Helianthus Annuus

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The sunflowers are finally in bloom.  This is probably the most picturesque they are going to look – as the heads are just now starting to grow seeds and that means the birds will be diving in for dinner soon.

sunflowers

sunflower close

Of course nature is efficient, but still, this is a little amazing: The seeds within the head (actually considered fruit, but let’s call them seeds) grow in a spiral pattern.  They are angled at one another by geometry's  “golden angle,” which allows the head to pack in the most number of seeds possible.  This pattern of interconnecting spirals has something to do with a mathematical equation discovered by some guy from Pisa (Leonardo Fibonacci).  Thirty-four spirals one way and 55 spirals in the other direction – the ratio increasing depending on the size of the sunflower head.  Here's the pattern:

Fibonacciseeds

Reaching the Ocean via the Woods

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Two days of good weather in Truro is the best medicine in the world – even if nothing ails you. I am not incredibly dependant on routine, but do have distinct preferences when it comes to beach time.  I choose Ballston Beach every time (ocean side, off of North Pamet Road) and to park at the woods path.  The path makes all the difference -- dropping you off farther down the beach, away from the other beachgoers and in the company of surfers and Truro residents.  The closest person will be more than 30 feet away, guaranteed, and at the same distance in the water there may be a seal or two taking their daily swim down the shore.

I love this path as much as I love the beach.  Seven minutes on a narrow winding path, through pines and vegetation that have withstood the ocean weather for seasons.  It seems like a regular walk through the woods and then you catch a glimpse of the dunes to your left and hear the ocean crashing on the other side.  And just before you reach the clearing of dune grass (still without spotting the ocean) you begin to smell the beach roses and the blueberry bushes.  Continue walking.  And then, finally ready, the path leads you over the dunes to the ocean.

I make Holly carry everything.

path3

path4

Thank God for Sanskrit on Bastille Day

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These are the words I understood in yoga class today: • Tadasana • Vrkasana • Trikonasa • Virabhadasana • Ardha chandrasana • Utkatasana • Padangusthasana • Chaturanga dandasana • Urdhva mukha svanasana • Adho mukha svanasana • Savasana

What I pretended to understand: • Pied • Main • Poignet • Poitrine • Cœur • Tour • Fort • Ascenseur • Regarder • Épaule • Ouvert • Carré • Saut • Blessures • Vers le haut • Retour • Avancer ensemble

And what I could figure out before class ended: • Bienvenue • Inspirez • Expirez • Gauche • Droite • Un bloc • Bien • Merci

Start of Summer, finally

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Ah, Truro.  I need say nothing more about it.  Oh, but perhaps that I stayed in this room on my second night at the Cape View.   You know, the room where, last month, a woman had to be subdued and carried out after firing a 9 mm handgun and refusing to surrender for five hours.  They redid the walls.  I watched some Entourage and a little of that Johnny Cash movie.  Still less sketchy than the Truro Motor Inn (and I say sketchy in the most loving way) and still with the best view from a h/motel room in Truro.
 
But, really the prize is this, and I know it's going to make some certain people jealous:

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/5468175]

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/5468192]