Clancy Tucker's Blog, page 105

21 September 2019 - MARINE PARK SALT MARSH IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

MARINE PARK SALT MARSHIN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
G'day folks,
This preserved wilderness hides the remains of a colonial grain mill used to feed George Washington's troops.  Prospect Park may be the most famous park in Brooklyn, but it’s Marine Park that holds the honor of being the borough’s largest. The north section is home to a large grassy field and the park’s beloved basketball courts (where a young Chuck Schumer was a regular), while to the east is a golf course. But the biggest section of this city park is actually its salt marsh, a 530-acre nature preserve.    The Salt Marsh Nature Center consists of two hiking trails that wind through acres upon acres of wetlands and grasslands. The marsh is home to roughly 325 species of birds like warblers, sparrows, and pheasants; 50 species of butterflies; and 100 species of fish. There’s even a platform where you can see two mated ospreys who have nested there for several years (osprey mate for life).  Just behind the nature center at the north of the marsh, you’ll see a set of wood pilings. These are the remnants of the first tide-powered mill in the U.S., which was used to grind corn, grain, and flour for General George Washington’s army during the American Revolution, and later by the Hessians when the British captured Brooklyn.     The mill operated until 1889 when it was sold to William Whitney, who used the land to build a country estate for his racehorses. It was later donated to the city, and in 1932 renovations began, starting with the walls and foundations. Unfortunately, the historic mill burned down in 1935 after the exterior was restored, a possible victim of arson.  Clancy's comment: Sounds like a great place for photographers seeking wildlife.

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20 September 2019 - KNICKEBEIN #12 IN MAULBURG, GERMANY

KNICKEBEIN #12 IN MAULBURG, GERMANY
G'day folks,Obscured within a ring of trees, this abandoned World War II relic hides on a German hillside. Amid fields and groves in the southwestern corner of Germany, close to the Swiss and French borders, lies an enormous concrete ring overgrown with trees and shrubbery.   It’s what remains of a massive structure developed by the German Luftwaffe (Air Force) during the “Battle of the Beams” in World War II. Codenamed Knickebein (German for “crooked leg”), its purpose was to guide bombers toward their targets in Britain during their nightly raids by means of modulated radio signals.










About 13 of these aerial antennas were erected along the channel coast and inland. Measuring 312 feet in diameter and about 100 feet tall, the one here at Maulburg (#12) was the tallest one, along with Stollberg (#2) and Kleve (#4).




 After the war, a French commando demolished the antenna, leaving only the concrete foundation in place. The concrete ring held the rails on which the antenna could be rotated and aligned toward its target. A small explanatory display board in the vicinity of the circle shows an old photograph of the antenna.

 
 Clancy's comment: They were obviously big structures but not much is left.

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19 September 2019 - INSPIRING QUOTES

 INSPIRING QUOTES
G'day folks,
It's time for some more of those inspiring quotes.





















Clancy's comment: Yep, all good.
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18 September 2019 - THE SHAMBLES OF YORK, ENGLAND

THE SHAMBLES OF YORK, ENGLAND
G'day folks,Today, we follow the original medieval paths that wind through this intriguing section of the city of York, England.  Pedestrians meandering through the Shambles of York often look up to admire the old houses and crooked, leaning buildings. But the true treasure lies below their feet. Whereas most streets in York, and much of England, have been widened and modernized, the streets of the Shambles have remained true to the original medieval form. 
This section of York dates back to the 14th century and was the place butchers set up shop. It was once called the “Great Flesh Shambles” because of the shelves of meat the butchers would display.

The main street through the Shambles has a slight declining curve, which was conducive to dumping the blood from butchered animals along with raw human sewage. The area would smell horrific for days until the rains came and washed the waste away.




Many are confused as to why the width of the street is so small. The reasoning is simple, and a bit morbid. The purpose of the street was to let carts travel to-and-fro to collect and deliver meat among the butchers. The carts were also used to remove the dead humans who perished rapidly during times of plague.









Today, the narrow street is a cheerier, cleaner place lined with shops, pubs, and restaurants. Many of these buildings, too, date back hundreds of years. The nearby market offers a wide variety of wares for everyone. Take a moment to enjoy the paths and streets of the area that are a flashback to a much earlier—and less sanitary—era in history.

