tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89348255477070795892012-02-16T09:52:11.272-06:00Night, the beloved. Night, when words fade and things come alive. When the destructive analysis of day is done, and all that is truly important becomes whole and sound again. When man reassembles his fragmentary self and grows with the calm of a tree. ~Antoine de Saint-ExupéryNight, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.comBlogger1531100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-4520101824890102342009-03-15T09:40:00.003-05:002009-03-15T10:07:10.433-05:00

We're visited again by German singer/songwriter Christina Lux, who performs her song, To the World.This song is my wish to you, as this will be the final lullaby here at Night the Beloved. Other projects are requiring attention and I'm afraid I can no longer devote time to this blog. A new day beckons and it's time to greet the dawn.Thank you for taking this journey through the night with me.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-90954293398199752882009-03-12T19:17:00.010-05:002009-03-13T22:12:57.252-05:00

© Eandephotography | Dreamstime.comThe luminous creatures and life forms we've surveyed so far all make use of a specific chemical reaction to produce light. If they don't create the reaction themselves, they have a symbiotic relationship with light-generating bacteria that are housed in a special light organ within the host animal.But it turns out that there is another biological mechanism that

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-186436750631292052009-03-08T09:37:00.002-05:002009-03-08T09:45:56.084-05:00

I couldn't resist another Ane Brun video. The Norwegian singer/songwriter performs her version of the song True Colors. She sings it so simply and with such an open heart, it's just wonderful.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-22263957620710345312009-03-04T21:47:00.005-06:002009-03-04T22:17:29.104-06:00

A bioluminescent hydromedusa.So far, our examination of bioluminescence has focused on land dwellers - fungi, worms, various insects. As rare as the ability is here on dry ground, up to 90 percent of ocean life is capable of producing light. Against the backdrop of a black sea, life forms use self-generated light to hunt, find mates and defend themselves.Red tide bioluminescence taken at midnight

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-91191182943756775152009-03-01T09:09:00.003-06:002009-03-01T09:32:17.475-06:00

This week's lullaby features Australian singer/songwriter Missy Higgins in a live performance of her song Nightminds. I love this song for its depth of emotion and honesty. I hope you enjoy it.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-71468341184338310712009-02-22T09:12:00.003-06:002009-02-22T09:29:18.033-06:00

Another gifted acoustic guitarist comes to us via YouTube. Pino Forastiere performs Cammino with great skill and feeling. A penetrating piece, almost brooding, it transports the listener to another time and place where many possibilities exist beyond what might have been previously experienced.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-34588840807035601302009-02-20T16:45:00.007-06:002009-02-20T18:17:52.263-06:00

Credit: NASA/ESA/Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration. Acknowledgment: B. Whitmore (Space Telescope Science Institute)Several months ago I blogged about Galaxy Zoo, a project that engages citizen scientists to help classify galaxies by shape. More than 150,000 people have taken part in Galaxy Zoo so far in an effort to classify almost a quarter of a million images. At the

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-15785259295367296162009-02-15T09:51:00.003-06:002009-02-15T10:08:40.688-06:00

Gifted artist Alice Friend provides this week's lullaby with her video Kokopelli's Magical Tour of Paintings, featuring her artwork and music. I find her music and imagery to be uplifting and delightful. I hope you enjoy it.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-39790329517131808482009-02-12T19:33:00.001-06:002009-02-12T19:41:32.603-06:00

© Luxgene 2000Softly glowing mushrooms rising from the forest floor - no wonder people in bygone times concluded that they had suddenly been transported to the realm of the faeries.The strange bioluminescence of mushrooms and other fungi defies understanding. The usual reasons given for bioluminescence - mating, predation, defense, communication - don't seem to apply to luminous mushrooms, and no

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-75939710962825116552009-02-08T09:36:00.002-06:002009-02-08T09:53:41.598-06:00

We're having a midwinter thaw right now in my area, which is lovely, but I can't help wondering when the cold will return. This week's lullaby is a reminder of summer evenings to come. Carly Simon performs that Beatles classic, Blackbird. I love the look of this video, and her wonderful performance.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-51316624931792075682009-02-01T10:13:00.002-06:002009-02-01T10:54:47.390-06:00

