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Woody's March 2009 Blog began March 2007 ......................................................................... |
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 Al by Al |
Al Zerries (3/27): It felt like we all knew Al. He entered our watercolor exhibits in New Mexico and often won awards. Al was one of NMWS far away members. Al lived in Huntington, New York. The portraits he shipped to New Mexico exhibits had everyone amazed in their beauty and technique. Once, I talked to his wife Jean. It was a few years back, when we went to digital entries. I was the file manager then (taking entries via e-mail) and Al's entry needed some fixing. Jean said she would correct it because if Al tried, the computer would blow up. Yesterday, I got the word that Al passed away back in February. I envisioned Al as much older but he was born in 1940 making him 69. The NMWS exhibits won't be the same without those portraits by Al. I read on the web that he did not really get into painting until the mid 1990's. Since 2001, Al has been accepted into over 225 national and international competitions. He has received awards in more than half of those events. He was quite sucessful at getting into exhibitions all over the country. He was talented in several mediums, watercolors, oils and pastels. To see paintings by Al Zerries click here. For a You Tube video tribute to Al Zerries click here. I also discovered a blog by an artist named Myrna who posts a memorial tribute to Al. Here are Al's own words on painting portraits, "When I paint a person, I don't try to replicate every physical detail. Instead, I attempt to capture what that person projects: it may be a glint in his or her eye, perhaps a wry smile; it might be a "don't tread on me" attitude or a deep-core vulnerability. Most of the subjects I paint project a definite aura, and bringing that unique essence to light is my primary objective. Although depicting their physical presence accurately is a significant consideration, it is not as essential." Those are things all of us artists should be trying to capture when attempting portraits. |
 Amelia |
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 Rocket as seen from the Albuquerque Museum |
Rocket Moved (3/26): A lot of people will be glad to see the old Redstone Rocket removed, yesterday, from across the street from the Albuquerque Museum. Many folks protested it being there, so visible near Albuquerque's Old Town. I guess they saw it as a visible symbol of war sitting next to the old Atomic Museum. While the 69 foot tall rocket was originally designed to carry a warhead, museum officials said it was never used as a weapon. Instead, rockets of the same model were used for space exploration. The rocket is being trucked to it's new location on Eubank Boulevard near Southern Boulevard, just outside Kirtland Air Force Base. The museum is scheduled to open at the new site on April 4. It's also changing its name to the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History. The protesting seems a bit ironic - in this city which has over 1500 atomic warheads stored at Kirkland Air Force Base. I never visited the old Atomic Museum, but I plan to go to the new one. I read about the restored Los Alamos Limo -- 1941 Packard Clipper used to transport scientists working on the Manhattan Project from the railway station in Lamy to Los Alamos and the Trinity base camp. Discarded and left to rust and decay in a junkyard in Grants, NM, this piece of New Mexico history has been restored. The car that was used to transport Oppenheimer and the other scientists around New Mexico will be on display at the new museum.   Redstone Rocket Los Alamos Limo |
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Economics (3/25): There was once (upon) a time that someone would take out a mortgage from a local banker to purchase a home. One would put a chunk of money down and borrow the balance for perhaps 30 years. I remember that "Priscilla's Pop" had to take mashed potato sandwich's to work until the mortgage was paid off. You paid the local bank each month until one day you got to burn the mortgage. I remember Jimmy Stewart saying that "your moneys not here in the old savings and loan - it's in Harry's house and in Maude's house." (or some such words) That was a different time. Now a days - where is your money ? Does your local lender still have your loan ? I'm not sure even the economists know that answer. It's gotten so crazy. After you take out a mortgage - your local bank sells it to someone else. Your loan is "bundled" and sold off to some investment institution somewhere. This bundle of loans becomes an underlying asset. Now those loans become derivatives to be bought and sold in some market somewhere. Because the buyer does not want to take too much risk - the buyer takes out insurance against possible failure. This is where A.I.G. comes in. Derivatives can be used to mitigate the risk of economic loss arising from changes in the value of the underlying asset. This activity is known as hedging. Alternatively, derivatives can be used by investors to increase the profit arising if the value of the