SPIRAL STORM


This storm cell photo was taken from NASA's high-altitude ER-2 aircraft during a study aimed at gaining a better understanding of precipitation over mountainous terrain. The Integrated Precipitation and Hydrology Experiment, or IPHEx, field campaign is part of the ground validation effort for the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission, an international satellite mission led by NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. GPM's Core Observatory launched Feb. 27, 2014, to provide next-generation observations of rain and snow worldwide every three hours. But to get accurate measurements from space, scientists have to understand what is happening on the ground. For the six-week IPHEx field campaign over the southern Appalachian mountains, the NASA team and their partners at Duke University and NOAA's Hydrometeorological Test Bed set up ground stations with rain gauges and ground radar throughout western North Carolina. In addition to the ground sites, they also collected data sets from satellites and two aircraft. The NASA ER-2 aircraft that deployed to Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia, was able to fly when rain was in the air. The ER-2's cruising altitude of 65,000 feet kept it well above the storm systems it was observing, allowing it to act as a proxy-satellite. The aircraft carried a suite of instruments, including three that took measurements similar to those taken by GPM's Core Observatory. > Read more > Earth Right Now Image Credit: NASA / Stu Broce

Two Dads

                      Simple loving message from son to his Dads.

Father's Day


A greeting to all of the Dads in my family. I wish the very BEST to all the other fathers out there and if I have missed sending anyone, let me know.

A TRULY TREMENDOUS WORK OF ART



 Discover the hidden features and intricate interior of this cabinet. One of the finest achievements of European furniture making, this cabinet is the most important product from Abraham (1711--1793) and David Roentgen's (1743--1807) workshop. A writing cabinet crowned with a chiming clock, it features finely designed marquetry panels and elaborate mechanisms that allow for doors and drawers to be opened automatically at the touch of a button. Owned by King Frederick William II, the Berlin cabinet is uniquely remarkable for its ornate decoration, mechanical complexity, and sheer size. This cabinet is from Kunstgewerbemuseum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, and is on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in the exhibition Extravagant Inventions: The Princely Furniture of the Roentgens:http://www.metmuseum.org/en/exhibitions/listings/2012/roentgen

CURING THE INVERT

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  • The Bicycle in the Treatment of Homosexuality: 1892. In the late 1800s, the entire country was swept up in a massive bicycling craze. We tend to think of bicycling today as a hobby or recreation, but in the late 1800s, it was an amazingly practical, efficient, cheap and speedy way of getting around. Before the bike came along, transportation was either by horse (cumbersome and expensive) or by foot (slow). By 1885, over 400 bicycle factories were working non-stop to keep up with demand. That year alone, Americans bought 2 million bikes, one for every 27 people in the country.
  • Bicycling also had the added benefit of being healthy exercise. And so it should come as no surprise that it would inspire doctors to find novel prescriptions for their patients’ ailments. Dr. Graeme M. Hammond of New York City wrote to the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease about the new  contraption’s ability to calm his patient’s nervous disorders. He presented thirteen cases, which included “one of sexual perversion, and the thirteenth case was one of abnormally developed sexual appetite”.
* The original Woody. The owners told me it dates back to 1865-1872 This has to be the coolest antique bike I have ever seen. It was described on the tag as a Bone Shaker.
For a mere $5,500.00 you could ride this baby home. If you don`t remember the Woody You probably don`t know who Frankie and Annette are. 

OUTRAGEOUS RETRORAMA CHAIRS

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United States
1970's
Pair of James Mont style chairs recently refinished with black lacquer paint and reupholstered in pink linen fabric.
Price
$3,800
Condition*
Excellent
Measurements
height: 4 ft. 7 in. (140 cm)
second height: 18.5 in. (47 cm)
depth: 20 in. (51 cm)
width/length: 21 in. (53 cm)
Specifications
Number of items: 2
Materials/Techniques: wood, linen fabric
Creator: unknown
Photography
provided by 1stdibs
Location
Again & Again
1202 Riverfront Drive
Dallas, TX, 75207
Phone: 214.746.6300
E-Mail: leslie@againandagain.com