Clancy's comment: Many parts of the UK are fascinating, and brilliant for photographers like me.
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17 September 2019 - DIMITAR DIMITROV - GUEST AUTHOR, BLOGGER AND JOURNALIST

DIMITAR DIMITROV - GUEST AUTHOR, BLOGGER AND JOURNALIST -
G'day folks,
Today, I welcome a muti-talented person, and my first guest from Bulgaria.
Welcome, Dimitar ...
1.   TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR BLOG’S JOURNEY. I started my blog for best new music, music charts and statistics at https://dimitaralekseevdimitrov.wordp... in 2015 and named it Best Music Media and Info.
2.   WHAT IS THE AIM OF YOUR BLOG?To provide basic information about the best new music worldwide.
3.   WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE A BLOG?My 30 years-old interest in popular music.
4.   WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A WRITER?I wrote my first book in 2006 when I was 30. It was based on my translations of Ancient Egyptian texts from 4000 years ago. I like to think of myself as an independent scholar/author. Since then, I discovered several more interesting research areas – Pagan Europe BC, early Christian architecture, and History of North America. And the number of my books grew up to eight… 
I enjoy everything about being an independent scholar/author! My favourite movie character is Indiana Jones. And my work is almost the same, only without the gun shooting… Every time when I’m amazed by an interesting subject – I make some research in ancient books and I put the information on paper. I arrange it in such way that it could be understandable and useful for the readers and for everyone who might have interest. I like this process. It brings meaning to my existence. And there are lot of discoveries during the writing, I learn more, which is always fascinating!



5.   WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A WRITER?Not much appreciation by the contemporary publishing houses. I really cannot understand why they are ready to publish so much pulp fiction or 50 shades of gray-type of “literature”, but they have no interest in preserving their own history and the ancient knowledge of our ancestors…
6.   WHAT WERE YOU IN A PAST LIFE, BEFORE YOUR BLOG?Student. I worked in fast food coffee shop and I even fixed rooftops.
7.   WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT PROMOTING OTHERS?I’m kind of expert in popular music - I gather albums, magazines, charts and CDs since many, many years. So when I promote what I think is really worthy of listening to – I know what I’m doing.  Also, I think it’s good for the ears of the mass audience when I’m pointing out what is the best in the art of music. And, of course, the good professionals among the musicians should be encouraged! And that’s exactly why I’m doing my blog - because I’m able to know the good musician when I hear him, or her.
8.   WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?I’m making the weekly chart on my blog. In the same time, I’m editing my 8th book – “Chronological History of the USA” and translating my article called “New Theory About Stonehenge: Stonehenge - Royal Palace”, because I want to see it published in England. 
9.   WHAT INSPIRES YOU?Mostly – women. Also – forests. And, of course – to have many readers and good commentaries about my works.
10.                ARE YOU A WRITER?I’m whole lot more than that – I’m an independent scholar/published author/journalist/music critique and blogger.
11.                WHAT GENRE DO YOU WRITE?History, Archaeology, Mythology, and ancient religions and cults. Non-fiction stuff. 



12.                DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS?Writing is a quest, it’s an adventure! If you’re doing it for the money - better open groceries store…
13.                DO YOU SUFFER FROM WRITER’S BLOCK?Sometimes I lose hope when the publishing takes too long… But blocks – no. Nothing can stop me from doing what I love.
14.                DO YOU HAVE A PREFERRED WRITING SCHEDULE?Three hours every day.
15.                DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE WRITING PLACE?My room. Cause I still cannot afford an ancient mansion in western England, which would definitely would be the right place for me.
16.                WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST JOY IN WRITING?When I see my work published.
17.                WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHOR AND WHY?J. R. R. Tolkien. Because his genius is the only one who can write an epic with a taste of an ancient myth/legend and with a positive outro.  


