Vide-Ohs

My Homage to Trees

Jeff

Trees have always been magical or should I say mystical to me. My first true relationship with a tree was with that of a large chestnut tree in the Bronx, NYC. It was near our elementary school and grew tall alongside a hill we used for sledding in the winter and for rolling down in cardboard boxes in the spring and summer.

I was very young, perhaps seven years old. It was a very large tree as I remember and the chestnuts were a beautiful; a rich dark brown and so very smooth. Each Chestnut pod held two rather large half-domed seeds that were shiny and precious.

I was in further awe of nature when I realized that a huge oak tree could be brought forth from the growth of a small, seemingly innocuous acorn.

I agree with Joyce Kilmer. Trees are very special. The video below is an ode to trees. It ushers forth many of the feelings I have toward these living sentinels who retain their footholds at the behest of man.

NOTE: The reader has an accent which may make it difficult to understand all of the words, but I don’t think words are needed.

The Silent Friends

The Silent Friends from Kauri Multimedia on Vimeo.

NOTE: I first came across this video via an article, The Silent Friends: A Beautiful Short Film Celebrating Our Abiding Bond with Trees, from the brainpickings website. If you are in search of intellectually stimulating and far reaching topics, you might enjoy stopping by.

Video – Man-aged Earth: An Explanation of Time

Jeff

The three minute video below is an interesting animation that presents the history of our earth via a metaphor of a trip from Los Angeles to NJ showing important evolutionary events in earth’s history and where along that journey they would have occurred. As you will note, modern man has been around for a relatively insignificant period of time (only 5.6 feet of the journey) however we have had a huge impact on the earth.

You can read more explanations about my source for the video at the link below:

Science Alert

Scaredy Cats … It’s a Cucumber – Surprise

Jeff

Apparently cats are terribly afraid of cucumbers. The video below shows cats being surprised and/or scared by finding one so close to them. According to a recent article on Gizmodo, my source for this video, some knowledgeable “cat people” feel that scaring your cat this way may cause psychological damage. Anyone who has ever owned a cat understands that cats don’t need any further assistance in this area! So…pet owners beware – Don’t Try This At Home!

NOTE – All of the cats in the video are scared while eating or drinking. Could this be related to scaredy-catness; i.e. The Hunger Games?

Lou Holtz: Undergraduate Commencement Address 2015

Jeff

I have used a number of quotes from Lou Holtz in my STATUS QUOtes postings. Despite his excellent achievements, he is still very humble. Don’t be fooled by his appearance of being a simple “down home” boy. He is a brilliant, compassionate person who has a lot to offer for those willing to listen.

While this speech was delivered at a Catholic university and has some strong religious tones, everyone can learn from what Lou Holtz has to say. He is funny, witty, poignant and spiritual. I don’t think you will regret taking 20 minutes of your time to listen and watch what he has to say. Look at is an investment in your future.

Huge Hug – Hug of the Century Perhaps

Jeff

The story attached to this video explains that the woman found the lion sick and near death and took the lion with her to nurse it back to health. Once the lion was restored to good health she made arrangements for the lion to live at a “zoo.” When she returned to visit some time later, the lion had quite a hug for his friend.

NOTE – The soundtrack may be a bit loud so you might want to turn it down or off!

Read more details about this story at White Wolf Pack

Loki the Wolfdog

Jeff

Loki in 2012 as a Puppy
**Loki in 2012 as a puppy

Loki full-grown bundle of joy
**Loki full-grown bundle of joy with owner Kelly Lund

Loki - Hammock Happy
**Loki – Hammock Happy

**Photos above are from Loki’s Facebook Page

If the truth be told, and why not, I like cats, but I love dogs. In my experience dogs have personalities with depth. When I say I love dogs, I mean dogs like Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Huskies, German Shepherds and other similar large breeds. I love to look into their eyes when you can actually visualize them “thinking.”

The Internet has had several articles about Loki recently and I wanted to share his story with visitors to JBRish.com.

The UK’s Daily Mail has an article which will fill in some of the details, but the real story is told through the multitude of photographs. As you look through the pictures you will see that Loki looks very happy?!

If you want to see more photos that weren’t in the above article, you can check “Loki’s” Instagram Page

The short clip below shows Loki enjoying some Colorado winter fun, watch the YouTube video below; smile!

How Dangerous is Taking a Shower?

Jeff

The question above, “How dangerous is taking a shower?”, seems almost laughable at first glance, but if you watch the video below, you will gain an understanding that risks are not always what they seem. As we live longer and longer, the odds become stacked against us and we must maintain our vigilance to avoid mishaps. The video below shows how scientist/author Jared Diamond learned this lesson from the tribes of Papua New Guinea.

If you want to read more about this, check out the post from Brain Pickings , Jared Diamond on the Root of Inequality and How the Mixed Blessings of “Civilization” Warped Our Relationship to Daily Risk, where I first encountered this concept and video.

The Risks of The Everyday – with Jared Diamond from The Royal Institution on Vimeo.

Below is the quote from the Vimeo website:

“Jared Diamond shares what he learnt about risk and everyday life from the tribes of Papua New Guinea. This was taken from a 2013 conversation, ‘The world until yesterday’. Watch the full discussion here: youtu.be/ceLuaf7low4

Pullitzer Prize-winner Jared Diamond discusses how insights from the lifestyles of far-removed cultures can impact the way we think about our own lives. Is it worth worrying about the risk of everyday actions like falling in the shower or tripping on the street? Each time you do these things, the risk of mishap is low, but we do them every single day. Over time, does that mean these tiny risks accumulate to become almost inevitable?

This animation was produced by Andrew Khosravani, thanks to generous support from the Sfumato Foundation.”

Video – African Wildlife Photography Workshop

Jeff

The video below has a wide array of beautiful scenes including animals, landscapes, aerial portraits of interesting geographical areas and a vibrant soundtrack. If you like music, animals or photography, you will probably enjoy this video.

At about the seven minute mark of the video, a very light hued, young male lion comes running toward the people as though there is going to be a confrontation, but apparently this scene and the following were filmed in an area of a wildlife park where the animals interact with humans…still amazing to be that close to such a powerful animal.

African Wildlife Photography Workshop from Martin Harvey on Vimeo.

The Vimeo website for this particular film includes the following description:

A ten day photo safari starting in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy Kenya. A short helicopter safari to north Kenya. Then in South Africa to Glen Afric, the Lion Park and ending in Tswala Kalahari Reserve.

With thanks to R.C. , Sirikoi Game Lodge, Tropic Air Kenya, Mario Magongo, Vicky Brooker, Glen Afric, Alex Larenty, Lion Park, Tswalu Game Reserve.

Additional aerial footage supplied by Tropic Air Kenya.

By Martin Harvey wildimagesonline.com