underlying moves in the direction they expect. This activity is known as speculation. This is where credit default swaps come in. The buyer of a credit default swap pays a premium for effectively insuring against a debt default. He receives a lump sum payment if the debt instrument is defaulted. The seller of a credit default swap receives monthly payments from the buyer. If the debt instrument defaults they have to pay the agreed amount to the buyer of the credit default swap. Then it gets real crazy - you do not even have to own the underlying asset to buy insurance on it. You can just buy insurance on the chance that it may go up in value or decline. Is there any difference between this type of speculation and gambling ? Sadly, many of these speculators who bought these bundles of mortgages are your pension funds, major colleges, hospitals, charities and even the company which holds your 401K. Or if you prefer - a 201K. These derivatives and credit default swaps are not even regulated. And you thought your local banker still held your mortgage.  |
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Populism On The Rise (3/24): With many of the invest banks failing, government bailouts in the billions, especially the AIG bonuses - there seem to be populists everywhere. Even republicans are starting to sound a populist call. I've always been a populist. It's a major reason the John Edwards campaigns appealed to me. I truly believe that we could end poverty in America if we really tried. Back in 1976, I backed Fred Harris in his run for the presidency. Harris' race had at least two unusual features. For one, in order to keep expenses down, he traveled the country in a RV and stayed in private homes, giving his hosts a card which was to be redeemable for one night's stay in the White House upon his election. For another, he placed unusual stress on issues affecting Native Americans. This was due to his background – his wife LaDonna Harris was of Native American ancestry, and he was from the state which had begun its political existence as Indian Territory. Harris now teaches political science at UNM here in Albuquerque. Even Obama is asking why that 20 years ago CEO's that were making 20 times a teachers salary - now make 200 times a teachers salary. It's this ridiculous disparity that has finally come apparent to many who know sound like populists reborn. Is moving money around or hitting home runs really worth those multi million dollar salaries ? Others work extremely hard for not much more than minimum wage. Even in progressive Santa Fe, where the minimum wage is near $10.00 per hour - ordinary people have a hard time getting by day by day. Perhaps, with the spotlight now on excessive wages and colossal bonuses we will see some progress toward greater fairness. Some will call this re-distribution of the wealth. I call it fairness. Since Reagan, taxes continued to be cut for those on the top. Hard working Americans have always had the dream that they or at least their children would become part of the middle class. That dream is quickly fading. |
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 Blossom's Hard Work |
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 Blossom's Mess |
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 First Blooms 2009 |
Blooms, Balloons, and Bugs (3/22): It's nice that the back yard is starting to bloom. It was cloudy this morning but the hot air balloons don't seem to mind the overcast skies. Many of the balloons seem to be able to catch air currents going different directions depending upon the altitude. This allows them to travel South from the balloon launching field past our house. Then they catch a breeze North at a different altitude so they can head back to where they started. My roses are leafing out great - but I had to spray for little green aphids yesterday. I don't usually see them on my roses until August. Perhaps it's because its been so extra dry this year. We've had only about a 1/4 inch of precipitation over the last three months. Whatever the reason - I'll keep spraying soapy water on them so we will have beautiful roses. <<< sunday morning photo  KU Jayhawks 60 - Dayton Flyers 43 the defending national champs advance again I had to watch the game on the computer |
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| Watercolors Selected: I may have to limit the paintings I submit to juried exhibitions this spring. I was waiting to get my rejections so I could roll them over and enter other exhibitions - but my best watercolors have been choosen for two local shows. I don't dare enter them elsewhere just in case they sell. I got one watercolor into accepted into MasterWorks of New Mexico (April). Also, I got early word that I will have two paintings into the NMWS Spring Exhibition (May). My three watercolors are shown below. This time, I'm totally in agreement with the jurors - they selected my best work this time. Don't miss the MasterWorks opening night - Friday, April 3rd - Reception & Awards, Hispanic Arts Bldg. 5 - 8 pm. Awards 7 pm. The next exhibition, (NMWS Spring Show) is also in the Hispanic Arts Bldg at Expo on Friday, May 8th - 6 to 8 pm - Awards at 7pm.
