In 1968 the Dutch government allocated funding for an experimental housing project in the city of Hertogenbosch. Responding to a call for submissions, artist/designer Dries Kreijkamp proposed Bolwoningen (Ball Houses), and his unusual concept was chosen. The design sat on the shelf until 1980 when construction of fifty of the small homes began.
Each 18-foot diameter sphere consists of prefabricated panels made of fiberglass-reinforced concrete mounted on a cylindrical base. Weighing only 2.8 tons, it can be disassembled and relocated.
The experimental neighborhood of Bolwoningen remains as a tourist curiosity, and holiday rentals are available.
Bunkarina sent me a present last year – a Japanese moss ball. I wasn’t sure what to make of it, but I knew it needed a better home than a glass pentagon cage, so I put it in something a bit more respectful and named it Tosh.
I didn’t think much about Tosh until he “birthed” a baby and they became Toshi and Toshita. We became friends, and every two weeks they get fresh water to keep them happy.
More recently I learned that they’re sold as Japanese Lake Moss (or Marimo Moss Balls) but they’re not moss at all. They’re algae, Aegagropila linnaei, and they grow very slowly. They don’t like chlorinated water much, but they like a little salt. They turn bright green and blow bubbles when they’re content. The water changes coincide with something I’ve been going through for two years now, and I began taking photos every two weeks to mark time and progress. The moss give me a bit of inner peace, a zen tranquility of sorts.
And no, I don’t talk to them, smartass. You know who you are.
“Check out the Prancercise Website Here: http://www.prancercise.com This video shows the 4 modes of Prancercise® .You can visit me at http://www.prancercise.com where you can learn more about Prancercise®: “A springy, rhythmic way of moving forward, similar to a horse’s gait and is ideally induced by elation.” copyright 1989, taken from my book Prancercise®:The Art of Physical and Spiritual Excellence, now available to the public for the first time!”
I don’t care about Mick Fleetwood either, but he was/is one hella talent.
Cadillac in the Swampis a torrid, steaming album, powered by the gutsy, powerful songwriting and singing of harpist Anthony Thompson. Smokehouse reworks the deep, swampy groove of New Orleans and Delta blues, adding the electric energy of Chicago blues. Thompson is a raw, greasy harmonica player, evoking the classic licks of Little Walter. He’s not as good a singer — his range is quite limited — but he is a forceful and emotional vocalist and he’s one hell of a songwriter; unlike many of his contemporaries, he is not afraid of tackling big social issues. Guitarist Robert Thomas is equally impressive, spitting out firey solos and muscular riffs throughout the record. That musical dexterity and sinewy energy shines throughout Cadillac in the Swamp, a first-rate modern blues album. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AMG Enjoy !!!
I don’t know where that recording came from, but it sounds a lot like Howlin’ Wolf to me. Nasty blues with a very cool video.
Have a great weekend, folks, and we’ll be back here tomorrow.
Tacky Raccoons 