Merry Christmas - 2025

 

Extra Christmas Trees - before the wind!

Merry Christmas!

Happy New Year!

Forecast, Shmorecast!

Seems to me local weather forecasts have been "off" as of late, particularly since the federal shutdown. Reports have seemed more and more inaccurate, changing drastically, day to day, even hour to hour. Indeed, it has so seemed ever since this year's dreadful cuts to the government's scientific agencies charged with studying weather and climate.

For example, we were supposed to get hammered this holiday weekend. For crying out loud, people drove home early from the family's Thanksgiving gathering just to beat the impending storm.

Instead of a blizzard, we got a nice, normal blast of cold with an inch or so of snow--completely seasonal for this lat in November. Nothing nobody couldn't handle. And it is already melting away. 

This photograph came from Casper Mountain.

We honestly expected a whole, helluva lot more snow!

Seriously, check the forecast, then check the actual weather, then check the forecast again and see just how close it keeps.

Perhaps we'd have just as much luck checking the Old Farmer's Almanac.

Of course, it's set to close down as well.

Where and when will the weather have us then?

Ace

All night and all day, 

I keep seeing it spin, and I keep hearing play.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIRMLBn8SpE

In For the Long Haul

 This is how I spent a whole lot of the Summer -- messing with this rig.

Picked it up right after work, the last day of school. Finally dragged it up the Mountain, squeezing it through a long bower of evergreens and then backing it right into a beautiful spot.

It's nice. We enjoy it. Still, I already miss the pop-up camper.

"Weird Al" In Wyoming

We took the Twins -- or the Twins took us -- to "Weird Al" Yankovic.

Such a brilliant musician and performer! 

Wonderful way to close out the Summer!

Special guest - Puddles Pity Party - intriguingly bizarre, indeed!

https://www.weirdal.com/

https://www.puddlespityparty.com/

Iron Maiden in Ireland

It was but a month ago that my wife, our Twins, and I went to Ireland to see Iron Maiden at Malahide Castle -- amongst other activities, of course. 

What an experience!

Global, Yet Still Local

For an excellent explanation on how and why the solstice arrives on different dates for different places, check out these articles from Space.com:

https://www.space.com/summer-solstice-when-what

https://www.space.com/stargazing/summer-solstice-2025-brings-changing-seasons-to-earth-on-june-20

https://www.space.com/stargazing/summer-solstice-2025-is-here-today-marks-the-longest-day-of-the-year-for-the-northern-hemisphere

I spent the moment of the solstice itself gazing toward the horizon just as the sun was setting.  Truly a spectacular sight.

Our Young Author

My Daughter, Mirrary, was awarded first place in the 2025 Wyoming Young Authors competition in 7th grade Non-Fiction. Her piece, Volunteering At The Museum, recounts her experiences as a student docent with the National Historic Trails Interpretive Centre.

 

 

National Historic Trails Centre - https://nhtcf.org/

Wyoming State Literacy Association - https://wyomingliteracy.org/ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Poetry Month

 April is National Poetry Month!

Here are some ways to celebrate (as suggested by poets.org):

1. Sign-up for Poem-a-Day, curated this month by Willie Perdomo, and read a poem each morning.
2. Sign-up to receive a free National Poetry Month poster, featuring an excerpt from “Gate A-4,” a poem by former Young People’s Poet Laureate and Academy Chancellor Naomi Shihab Nye, as well as artwork by New York Times–bestselling author and illustrator Christy Mandin. Download the PDF and display it for the occasion.
3. Read 2024’s most-read poem by a contemporary poet, Naomi Shihab Nye’s “Kindness,” or the most-read classic: Dylan Thomas’s “Do not go gentle into that good night.”
4. Record yourself reading a poem and share why you chose that work online, using the hashtag #NationalPoetryMonth. 
5. Subscribe to the Poem-a-Day podcast.
6. Check out a book of poetry from your local library.
7. Begin your meetings or classes by reading a poem.
8. Talk to the teachers in your life about Teach this Poem and encourage students in grades five–twelve to participate in the Dear Poet project. 
9. Revisit an iconic poet or classic book of poems through the Academy’s literary seminars.
10. Share a poem for Poem in Your Pocket Day on social media using the hashtag #PocketPoem.
11. Read about your state poet laureate.
12. Read a poem before you go to bed.
13. Buy a book of poetry from your local bookstore or on Bookshop.org! Check out “enjambments,” a monthly interview series highlighting emerging and established poets’ latest poetry collections.
14. Make a poetry playlist.
15. Send a poem to your accountant or tax preparer.
16. Create an online anthology of your favorite poems on Poets.org.
17. Organize a poetry reading, open mic, or poetry slam in your neighborhood.
18. Learn more about poetry readings near you. 
19. Donate books of poetry to free libraries and mutual-aid networks.
20. Research and volunteer with poetry organizations in your area.
21. Take a walk and write an ode to an object that you encountered.
22. Read and share poems about the environment in honor of Earth Day. 
23. Start a poetry reading group or potluck, inviting friends to share poems.
24. Attend Poetry & the Creative Mind on April 24, 2025, a free, virtual reading of favorite poems in celebration of National Poetry Month.
25. Read essays about poetry, like former Chancellor Edward Hirsch’s “How to Read a Poem,” Mary Ruefle’s “Poetry and the Moon,” former Chancellor Mark Doty’s “Tide of Voices: Why Poetry Matters Now,” Muriel Rukeyser’s “The Life of Poetry,” and Chancellor Kevin Young’s “Poems of Grief and Healing.”
26. Watch a movie, lecture, or video featuring a poet.
27. Write an exquisite corpse or a renga with friends.
28. Make a poetry chapbook.
29. Browse the glossary of terms and try your hand at writing a formal poem.
30. Make a gift to support the Academy of American Poets’ free programs and publications and keep celebrating poetry year-round!

Read more ways to celebrate National Poetry Month. 

<https://poets.org/national-poetry-month/30-ways-celebrate-national-poetry-month-0>

In Like A Lion - Out Like A Lamb?

Not quite for this year.

As March wails away toward its end, the haze of April begins to roll in.

Planetary Parade - February 2025

In case of cloudy skies, or simple missed opportunity, you can catch this month's planetary alignment --or as some prefer, "parade"-- online:

https://www.space.com/watch-planetary-parade-february-2025-online-free-today

Lots of other articles and various links available.

Hoping to see plenty of images as well!

Heavenly Skies - 2025

Already this year we've had celestial alignments, conjunctions, and occultations, and the skies have been spectacular these past few nights for just simple, good ol' fashioned stargazing.

Check out these sources for all sorts of information regarding wonderful astronomical events awaiting this year.

https://www.space.com/

https://www.nasa.gov/

https://www.astronomy.com/observing/

February:

https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/skywatching/whats-up-february-2025-skywatching-tips-from-nasa/

2025:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/sky-sights-to-watch-in-2025/

http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2025.html

Watch with Wonder!