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 San Juan River |
Dry Land Line Casting (3/21): It's not that we don't have water in New Mexico - It's just that we were only learning how to properly cast the line with a fly rod. Once we can cast the line - the line will deliver the fly to the trout perhaps. But then it's called "fishing", it's not called "catching. Oh yes, by the way there are a few patches of grass in New Mexico - this is city grass and is watered with reclaimed water of course. After I practice a bit more in the park behind our house - then I'll go down to Tingley Beach and try casting line into water. The city even stocks the ponds there with trout. Later I may be ready for some of the famouse trout streams in New Mexico like the San Juan river or even the Valles Caldera National Preserve.
Practice Makes Perfect
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MasterWorks Check-In: After practicing my line casting, I packed up my rod and headed to the fair grounds. Today was check in day for art which had been selected for this years MasterWorks of New Mexico exhibition. It's a tough show to get in to. There will be 47 watercolors, 47 pastels and 47 oils & acrylics on display next month. There will also be a display of miniatures in various catagories. But the miniatures have yet to be juried into the show. They will be selected from the actual works which were turned in today. I entered 6 miniatures today. In a few days I'll go pick up the rejects. This year's MasterWorks looks to be an excellent show. Don't miss the opening night - Friday, April 3rd - Reception & Awards, Hispanic Arts Bldg. 5 - 8 pm. Awards 7 pm.  Watercolor Artists Checking In Their Paintings My painting of "Taos Horno Shadows" leans against the wall. |
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Beak 'Em Hawks (3/20): That's what my t-shirt says on game day. But, today I ended up watching the Jayhawks beat North Dakota State (84-74) on Frani's PC. It was OK, but not exactly HDTV. CBS does stream each game of the NCAA tournament via the internet - but the system won't work on a mac. Sunday, KU will play Dayton - CBS says they will carry the Kansas game - but where - on TV or on that little bitty computer screen ??? ROCK CHALK J-HAWK K-UUUUUUUUU
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| Art In Albuquerque (3/19): There is always plenty of art on display in Albuquerque. This Friday is the monthly City Arts Crawl . This is actually a twice a month event because Albuquerque has a seperate Arts Crawl, each month, called First Friday. So there is always plenty of art on display. Next month is the opening of a hugh juried exhibition called MasterWorks of New Mexico. I was lucky this year to have a watercolor selected for this exhibition which runs the month of April. Friday, April 3rd is the Opening Reception & Awards, at the Hispanic Arts Bldg. (5 - 8 pm) at Expo New Mexico. Of course, in May, the New Mexico Watercolor Society has it's annual Spring juried exhibit. Expo New Mexico is the State Fair Grounds which is in the heart of Albuquerque. Lots of exhibits are held there. Frani and I attended the Rio Grande Arts and Crafts show there just last week. Of the many shows - the one we are sure not to miss is the Weems ArtFest in November. Albuquerque is a lot more than just hot air balloons. |
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 Woody's Palette |
Watercolor Demo (3/18): Yesterday, I went to the Palo Duro Senior Center to do a watercolor demo. Judy Haag invited me. I said I'd come back again in May so everyone could paint for the full two hours. Judy arranges for an art related activity each Tuesday at 1:00. I had never stopped at the center before. It was hopping with activity when I arrived. They serve breakfast and lunch and even have specialty coffees. Palo Duro is only one of eight centers the city of Albuquerque operates. Judy was interested in the color wheels I brought so I'm sending her copies. One shows the way my Quiller palette is arranged. The other shows the "staining pigments" suggested by J K Drummond in her watercolor workshops. One special treat was getting to meet an old internet friend in person. Marilu Tejero, a potter, has been reading my blog for years but we had never actually met. Marilu has her work at the Nob Hill Gallery. Several friends like Tricia Love and Bob Wirz have work there as well. click on colorwheels for a larger image
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 J K Drummond Staining Colors |
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Metal Mouth Tiffanie |
