Pat Wahler's Blog, page 9

The Celestial Show

There’s nothing like August for celestial events.  It brings us the annual Perseid meteor shower, which peaks in my area August 12-13. Viewing the fun requires staying up past midnight, and is best enjoyed in an area where no “light pollution” dilutes the darkness. But seeing meteors whiz through the sky is worth it.

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Perseid meteor August, 2016 in West Virginia. (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

As a matter of fact, many days there are interesting things happening above our heads. Keeping track of it all isn’t easy. Luckily, NASA has a Sky Events Calendar that can give you the information you need for what’s happening. Click HERE for the link to the sky show in your area.

Speaking of a show, you may have heard a word or two about the Big Kahuna event of the summer – a total solar eclipse. We haven’t had a contiguous solar eclipse in the United States since 1979 (I remember using the nail hole in a shoe box method to view it) but one is coming on August 21. People are flocking to places where the eclipse will last the longest, and one of those places is my home town. Nothing like fun in your own back yard for watching a major event, right?

But hey, don’t forget those solar glasses. I worried a bit about the flimsy-looking cardboard devices I’ve seen. After all, I don’t want my eyesballs fried like a couple of eggs in a pan. So what’s a person to do?

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Make sure your glasses are NASA approved! (Carbondale Tourism photo)

Well, for one thing, make sure your glasses are NASA approved. Click HERE for a list of solar glasses that will keep your vision intact. Oh, and don’t forget, if you want to take pictures of the eclipse, additional safety precautions are also required for your camera or the lens will cook.

I know. There’s so much to remember. For a nice concise roundup of dates, times, places, and procedures, NASA has set up a solar eclipse site to answer all your questions. Click HERE to learn from the professionals how to safely enjoy this sure-to-be-amazing experience.

In my digging for solar eclipse information, I ran across an interesting image (and story). On July 28, 1851, Johann F. Berkowski became the first person to successfully photograph a solar eclipse. Berkowski, considered one of Prussia’s most skilled daguerreotypists, was commissioned by the Royal Prussian Observatory. He captured an image of the sun by attaching a telescope to a heliometer, and making an eighty-four second exposure. His exacting efforts (no second chances when making a daguerreotype of a total solar eclipse) got him an amazing shot, and a place in history.

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July, 1851-Pretty cool, huh? (J. Berkowski/Wikipedia Commons)

No matter your plans for the upcoming eclipse, I’m sure it will be an event to remember. I’ve even heard animal behavior could be affected by the “black-out”. Personally, I plan to keep an eagle eye on my critters. If they act any weirder than they normally do, I’ll let you know.

A final note: There’s a new recipe posted, courtesy of friend and fellow-writer, Lynn Obermoeller. You’ll have plenty of time to prepare for the Big Kahuna Event and still eat well with an easy-peasy plate of Crock Pot Chicken.

Books, Books, Books

Its summertime, and people are scrabbling to find the perfect book to read while on vacation. If you choose books the way I do, this isn’t an easy process. I’ve got to look at the cover, review the blurb on the back, and read the first page. Something has to grab me, or its back on the shelf and I pull out the next one.

My tastes are pretty eclectic. Historical fiction, romantic comedy, and biography usually top the list for me. If any of these appeal to you, you’re in luck. I’m going to share some of my favorites from over the last few months. Favorites as in they kept me up late at night. Maybe you’ll find your perfect summer (or fall, or winter) read among them.

Are you in the mood for a book that makes you smile? On Second Thought, by Kristan Higgins will fit the bill nicely. Two sisters tell their stories in alternating chapters. One sister is ever-hopeful her long time wedding-reluctant boyfriend will finally pop the question. She envies her sister who’s already married the “perfect” man. But after the perfect man dies in a freak accident, secrets are bound to be uncovered. You might wonder how Ms. Higgins can add humor to such a story line. Don’t fret, she delivers. In fact, this book hooked me so thoroughly, I’ve read six of her other books.

Have you ever been curious about the author, F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda? If so, I suggest reading Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler. As a young girl, Zelda marries Scott and the two soon become the golden couple of the Jazz Age – until they’re each forced to confront their own demons. I devoured this book because I love imagining the stories wives could tell about their famous husbands. It feels a little bit like reading a diary.

A Six-Scoop Summer

Bears may hibernate during the winter, but I hibernate when the temperature (or heat index) climbs into triple digits.  Lately, my air-conditioned house has been my sanctuary since we’re deep in the heavy, mucky air of summer.  I’m grateful to close the blinds, turn off lights, and sit in front of my computer, pretending its not 100 degrees outside. This situation lends itself to all sorts of woolgathering.