This week's lullaby is a wonderful, lilting song, Hewlett, arranged and performed by harpist Therese Honey. The harp has such a soothing sound. Relax and enjoy this lovely tune.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-79632130261585346742009-01-25T10:24:00.002-06:002009-01-25T10:32:24.551-06:00

You might remember Ane Brun's previous appearance here at Night the Beloved with her song, Lullaby for Grown Ups. Here, she performs Little Lights as a duet with French singer Syd Matters. Set to lovely nature images, this song has some of the most extraordinary lyrics. I hope you enjoy it.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-91789484607748138262009-01-18T09:50:00.003-06:002009-01-18T10:11:56.373-06:00

We had subzero temperatures here last week, so I hope that explains the escapist tendencies found in this week's lullaby. The song is The Sea by Morcheeba and the images are colorful electronic renderings. It may not be a substitute for a warm-weather vacation, but this time of year, every little bit helps.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-79224838284829671482009-01-16T19:50:00.009-06:002009-01-16T21:26:49.521-06:00

As I've been researching bioluminescence, the ability of some organisms to produce light with virtually no heat (there's a powerful metaphor right there), I learned that there are different types of bioluminescence: intrinstic or internal, where the organism has specialized cell structures to produce its own light; bacterial, where the organism needs to partner with bacteria to generate light;

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-57688990839333464002009-01-11T11:05:00.002-06:002009-01-11T11:17:27.710-06:00

From the heart of winter comes this extraordinary video. Shot in and around Jordan, Minnesota, it captures the restlessness of youth, small town life and nature at its harshest yet most beautiful. The song is Pitseleh by Elliott Smith, one of my favorites because of its poignancy and honesty.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-65805465386343854832009-01-04T14:20:00.003-06:002009-01-04T14:25:34.689-06:00

Time for something a little more up-tempo from the Kings of Convenience to usher in the new year. You'll notice that even their more upbeat stuff is pretty mellow, so no worries there. The song is Misread, recorded at a concert in Germany in 2007. I hope you enjoy their wonderful music as we ease our way into 2009.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-76550936997272100042009-01-01T13:05:00.003-06:002009-01-01T16:36:43.182-06:00

Credit: NASA/The Hubble Heritage Team/A. Riess (STScI)If there was ever a time to take an interest in the night sky and all its mysteries, this is the time - 2009 has been designated the International Year of Astronomy. This year-long celebration of the science of the stars includes many local and global events designed to educate and interest people in astronomy. The centerpiece is 100 Hours of

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-51758146642006325552008-12-28T13:20:00.002-06:002008-12-28T13:26:19.105-06:00

We're on the verge of saying goodbye to 2008, and based on some of the Christmas letters I received this year, it's not a moment too soon. Ready for 2009? Mavis Staples sends us on our way with this week's lullaby. Ready or not, here we go...

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-64134892739552276982008-12-21T11:08:00.002-06:002008-12-21T11:18:37.719-06:00

This week's lullaby comes from a winter solstice celebration two years ago. Cornell Kinderknecht performs Night Path on the bansuri flute. Beautiful and haunting, it is a lovely, meditative work. I hope you enjoy it.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-6393589106164780032008-12-19T19:35:00.003-06:002008-12-19T19:44:51.595-06:00

© Ivan Kmit | Dreamstime.comAs we approach the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, I find that my conception of winter nights - still, hushed, all of nature covered in a deep blanket of snow - may not be quite right.Last week I was driving home after my night shift job when I saw a crow on the wing, passing through the illumination of a street light. Crows will roost in large numbers

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-6466204643088421902008-12-14T23:22:00.002-06:002008-12-14T23:28:59.776-06:00

Time is getting away from me these days, for reasons I don't entirely understand. Time to slow down and relax to a gorgeous rendition of Debussy's Reverie, performed by pianist David Delucia. The videographer known as Spadecaller provides lovely images to complete this week's lullaby offering.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-9132657942295011952008-12-07T11:24:00.005-06:002009-02-12T19:50:28.421-06:00

