Clancy Tucker's Blog, page 72

16 August 2020 - BAKED GOODS MADE INTO ART

BAKED GOODS MADE INTO ART
G'day folks,
Art comes in many forms. 
Most of us probably assume bread and pastries are better to eat than to look at. But that might change when you take a look at the creations of a North Carolina based baker that goes by the name Hannah P. Her baked goods are as beautiful as they are appetizing.  Her talent has got her quite the following on social media, too - the Instagram account called ‘ Blondie + Rye ’ currently boasts 119K followers, and you’ll soon understand the reason why.  Hannah’s creations are covered in flour art resembling twisting vines and leafy stems. Sometimes, they are even decorated with fruits and vegetables, in beautiful arrangements that will remind you of flower bouquets or serene gardens.












Clancy's comment: Pretty cool, eh? I'm impressed.
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15 August 2020 - THE BEAUTY OF ASIA by Weerapong Chaipuck

THE BEAUTY OF ASIA by Weerapong Chaipuck
G'day folks,
Asia, besides being the biggest and most populated continent, is a place of beauty and mystery with breathtaking landscapes and ancient traditions. I should know. I've spent a lot of time there.
Photographer Weerapong Chaipuck knows exactly how to bring out the best of this land, and it's incredibly hard to believe he took up photography not long ago, following a medical career.  
He attributes the beauty of his photos to timing. "When shooting landscapes, it is 100% natural, and pinpointing the exact time of day to shoot, whether that be 30 minutes before the sun begins to rise or 30 minutes before sunset, is a constant challenge. But that’s also what makes it all worth it." He says. 

I could look at these all day, the colors and the atmosphere, are simply magical. 
















Clancy's comment: Excellent work. I can't wait to get back there with my cameras. Many thanks, Khun Weerapong. Love ya work!
I'm ...


  

14 August 2020 - A COLLECTION OF FUNNY VETERINARY SIGNS

A COLLECTION OF FUNNY VETERINARY SIGNS 
G'day folks,
One of the best places to find witty jokes and clever anecdotes is also a rather unexpected one. 
We’re talking about veterinary clinics. A good sense of humor is apparently part of the job description, and the hilarious signs  found outside of these clinics probably go a long way in making worried pet owners smile.


















Clancy's comment: Love these, especially the top one. Don't forget ... If you own a cat, you are not in charge.

I'm ...

13 August 2020 - MEDIEVAL BURIAL SITE FOUND UNDER CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY

MEDIEVAL BURIAL SITE FOUND UNDER CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY
G'day folks,
We are constantly finding all sorts of burial sites around the world, and this one is a beauty.
This story is fascinating and it will make you wonder what is buried underneath your house. In London, under Cambridge University, archeologists have discovered something that doesn’t sit well with most people. More than 1,000 human remains were found in a mass burial site. The large, medieval hospital, burial ground was discovered following an archeological dig under the Old Divinity School at St John’s College.  





Archeologists were aware of the burial site’s existence but didn’t know how big the site was until now. This discovery is crucial as it gives new insight to the life and death of the people during the medieval Cambridge.  Some researchers believe the Cambridge University burial site was used for the poor during the 13th-15th centuries.

There are over 400 perfectly preserved skeletons that were once buried without coffins leading archeologists to believe the people buried there were too poor to afford a proper burial.





 The massive dig was led by Dr Craig Cessford from Cambridge University’s archeology and anthropology department and a team from the Cambridge Archaeological Unit. 
According to Cessford, he states “The excavation of four hundred complete and partial in situ burials from the Hospital of St. John the Evangelist, Cambridge, represented one of the largest medieval hospital osteoarchaeological assemblages from the British Isles,”

 The hospital, which is connected to the burial ground, was created in 1195 as a place to take care of the sick.




The Cambridge University burial site dig is going to be beneficial to archeologists and researchers to be able to examine the bodies and get a better understanding of the people during that time. The bodies found are dating from the 13th to the 15th centuries, creating new evidence of a life that hasn’t been researched too much until now. 

Clancy's comment:  Amazing, eh? I'd love to be there and watch as they uncovered remains.
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12 August 2020 - A COLLECTION OF THE FIRST ELECTRIC CARS

A COLLECTION OF
 THE FIRST ELECTRIC CARS 


G'day folks,
Well, these will be a thing of the future, but they are not a new idea.
When we think of electric cars we almost instantly picture fancy futuristic, battery-powered vehicles that we can drive with abandon. While electric cars continue rising in popularity today, they were introduced more than 100 years ago. However, the first electric vehicles were a far cry from the trendy ones we are used to seeing on the roads today.   The history of the invention of the electric car can’t exactly be traced back to one inventor or country. In fact, it was a series of breakthroughs in the 1800s that helped drive the first electric vehicle on the road. These cars were popular then for exactly the same reason they are popular now – they helped people save money at the pump. From the making of the first battery to the electric motor, many noted inventors and engineers contributed towards designing the early electric car.