When I’m not dreaming about the crisp cool air of fall, I find myself hunting useless pieces of trivia. For example, what’s the hottest day on record?

Turns out that “honor” goes to Furnace Creek in California’s Death Valley. (The names alone are enough to make me sweat.) On July 10, 1913, Furnace Creek heated up to 134 degrees. But I’m sure it was a dry heat, so no worries. Furnace Creek isn’t a stranger to fiery temperatures, so the area is closed to visitors during the hottest times of the year. Heat lovers rejoice! There is a nearby golf course that holds an annual tournament called the Heatstroke Open. I won’t be attending.

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Furnace Creek, circa 1871. Looks delightful, right? (U.S. National Archives & Records Administration)

The old picture I found of Furnace Creek led me to think about how people handled extreme heat in the past. No air-conditioner or even an electric fan. The men wore long sleeves, long pants, and boots. And the women, well, in my opinion, the women had it worst of all. Layers of clothing, dresses that hung to the floor, and on a Saturday-night-out, a lady would add a corset. Then there’s the fun of standing over a fire to cook while your face turns the color of a ripe tomato.

About the best way they had to cope (short of a vacation to a cooler climate) would be to build the homestead in shade trees with a porch for sitting and sleeping. Someone might even sneak to the pond for a swim when no one was looking, and a paper fan would help to swish the hot air around if there wasn’t a breeze.

When you consider remedies like that, I really shouldn’t whine about the heat.  In today’s world, I’ve got it pretty darn good wearing my shorts and sitting near the A/C vent.  The entire summer-thing looks even better when you consider the other frosty and delicious way I keep cool.

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This is definitely a six-scoop summer.

How about you? Are you hibernating too?

 

 

Why Am I Already Covering My Ears?

It’s true I’ve gotten older, slightly neurotic, and more than a little cranky, but in my opinion, some Fourth of July festivities have gotten out of control.  Count me in for parties and eating and watching parades, but other things are better observed from afar. Loud explosions and fiery particles landing on trees, grass, and rooftops do not fill me with joy.

Unfortunately, many of my neighbors don’t share this opinion. Fireworks have been exploding for several days now, and if history is any indication, the hoop-la-la will continue (with varying degrees of intensity) well beyond the Fourth. The noise terrorizes pets who run away to flee the scary sounds, burning embers are a fire hazard, and people sometimes lose a few fingers when they forget to run after lighting a fuse.

Another issue is my own dog, Winston, who would rather sneak a pee on the floor than go outside in the middle of World War III. No way, no how is he leaving the house when it sounds like the world is coming to an end.

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Do you hear what I hear?

Bogey is less fireworks-challenged than Winston, although he does resent losing the entertainment value provided by watching birds and squirrels in the yard. I’ve often wondered what the woodland creatures must be thinking as they pack their nests and skedaddle from the area huffing, “There go those humans again, ruining the neighborhood. They sure know how to make property values decrease.”

When did Americans enter this love affair with blowing things up?

According to an article in Smithsonian.com, one year after the Declaration of Independence was signed, Philadelphia threw an enormous party.

One of the most elaborate celebrations in 1777, and the first organized celebration of its kind occurred in Philadelphia. This event had all of the elements of typical future celebrations-the discharge of cannon, one round for each state of the union, the ringing of bells, a dinner, the use of music, the drinking of toasts (it would subsequently be traditional to have one toast for each state of the union), “loud huzzas”, a parade, fireworks, the use of the nation’s colors, in this case the dressing up of “armed ships and gallies” in the harbor. 

Although my neighbors aren’t shooting cannons (at least not yet), my house is shaking from firecrackers and cherry bombs. However, reading about the first celebration did give me an idea on how to cope. If I drink a toast to each state of the union – all fifty of them! – most likely I won’t care what’s happening around me or puddling on my floor.

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Bang! Sizzle! Kapow!

It’s true that we each must develop our own methods of getting by. From what Winston is showing me, it looks like one of mine will include a bottle of professional strength Resolve and a great big sponge.

Sharpshooter, Chameleon, and Rival

Years ago, I wrote a short story featuring Annie Oakley and her husband, Frank. I had a great time reading about her and the life she led, and it was fun imagining and penning a tale where Annie’s shooting skills dazzled a crowd of onlookers.