Even with it's first round loss in the Big 12 tournament, KU still made it to the NCAA final list of 65 teams. The Kansas Jayhawks 71 to 64 loss to Baylor was quite a shocker. Perhaps the loss in Oklahoma City will serve as a lesson to Bill Self's young team. In KU's first round of NCAA tournament play, KU will face a true cinderella team. North Dakota State plays Kansas on Friday, March 20th. The Bison's are in the tournament in their first year of eligibility after a (26-6) season. NDSU finished first in the league but trailed Oakland (Mich.) for much of the championship game — by 14 in the first half — before rallying for a 66-64 victory on Ben Woodside's 17-foot jumper from the top of the key with three seconds left. This will be the first time ever for a North Dakota team to be in the NCAA tournament. Will they be sacrificed to last years national champion Jayhawks or will they become giant killers by pulling off a win. |
 KU Jayhawks vs NDSU Bisons  |
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| Taos National 2009 (3/16): If you are looking for a top quality national watercolor exhibition to enter - I highly recommend the "Taos National Exhibition of American Watercolor XIII". The hot link, above, is to a pdf file of the prospectus. I've gotten into the exhibition twice before and I'll submit entries again this year. The exhibit will be at the Millicent Rogers museum in Taos from August 8th through September 30th. Robbie Laird will be the juror this year.   Starting on "Poppie's Chair" My
watercolor of Tess reading Emily Dickerson in my chair is on the way. I
decided to put text in the background, floating above the chair.
Perhaps it will work - time will tell. I put a wash of yellow with a
bit of Rose on the paper first. I'm also using a bit of liquid frisket.
It's a crutch, I realize, but I still depend upon it. The brand I use
is called "Incredible White Mask". It's easy to remove and I can leave it on a very long time without problems.
 Salvaging a Painting I tried putting a poem by Emily Dickerson in
the background of this painting of Tess - But, I found out that the
lettering was totally distracting. So, I mixed several dark hues
and painted over the background. I might just salvage this watercolor
yet.
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Reading in Poppie's Chair (3/16): My watercolors tend to be personal. They say a writer should write about what they know. So it seems that an artist should paint about what they experience and care about. When the fantastic triplets visited last summer - it seemed that my recliner was a favorite place to read. Tess loves Emily Dickerson. She was able to buy the book of Emily Dickerson poems from a garage sale at our neighbors house. I'm risking including some of the text from one poem, "One Sister" by Dickerson into my composition. My drawing is a bit sloppy and way too dark - but I'll lighten it considerably before I begin to paint. I love the comfortable position of her toes - I hope I can make them believable. <<< click on poem for a larger image
Frani's Quilt: Above is a pic I took of the progress on Frani's newest quilt top. The design is based upon a famous Navajo quilt design (Two Grey Hills). She seems really happy with the way this one is working out. I take a small bit of credit because I help choose the colors. |
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Fly Fishing & Watercolor (3/15): I'm learning more each week about the art of fly fishing. Today we learned about different types of dry flys and wet flys. Bill Black, our instructor, suggested certain flys that we should start out with. I'll stop by the fly shop and pick them up. I plan to use this week to practice tying knots before next Saturday. This week, I can go to the park behind the house and try to cast a bit. Next Saturday we get instruction in casting at a pond near UNM. If I practice first - I won't look like so much of a fool. After class, I went back to my watercolor of Tiffanie and Tim at the Albuquerque Zoo. I'm happy with the way it's progressing so far. If I stay at it perhaps I'll have a couple of new paintings as entries for Watercolor USA in Springfield. Click On Finished Watercolor >>>
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 "At The Zoo" |
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 Friday Morning's Progress |
"At The Zoo" (3/14) Yesterday, I made some progress on my watercolor of Tim and Tiffanie at the Albuquerque Zoo. My intention is to leave the negative space behind them white. Tim's camera (in his hands) will be my center of interest. My hope is that viewers will use their imagination to figure out what the two kids are looking at. Each Friday morning, I paint with friends at the First Unitarian Church on Carlisle. Everyone just stops by and does their own thing. I posted a pic on the right of my friend Bob Gutchen working on a portrait. I paint with another group of friends at the La Mesa Presbyterian church on Saturdays. But, not this month because I'm attending a Fly Fishing class at UNM every Saturday in March. |