Folk legend Odetta died this past week. An ardent civil rights supporter and musical master, she will be missed by so many. This week's lullaby is Hymn, by Janis Ian, sung by Ian, Odetta and Phoebe Snow, possibly the only collaboration of these three gifted singers. Easily one of the best lullabies you will find on this blog.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-9803274950275669242008-12-05T19:40:00.007-06:002008-12-05T20:16:49.904-06:00

To me, bioluminescence, the ability of some microbes, plants and animals to emit visible light, is one of the most interesting phenomena in the natural world. It's time to explore how some life forms have developed this talent, which evolved first in the blackness of the deep sea, and then among land plants and animals that glow against the backdrop of the night.Most people are familiar with the

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-60389458784926646592008-11-30T11:15:00.003-06:002008-11-30T11:27:58.650-06:00

The first major snow storm of the season has arrived. They're forecasting 6 to 8 inches by Monday morning. The snow made me think of this video, Meditations: A Year of Changes. Harry G. Pellegrin performs El Noi de la Mare, set to images he took along the Mohawk River in New York. I like that the images aren't the usual perfectly-lit, heavily composed nature pictures you see so often. They remind

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-73537112024229375252008-11-23T15:05:00.000-06:002008-11-23T15:14:22.623-06:00

The glory of autumn has passed, and we are faced with a brown and gray landscape, a chill in the air and the darkest day of the year still more than a month away. So here is a remedy - a lullaby featuring beautiful nature images from the island of Cres in Croatia. The lovely, relaxing music is New Born by Matt Chernishov. Enjoy the lullaby as we head into the holiday week.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-1527395677683563412008-11-20T19:10:00.001-06:002008-11-20T19:17:58.318-06:00

Seeing the Northern Lights dance on a clear winter night is a wonderful spectacle. But hearing the aurora is another experience entirely. In this video from the Minnesota Planetarium and Space Discovery Center, sound recordist Steve McGreevy discusses the aurora as a natural radio source and what it takes to record its strange song. Here's the location of the original YouTube video, which

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-46281451955441150762008-11-16T15:44:00.003-06:002008-11-16T16:00:47.238-06:00

Arlo Guthrie supplies our lullaby tonight - that classic American folk song, City of New Orleans. Poignant and nostalgic, it portrays a lost era, when rail travel was supreme, and all the romanticism that went along with it.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-13190963966416003412008-11-09T15:46:00.000-06:002008-11-09T15:55:11.129-06:00

Here's a lovely song from Gregory and the Hawk, entitled Boats and Birds. In its early days, this young band bypassed the usual music industry apparatus and relied on the internet to build a fan base. Now signed with a record label, they continue to produce original, wonderful songs.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-37889830388043735472008-11-07T22:31:00.003-06:002008-11-07T22:49:58.958-06:00

Well, it turns out, I'm back on the night shift, working second-shift hours again part-time. This means the usual time I blog is unavailable, at least for another week, when my permanent schedule kicks in.So for this week and possibly next week, things will be a little quiet around here. After that, though, I plan to start a new series that I think will be fun and interesting. So stick around.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-86849491449669593042008-11-02T16:19:00.002-06:002008-11-02T16:30:40.836-06:00

Here's a smooth and mellow acoustic guitar lullaby. Andy McKee performs a song from his CD Dreamcatcher. McKee developed an international following after two of his performance videos were posted on the internet and went viral, achieving more than 17 million views. I hope you enjoy this amazing music.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-65258597649308392062008-10-30T22:17:00.010-05:002008-10-31T10:42:59.548-05:00

© Photographer: Edd BoyerWe must travel in the direction of our fear.~ John BerrymanThe flickering shadows cast by jack o'lanterns are part of the great fun of Halloween. The gorgeous image above of a local pumpkin carving competition captures the spirit of this wonderful nighttime holiday, where children are suddenly free to explore vast, new spaces in their own neighborhoods. They fan out,

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-3416115346808928302008-10-26T15:38:00.001-05:002008-10-26T15:43:50.585-05:00