18.                WHAT’S THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED FROM A READER OF YOUR BLOG?That I’m a genius in what I’m doing. That my work is a worthwhile contribution to sciences. Etc, etc…
19.                WHAT WAS THE WORST COMMENT FROM A READER?I didn’t received any bad comments, so far. Knock on woods to keep it this way.
20.                WRITERS ARE SOMETIMES INFLUENCED BY THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THEIR OWN LIVES. ARE YOU?Yes. At first, I wrote about what I studied in the colleges. Now I’m writing about the locations that I love and dream of.
21.                OTHER THAN WRITING, WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE?Eating chocolate and watching movies with mom at home. Walks in our local forest. Reading good fantasy books and scientific books and papers.
22.                IF YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE ENTIRE WORLD, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?You should really give money to the poor! And you should really start thinking with your own brains…



23.                DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.Nine hours sleep. Beef burger with egg, vitamins and Jacob’s espresso for breakfast. Walk in the woods. Tarator and musaka (our local Bulgarian cuisine) for lunch. Work. Reading in the afternoon. Two light cigarettes and a good movie after dinner.
24.                WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST ASSETS AS A WRITER?Maybe it is the love for ancient history that I have.
25.                IF YOU WERE STUCK ON A DESERT ISLAND WITH ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD YOU LIKE IT TO BE? WHY?Mom. I don’t trust people. I’ve been lied to too many times…
26.                WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?To do exactly the same, until I get enough money to buy a small house in England or US. Or, why not – Australia!
27.                WHAT FIVE BOOKS WOULD YOU TAKE TO HEAVEN?The Lord of The Rings and The Silmarillion by Tolkien, The Chronicles of Amber by Zelazny, and some short-stories of Lovecraft. Oops, more than five volumes… But otherwise – it wouldn’t be Heaven…
28.                ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?Only – thank you very much for this opportunity to express myself and to share a piece of me with the readers of your blog! It’s been a pleasure and I hope I was useful. I wish you lot of success in your work and happiness in your personal life!



MUSIC REVIEW
 WEBSITE


Clancy's comment: Many thanks, Dimitar. I share your interest in ancient history. Keep blogging. Love ya work!
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16 September 2019 - THE AMAZING THAM LOD CAVE, THAILAND

THE AMAZING THAM LOD CAVE, THAILAND
G'day folks,
I guess you have heard that Thailand has many caves. Here is a mile-long navigable cave adorned with stalactites and stalagmites reaching up to 65 feet tall. 



Tham Lod is a cave system in Mae Hong Son province that stretches nearly a mile long. The Lang River (Nam Lang) runs through the entire length of the cave, from one side of the mountain to the other, and the only way to explore the long cavern is to hire a rickety bamboo raft and a local guide with a gas lantern.



 Upon arriving at the entrance of the cave, it is obvious that you are not the first visitor to get here, but once you get inside the cave, the utter lack of artificial lights and permanent facilities adds a certain sense of adventure. In no time, stalactites and stalagmites put up a show that took millions of years to form. At different points of the trip, depending on the time of the year, guides stop to let visitors step on the muddy ground and slippery bamboo passageways to get a closer look at the rock formations, which can exceed 65 feet in height. 
As the end of the trip approaches, a shaft of light cuts through the darkness and the emerald green of the vegetation outside can be blinding. The opening at the end of the cave is huge and thousands of birds dart in all directions.  The chirping can be deafening, but it is an impressive sight.




Lawa people used to bury their dead inside caves, and at one point 1,400-year-old coffins were found inside Tham Lod. You won’t be able to see the coffins upon visiting, but archaeological excavations in the area have proved that Tham Lod was used as a burial place by the Hoabinhian people between 5,500 and 9,000 BC.

Clancy's comment: Thailand is an amazing country. I suggest you visit. Great people, food and top places to visit.I'm ...

15 September 2019 - A BUNCH OF AMUSING THINGS

A BUNCH OF AMUSING THINGS
G'day folks,
Welcome to some items that might just make you smile.


























Clancy's comment: Which one did you like best? Wow, that poor cow looks udderly stuffed.I'm ...

14 September 2019 - Dr. HAING S. NGOR – SURVIVOR AND ACTOR

Dr. HAING S. NGOR – SURVIVOR AND ACTOR -
G'day folks,
Welcome to some background notes on a survivor of the Khmer Rouge who became an actor.