 Bob Painting |
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Painting Children (3/13): I'm starting on a new watercolor of Tiffanie and Tim at the zoo. I took the photo last summer when they visited Grandma and Poppie in Albuquerque. They were excited to shoot pics of everything at the zoo. I hope I can capture the moment. I could use a successful painting about now. I entered my best watercolors in the NMWS Spring exhibition and the jurors decision won't be made in time for me to enter them in the next show. I want to send some images to "Watercolor USA 2009" in Springfield, Missouri but the deadline is March 31st. For many years, I've admired the exceptional quality of the watercolors in this juried show, at the Springfield Art Museum. I've entered before but never been successful. Frani and I are excited to hear that the triplets are going to visit again this summer. We try to show them a different part of the Southwest each year. We hope to visit the Grand Canyon this summer. Also, on our wish list is Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon in Utah. The grandkids know that Poppie has an "Old Peoples Pass" which will get us all in free to all national parks. Just another benefit of getting old. |
 Zion |
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 Drawing for New Watercolor |
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 Two Grey Hills |
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| New Mexico Art League: Last night I ran the NMWS projection system for Tricia Love's demo at the NM Art League. The Art League building is located at (3407 Juan Tabo NE) directly behind the Juan Tabo Library, halfway between Candelaria Road and Comanche Road, on the west side of the street. I ran the projection system, at the Art League, for my friend Ming Franz when she did her "Splash Ink" demo last year.  Tricia Love's Watercolor |
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 What are we measuring ? |
Obama on Education (3/12): I heard something very important in Obama's speech on education Tuesday morning. He spoke of the need to set up systems for tracking progress of students from grade to grade. This differs from the way most school districts measure progress now. The exact words he used are quoted below: "Of course, raising standards alone will not make much of a difference unless we provide teachers and principals with the information they need to make sure students are prepared to meet those standards. Far too few states have data systems like the one in Florida that keep track of a student’s education from childhood through college. And far too few districts are emulating the example of Houston and Long Beach, and using data to track how much progress a student is making and where that student is struggling – a resource that can help us improve student achievement, and tell us which students had which teachers so we can assess what’s working and what’s not. That is why we are making a major investment in this area that we will cultivate a new culture of accountability in America’s schools." In my experience, schools do not track a group of students as they move from one level to the next. Rather, they compare this years 6th graders to last years group of 6th graders. And then we say - "Look at the progress we have made." To me, this has always seemed a rather useless effort. It's not the same students. Why not collect data so we can see how each group of students improve in abilities as they move from 6th to 7th and on to 8th grade and beyond. I raised this very issue each year when my school would bring out test scores so teachers could talk about how we were doing. If I heard President Obama correctly - he wants to compare students as they improve, not how they compare to last years crop. The standard (old) method might work for corn crops or basketball teams but not for true progress in education. Yes, students move, change schools, drop out, etc. - the group is not the same as they progress grade to grade. But, with good data gathering methods, modern computers and the right statistical analysis we can determine if we are having any real effect upon our students as they move through the educational system. |
 Who are we testing ? |
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 Miniature Landscapes Framed |
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 Mary Coulter |