Well, things have come full circle for our "Lullaby for Grown-Ups" feature. In this video, Norwegian singer/songwriter Ane Brun's song is set to a spacy, fractal visual treat. I love the sound of this, and I think we all can appreciate the lyrics. And the name of the song? Lullaby for Grown-Ups. Spooky.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-71423625724738763342008-10-23T18:55:00.001-05:002008-10-23T19:09:57.657-05:00

There's something about this time of year that makes me want to post poetry here. I was fortunate to find this video featuring a poem by Antonio Machado, as read by none other than Robert Bly, titled Last Night as I was Sleeping. Some YouTube commenters took issue with the translation from the Spanish, especially the phrase, "marvelous error," which perhaps would be better translated as "illusion

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-41052757870386125402008-10-19T16:19:00.002-05:002008-10-19T16:27:53.223-05:00

The mellow, space-rock music of Flying Saucer Attack provides our lullaby this week. The song, Suncatcher, features gentle vocals and a tranquil sound that was the hallmark of this British experimental band. Relax and enjoy this wonderful music!

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-61235048073140222872008-10-16T19:12:00.000-05:002008-10-16T19:21:32.100-05:00

Sometimes the arcade style games are good for blowing off some steam. So here are two to try.The first one, Nanotube, requires some agility to defend a circular structure from flying colored orbs (see image above). Be quick or you're done! One reviewer called this game "a satisfying treat." The second game, Sproing, lets you smash the green balls with an anchored blue ball that you swing around

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-5811132701941575932008-10-12T15:52:00.000-05:002008-10-12T16:02:08.269-05:00

The ethereal voice of Enya provides a soothing lullaby this week. The song is Evening Falls. I'm always amazed by musicians who stake out new ground, both musically and emotionally, then make it their own. Enya has sold millions of albums, without regularly touring and sometimes taking years to release the next recording. Her fame even extends to the stars. No kidding - there's a minor planet

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-69363392011636199792008-10-09T17:24:00.002-05:002008-10-09T17:54:04.623-05:00

Night, the Beloved is one year old today! Thanks for coming by to have a look or listen to a lullaby. It's great to have people visiting my blog, so I know I'm not just talking to myself.To celebrate this anniversary, let me welcome you to the First Annual Night the Beloved Animation Festival! Here are some whimsical nighttime animations, just for fun.The song is Nighttime by Petracovich. I know,

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-83093907573483166802008-10-05T15:03:00.006-05:002008-10-08T17:27:53.795-05:00

Apologies for the mid-week lullaby switch. I noticed that the previous lullaby, an audio file from ccmixter.org, had vanished. When I investigated, I got a message that I needed to install some software to even view the ccmixter home page. Too much work for a lullaby (plus, does that mean everyone viewing the blog has to do the same thing?). So we're back to a YouTube video, but it's a very nice

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-8694490340700830602008-10-02T21:11:00.001-05:002008-10-02T21:16:39.340-05:00

The first time I ever planted white flowers, some small spring bulbs, I was unprepared for the show those little blooms put on every day at twilight. They captured what little light there was and reflected it back with surprising brightness. Only later did I learn about the concept of a moon garden, also called a white garden or moon-viewing garden, where plants with white or pale blossoms are

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-69786034254574550072008-09-28T15:23:00.003-05:002008-09-28T15:35:17.663-05:00

The late Eva Cassidy was known for the emotional depth and honesty she brought to her music. Here, she performs the classic Autumn Leaves. I have to say, I've never heard this song sung like this, with such poignancy and tenderness. Ever since I found this video, I can't stop watching it.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-67555731256266273492008-09-25T20:20:00.000-05:002008-09-25T20:27:04.451-05:00

© Mark Rasmussen | Dreamstime.comTwilight drops her curtain down, and pins it with a star.~Lucy Maud MontgomeryI was hoping to write a lovely post this evening, all about twilight, that wonderful and mysterious transition from day to night. But I've fallen victim to the first virus of the fall, so I'm going to make this more about the images than the words.I will note, however, that the fall

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-84633405991058385142008-09-21T15:29:00.000-05:002008-09-21T15:30:05.610-05:00

Singer-songwriter Jose Gonzalez provides the lullaby this week with his song Hints. His complex guitar work and low-key vocal style have earned him enough of a following that he has postponed pursuing his PhD in biochemistry to focus on his music. Seems like a good decision to me. Enjoy!

