Pic Today 12/31/10

KODACHROME - R.I.P.

1935-2010

Farewell old friend!

Today marks the final day (and a sad day)

for Kodachrome film processing.

The last remaining photo lab

to offer processing for this popular slide film

has shut down its Kodachrome developing line.

When Kodak announced it was no longer

manufacturing it's famous (and fabulous) Kodachrome film,

thousands of photographers stockpiled rolls

of their favorite color slide film

(storing it in the freezer.)

But now, there's no way to get exposed rolls processed . . .

no lab, not anywhere, worldwide!

The last lab to close is Dwayne's Photo

in Parsons, Kansas (near the Oklahoma border.)

(DWAYNE'S LAB PHOTO: COURTESY, NEW YORK TIMES.)

One gentleman flew last week from London

to Kansas City, and drove to Dwayne's

with 3 rolls of Kodachrome, just to get his film processed.

(Now that's some expensive processing!)

"Makes you think all the world's a sunny day.

Mama, don't take my Kodachrome away."

-- Paul Simon

Pic Today 12/30/10

WHY PHOTOGRAPHERS LOVE FOG

. . . well, at least the ones I know

love when the fog rolls in,

especially at night.

The snow started to melt today.

The ground stayed cold while the air got warm.

And that's the recipe for fog!

So I grabbed my camera

and viewed the world through a softer lens.

No hard edges. No sharp light.

Like Monet is his final years,

the scenery looks diffused and blurry

and takes on a heavenly feel.

All the lights are on dim

and easy on the eyes.

Hand me my camera!

Pic Today 12/29/10

WINTER IN THE WOODS

Hiking through the woods,

after a fresh December snow,

is a magical experience.

The world changes to soft and quiet.

The thick woods turn black and white.

There is no east or south or north,

but there's no getting lost,

because your tracks are left deep

to show your way home.

Colors have no home here,

only quiet snow.

Pic Today 12/28/10

SLEDDING ON ART HILL

After every big snow fall,

St. Louisans gather on Art Hill,

directly beneath the famous St. Louis Art Museum,

for the best sledding in Forest Park.

From this vantage point, back in 1904,

you could view most of the World's Fair exhibits

at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.

The Art Museum building is the only remaining

structure from the massive World's Fair exposition,

which took 3 years to construct.

The Fair's lagoons and lakes still remain,

and are prominent features in today's Forest Park.

The long snow-packed slope of Art Hill is ideal for

sledders of every age, with fire pits ablaze at the top

to warm frozen feet and fingers.

Pic Today 12/27/10

TIME TO MAKE A SNOWMAN

A snowy Christmas was the perfect time

to build a snowman.

A really big snowman!

"In the meadow we can build a snowman,

And pretend that he's a circus clown.

We'll have lots of fun with mister snowman,

Until the other kids knock him down."

-- "Winter Wonderland"

Pic Today 12/26/10

THE BEST PART

OF CHRISTMAS

. . . was the giving and the sharing,

to those less fortunate than us.

It didn't just 'feel good' to give . . .

it was fun!

Here's the crowd Christmas morning

at New Life Evangelistic Center downtown.

It's an annual tradition each year to celebrate Christmas.

The poor and homeless know they've got a home

where they can receive shoes, clothing, food and

wrapped presents for their children.

There was a steady stream of donors

bringing bags and boxes through the doors.

The center gets 14,000 visits each year,

and receives donations year round.

Reverend Larry Rice has been helping the homeless

for the past 35 years.

(Put them on your list next year.

It's a great way to keep Christmas going, and going, and going....)

Pic Today 12/25/10

MERRY CHRISTMAS

TO ALL

Where ever you are this day,

however you celebrate this holiday season,

here's wishing you the warmest and happiest

Christmas day of all!

Pic Today 12/24/10

"DON'T FORGET ME."

Pets are an important part of our families,

so don't forget to include them on

your Christmas gift list.

Whether it's your dog, or cat, or bird, or goldfish . . .

get 'em a special treat, or chew-toy, or tennis ball.

Then they'll know you love them!

Or if you don't have a pet,

you can always get some seed and feed the wild birds.

Your pet gives you unconditional love.

(We could learn from them.)

One more day to go.

Woof!

Pic Today 12/23/10

WHO PUT THE "X"

IN CHRISTMAS?

In recent years, many retailers have come under fire

for using the word "Xmas" as a substitute for Christmas.

Some businesses in the past routinely used Xmas

in their advertising and signage, shortening the word Christmas.

"We simply ran out of room in the ad," some would say.

But increased criticism from the public

for "taking the Christ out of Christmas"

has greatly curtailed this shorthand expression.

"Xmas" is rarely seen these days.

Interestingly, substituting the letter "X"

in Christmas dates back centuries (as late as the 1900s)

and we find the term "Xmas" had no negative connotations.

Theologians and historians acknowledge

there's nothing nefarious about the "X" in Xmas.

Its origins involve the first letter of the Greek name for Christ.

(Christos is the New Testament Greek word for Christ.)

The first letter of the Greek word Christos

is transliterated into our alphabet as an "X."

And that "X" has come through church history

to be a shorthand symbol for the name of Christ.