Mary Jane Coulter (3/10): We can't talk about Fred Harvey without celebrating his master architect, Mary Jane Elizabeth Colter. Born in 1869, Colter moved around the frontier in the years after the Civil War. After her father died in 1886, she attended the California School of Design in San Francisco. After graduation, she taught mechanical drawing at the Mechanical Arts High School in Minnesota. In 1901, she began working at the Fred Harvey company as an interior decorator, becoming his full time architect in 1910. One of the few rugged female architects in the business, a chain-smoking perfectionist, Colter worked in the Fred Harvey company for 30 years, completing 21 projects, and worked uncredited on countless others. Her structures were a combination of organic, indigenous structures (generally of Native American origin) and a modern, commercial sensibility. She was very in tune with the history of these buildings, and the land around them. She was a huge influence on the Pueblo Revival style, examples of which include the Franciscan Hotel by John Gaw Meem. The Fred Harvey Company owned the the land in and around the Grand Canyon, and Colter designed many distinctive structures there, including, Phantom Ranch, Hermit's Rest and Bright Angel Lodge, with its "Geological fireplace" which featured the different rocks featured in the Grand Canyon in chronological order. Bright Angel Lodge became the template for National Park Structures for years to come, inspiring the "National Park Service Rustic" style, which featured site materials, and large scale design elements. Other notable Colter structures include La Posada Hotel in Winslow, AZ, The Hotel Alvarado in Albuquerque, NM, and her masterwork, The El Navajo in Gallup, NM. The latter two of these buildings were demolished in her lifetime, though La Posada has been completely restored. She died in 1958, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. |
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| Three Miniatures (3/9): Yesterday, I framed the three miniatures that I had finished. Two of my poppy watercolors may not meet the specifications of a true miniature according to MasterWorks rules. They specify a 1/6 scale or smaller - therefore a three inch flower should be no more than 1/2 inch. That's why I decided to paint skies. No one can reject them because they are not small enough.  I included the 12 inch ruler to show the scale. |
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Albuquerque Remembers the Alvarado Hotel: Frani and I attended the opening of "Jewel of the Railroad Era: Albuquerque's Alvarado Hotel" on Friday night. It's going to be a very popular exhibit especially for long time Albuquerque residents. It's a real shame that it was not saved. Now there are just bits and pieces to be displayed in a museum. We are such a throwaway society. I sure glad Kansas City saved it's Union Station and Liberty Memorial's World War I Museum. Some things are just to important to be destroyed to put up a parking lot. Today the museum docents will get a walk through by Deb Slaney, our curator of history at the museum. The large percentage of the artifacts from the Alvarado belong to the museum. Some items come from residents who donated them for this exhibition. I was especially impressed with the way the exhibit is presented. Our museum carpenter and his crew did a fantastic job of building arched entryways to recreate the feeling of the long gone hotel.  Albuquerque has recreated the shapes of the old Alvarado Hotel in the cities transit center for buses, Amtrak and New Mexico's new Rail Runner commuter train to Santa Fe. |
Rain in Albuquerque this morning 1st measurable since Dec 6th  |
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| Small Paintings (3/8): I don't enjoy painting small - but I'm trying anyway. I consider a 16 x 20 watercolor as a small painting, but - these miniatures are 4 x 6 inches. That's the largest painting that can be entered as a miniature in MasterWorks of New Mexico. The painting, mat and frame can not exceed 56 square inches. I can enter five watercolors as miniatures. I've finished 3 of poppies, so now I'm trying a few watercolors of skys and clouds.  click on sunsets to see more attempts at painting small The deadline to submit miniatures is March 21st. The miniatures in MasterWorks of New Mexico
are separated into several categories based upon the different mediums
used. They are then judged from the actual art rather than slides or
digital pics as were the larger entries. In the (larger paintings) I
was fortunate to have one watercolor accepted by the juror. I turn in
that watercolor of Shadows on a Taos Horno on the 21st of March as well.
