We are visiting the Lights On event in Lakeway. Each year, the city sets up a holiday light display, and Friday night was the grand opening. We are going to eat off the food trucks. Our entertainment is Jimmy Buffet.
Menu
Pizza, Bar B Q, donuts, Smores, hot chocolate
So jump on the bus.
Santabus from Waterford Unified School District, photographed by Suzanne Bauer, director of transportation.
There’s the sign, so we know we are here.
There have to be rules.
Great sign.
Of course, the Grinch is here.
Decorate cookies.
Ride the bucking reindeer.
Write a letter to Santa.
Visit the Bookmobile.
There is a band.
Mini donut cakes
Craigo’s pizza.
Hot chocolate.
BBQ
Marshmallows for smores.
Mayor Kilgore and Santa are ready to light the display.
The lights are on.
Trails of lights.
Beautiful lights.
The center of the big tree looking up
Time now for some food and music. I hope you have a great week.
Stop me if you have heard this one. The Coffee machine stands ready for the order. One could almost hear the click of heels as the coffee was promptly delivered. One sip and the clock came to mind.
The setting is 1941, and the location is Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii. The time is 7:55, and the duration is 110 minutes. The plunger is pulled, and we find ourselves on the deck of the battleship USS West Virgina. It is a beautiful Sunday morning, and in the distance, we can see what looks like a whole squadron of airplanes returning to Hickam Field on the island.
These are not American planes returning but 353 Aircraft – 40 torpedo planes, 103 level bombers, 131 dive-bombers, and 79 fighters of the Imperial Japanese Navy with the intent of sinking the American fleet at Pearl Harbor.
These Japanese aircraft were launched from the Japanese fleet north of Hawaii, which consisted of 67 Ships: 6 heavy aircraft carriers, 2 heavy cruisers, 35 submarines, 2 light cruisers, nine oilers, 2 battleships, and 11 destroyers.
In about one hour and fifteen minutes, Japanese planes destroyed or damaged 19 US warships and 300 aircraft and killed over 2,400 US servicemen.
As the West Virginia settles to the bottom of the shallow harbor, the alarm goes off, and we find ourselves back on the couch.
There is a text from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “Stop me if you’ve heard this one.” Write whatever comes to mind when you think of the prompt. Enjoy!
Today marks the 83rd anniversary of the attack and a day that should be remembered. We are not going to the pub today but will be thinking of those who lost their lives.
It’s new news, old news, and news that can never be repeated too often: spending time in nature reduces emotional distress among troubled 10-—to 12-year-olds.
The Canadian researchers behind the new study say their findings suggest that an inexpensive school-based, nature-born program may help the most vulnerable youngsters.
Canadian researchers discovered that spending two hours a week of class time in a natural environment can reduce emotional distress among child participants who had the most significant mental health problems before the program began.
The research, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, follows the recent publication of a UNICEF report pointing to the importance of green space for children’s development.
The Canadian team looked at the effects of spending time in nature on the behavior and mental health symptoms of more than 500 schoolchildren across Quebec in the spring of 2023.
“The idea for the project came up during the pandemic when people were worried about the health risks of children spending so much time inside the school each day,” said study senior author Professor Marie-Claude Geoffroy of McGill University.
They found that at the end of three months, teachers noted that the most significant changes in behavior occurred in children with the most important problems at the outset. These included anxiety and depression, aggressivity and impulsivity, and social issues relating to interaction with their peers.
Interviews with the teachers following the program also suggested that children were calmer, relaxed, and attentive in class after spending time in nature.
“This suggests that nature-based programs may offer targeted benefits for children with higher levels of mental health vulnerabilities and potentially act as an equalizer of mental health among school-age children,” co-author Professor Sylvana Côté from the University of Montreal added.
The research builds on earlier observational studies but is the first to use a randomized controlled trial—the gold standard of medical research—to provide concrete information about the benefits to children of spending time in nature.
All the schools involved in the study were within a mile of a park or green space, and half of the children stayed in school while a similar number took part in the nature-based intervention.
“My kids and I spend lots of time in parks, so I’ve seen the benefits of spending time in nature, both for myself and them,” added Professor Geoffrey. “So, I thought maybe we can have a free and accessible intervention where school children can spend time in nature, and we can measure the effects this has on their mood and behavior.”