Ref. : 121228941389

HOT AS HADES

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 A solar eruption gracefully rose up from the sun on Dec. 31, 2012, twisting and turning. Magnetic forces drove the flow of plasma, but without sufficient force to overcome the sun’s gravity much of the plasma fell back into the sun. The length of the eruption extends about 160,000 miles out from the Sun. With Earth about 7,900 miles in diameter, this relatively minor eruption is about 20 times the diameter of our planet. › See video and relative size of Earth to eruption on 'Solar Ballet on the Sun' feature. Image Credit: NASA/SDO

CINDY'S BACKYARD BIRTHDAY PARTY





Here's a glimpse of a Family gathering to celebrate my favorite sister's 61st Birthday (whoops did I say that?). 

Copyright and size restrictions have limited it to this media, so there are fewer shots and curtailed music. Facebook blocked several of my attempts to add it there.

The Beach Boys title song from their new "That's Why God Made The Radio" album, sounds just like they did in 1962. It's worth buying the whole album!
Enjoy!

My "big brother" Steve was responsible for the professional photos. He sent them to me in SF.


     

ADD SOME MAGIC







Vintage Magician's "Saw the Lady in Half" Table
USA
1960's
Channel your inner Harry Houdini with this remarkably sophisticated vintage magicians' stage prop and perform for your friends what was arguably the most startling new trick in any magician's repertoire of the 20th century. Out of respect for the magician's honor code instructions will be given only to the actual buyer. 

Magic - schmagic, this piece would make one helluva bar! Or raw bar or any type of serving or buffet table. The upper cabinets are deep enough for most bottles.

Note how when the table is divided in two sections they can be used as side tables, albeit high but not if you have a knole sofa.

This would also make a fantastic display table for a fashion retail boutique.
Price
$7,900
Condition*
Excellent. This is as close to New Old Stock (NOS) as can be. It has been stored carefully for years and is as fresh as the day it was made.
Measurements
height: 48 in. (122 cm)
second height: 31 in. (79 cm)
depth: 36 in. (91 cm)
width/length: 6 ft. 6 in. (198 cm)
Specifications
Number of items: 1
Materials/Techniques: Lacquered wood, brass hardware, gold fringe.
Creator: unknown
Photography
provided by BG Galleries - antiques, vintage & modern design
Location
BG Galleries - antiques, vintage & modern design
15 Shipyard Drive
Suite 1B
Hingham, MA, 2043
Phone: 617.901.4333
E-Mail: Peter@BGgalleries.com

Ref. : U12081388661869

10 OF 10 JOLLY ROGER

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Corum Skull Clock
Switzerland
Made in 2000
This remarkable Jolly Roger desk clock is one of only 10 such timepieces created by the celebrated Swiss watchmaking firm of Corum. The entire case is crafted of solid sterling silver in the piratic skull and cross-bones, and houses a quartz movement of impeccable quality. The skull lifts to reveal the clock face, which takes the form of a spider and web encircled by a silver serpent. The position of the spider indicates the time the alarm is set, which is adjusted by the dial on the right. A second dial on the left sets the time. Corum is renowned for their masterful quality and innovative watchmaking. The company releases specially crafted lines known as "World Premiers" on an annual basis, of which only a limited amount is ever made.
This clock is marked "Corum, Limited Edition, No. 10/10, South America" on the back the of Skull, with the Corum, sterling "925" and Swiss-made marks appearing underneath. The clock is accompanied by its original paperwork and fitted case.
Made in 2000


Clock: 4 3/8" wide x 4 1/2" deep x 2 7/8" high


Fitted case: 9 3/4" wide x 9 1/2" deep x 3 5/8" high
Price
$12,850
Condition*
Excellent
Measurements
height: 2 7/8
depth: 4.5 in. (11 cm)
width/length: 4 3/8
Specifications
Number of items: 1
Materials/Techniques: Sterling silver
Creator: By Corum
Photography
provided by MS Rau Antiques
Location
MS Rau Antiques
630 Royal Street
New Orleans, LA, 70130
Phone: 877-315-8652
E-Mail: info@rauantiques.com


