Another Great Commercial

June Solstice

Solstice Skies Around the World

The rolling Planets, and the glorious Sun,
Still keep that order which they first begun;
But Man! once innocent -- perversely strays,
Swerves from his God, and walks in devious ways.
-- Freebetter's "New England Almanack" for 1788

The June Solstice - - The Sun at 23 1/2 degrees North

Back in my public school days, I was taught that the Earth's axis is inclined "23 1/2 degrees" to the plane of its orbit around the Sun. Like many of the things I learned in public school this was an interesting factoid, but didn't help me very much in inderstanding what was going on in the sky. but this number "23 1/2 degrees" turns up in mnay intersting ways, especially around the solstices.

On June 21, the Earth reaches a point in its orbit where the North Pole is leaning in the general directgion of the Sun. As seen from the Earth's surface, the Sun appears to reach the northern extreme of its annual circle through the sky. So on this day, the Sun appears to "stand still" and not move further North. For this reason, the Romans called it the "solstice," which means in Latin, "The Sun stands."

On the June solstice, the Sun reaches its furthest extent to the North in the sky. For folks in the northern hemisphere, the Sun is highest overhead at Noon, and the Noon shadows are the shortest of the year. Also, the morning Sun is seen to rise furthest to North than any day of the year, and also sets furthest to the North. For this reason, the June solstice is "The Longest Day of the Year," and "The First Day of Summer" for everyone in the Northern Hemisphere.

-- from Classical Astronomy, 20 Jun 2012 issue, published by Jay Ryan, http://www.classicalastronomy.com

Swashbuckler!

This has to be one of my all time favorite videos/commercials. Just love watching it over and over.

Validation

Sometimes you come across something so simple and simply delightful, you just have to share.

Eminent Women of the St. George Temple

Before I continue on with posts from China I thought I would share this video with you. The Eminent Women of the St. George Temple.

And this video Charlotte Bronte - Eminent Women

A couple of weeks ago the Quan family invited several families to share their Sunday dinner. So all 12 of us squeezed into their car and they took us home with them.


This is the view from their 19th floor window. Ashleigh said she could count 95 buildings from her apartment window. This is only a portion of the buildings you can see from this window.


These minature daffodils were just starting to bloom.


Brooke was trying to figure out how she could get to the top step and play with the slinky again. Big kids have all the fun.


A round puzzle of the world.


After dinner everyone gathered around the piano and sang. Sister Quan made the baby look good at playing the grand piano.


Smaller pianos for smaller folks.


Brother Quan, man behind the scene.


Group picture before heading out into the cold.

Shenzhen, Newfield Office

The building in the middle, pinkish and green windows) is where Dad works when he is in Shenzhen.


His office is near the top on the left side.


As I walked around and hiked, I took pictures of his building.


Took this during my hike to the top of the ridge.


This is the window where Dad used a laser pointer so I could see where he was.


From the villa area.


Sunset and rather hazy.


From the ridge.


From the ridge.


In his office, looking out over the city.


In his office, looking at the bay. The ships almost seem to be floating, don't they?


The Christmas tree was still up in the lobby, decorated by the dragon, made from office supply stuff.


And someone made a replica of Dad's building out of paper tubes.