French inventor Gustave Trouvé is widely regarded as the man who developed the first electric vehicle in history. His electric tricycle had a rechargeable battery and was first tested along the Rue Valois in Paris central in 1881. Then, in 1890-91, William Morrison of Des Moines, Iowa, gave the United States its first electric car. The vehicle had the capacity for carrying six passengers and could reach a speed of 23 kilometers per hour (14 mph).

Since then, several other inventors improved upon the electric car designs. In the late 1890s and early 1900s, electric battery-powered cars became quite popular among the common folk, and sales of these wagons particularly peaked in the early 1910s. Now, it is likely that your interest in these early electric cars must have increased. 
Here is a look, then, at some fascinating pictures of classy vintage electric cars in history.












Clancy's comment: There are some amazing vehicles here. 
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11 August 2020 - BUTTERFLIES & MOTHS UP CLOSE

BUTTERFLIES & MOTHS UP CLOSE
G'day folks,
Macro photography shows us what is really happening - up close and very personal. Adam Gor is a Hungary-based biology student who also happens to specialize in macro nature photography. During his work, he has encountered many different beautiful species of butterfly and silkmoth, and some of the best of his macro photography can be seen below. Enjoy Adam Gor's stunning work ... 





















Clancy's comment: Just brilliant!
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10 August 2020 - THE FASCINATING VICTORIAN ERA

THE FASCINATING VICTORIAN ERA
G'day folks,
The Victorian era was named so because it was during the British Queen Victoria's reign - 1837 to 1901. 
It was a time of great social growth in society. It may not have been modern times but a lot of modern things we see today did come from those times, such as the businessman and the strength of the middle class. Here are some fascinating and bizarre facts about this period of time, giving you a little taste of what life was like back then.





















Clancy's comment: Mm ... they sure were different times, eh?
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9 August 2020 - A COLLECTION OF EXTRAORDINARY SANDCASTLES

A COLLECTION OF EXTRAORDINARY SANDCASTLES 
G'day folks,
A vacation well spent is one spent at the beach, and no day at the beach is complete without sunbathing and sandcastles. 
A few buckets and shovels are all it takes to make your own little fantasy mansion in the sand, complete with a moat and a plastic dinosaur on guard (playing the role of a fire-breathing dragon, of course). For some people, making sandcastles is more than just a fun beach-day pastime. 
 Sculpting castles in the sand is a true art form , constructing minute architectural masterpieces that royalty would dream of living in. These castles don’t have the longest lifespan, given the impact of high tide and heavy winds, but they are nonetheless breathtaking.


























Clancy's comment: Gob smacking, eh?
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8 August 2020 - A HEAP OF INSPIRING QUOTES

A HEAP OF INSPIRING QUOTES
G'day folks,
The last few months have been fairly difficult, eh? Well, let's hope things improve. Check out these quotes to fire you up for the new normal ... whatever that may be.























Clancy's comment: Yep, like most of these. Stay safe. Do the right thing for all of us.
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7 August 2020 - JAMES LINNANE - GUEST AUTHOR, PODCASTER AND POET

 JAMES LINNANE - GUEST AUTHOR, PODCASTER AND POET -
G'day folks,
Today, I interview an interesting character from Ireland.
Welcome, James ...

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR WRITING JOURNEY.

  I was born on a farm in Galway, close to the sea, raised there till I was almost ten then moved to County Meath in the midlands about a 100 miles away another farm and a totally different landscape. I was the youngest of a family of ten: 6 girls and 4 boys. By the time I was in my teens most had moved out to work in the city. I was 7 years younger than the rest so I spent much time on my own. At 15 we moved to a posh suburb of Dublin city.

WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME A WRITER?

I started to write at 17, when I first got the crazy notion into my head to be a writer. Of course my initial efforts were pretty dire. Though on some of my cringe worthy efforts I did indeed see some potential. Encouragement was mostly in shortsupply in the society I inhabited at that time.



WHAT TYPE OF PREPARATION DO YOU DO FOR A MANUSCRIPT? DO YOU PLAN EVERYTHING FIRST OR JUST SHOOT FROM THE HIP?



I am not a great planner but I do plan a little in my head. I do make copious notes and write stories to weld together to make up the book, whether a novel or short stories. Poetry is different.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A WRITER?