Dealer Ref. : 29-9235
Ref. : U1207058911271

A SIGNATURE ACHIEVEMENT







PIERO FORNASETTI Dresser (1913-1988)
Italy
1970 '
Piero fornasetti Dresser.
Bibliography Fornasetti " Thames & Hudson, 1991 p104
Price
$15,775

Condition*
Good
Measurements
height: 3 in. (8 cm)
depth: 22 in. (56 cm)
width/length: 39.75 in. (101 cm)
Specifications
Number of items: 1
Materials/Techniques: half pipe in mahogany cabinetry, based on four legs tapered bronze doré. Le tasteful lititographié contained ancient Rome and gardens
Creator: By Piero Fornasetti
Photography
provided by 1stdibs
Location
R2 Show
9 Rue Denfert Rochereau
Isle sur la Sorgue, Provence, 84800
Phone: +33 685720565
E-Mail: yvmontigny@aol.com

Dealer Ref. : 2293
Ref. : 12061394275

HUMAN OTTERS?


 This video may be currently ranked as the #1 most adorable occurrence in the entire world, but this water cuddle by Olympic swimmers Cameron van der Burgh of South Africa (who won the Men's 100m Breastsroke) and Christian Sprenger of Australia is certainly giving the otters a run for their money.

NEARLY A HALF CENTURY PROTEST



First Gay Rights Protest at the Pentagon: 1965. That year marked several important milestones in the history of organized gay protest. In April, gay rights advocates held the first ever pickets in front of the White House demanding equal treatment in federal employment and other areas of discrimination. During the year, those pickets would expand to the U.S. Civil Service Commission, Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, and, on this date in history, the Pentagon. Participants in that picket line included gay rights pioneers Frank Kameny, Barbara Gittings (whose birthday is also today; see below), Jack Nichols and eight others. Another 46 years would pass before the military ban on gays serving openly would finally be out the door. The ban officially ended last year on September 20. The New York Public Library has a small online digital gallery of that first Pentagon protest.



A SIDNEY SUMMER

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To walk under fully blooming Jacaranda trees in Sidney Australia is a natural high.

DONALD DESKEY'S VERY BEST.





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Outstanding Art Deco Cabinet Designed by Donald Deskey
American
c. 1935
Art Deco cabinet and sideboard with streamline
design in walnut wood with black lacquered details. 
The sideboard has curved front design. Two outer
doors open to reveal cabinet space with fitted shelves.
The sideboard also has four center drawers allowing
for maximum storage. Donald Deskey is considered
among the very best of the American Art Deco designers.
Price
$7,475
Condition*
Restored Mint Condition
Measurements
height: 34.25 in. (87 cm)
depth: 17.5 in. (44 cm)
width/length: 4 ft. 2 in. (127 cm)
Specifications
Number of items: 1
Creator: By Donald Deskey
Photography
provided by 1stdibs
Location
High Style Deco
224 west 18th street
New York, NY, 10011
Phone: 212-647-0035
E-Mail: howard@highstyledeco.com


Ref. : 12060879343046

BREATHTAKING ABOVE OVER OUR PLANET

STORM OF COMETS

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This artist's conception illustrates a storm of comets around a star near our own, called Eta Corvi. Evidence for this barrage comes from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, whose infrared detectors picked up indications that comets were recently torn to shreds after colliding with a rocky body. In this artist's conception, one such giant comet is shown smashing into a rocky planet, flinging ice- and carbon-rich dust into space, while also smashing water and organics into the surface of the planet. A glowing red flash captures the moment of impact on the planet. Yellow-white Eta Corvi is shown to the left, with still more comets streaming toward it. Spitzer detected spectral signatures of water ice, organics and rock around Eta Corvi -- key ingredients of comets. This is the first time that evidence for such a comet storm has been seen around another star. Eta Corvi is the right age, about one billion years old, to experience a bombardment of comets akin to what occurred in our own solar system at 600 to 800 millions years of age, termed the Late Heavy Bombardment. Scientists say the Late Heavy Bombardment was triggered in our solar system by the migration of our outer planets, which jostled icy comets about, sending some of them flying inward. The incoming comets scarred our moon and pummeled our inner planets. They may have even brought materials to Earth that helped kick start life. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

R.I.P. DON GRADY



Don Grady -- who played Robbie on "My Three Sons" -- was 68. Only Wally Cleaver was hotter in those days! Read HERE.

