Merry Christmas

The management and staff of the Bombshell would like to extend the warmest Christmas Wishes to our entire readership..
In all seriousness, I wish all my regulars and those who find their way here by accident a very Merry Christmas... Mat the Peace and Warmth of the Season find it's way to your homes and families...

Merry Christmas to all!

Images for the Mind and Spirit

For today, we have somethinmg a little different, and focuses upon a gentleman who's work I have admired for a long time. That gentelman is Carl Heilman II, and his website resides at Carl Heilman Photography.
Mr. Heilman's has been a featured part of Adirondack Life Magazine for years, and I've always enjoyed his work because his favored subject is my beloved Adirondack Mountains.
Carl has a wealth of information, images and free screensavers on his website, and I encourage everyone to visit often and spend some time enjoying some of the oldest, and most beautiful mountains on earth..

I've also added Carl Heilman Photography to the Art Department on the sidebar.

Enjoy perusing Mr. Heilman's site... and have an enjoyable weekend.

The Joy of Music.. and other random thoughts

Now, I'll preface my comments by stating openly that I'm about as far removed from Catholicism as one can get. I'm don't practice traditional religion at all, although I try to live a decent life. I'm probably closer in practice to a Wiccan like my dear departed Mom than a true Christian, although I try my best to adhere to Christian values.
It's odd then that I should find anything on the cable channel aimed at Catholics, of much interest. But lately, I have once again found "The Joy of Music" with Diane Bish.
Diane Bish is an accomplished organist, and tours different cathedrals throughout the World, and plays powerful, awe inspiring hymns of the organs housed there.
Some of these instruments are as huge and dominating as the wonderful music that Diane Bish coaxes from them.
What strikes me is the way this talented musician can play multiple levels of keyboards with both hands, and also have both feet working pedals. It amazes me almost as much as her music inspires me..

I do believe that the combination of Diane Bish's hymns on the organ, and fire and brimstone coming down from the pulpit, could even make a sinner such as I repent!

Look at the schedule for Diane Bish on her website, and try to catch an airing of "The Joy of Music"... And see if you don't enjoy it as much as I do...

A hard winter in store??

According to reports, it could be, and that's good news in my book!
I like the cold... I like the snow. What I don't like is purchasing warmth in the form of foreign oil, but, at least for the time being, that's a necessary evil.
I've noticed the caterpillars are pretty hairy and the grey squirrels busy burying acorns... All signs I look for.
For a more scientific explanation, read here about the mild "El Nino" and it's effect on the weather here in the Northeast..

Pray for snow!

Carryin' the torch..

Harry Connick Jr. has a new album out entitled "Your Songs." It's a compilation of old standards, many of which are old "torch" songs that I have a great affinity for. While I'm not a great fan of "Junior" personally, he's undeniably a pretty talented and entertaining guy, and I'll probably pick up the CD just because I like the music so much..
While we're on the subject, I like Diana Krall for the same reasons musically. Her music is sultry, sexy and alluring, and when the artist is likewise, the combination is just magic!
On another note, I've been a Beatles fan my entire life. The group broke onto the music scene when I was in my "coming of age" years, and they spoke to me. The magic has never died for me, and I still find myself often listening to the old albums, although now on CD.
Much of the old catalog has been remixed and remastered using modern technology, but not cleaned up to the point where any of the true recording was lost. All the warts are still there.. I'll probably treat myself to the package as a Christmas presewnt to myself..
I still often listen to Orff's Carmina Burana and the Symphony From the New World by Dvorak, so I'm guessing my tastes are a bit eclectic, but that suits my inconsistent personality!

Don't forget your speakers for the links...

Enjoy!

Fall leaves

I've yet to meet the person that does not wax nostalgic on the beautiful scenery of Fall. And what more beautiful place to immerse oneself the color than New York's beautiful Adirondacks?
According to this website, the Adirondacks of New York are rated #1, as well they should be!

If you can get some time to get away, plan on a trip to New York's North Country.. As a bonus, bird season opens on September 20th...

Just stay out of my coverts! LOL

Pictured... Looking Northwest to "Big Blue," Blue Mountain from my garage... Past peak.

Truisms

I saw a great quote over on Maggie's Farm today...

"Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he's too old to fight, he'll just kill you."

Ain't it the truth!

Another celebrity passes ..

And this one, also very famous!

This celebrity has touched many lives, and taught us about strength and stoicism..

Read about it here....

