Year of Being 50: Day 284: Art Class
I enjoy the act of creation.
Category Archives: Things to Love
Things to Love: Mr. Rogers, Everyone’s Friend
Mr. Rogers had, and continues to have, a big impact in my life.
Things to Love #18: Logic Puzzles
One person's drudgery is another person's giddy joy. Oh, how I love logic puzzles!
Things to Love #16: ‘A Pattern Language’: The Language of Spaces
Have you ever read a book that was written in an odd way but just made complete sense to you? Like you truly knew the contents and meaning all along but couldn't put it into words? Like your feelings and reactions had previously figured it out, but your brain hadn't translated it to a point where you could express it to others? 'A Pattern Language' is such a book for me.
Things to Love #13: Webcomics
You no longer need to be chummy with a newspaper or a newspaper syndicate to have a comic strip. Anyone can draw their art, or make their humor, and just put it out there on the web for all to enjoy. Webcomics are one of many areas where the freedom of the internet has generated some great work. Here are my favorites.
Things to Love #12: Wellington Dreams
I keep coming back to this little video, over and over. It means different things to me at different times, but it always makes me happy, or hopeful, or motivated. It seemed appropriate to share on my wedding anniversary.
Things to Love #11: Summer Vacation
I believe that a long summer break is vital. If you work hard throughout the school year, you need time to regroup and refresh, as well as pursue your special interests.
Things to Love #10: Paper Planners
Electronic planners are useful. But sometimes you want, or need, a more tangible place to organize your thoughts or your week.
Things to Love #9: Letterboxing
Traipsing across the land, searching out a hidden box with only a few clues to guide you. Think Geocaching combined with orienteering, but without any pesky technology, and you have Letterboxing.
Things to Love #8: Armchair Architecture
There are many schools of architecture throughout the ages. Some exist because of materials available. Some because of stylistic preferences. Some because of regional needs.
Things to Love #7: Chocolate
Learn about types of chocolate, percentage requirements of ingredients, and some delectable options for what to eat. Because, well, chocolate.
Things to Love #6: NASA
The Space Shuttle program is over, but that doesn't mean we aren't continuing to explore. Learn about NASA's history of exploration and research, what's in store for the future, and the free and amazing educational resources available.
Things to Love #5: Astronomy: Four Galilean Moons
Jupiter. It's the biggest planet in our solar system. It has a distinctive red spot, a raging storm that never seems to end. It has more moons than any other planet. And four of them are special. They're huge. Like, planet huge.
Things to Love #4: Retrofuturism
Retrofuturism includes imagined styles from the future, conceived of in the past. The 20th century was filled with these kinds of things, as we aimed for the sky and then participated in the Space Race. Anything space-y and modern was cool.
Things to Love #3: Family History and Genealogy
From an early age I've been interested in genealogy. My paternal grandmother had so much information about where and who she came from. I remember seeing a huge, handwritten wheel that was made with her at the center and her family branching out from there. I was struck by it all. And, when she died, I volunteered to be the caretaker of all of the family history documents, letters, photos, and memorabilia.
Things to Love #2: The Smithsonian
Imagine a museum of the highest caliber. Imagine there being no admission cost. Now imagine that there are almost a couple dozen of them, each specializing in a different topic, all within the same general geographic area, most reachable by public transportation (though hard to park at). That... is the Smithsonian.