BEST FIREWORKS EVER!

That was quite a show. I have never experienced such fireworks even the Bicentennial show was not comparable. Seeing it in person of course was so much more enthralling than the video. The music was especially appropriate, except for a few songs I didn't like, and still very moving. Did you notice that at the beginning there were hundreds, if not thousands of cell phone camera flashes going off all over the city. It was it's own show. Really terrific!

YES, IT IS REAL





Once again the awesome power of nature goes and produces something that looks like it couldn’t possibly be real. Last time it was the Jewel Caterpillar. Now we have the prettiest ear of corn we’ve ever seen.
This is the aptly named Glass Gem Corn. The photos are from Seeds Trust (“a 25 year-old family seed company dedicated to teaching you to save your own seeds, grow a delicious home garden and create stunning native landscapes”) who shared the following background story about this stunning vegetable:
“Seedsman Greg Schoen got the seed from Carl Barnes, a part-Cherokee man, now in his 80’s, in Oklahoma. He was Greg’s “corn-teacher”. Greg was in the process of moving last year and wanted someone else to store and protect some of his seeds. He left samples of several corn varieties, including glass gem. I grew out a small handful this past summer just to see. 
The rest, as they say is history. I got so excited, I posted a picture on Facebook. We have never seen anything like this. Unfortunately, we did not grow out enough to sell. Look for a small amount for sale starting in August 2011.”
Of course now we can’t help but wonder if it tastes as good as it looks. 

GOOD TO KNOW


Food for thought: 
Those annoying fruit stickers can, apparently, be quiet informative:
  • 4-number code denotes conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables (pesticides used);
  • 5-number code beginning with 8 means, organic or not, the fruit or vegetable was genetically modified (GE or GMO);
  • And a 5-number code beginning with 9 means the fruit was organically grown without genetic modification.

THE PINWHEEL GALAXY

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This image of the Pinwheel Galaxy, also known as M101, combines data in the infrared, visible, ultraviolet and X-rays from four of NASA's space-based telescopes. This multi-spectral view shows that both young and old stars are evenly distributed along M101's tightly-wound spiral arms. Such composite images allow astronomers to see how features in one part of the spectrum match up with those seen in other parts. It is like seeing with a regular camera, an ultraviolet camera, night-vision goggles and X-ray vision, all at the same time. The Pinwheel Galaxy is in the constellation of Ursa Major (also known as the Big Dipper). It is about 70 percent larger than our own Milky Way Galaxy, with a diameter of about 170,000 light years, and sits at a distance of 21 million light years from Earth. This means that the light we're seeing in this image left the Pinwheel Galaxy about 21 million years ago - many millions of years before humans ever walked the Earth. Image Credits: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; IR & UV: NASA/JPL-Caltech; Optical: NASA/STScI

A REAL HONEST TO GOODNESS POET/MUSICIAN

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Legendary musician Bob Dylan visited the White House on Tuesday to receive the Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. Dylan released his first album in 1962, and his music had a considerable influence on the civil rights movement. Below, President Barack Obama awards Dylan the prestigious medal.
The president said he found Dylan's music transcendant, claiming it led to his "world opening up, because [Dylan] captured something about this country that was so vital."

A REAL HONEST TO GOODNESS HERO

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President Barack Obama presents former United States Marine Corps pilot, astronaut and United States Senator John Glenn with a Medal of Freedom, Tuesday, May 29, 2012, during a ceremony at the White House in Washington. Image Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

IN MEMORIUM


Navy recruitment poster by JC Leyendecker, 1917
Happy Memorial Day