Actor Haing S. Ngor endured persecution and numberous atrocities under the Khmer Rouge before moving to the U.S. and starring in The Killing Fields.
Born in Cambodia in 1940, physician Haing S. Ngor endured numerous atrocities under rule of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge before moving to the U.S. and starring in The Killing Fields. He later co-wrote a book, Haing Ngor: A Cambodian Odyssey, about life under the Khmer Rouge.



Physician, actor. Born March 22, 1940 in Cambodia. A survivor of the Cambodian holocaust, Ngor was forced to stand by while his wife My-Huoy died in childbirth in their concentration camp. Though he was an obstetrician and gynecologist, he survived only by hiding that fact since all educated persons and professionals were killed under the Khmer Rouge. After the regime collapsed in 1979, Ngor escaped to Thailand where he worked as a doctor in a refugee camp before relocating to the United States in 1980.




In 1984, art imitated life when Ngor portrayed journalist and refugee Dith Pran in 1970s Cambodia in the movie The Killing Fields. He won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in 1985. After the release of the film, he co-wrote Haing Ngor: A Cambodian Odyssey, which described life under the Khmer Rouge. He appeared in other films, mostly fact-based movies about Southeast Asian conflict, throughout his life.

In 1996, Ngor was shot and killed outside his apartment in Los Angeles, California, during a robbery by members of a street gang.


Clancy's comment: What a sad ending, eh? Brilliant movie though.
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R.I.P

13 September 2019 - THE RUINS OF KLASTORISKO MONASTERY, SLOVAKIA

THE RUINS OF KLASTORISKO MONASTERY, SLOVAKIA
G'day folks,The ruins of a 13th-century monastery that long served as a place of refuge from wars and raids.  For centuries, the ruins of a medieval Carthusian monastery were hidden under the grass and trees at what is now Kláštorisko, an archeological park within the Slovak Paradise mountains. The remaining stone structures and walls were once part of a sanctuary perfectly defined by its Latin name, “Lapis Refugii,” or “Rock of Refuge.” 
Located on a rocky plateau surrounded by deep gorges and canyons, the site was used as a shelter for local people in many dangerous situations over the centuries, such as wars, raids or epidemics. It lent the national park its name, “raj,” meaning “paradise.”




In the 13th century, the sanctuary protected the inhabitants of Spiša during the devastating raids by the Tatars. Hundreds of locals managed to survive by escaping to Kláštorisko. Following this event, Carthusian monks built a monastery there, founded in 1299. But the plateau was likely used as a safe haven long before that. Archeologists found that the site was already settled and fortified in the pre-Christian era, and believe it may have served as a refuge from the very beginning.




The remains of the monastery have been renovated in recent years by groups of volunteers. It is now the site of one of the main tourist centers of the national park. Near the ruins, you can also visit a newly built symbolic cemetery dedicated to those who tragically died in the Slovak Paradise, and also to those who contributed to the development of the park. It is decorated with several interesting wooden statues carved by local artists.



Clancy's comment: Yet, another extraordinary place from the past. Founded in 1299! Wow.

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12 September 2019 - A BUNCH OF WITTICISMS

 A BUNCH OF WITTICISMS
G'day folks,
Now, these might spark up your day. If they do, pass them on to someone who needs them.
I started out with nothing...I still have most of it.Some days you're the dog, some days the hydrant. I finally got my head together, now my body is falling apart.Funny, I don't remember being absent minded.If all is not lost, where is it?It is easier to get older than it is to get wiser.If at first you do succeed, try not to look too astonished.The first rule of holes: If you are in one, stop digging.I went to school to become a wit, only got halfway through.It was all so different before everything changed.Nostalgia isn't what is used to be.Old programmers never die. They just terminate and stay resident.A day without sunshine is like a day in Seattle.I wish the buck stopped here. I could use a few. It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere.Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip round the sun.The only time the world beats a path to your door is if you're in the bathroom. If God wanted me to touch my toes, he would have put them on my knees.Lead me not into temptation (I can find the way myself).If you're living on the edge, make sure you're wearing your seat belt.An unbreakable toy is useful for breaking other toys.It's not hard to meet expenses...they're everywhere.Jury: Twelve people who determine which client has the better attorney.Old people shouldn't eat health foods. They need all the preservatives they can get.
Clancy's comment: Well, did they raise a smile?
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