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-10744405843056371522008-09-16T18:55:00.001-05:002008-09-16T19:13:53.584-05:00

Here's a curious game to help keep things interesting during any late-night, drowsy browsing you might be doing at your computer. Samorost 1 is essentially a puzzle game that gained popularity because of its unusual visuals and interesting music. Once you've mastered this game, try the sequel, Samorost 2. Good luck!

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-53444453662742069972008-09-14T15:16:00.000-05:002008-09-14T15:24:43.148-05:00

The changing seasons and the forces of nature are beautifully captured in this week's lullaby, which features images from the BBC's Planet Earth and the song Yulunga (Spirit Dance) from the group Dead Can Dance, whose distinctive style continues to occupy a unique place in contemporary music.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-26385491156135062532008-09-12T21:06:00.002-05:002008-09-12T21:22:44.858-05:00

© Leeloomultipass | Dreamstime.comOur exploration of the dreamscape has come to an end, which is not to say that I won't revisit it at some time. After all these posts, it should be pretty obvious that I believe our dreams are a form of communication with our unconscious minds, which are willing to offer up information if we take the time to divine the meaning.I used to regard this information as

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-17439994569313606532008-09-07T15:55:00.001-05:002008-09-07T16:01:26.671-05:00

From time to time, I like to include world music in the lullaby line-up. But I recently realized that I had neglected the entire continent of South America. So here is a wonderful video of Los Kjarkas, a Bolivian band, featuring their song Maria Amanecer. Los Kjarkas has been making music for more than 30 years, toured worldwide, founded two music schools and sold more records than any other band

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-62337576944258990962008-09-04T20:43:00.003-05:002008-09-04T21:04:27.961-05:00

© Kris Vandereycken | Dreamstime.comImage processed in Adobe PhotoshopBuilding bridges, burning bridges, crossing bridges - bridges provide not just a common metaphor for life, but for dreams as well. Bridges can hold positive connotations, such as uniting people and places, but they also have darker aspects, including gephyrophobia, or the fear of traveling over a bridge.In dreams, a bridge

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-43648602170232808962008-08-31T16:06:00.000-05:002008-08-31T16:11:10.920-05:00

We're in the middle of the last unofficial weekend of summer; it's still warm, but the days are growing noticeably shorter. It's time to say goodbye to the summer of 2008, and what better way than the song Summer Wind, performed here by jazz singer Madeleine Peyroux. The images are paintings by Winslow Homer and Maurice Prendergast; they call to mind summers from a bygone era. Stay cool and enjoy

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-37996961891336549362008-08-27T20:36:00.002-05:002008-08-27T20:49:40.827-05:00

Summer nights are vanishing, even as I type. Before they're completely gone, I wanted to give a nod to fireflies, whose lovely show each year never fails to mesmerize.This year it seemed like we had more fireflies than usual. In the picture above, I was able to capture several of the buggers while they were still in the lawn at twilight, before they started flying around. Here's a much better

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-32551547939164971462008-08-24T16:46:00.001-05:002008-08-24T16:54:41.544-05:00

This week's lullaby features ambient music from German artist Ulrich Schnauss, paired with the "Cloudscapes" sequence from the film Koyaanisqatsi. The song is Nothing Happens in June. I have to say, I think this is some of the best electronica I've come across - bright and fresh, yet smooth and mellow, and fitting the images perfectly.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-45262382756250705152008-08-21T16:50:00.001-05:002008-08-21T17:08:21.794-05:00

A sleepless night seems like the perfect time to survey the wonders of the internet, particularly the flotsam and jetsam that drifts by as we surf the web.So here are some utterly pointless websites, presented for your amusement:- Feeling sleepy? You couldn't ask for anything more.- Kirby dances for you! Kirby just needs some music to go with the dancing.- Golems of Light are on the move. Thanks