During the two hours they spent in the park each week, teachers were asked to offer regular classes in math, languages, or science.
They were also asked to incorporate a 10—to 15-minute activity to promote mental health, using examples drawn from a teachers’ kit designed by the research team.
The activities included drawing a tree, writing haikus, and mindful walking.
Study first author Tianna Loose, a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Montreal, added that the intervention was low-cost, well-received, and posed no risks, making it a promising strategy for schools.
The good news here is something we all could have guessed, but it is now a matter of science. Today’s JohnKu talks about intuition. I hope you have a glorious weekend.
This post ran on December 10, 2018. Since the anniversary of the Pilgrims’ arrival is approaching, I thought preparing would be a good idea.
* * *
The pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock on December 11, 1620. If you were there, here is a list to help you stay out of trouble.
Top Ten Things Not to Do Landing at Plymouth Rock in 1620
10 If you land with the Pilgrims, do not suggest a beach party once reaching land. If you do, at best, no one will understand you. At worst, there will be a realization on the part of the elders that you are possessed. ( You might as well confess, Gabriele. They won’t stop the water board treatment until you do. Of course, confession may lead to an old-fashioned stake burning. Tough decision.)
9 If you land with the Pilgrims, do not try to beat Tiny, the WWF champ, to a long boat. If you do, at best, you’ll trip and miss your chance. At worst, you’ll find yourself in the boat sitting next to Tiny, and he doesn’t look happy. (You’ll soon learn, Gadiel, that Tiny promised his mom that he would be the first to get into the boat and onto land. Now that he has missed his number one promise, it looks like you are about to be tossed overboard. If so, give that anchor he gave you to hold back to Tiny before you go.)
8 If you land with the Pilgrims, do not start telling everyone about planting a fish with the corn. If you do, at best, you will be laughed out of town. At worst, since it is December and the ground is frozen solid, you might be taken for crazy. (Of course, you meant in the spring, Gair. The guys with that ball and chain could care less.)
7 If you land with the Pilgrims, do not mention anything about a turkey dinner for Thanksgiving. If you do, at best, you’ll have to go hunting. At worst, the elders will quiz you closely about why you are thankful. It is cold, wet, and miserable. ( Now that they mention it, Galchobhar, you may have tipped your hand about time travel. This can only lead to the thought that you are a devil. That thought never gets anyone anything.)
6 If you land with the Pilgrims, do not start talking about forming a football team named the Pilgrim Patriots. If you do, at best, no one ever heard of football. At worst, you will immediately be accused of rule violations and forever curse the team to public scorn. (So there is where all this New England Patriot controversy comes from, Galterieo. Might as well label it Pilgrimgate.)
5 If you land with the Pilgrims, do not wear your “I love Pope Paul V” sweatshirt. If you do, at best, no one will notice it under your black tunic. At worst, William Brewster will catch a glimpse and reach an apocalyptic state of the highest order. (Good thing you were able to talk your way out of that one, Galvyn. I’m not sure anything Catholic would be welcome here.)
4 If you land with the Pilgrims, do not make jokes about the native tribe called Wampanoags. If you do, at best, the Native Americans will not hear you. At worst, Massasoit, their leader, will take offense. ( Now we have another fine kettle of fish, Ganesh. The pilgrims need Indian assistance, and the leader is mad at you. Guess who will be eliminated in this standoff?)
3 If you land with the Pilgrims, do not try to convince people to dig up clams for food. If you do, at best, most will simply say, “No, thank you.” At worst, you will be declared a food crank and banished. (You have to remember, Garbhach, that the idea of digging up something in the water and then eating it is not what most people think is normal.)
2 If you land with the Pilgrims, do not insist on building a split-level ranch home with a bay view. If you do, at best, you’ll have to do it alone. At worst, the leadership will put you at the bottom of the priority list. (Nice move, Gared. You’ll be in this lean-to for another year at best.)
1 If you land with the Pilgrims, do not discuss your recipe for the perfect margarita with anyone. If you do, at best, someone will report you. At worst, you’ll be asked to prepare a batch, and there is no tequila or limes anywhere. (How do these stocks feel, Garred? You only have thirty days to go.)
