A Groundhog Named Phil

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They look like cute little critters don't they?  They are, but they can do a lot of damage around the home and garden in summer and they hibernate in winter -- so why do we wait with baited breath every February 2nd  to see whether a groundhog named Phil in Punxutawney, Pennsylvania,will wake up and see his shadow or not? 

Watched by a cast of thousands, Phil is keenly studied as he comes out of his burrow.  If he sees his shadow, folk wisdom says we will have six more weeks of winter.  If not, well Spring is just around the corner.

Only in America do we look to a large rodent named Phil to tell us when winter will end.  

Happy Groundhog Day folks.

Solar Storms and Northern Lights

We humans are lucky this year. It seems the increase in solar storms is resulting in some spectacular Northern Light shows for us to enjoy here on earth.  This one is in Norway, but they are happening all  around the Arctic Circle and are extending further south than usual  as well.  The scientists say that we will be experiencing increased Northern Lights for the next year or so, which is just fine by me.  Maybe, I can get someplace to see one in person.  Meanwhile, I am enjoying the show via YouTube.

Seen up close and personal, Northern Lights arequite amazing. I witnessed them just once, years ago in Iceland and it was awe-inspiring..... more like being in church than being in church is.  Those northern lights went on dancing for about twenty minutes.  It was an awe- inspiring " son et lumiere" courtesy of Mother Nature and it reminded me of how big the universe is and how small we are.

The video below brought it all back to me. It's one of the best I've seen of the January 23 spectacular light show.  Though nothing can compare with being there, this video comes close.  Enjoy.

Why Models Look Younger and Prettier Than You Do

OMG I love this video.  No more looking at pictures of models in Vogue and feeling inadequate. No more thinking that a woman can never be too rich or too thin and especially-- no more worrying about getting old.

The product is not real, but the biting, social comment on Western standards of beauty and the shallowness of our culture is right on the money.

Jesse Rosten  is brilliant. This video just says it all. You have to watch it.

Fotoshop by Adobé from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.

And now for the Behind the Scenes version that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that reality is even more fun than illusion.  Tah Dah!  You absolutely have to watch this one too.

BTS Fotoshop from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.

Social Media Christmas

the Ghost of Christmas Future

Merry Christmas Everybody

Thanks, everybody, for taking the time throughout the year to stop by and read the odd outpourings of my packratish mind.  It is  always great to see you and I love that you all keep stopping by.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours. May the coming year bring us all peace,prosperity, and the capacity to at least try and understand each other.

photo source:  andrewb172/photobucket  -- thanks.

Weird Hand Crafted Christmas Tree Ornaments

Looking for some unique and " different" ornaments for your tree?  If the ordinary Christmas stuff is starting to send you into a diabetic coma, the antidote is right here. Etsy is the place to go for jaw droppingly weird, kid-frightening, zombie loving, out of the ordinary, hand crafted goodies for your holiday tree.

Monster for your tree?  Sculpted in clay and hand-painted in blue and white, with reflective silver accents. Tusk is heavy-grade paper. Lots of monsters to choose from at  Relics Imaginary on Etsy

Nothing says festive like a flesh-eating zombie chasing a little elf. This four inch high ornament fashioned from strong plate steel can be yours over at  Zombie Explosion plus   it's made in the USA.

Anybody for a tree decorated with " bizarre alien fetus"  ornaments?  You can find a set of 14 over at  Beth Robinson's Strange Dolls  Etsy shop. What a Christmas gift for your worst enemy at the office eh?

Three funny hand painted polymer clay monster faces add a carnival atmosphere to your tree. These three little guys are odd, but really quite lovable I think. Check them out over at  Bambolanera on Etsy

Who wouldn't love a severed kewpie doll head, complete with fork, holding up a lovely, handcrafted christmas globe.  It's a conversation starter for sure.  You can find this one and more humerous and sardonic tree ornaments and other goodies to delight and confound at aimee's place on Etsy.  

How about Michael Jackson on your tree?  The kids will love him ( cough ) oh never mind, this is an imaginative, eco friendly felt ornament, hand done by Eco-Weird.  There's even a squeeker inside.

OK that's the best of the best for the moment, but I'm keeping my eyes open. Have a great day and don't let the zombies get you down. Put them on your tree.