Storms

Well, we had the predicted storms and then some.  Early this morning, about 7:15, an electric storm blew through.  Later in the day, mid-afternoon, the sky grew very, very dark, and we had a rainstorm, with small hail.  We had sprinkles off and on throughout the day.  The storms may continue off and on the next few days, including wind and even snow. It is that time of year.

A Changing Sky

The sky was bright and sunny today.  The weather predictors were saying we would have a change with possible light precipitation by Wednesday.  By this afternoon, the sky has become heavy and grey with clouds. The temperature has cooled.  We shall see how the weather turns.

I should have suspected that the weather forecasters were correct.  When I awoke this morning, I had joint pain, and no desire to move.  On a work day, I would have forced myself into the hot shower, and get dressed so I could go to work.  On a weekend, day off or holiday, I just rather lounge for a while, and gradually work my bones and body to move, take my shower and take it easy.  Which is what I have done and have been doing today.  

Update Me Because I Am Uninformed

I hope uninformed is correct, and ignorant would not be more correct. I am sorry if ignorant is more correct.  I am asking because I do not want to be ignorant, and I want to be respectful of the LFBTQ community. I listen to NPR a lot.  And have lately heard them use the term queer to refer to homosexuals, male and female, bisexual, and transgender.  The first time I recently heard this on the radio, I wondered about it, because that was a derogatory term I heard in the 1960s and 1970s and perhaps beyond for people who are homosexual. But now, apparently queer is becoming more common.  It still feels uncomfortable when I hear it on the radio.  What gives?

The other thing I have noticed in the NPR reporting is that when they report on persons who are transgender, the term "they" is used instead of he or she.  Again, please enlighten me.  Is this the terminology preferred by people being reported upon, or is it a machination used by the legal or political powers that be at NPR to keep them out of legal trouble? I just want to know.  

Green Book

This afternoon, I went to see the movie Green Book.  It was a very good movie, on many different levels.  I would highly recommend it.  If you are not familiar with the story it is about Don Shirley, a Black pianist who takes his trio South on tour in 1962.  The rest of his trio is Anglo, and he hires an Anglo driver Tony Vallelonga.  The story is about the transformation of Shirley and Vallelonga.   

The Shortest Day of the Year

As you know, December 21 is The Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year.  Every year, I am amazed, but no longer surprised, at how quickly and noticeably the length of daylight hours increases after the 21st..  It is always pleasant.   I dislike the short daylight hours.

The Texas Tech Museum

I was surprised to learn that the Texas Tech Museum was going to be open today, because their schedule usually is consistent with the University's class schedule.  But, they were open, and will reopen on January 2, 2019.

I went to see the exhibit The Pre Modern Bibles.  I had actually gone to the museum once before to see this exhibit, but was distracted by a couple of exhibits:Red That Colored the World and Ladies in Red.   Those were great exhibits. Today, in addition to the exhibit on the Pre Modern Bibles, I went through the Red, Hot and Quilted  exhibit.

I really enjoyed both exhibits.  Amazingly, later today, I was reading a book, The Grantchester Mysteries, Sydney Chambers and the Persistence of Love.   There was a segment of the book  "Ex Libris"  that talked about ancient religious books, and used terms like "glossed" the meaning of which I learned today at the museum. This added to my enjoyment of the book, whereas without that knowledge, I would have just "glossed over" the term, and not worried about what it meant.

It is enlightening that our academic life can enhance our daily life in what is a small but important way!

A Basketball Bonanza

Thursday night, the Texas Tech Red Raiders Basketball Team played the Duke University Basketball Team at Madison Square Garden. The Garden was sold out and the people at ESPN said the viewership was the highest for a basketball game since 2015.  The announcers were very complimentary of the Tech team.  The Tech team got behind at first, lead for much of the game, and lost by a wider margin that would indicate how close the game was.

Friday night, I watched the Milwaukee Bucks win against the Boston Celtics NBA teams in Boston.  

Saturday, I watched the Texas Tech Lady Raiders play against the Texas Southern Lady Tigers.  The Raiders won.  After the game, there was an announcement on the radio that Coach Marlene Stollings is the first Lady Raider coach to start her career with an 8 and 2 record.  I hope this bodes well for her.  We shall see.