 I enjoy getting it finished as quickly and as well as I can.
WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A WRITER?

Mostly in this country writing is indeed a thankless unappreciated task. Many writers wind up broke or alcoholic or both. For me whatever the drawbacksit would be hard to be other than a writer, it is simply within me for better or worse.
WHAT WERE YOU IN A PAST LIFE, BEFORE YOU BECAME A WRITER?
  I was in construction on and off for about 20 years or so. A bartenderand a Security Guard among other things.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WRITING ACHIEVEMENT?
 Getting my books published mostly on my own, in spite of adversity.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?

 A book about my bartender days.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
 Many things: Past events perhaps, good times,bad times. Who knows?
WHAT GENRE DO YOU WRITE?
 Some perhaps autobiographical in origin, some based on experience, my poetry just from within and just life.
DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS?
  Read a lot, join a writer's group, get practice and learn. Don't be discouraged.Believe in yourself and work at it. But you must enjoy life also and get experience.
DO YOU SUFFER FROM WRITER’S BLOCK?

 Not so much writer's block, maybe laziness or possibly both.
DO YOU HAVE A PREFERRED WRITING SCHEDULE?

No just when I am in humour mostly.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE WRITING PLACE?


 Where I can get peace or enough light.



WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST JOY IN WRITING?

 A sunny day in the countryside, feeling well and something good to write.
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHOR AND WHY?


 So many, it used to be Wilbur Smith, John Pilger and David Icke.
WHAT’S THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED FROM A READER?


 They said to me as they were reading it, they felt like they had experienced it themselves.
WHAT WAS THE WORST COMMENT FROM A READER?

 Someone said there was too much swearing in my writing, though I felt theywere motivated by something else I won't discuss. I am happy to say I have receivedmany more compliments.
WRITERS ARE SOMETIMES INFLUENCED BY THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THEIR OWN LIVES. ARE YOU?
 Almost totally.
OTHER THAN WRITING, WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE?
 Podcasting, Karaoke singing, surfing the web, reading.
DID YOU HAVE YOUR BOOK / BOOKS PROFESSIONALLY EDITED BEFORE PUBLICATION?

 No not really but lots of correcting and editing.
DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.
 A sunny day, lots of peace, a good book or good company.
IF YOU WERE STUCK ON A DESERT ISLAND WITH ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD IT BE? WHY?
 No particular person, perhaps a dog.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO SPEAK TO WORLD LEADERS?

 Stop your wars, your endless greed, look after the poor and helpless andunder-privileged. Be kind to your citizens, listen to them, look after our planet, stop being tyrants.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
 I am not much of a planner. Live a good life and take it easy.




WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON BOOK TRAILERS? DO THEY SELL BOOKS?
 Perhaps, truly I have no clue.
DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN ANY OF YOUR CHARACTERS?
 Being as much is autobiographical, obviously I do.
DOES THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY FRUSTRATE YOU?
Yes it has and does. Until self-publishing it was a totally closed shopaccessible only to the chosen few  and it seems to be going back that way again, sadly.
DID YOU EVER THINK OF QUITTING?

 It was never a job to me, as you get paid for a job, writers just get exploited worse by the day. Except for the few, very few. When I die I will quit.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE MANUSCRIPT TO WRITE? WHY?
 Perhaps 'The life and times of a Gotcha'  as it made me laugh out loud as I was writing it.
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE ‘SUCCESS’ AS A WRITER?
Contentment, enough money to live on and a comfortable life.
WHAT SHOULD READERS WALK AWAY FROM YOUR BOOKS KNOWING? HOW SHOULD THEY FEEL?


 Perhaps that it was something they had enjoyed.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE YOUR BOOKS MADE INTO MOVIES? EVER WRITTEN A SCREENPLAY?

Well definitely some do have potential. People have said it to me.
HOW MUCH THOUGHT GOES INTO DESIGNING A BOOK COVER?
 Simply put, a lot.
WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE DREAM?
  I do not really have dreams anymore.
WRITING IS ONE THING. WHAT ABOUT MARKETING YOU, YOUR BOOKS AND YOUR BRAND? ANY THOUGHTS?
I am no good at marketing.
ARE YOUR BOOKS SELF-PUBLISHED?
 Yes.



WHAT PISSES YOU OFF MOST?

 Ordinary, bookish and a bit lazy.

WHAT WOULD BE THE VERY LAST SENTENCE YOU’D WRITE?
 I have lived a busy life and have tried to share some of it with my readers. My poetry is just what it is.



 Clancy's comment: Thank you, James. Keep going. Regards to Ireland.
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