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Annie Oakley preparing for an over-the-shoulder shot. I’m betting she didn’t miss her target. (Bettmann/Corbis)

In the course of gathering information, I ran across a young woman who was a major competitor of Annie’s named Lillian Frances Smith. With my focus on Annie, I didn’t pursue any in-depth facts on Lillian. I finished my story and moved on to other things, forgetting all about Annie’s rival.

Until a few months ago.

I discovered a new biography – in fact, the only biography – on Lillian Frances Smith, America’s Best Female Sharpshooter, written by Julia Bricklin. I couldn’t resist it, and ordered the book.

Lillian turns out to be a fascinating character in her own right.

Known as “The California Girl”, Smith amazed crowds at the age of fourteen, performing in Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show. As time changed circumstances, she was shrewd enough to reinvent herself in the public eye, becoming “Princess Wenona”. Chameleon-like, she used dark makeup and wore Native American dress, to bill herself as a Sioux sharpshooter. While she invented her Sioux heritage, her sharpshooting skills were real. Records credited to Lillian by the time of her death included such accomplishments as: breaking 71 of 72 glass balls thrown in the air while on the back of a running horse, hitting 300 swinging glass balls in 14 minutes and 33 seconds, and making 24 of 25 8-inch bull’s-eyes at 200 yards. Not shabby shooting at all.

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A publicity shot of “Princess Wenona”. (Library of Congress via Smithsonian.com)

This biography not only brings Lillian Smith to life, but discusses the rivalry between Smith and Oakley in a way that helps us understand the differences and similarities between these two women. A look at how the Old West shows were operated by Buffalo Bill and other such entrepreneurs is a bonus.

Julia Bricklin is certainly qualified to tell Lillian’s story. She’s written for Wild West, Civil War Times, Financial History, True West, Smithsonian.com, and History.net. She edits California History.

If you’re looking for a well-researched biography about a strong woman from America’s past, I’d suggest picking up a copy.

Attention historical novelists! Wouldn’t “Princess Wenona” make a fabulous heroine for your next book?

The Naked Truth

There’s nothing like the deliciousness of really good chocolate. Yesterday, I threw away any notion of the diet I ought to be on, and indulged in a chocolate covered caramel made by Godiva. Heavenly! Yet after I examined the packaging, something occurred to me that I never thought about before – probably since I’m primarily focused on, well, chocolate.

A visit to the Godiva website told me that Godiva, a business with roots in Brussels, named their company after Lady Godiva, for “values associated with her of boldness, generosity, and a pioneering spirit”. The company logo features a naked woman with long flowing tresses (strategically placed) and riding a horse.

As most people know, the story of Lady Godiva (968-1057) is that she took pity on the people, begging her husband to reduce his oppressive taxes on them. Figuring he’d found the perfect way to keep her quiet, he said he’d reduce taxes when she rode naked through their town of Coventry. Godiva, after sending out a strongly worded proclamation for people to stay indoors and not peek, called her husband’s bluff.

Surprisingly, not a person in Coventry failed to follow her order except for one man named Tom, who couldn’t resist the temptation to sneak a look. He was immediately either struck blind or dead (depending on which version you read) through swift heavenly judgement. Meanwhile, Godiva’s ride convinced her husband to reduce taxes and everyone joyously celebrated, except, of course, for Peeping Tom.

It’s all a very pretty story indeed, despite the fact that it never happened. There are no accounts by Godiva’s contemporaries of such an event occurring, and gossip being what it is, most likely her acquaintances would have at least mentioned it. (“Did you hear what Lady Godiva did last week? I’m telling you, I could have died!”)

The oldest form of the story doesn’t appear until the 1200’s, and “Peeping Tom” doesn’t show up until the 1700’s – not exactly the most reliable sources of information. As time went on, little details were added to shape the current legend of Lady Godiva.

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Statue of Lady Godiva in Coventry, England – scene of the infamous ride. (Tripadvisor photo)

Coventry, England remains quite proud of Lady Godiva and no one is willing to let her story disappear. The Godiva Procession, part of the Coventry Fair, has been held for many years with “Godiva” typically wearing a body suit and cloak (in case any Peeping Toms are curious). The event has changed over time, and is now called the Coventry Godiva Festival, with a decidedly rock concert leaning. If you’re planning a trip to Coventry around July 7-9, click HERE for the current lineup. Sadly, I didn’t see any mention of an appearance by Lady Godiva on the schedule.

At least there’s one thing of which we can be sure. A story might be only a legend, but Godiva chocolate? That, my friends, is real.