Full Buck Moon

I took this photo of the full Buck Moon early this morning. It's name is explained in the article below:

A Full Buck Moon

by Sandi Duncan | Monday, July 6th, 2009 | From: Astronomy
A Full Buck Moon

The Full Buck Moon – Full moon names date back to Native Americans, of what is now the northern and eastern United States. The tribes kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full moon. Their names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred. There was some variation in the moon names, but in general, the same ones were current throughout the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior.

European settlers followed that custom and created some of their own names. Since the lunar month is only 29 days long on the average, the full Moon dates shift from year to year.

Since July is normally the month when the new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur, the full moon of this moon is called the full Buck Moon.

Sometimes this moon was also often called the Full Thunder Moon, because thunderstorms are most frequent during this time. Another name for this month’s Moon was the Full Hay Moon.

Crew Change

Ever now and then you catch a riverboat seemingly stopped in the middle of the Ohio River. Although it is not actually stopped, it is maintaining its position by idling against the current. The exploded view of the picture shows the crew preparing the jon boat to make a trip to shore and switch crews. The process takes about 30 minutes and then the tow and its barges are on it's way downriver.

Heart Cath

The above image was taken during my fifth heart cath on Thursday. Normally the procedure lasts 30-45 minutes. This one was a three and half hour marathon. Since you are semi-conscious during the procedure, I wasn't sure I was going to make it; but obviously, since I am posting this, I did.
I am always intrigue by the images and xrays that show the wires holding my sternum together. These are the dark twisty loops in the image. They very much remind me of "bailing wire". Before duct tape and super glue, bailing wire was the fix all tool. I remember seeing twisted wire loops like the ones in my chest on all types of repairs that my grandad made from broken hoe handles to pipe stems.

Carl Sagan: Consider Again That Pale Blue Dot

Lunar Landing

It's been 41 years since Neil Armstrong spoke that famous line ... "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind." More than half the world's current population hadn't even been born then. It's a shame we haven't taken a few more steps for mankind since then.

Hummingbirds

I caught the antics of these ruby throated hummingbirds after an early morning, July, rain shower. I think I counted 5 in a couple of frames but there are 3 or 4 in most frames. We have another feeder out front that is just as busy. They are so fast that they almost seem to be in another dimension.

Duct Taped Plant

Here is a photo I took with the cellphone while waiting in a doctor's office. When you see plants taped together with duct tape, you just wonder what kind of patient care you might get. As an after report I would like to say that the plant received much better care than I did.

Eastern Swallowtail Butterflies

There seems to be an abundance of butterflies this year. Right now the Eastern Swallowtail seems to be everywhere. They particularly like the petunias and the mimosa trees and they add to the beauty of both.

Snowballs in July

A snowball in July isn't considered a very safe thing. To test the theory I got out the snowballs that I had frozen On the Winter Solstice and put them on the picnic table when the temperature was at 97 degrees. To my surprise there was still a couple remnants after an hour. I guess they had the full force of winter to last that long.
I was supposed to get the snowballs out on the summer solstice, but it slipped past me. Now if I could just bottle up some of the heat to get out on the Winter Solstice.

Siblings Gone But Not Forgotten

July is a month that brings back memories of my siblings who have died. Frank who was closest to me in age was born on this date (8 July). He died of lung cancer nearly 7 years ago. He would have been 63 today.
Mae was born on my birthday when I was four. Her and Jack were tragically killed in a fire 47 years ago.

Their memories are part of what I am.

Carl Sagan: A Universe Not Made For Us

I read "Pale Blue Dot" in 1995, shortly after it was published, and enjoyed it as I have all of Sagan's other books. This video reminds me of his intellect and ability to succinctly and plainly state what the rest of us only try to articulate.

Garden Raid

I was the 4th one in the garden this morning after the raccoons, Mrs Rabbit and Mama Skunk with her two almost grown babies. I still manage to get enough fixings for dinner and maybe a little for the neighbors. I guess all critters gotta eat.