Today, we are traveling to Lakeway City Hall, where the 2024 Lakeway Photo Festival winners are displayed. The Festival is sponsored by The Lakeway Arts Committee and is an annual event. We are catered by This Too Shall Pass of Austin. Our entertainment is Paul Simon singing Kodachrome.
Also, all the photos are behind glass and illuminated with spotlights. To get a photo of the photo, I have had to take some unusual angles to avoid glare and reflection. I intended to get a clear photo and not worry about the frames. The angles will be a little uncomfortable to highly qualified photographers. The following are the category winners.
Iconic Golfball Tower
Framed
Don’t Wake the Lion
A Rose by Any Other Dark Name.
Life Emerging
Oh Deer
Got Any Nuts?
Woodhouse Scrub Jay
Sharing Sweet Nectar
The Mother Ship
Celebrate America
Misty Morning
Runners -up
Runners up
Well, that is the tour. It is time to relax with food and music. I hope you have a great weekend.
How cool is this? My coffee was waiting for me when merely approaching the machine. How that happened is anybody’s guess, but it seemed like a nice thing to have happened. After the first sip, the time travel clock came to mind. The time is set to November 30th, 1924. The place is Cleveland Ohio and the duration is for an hour. The plunger is pulled, and we find ourselves at the headquarters of the National Football League. We are hear for the announcement of the 1924 champions.
The 1924 NFL season officially ended with the Cleveland Bulldogs as champions based on having the best record (7-1-1) for a .875 winning percentage. Second place went to the Chicago Bears (6-1-4 or .857), whom Cleveland had defeated, 16 to 14, in the Bulldogs’ first game on October 5.
The league was founded in 192o. Joseph Carr, the commissioner, announces the standings.
NFL standings
Team
W
L
T
PCT
PF
PA
STK
Cleveland Bulldogs
7
1
1
.875
229
60
W2
Chicago Bears
6
1
4
.857
136
55
W3
Frankford Yellow Jackets
11
2
1
.846
326
109
W8
Duluth Kelleys
5
1
0
.833
56
16
W1
Rock Island Independents
5
2
2
.714
88
38
L1
Green Bay Packers
7
4
0
.636
108
38
L1
Racine Legion
4
3
3
.571
69
47
W1
Chicago Cardinals
5
4
1
.556
90
67
L1
Buffalo Bisons
6
5
0
.545
120
140
L3
Columbus Tigers
4
4
0
.500
91
68
L1
Hammond Pros
2
2
1
.500
18
45
W2
Milwaukee Badgers
5
8
0
.385
142
188
L2
Akron Pros
2
6
0
.250
59
132
W1
Dayton Triangles
2
6
0
.250
45
148
L6
Kansas City Blues
2
7
0
.222
46
124
L2
Kenosha Maroons
0
4
1
.000
12
117
L2
Minneapolis Marines
0
6
0
.000
14
108
L6
Rochester Jeffersons
0
7
0
.000
7
156
L7
As the champagne is being served, the alarm goes off, and we are on the couch. A test has arrived from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “cool.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
After a pod of more than 30 pilot whales were stranded on a New Zealand beach, over a thousand volunteers and professionals organized to save them by carrying them back out to sea on sheets.
The sheets were suspended from the prow of a boat operated by New Zealand’s Department of Conservation (DoC).
The stranding happened on Ruakākā Beach near the city of Whangārei in New Zealand’s north island, a particularly prolific stranding location for pilot whales. DoC agents routinely survey the beach and ask the public to report any whales coming too near.
Rescue efforts saw almost all of the pilot whales survive, while three adults and one calf perished. A Māori ceremony was held to honor their spirits, as the Māori believe the animal to be a sacred cultural treasure.
“It’s amazing to witness the genuine care and compassion people have shown toward these magnificent animals,” Joel Lauterbach, a Department of Conservation spokesperson, said in a statement. “This response demonstrates the deep connection we all share with our marine environment.”
The good news in this story is seeing folks pull together to save other Earth residents. The JohnKu talks about thinking of others as more than just animals. I hope you have a super weekend.
