Summer's Gone

It's like someone turned a switch or lowered the thermostat. Instant Autumn, just like that. It was the hottest, driest summer in recorded history here (Temescal Canyon/Glen Ivy Hot Springs, CA). Glad it's over. I can start walking long distances again any time of day without worry of heatstroke.
Today we are having cool showers as a little extra benefit and tonight snow above 7000 ft.
I accept and enjoy all changes but I am attached to Fall. Happy when it arrives and sorry to see it go.
I always think clearer and seem to enjoy life more in cooler, temperate weather. That is why I enjoyed living in the English countryside. Think there maybe something true in that particular "body types" function better in certain climates. I believe I read something about this in an ayurvedic brochure or a lecture I attended. Will check it out again.
I wish your fall to be another enjoyable experience.

Bento Box (弁当箱) Diaries

After posting a photo of a bento lunch on Flickr, I became curious about the organization and design of these so "pleasing to the eye" meals. Then serendipitously "How to make Bento" appeared on the Google home page. Gotta love that Google. Who knew that there are formulae for the portions in the Bento Box as well as the proper size based on gender, height and activity level. Japanese traditions are so civilized. I definitely need to work on my portion control anyway and what could be better than making a Bento for lunch everyday. I am currently looking for some bento boxes and found several web sites offering them. More to come.

TED, ideas worth spreading

I subscribe to TED, an on-line forum with weekly talks by some of our best minds. TED is Technology, Entertainment, Design.

TED is devoted to giving millions of knowledge-seekers around the globe direct access to the world's greatest thinkers and teachers.

I received an email from TED informing me about Pangea Day, May 10, 2008 and to spread the word to friends.

Pangea Day taps the power of film to strengthen tolerance and compassion while uniting millions of people to build a better future.

So I'm spreading the word, especially to my Flickr friends who capture many wonderful views and share them. You know who you are:-). If your camera has a movie mode, get to work. Take a look at the samples on the Pangea Day link above.
Link to TED here and work your way into one of the most rewarding websites. Here is the You Tube link to the video by Jehane Noujaim, 2006 TED prizewinner.

Your neighbors know if you're wasting energy.....

that is if you live in the borough of Haringey, London.
"Spy-in-the-sky cameras are being used to identify householders who are wasting the most energy and to shame them into turning the central heating down.
Thermal images of homes have been taken by a light aircraft fitted with military spy technology to record the heat escaping from people’s houses.
Maps identifying individual homes have now been placed on the internet to encourage occupiers to reduce their wastage and carbon emissions by fitting insulation and turning the thermostat down." From the London Times and here

Favorite Quotes

I know placing someone else's quotation on a blog can be annoying and boorish, but this is one of my favorite quotes from Emerson.

It is not length of life, but depth of life. Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life. Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thanks Ralph, I will.

Earthquake Map

In the right column I have added the USGS-Caltech earthquake map for Southern California. We have been experiencing small earthquakes every day since the m=4.7 on Sept. 2nd. We just had one again (9:05AM) and it frightened Pumpkin my cat, he has been acting strangely for the last few days. Maybe he senses something bigger in the futrue.

There's something to be said about zoning.

I feel sorry for this Houston (Kemah) family. Perhaps she can sell her weekend home to that interested roller coaster rider.