and help with any medical emergency.) When the Championships were resumed in 1946 after World War II, they had military personnel direct people to their seats around the bomb damage! (Wimbledon had been heavily bombed.) Since that time, the servicemen and women have been unpaid volunteers. This year, there are just over 450 military personnel. So, now you know!
Also, there is a song that they keep playing on our TV coverage here during Wimbledon. Did anyone else pay attention to that?
It is "Take Me Out" by Franz Ferdinand. Here is a video.... if you can't view my video, you can look it up yourself! You know you want to!
Wimbledon is still going on and no one knows for sure who will be "taken out", that is what makes it so much fun! You can predict all you like but in sports, you just never know....
Hope you all remembered to say "peace and love" at noon on July 7th. Ringo Starr always asks this for his birthday. He turned 85 yesterday. Bless him! Richard and I got to see him in concert in Nashville with our son and daughter-in-law in 2023. Best anniversary gift ever, Christopher and Sarah! Thank you!
Zinnias from seeds that I planted! Took FOREVER for them to come up and they are tiny flowers but hey, the butterflies don't mind!
Of course, you might not have it as a holiday in your part of the world, but it is still the 4th of July! Properly, it is "Independence Day" but how many use that phrase in the USA? Hardly anyone, we simply say it is the "4th of July"!
In Georgia, it was once against the law to have fireworks. One had to drive over to Alabama and bring them back across the state line. Therefore, back in the day, there were only a few fireworks going off in backyards. Now? It will sound like WW3 tonight! On the news I see that there have been several instances of fireworks going off in garages and causing severe injuries and even deaths. Common sense tells me that laws need to change with the use of fireworks. Still, common sense seems to have gone up in smoke....
Now, in my last post I told you about the meteorite that came down in the next county over, in Henry County. A meteorite chaser (who knew there was such a thing?) visited that area and FOUND a piece of the actual meteorite! There is a Science Museum in Cartersville, Georgia and they now have a piece of it! Look, let's see if I can show you a video....
There, isn't that something? Also, there was an image of something called a "sprite" that was taken by NASA early this morning....
Once again - amazing! I find this kind of natural phenomenon more interesting than fireworks any day of the week.
If you are looking for a film to watch, I would suggest one of my FAVORITES: "Yankee Doodle Dandy" with Jimmy Cagney. It is so good! You know I sing along with every song! If only I could dance like Jimmy Cagney too! Live long and prosper everyone. (You know I can do my hand like Spock's!) OH! And please don't forget to say....
"PEACE AND LOVE"
on July 7th at 12 noon in your part of the world! It is Ringo Starr's birthday, and he wants everyone in the world to do this. I will!
Male and female Eastern bluebirds. (Male is bright blue, of course.) Richard took this photo. One doesn't often see a bluebird from the back, isn't it lovely?