So whether you see Xmas or Christmas,

have a merry one, OK?

(Images photographed at Steeleville Antiques, Steeleville, Missouri.)

Pic Today 12/22/10

THE MOON TURNS RED

AND WINTER BEGINS

Late last night, a remarkable coincidence occurred:

for the first time in 372 years,

there was a rare total lunar eclipse

at the exact moment of the winter solstice,

which marked the beginning of winter!

If you were in North or Central America,

you were able to watch the earth

pass directly between the sun and the moon.

The total eclipse lasted one hour,

which gave the moon a deep red glow.

(The above photographs: courtesy of NASA.)

Astrologists worldwide agree such eclipses

are intensified predictors of "major turning points"

for the world at large.

Let's pray it signifies a "turn for the better."

Amen.

Pic Today 12/21/10

CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS

IN MISSOURI'S MOST FAMOUS CABIN

On May 14, 1804

Lewis and Clark began their epic journey

near St. Louis, on the Missouri River,

as they explored the vast American wilderness

opening the "northwest passage" to the Pacific coast.

By May 25, they reached Washington, Missouri,

and the Fort Charrette trading post.

French fur traders had established La Charrette ("little wagon")

for trappers headed up the "wide Missouri."

In their diaries, Meriwether Lewis recalled this stop as

"the last white settlement we encountered."

The cabin, adjoining the trading post, has been

preserved and carefully restored, complete with

authentic artifacts (including one of the original

Lewis & Clark peace medals and peace pipe.)

Today, historian Crosby Brown resides in the original cabin

and conducts tours of his "home" and historic post.

This 200+ year old cabin is a sacred site to celebrate Christmas

and the earliest days of the American frontier.

Pic Today 12/20/10

BLINDED BY THE LIGHT?

Too much?

Holiday lights are everywhere,

helping us celebrate this festive season.

As we string our lights for the holiday season,

we surround our homes and lives with

colored lights and sparkles

to celebrate Chanuka, Christmas, Kwanzaa

and the New Year.

Let's not forget the beauty and simplicity of

a single candle burning, whose flame proclaims

PEACE ON EARTH and

GOOD WILL TO ALL MEN.

May your lights burn bright this holiday.

Pic Today 12/19/10

SWINGIN' BACK INTO

THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

(Nothing like music to do the trick.)

. . . especially if it's the incomparable

jazz recording artist, Jane Monheit,

who visited The Jazz Bistro in St. Louis,

before returning to hometown New York City today.

Jane and her jazz trio performed Christmas song classics

to a "sold out" audience at The Bistro,

getting everyone in the spirit and a little "teary eyed"

as we start the final week countdown to Christmas.

Pic Today 12/18/10

STAYIN' IN THE CARIBBEAN

Not ready to return to the

hustle and bustle of Christmas just yet.

Another moment or two

to view those brilliant Caribbean blues.

The beautiful northern Colombian coast.

The isolation and island tranquility of

tiny Johnny Cay in the distance.

The only sounds you hear

are the gentle waves lapping on the beach,

and the rustling palm fronds above.

Peace on earth!

Pic Today 12/17/10

SOME NON-CHRISTMAS COLORS

FOR A CHANGE

We're surrounded by

the sounds and scents and colors of Christmas

everywhere we go these days . . .

so I thought it would be nice

for a change of pace and temperature

with Caribbean Blue.

These recent aerial photos were taken

off the northern coast of Colombia . . .

crystal clear warm waters,

dotted patches of white clouds,

and the unmistakable shades of Caribbean blue.

Quite a canvas!

Close your eyes.

Feel the warm currents.

Hear the gentle surf.

You're there.

(Nice break, huh?)

Pic Today 12/16/10

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

GONE WILD

The city has gone crazy for Christmas,

hanging lights and decorations everywhere:

on houses, storefronts, windows, trees, inside, outside.

It's a great time to stroll or drive through town,

especially at night time,

to see how neighbors show off their Christmas spirit.

The lights are bright, and spirits high.

From house to house, the neighbors try

To make the Christmas season shine

This year with sparkles extra fine.

Pic Today 12/15/10

HOT MULLED SPICE

FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Hot mulled drinks (wine or cider)

are popular the world over

at Christmas time.

Each country has its own name and recipe

for hot, spiced holiday drinks:

England/America -- Hot mulled wine

Germany -- Glühwein

Poland -- Grzane wino

France -- Vin chaud

Nordic Countries -- Glögg

Italy -- Vin brulé

Serbia/Croatia -- Kuvano vino

Romania -- Vin fiert

South America -- Candola

Bulgaria -- Greyano vino

Latvia -- Karstvins

(I'm sure I'm missing a few.)

Variations on the recipe are fairly similar.

They more or less include familiar aromatic spices,

including cinnamon, cloves, allspice and

especially nutmeg and mace (the dried outer-covering

around nutmeg) which are subtle flavorings

for breads, cakes and pies, especially this time of year.

Simply add these spices to red wine or apple cider,

along with sugar (to taste) and orange slices.

Heat gently on the stove for 15-20 minutes and serve.

And raise your mugs as you toast the holidays.

Now off to the spice store with you!!!