Product Endorsement

The staff at "The Bombshell" is specifically prohibited from accepting gratuities, or perks of any kind for product endorsements, chiefly because we consider it inappropriate, and in reality, because no one has come forward and offered us anything. But, there are exceptions to every rule, and this will be one.
A plug for Canon, the folks that bring you great camera gear... I've got an old A-85 P&S from Canon... My first digital camera, and it's probably six years old. Just last week, in shooting mode, the screen displayed purple and green lines.. akin to static on a TV from the old days..
A quick look through google turned up the fact that this is not an uncommon problem with this series camera, and that Canon had an ongoing program to fix these cameras.
A call to Canon confirmed that the repair, and even shipping is free to install a new sensor. The technician explained that the camera was essentially going "blind," and that after the repair, it would, in all probability continue going strong for another six years..
Where can you get service like that today? They e-mailed a pre-paid shipping label the very next day. The only thing I need to do is box it up and drop it off at the local UPS Store..

Kudos to Canon for producing a great product, and for standing behind it!!

Thought for a Monday morning..

What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset.

from the Blackfoot Tribe

Enjoy your Monday....

Truisms from Yogi

Being a New Yawker, and a product of my generation, I grew up with the Yankees and Yogi Berra.
Now, alot of folks have heard Yogi's quotations, but here's a complete collection..
I always to try to get a laugh everyday from my internet travels, and sometimes laughs are hard to find, but quotations from Yogi Berra will keep me laughing a long time.. We always laughed with Yogi, and never at him, because he was a lovable guy, a class act and a great Yankee!

So, click the link and enjoy some of the best from the great Yogi Berra..

My Face

This quote is taken off the Memorial Wall dedicated to the Women and Men who lost their lives to the Salem Witch hunt mania of the 17th century.



My Face


My face is a mask I order to say nothing
About the fragile feelings hiding in my soul.



-Glenn Lazore (Mohawk)


Enjoy your day!

Yesteryear right around the corner

This gas station has been down the road as long as I can remember.. And with good reason, as it predates me!
It was a working gas station years ago, but appeared a bit more modern. It has not been a working business for some time, but in recent years has been restored to it's former glory by the local historical society.
I love stuff like this, and wish it were much more prevalent..

Enjoy!

Legend of the Dreamcatcher

Native Americans of the Great Plains believe that the air is filled with both good and bad dreams. Historically, dreamcatchers were hung in the tipi or lodge and on a baby's cradle board.
According to legend, the good dreams pass through the center hole to the sleeping person. The bad dreams are trapped in the web, where they perish in the light of dawn..

Throughout history, nearly every person and culture has placed importance on the meanings of dreams - archetypical messages from 'the other side' - given by various sources - that must interpreted by their symbology and content. Today, dreams are still a powerful force in many people's lives, particularly because of the meanings that can be found in them. Whether dreams are good or bad, they can inspire, confuse, or upset the dreamer.

In the Ojibway tribe, night visions, or dreams, were so important that children were not given a name until after a person designated as the "namer" of that child had a dream as to what he/she should be called. The namer might give the child a charm woven to look like a spider's web in order to protect the baby's dreams.




Read more about the dreamcatcher here...

Just when you thought it was safe...

to go back in the water...

Here's yet another dilemma to blame on global warming, but this one definitely has a positive spin to it! Could it be the disappearance of the ozone? Or maybe the Mediterranean diet... Either way, the resaults look great to me..

Thanks to Maggies Farm for the inspiration..

Bumpersticker ll

My disdain for bumperstickers is on the wane, as I see more and more I can relate to... like this one that once again, appeared on Maggie's Farm..

And while perusing Maggie's Farm, be sure to scroll down and see the nice young lady that serves the beer at the farm... Mercy me!

Enjoy the day!

Words to Ponder

Again, from the hearts and souls of the first Americans, who possessed so much wisdom..

What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset.

Blackfoot

Beware the Ides of March

Another warning handed down from the Roman calendar.
The ides are closely related to the prevalent science of the day, Astrology and the teachings of Ptolemeus... All very mystical and magical.
In modern times, we know that the teachings of Ptolemy, Plato and Pythagorus were in many ways incorrect, but forebodings of evel and darkness often tend to transcend pragmatism and knowledge..
So, heed the ancient soothsayer's warning to Julius Caesar, and "Beware the Ides of March"...

I know I will.. particularly after passing yet another Friday the 13th unscathed..

Beware...

An inscription

..... on a dog's grave marker.


No cold philosophy, no cynic sneer,
Checks the unhidden and honest tear,
What little difference, and how short the span,
Betwixt thy instinct and the mind of man.


Unknown Poet

May I someday honor my friends that have gone on before so graciously..

Thought for a Monday morning...

A Bumpersticker for Our Times.

I hate bumperstickers, and always have!

This one though, might just be enough to push me over the edge if I ever actually saw one.. Better throw some Valium into the glovebox!

Thanks to Maggies Farm for the inspiration..