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From the PHOG Rock Chalk Jayhawk K-UUUUUUU |
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Another Day In Retirement (3/7): This morning was my first fly fishing class at UNM. The instructor has been teaching this course for 30 years now. I'm going to learn from experience. I got the fly rod back in November and it's been in the closet till today. It's about time I learned how to use it. KU Basketball: KU Alumni meet again today, at 2:00, at the Fox and Hound here in Albuquerque to watch the Jayhawks beat Texas, in Lawrence of course. Basketball, Beer, Pizza, and more Jayhawks - Who could ask for more. This is just another day in retirement. |
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| My Sleep Study (3/5): Last month I spent the night as part of a sleep study. I knew that I wake up 6 or 7 times a night. But the study showed I was waking up 58 times an hour. Everyone knows I snore, but now I'm aware that I have a condition called sleep apnea. So - tomorrow I pick up my cpap machine. It may be a strange looking contraption - but, I hope to get a full nights sleep soon. |
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 Tess Got Her Braces |
Tess Just Got Her Braces: I was walking around Old Town yesterday, enjoying the warm sunshine, when I got a call from my grand daughter Tess. She was so proud - she just got her braces and had to tell Poppie all about it. She decided on pink and purple rubber bands as a fashion statement. All three of the triplets will be getting their braces sometime this month. Tiffanie says she is going for turquoise and silver so she will be ready to visit grandma and me this summer. She wants to show New Mexico colors. |
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| Alvarado Hotel: Before I got the phone call from Tess and Tiffanie, I was at docent training at the museum. We learned a great deal more about the new exhibit about Albuquerque's Alvarado Hotel. Sadly it was torn down in 1969. This jewel of the Fred Harvey Hotels was built in 1901. Fred Harvey’s chain of Harvey House restaurants and hotels traced the Santa Fe Railroad’s expansion westward in the 1870s. For nearly a century, Harvey's company served good food at reasonable prices in clean, elegant restaurants to the traveling public throughout the Southwest. They also brought civilization, community and industry to the Wild West.  Watercolors on Display: Then I took two of my watercolors over to Albuquerque's Little Theater. We have an Alternate Spaces exhibit there during the run of "Bus Stop". No juror here to reject my paintings - I can choose what goes on display. Below are my choices.
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 North Facing Windows |
Balloon Museum (3/02): I stopped by the Balloon Museum for a special opening today. The actual name of the museum is the Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum. I have to admit that this is my first visit to this wonderful facility. I went to see the opening day of an exhibit called Children of War, Voices for Peace: Japanese and American Perspectives. This new exhibition complements the Balloon Museum's ongoing display of Fugos -- balloon bombs deployed by the Japanese during World War II as part of their war effort. The centerpiece of the exhibition is a series of illustrations of the process of making the balloon bombs, coupled with historic photographs. I was not even aware of the Japanese program where Japanese children helped construct these paper balloons which carried incendiary bombs to North America in hopes of burning America's forests. It is a fascinating exhibit. Of course the Fugo Exhibit is only a small part of the museum.  Entrance (South Side of Balloon Museum) The
building is a fascinating structure - like a hot air balloon laying on
it's side. The small (lower end) of the balloon is the museum entrance
facing the south. The north end (top of the balloon) has massive multi
story windows. It was oriented to the north for a great view of the
balloon launching field. It cost a lot to heat this massive structure.
Too bad the large windows are not facing south to collect the heat of
the winter sun.
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 Fugo Bombs fell on 16 States |
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| Kansas Tromps Missouri: I left the Balloon Museum early because I did not want to miss the KU basketball game. Kansas Alumni hold watch partys at the Fox and Hound not far from our house. It feels good to watch the game with other Jayhawks. I almost felt sorry for Mu when they played so poorly. The score at half time was 45 to 19. Problem was, the game was so lopsided that CBS switched to a different game with 10 minutes to go. We had to get updates from ESPN on those with i-phones in the our watch party. The Tigers actually outscored the Jayhawks 46 - 45 in the second half. The final score ended 90 - 65. |
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 Three Good Reasons |
Two Years of Blogging (3/01): It's hard to believe that I've been at this blogging thing for two full years now. It's even harder to believe that I started this website ten years ago. Of course, back then there were three real good reasons. <<< the fantastic triplets ten years ago  Lawrence, Kansas - Watch Out !! |
 KU Alumni Association |
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 Almost Finished |
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| <<< back to february 2009 | on to april 2009 >>> |
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