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-42318326774851010402008-08-17T15:15:00.001-05:002008-08-17T15:24:17.821-05:00

Time for some cool music for a hot summer's night. The song is Destiny, by Zero 7, featuring Sia Furler and Sophie Baker on vocals. So smooth, so gorgeous - it's music that washes over you, leaving you relaxed and refreshed.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-89838666059953699222008-08-14T19:41:00.001-05:002008-08-15T19:51:30.817-05:00

© Leeloomultipass Dreamstime.comAs a child, I had a series of dreams in which I worked in a shop. I can't remember now what was being sold, but whatever the merchandise was, it was displayed in glass cases. My job was to keep the cases clean.The boss, unfortunately, was a mean man. I didn't want to work in the shop anymore. Then a solution presented itself. There was a lantern, and if I held it

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-17328902719524657122008-08-10T19:43:00.000-05:002008-08-10T19:46:56.893-05:00

After that trip to Winkie's Diner last week, I managed to find what I think is an especially mellow, relaxing lullaby. Videographer David B. Davis created this lovely film, Moving Fractals, and also composed the music. Fractals are geometric shapes with parts that are similar to the whole. They make for beautiful art - in this case, wispy, ethereal colors that dance against the darkness.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-62489411863875821562008-08-07T21:27:00.006-05:002009-03-15T10:17:53.231-05:00

Well, I couldn't go completely reductionist on you when it comes to nightmares. So here's a scene from David Lynch's extraordinary film, Mulholland Drive. A man tells his friend about a nightmare he had, and suddenly he's in the dream, living it out. If you haven't seen this film, let me tell you, this is scary. Seriously. Proceed at your own risk. Because it's so scary. Maybe watch it during the

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-37983558648949797962008-08-07T21:14:00.001-05:002008-08-07T21:26:34.338-05:00

Nightmares, the darkest manifestations that our psyches have to offer, seem to provide a kind of perfect storm for the experience of fear, even terror. Common themes include being chased or attacked, drowning and falling. Some nightmares tend toward the apocalyptic, featuring natural disasters, warfare or fire. They have been fodder for literature, paintings and film.One in two adults suffers

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-4918141222962881332008-08-03T16:28:00.006-05:002008-08-07T10:28:05.054-05:00

This week's lullaby is an interpretation by classical guitarist John Williams of Erik Satie's Gnossienne No. 1, set to water images. The music seems to have the quality of a tune drifting by on the warm air of a summer's evening, the source of which is not immediately evident. To follow it is to enter into mystery, and possibly adventure, in and among the side streets of Paris.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-5103721933373732802008-07-30T19:57:00.000-05:002008-07-30T20:12:31.509-05:00

Three Wolves, © D. Loren ChamplinIt's not surprising that many people dream of animals. Humans have co-existed with animals for millenia, as both predator and prey, so it's only natural that they would make their way into the human dreamscape.When an animal appears in a dream, its meaning depends on the dreamer and its association with that particular animal. Pet owners often dream of their pets

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-75729871315065047892008-07-27T16:35:00.001-05:002008-07-27T16:35:25.559-05:00

German singer/songwriter Christina Lux provides this week's lullaby with her song, Coming Home at Last. I really like this song for its intimacy, honesty and sense of a difficult road traveled, followed by a time of rest.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-48161413232987640692008-07-23T19:58:00.000-05:002008-07-23T20:03:47.503-05:00

Credit: Hubble Heritage Team/ESA/NASAStill sleepless? Why not make use of that time? You could even contribute to science. The folks over at Galaxy Zoo need your help. They use thousands of volunteers to categorize galaxies so astronomers can better understand the cosmos.Their web site explains: "The Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) is taking images of a large portion of the sky and will

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-28614819719458287102008-07-20T15:45:00.003-05:002008-07-20T16:09:26.398-05:00

