And Now For Something a Little Different

For two or three years, I've been keeping some of the great links that people have sent me via e-mail--links to humorous, amazing, or particularly picturesque sites.  I've compiled ten of these so that you can enjoy them, too.  They've made the rounds so you may well have seen some or all before. But I figure they're good for a second look. 

The first is a video of the Great Chinese State Circus performing Swan Lake.  Stay with it.  It'll knock your socks off, as they say.  4:29 minutes.  (Link #1)

Perhaps you've seen this virtual tour of the Sistine Chapel.  You should be able to use your mouse to fly around the room.  The +/- in the lower left will let you zoom in or out. (Link #2)

This is a series of 15 color photos showing people in different countries (Yemen, Venezuela, the U.S., etc.) and what they eat in one day.  It's called "Breaking Bread Everywhere" from the people who did the Material World book a few years back with shots of families world-wide standing beside all their material possessions. (Link #3)

Here are some truly beautiful shots of magnified drops of water.  (Link #4)

This one brings tears whenever I listen.  It's a Persian/Iranian group, Chris De Burgh and the Arian Band singing The Words "I Love You."  3:42 minutes.  (Link #5)

Here's a set of still photos showing Russia in color a century ago. (Link #6)

This one tickles me every time I watch it.  :33 seconds.  (Link #7)

Here is another amusing piece that makes me chuckle.  No hint.  Just check it out.  6:49 minutes.  (Link #8)

This is a video of a virtual choir put together from some 2,000 videos sent in from 58 countries, everyone singing the same song.  9:31 minutes.  (Link #9)  Here's a separate explanatory video, if you want to learn more about it.  (Link #9A)

And finally, a picture of the world--its lights lit up at night.  (Link #10)) 

What makes September September

Heirlooms and others

Tomatoes galore
Apple picking time
A yellowing across the land
Crisp days and nights ... including frost warnings
Promising yourself you won't turn on the furnace until October 1st
   ... you know, the cost of fuel oil
But maybe not sticking to it

Apple picking time