Here's an engaging video creation from The Dead Texan, an artistic duo that features musician Adam Wiltzie and video artist Christina Vantzos. Curious images interplay with soothing ambient tones. The song is Aegina Airlines.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-76502438017326240012008-07-17T20:10:00.001-05:002008-07-17T20:16:01.960-05:00

Van Gogh, The Parsonage at Nuenen by MoonlightWhen I first started recording my dreams, the first pattern that emerged was the setting of a house. I found myself in a friend's house or a stranger's house, a childhood home or a boarding house, dormitory, condo or hotel. The action varied - there were people I knew or didn't know, various activities and conflicts. But the theme was undeniable. The

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-57354170311817097522008-07-13T17:54:00.004-05:002008-07-13T18:08:35.508-05:00

This week's lullaby is an improvisation on the Navajo native flute by Sam Clemann, accompanied by images of the Grand Canyon. He writes, "I was inspired by the story of Kokopelli leading his people, the Hopi tribe, through the Grand Canyon. It is said that the sound of his flute could be heard reverberating in all the canyons." This is a lovely, meditative piece. I especially like it for its

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-71315151660593091482008-07-10T18:54:00.002-05:002008-07-11T19:05:09.731-05:00

© Rui Vale De Sousa | Dreamstime.comTime has gotten away from me this week, so I'll pick up the dream posts again next week. In the meantime, I thought I'd consider an awe-inspiring natural display that can also sometimes disturb sleep.Last night strong thunderstorms moved through the area. Summer is a great time to see some spectacular lightning. I have to say, though, I could have done without

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-86219949105163875742008-07-06T14:14:00.001-05:002008-07-06T14:46:19.797-05:00

The extraordinary music of the late Elliott Smith has the ability to move listeners on a profound level. Dark themes are somehow transmuted into comfort and acceptance. The song is Independence Day, and the images are of Smith. His tragic death at the age of 34 is still felt by his many fans.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-36420652197812666322008-07-03T21:43:00.001-05:002008-07-04T21:51:17.705-05:00

If there is magic on the planet, it is contained in the water.~ Loren EisleyMost people who remember their dreams, even if only occasionally, will have a memory of a water dream. The symbolic power of water, that essential element, is immense. It flows into our dreams to reveal the symbiosis between our conscious minds and our emotions, or even the contents of the unconscious mind, the unexplored

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-67305446645864263552008-06-29T17:17:00.000-05:002008-06-29T17:46:52.314-05:00

It's been quite a while since this blog was graced by a performance from the Kings of Convenience. So here's a wonderful rendition of their song, Winning a Battle, Losing the War. I love their quiet, thoughtful music. Don't be surprised if they turn up again at some point in the future.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-18646412134784154702008-06-25T17:53:00.000-05:002008-06-25T18:27:33.560-05:00

Maybe you've seen the YouTube video of the game, Crayon Physics. And maybe you wished you could play it, but they only have the prototype game available right now, which doesn't have the same level of functionality as the game in the video.Fortunately, there's Magic Pen, a fun, interesting and frustrating game based on Crayon Physics. The object is to move the red ball so that it rolls over the

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-17521617072896213182008-06-22T17:00:00.002-05:002008-06-22T17:23:15.833-05:00

This week's lullaby is a vibraphone solo from Danish musician Martin Fabricius. The song is So You Say. He takes a complex arrangement and makes it look easy. I really like this for its sparkling, energetic sound.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-13303454545935395482008-06-17T16:33:00.001-05:002008-06-17T16:43:10.149-05:00

David Scott, Puck Fleeing from the Dawn, 1837 (National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh)This week marks the summer solstice, the shortest night of the year in the northern hemisphere. Given that I live in a northern latitude and blog about the night, it's probably pretty obvious that I've never been a big fan of these long days, when the light lingers as late as 10 o'clock in clear weather. I

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-21549087716391399652008-06-15T15:43:00.001-05:002008-06-15T16:41:09.981-05:00

In keeping with the topic of dreams, here is a beautifully ethereal video by Diatonis of their song, Aurora. It combines electronica of surprising depth with hypnotic imagery of primal elements - air and water, sky and sea. I hope you enjoy its fluid beauty.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-9979269817728233142008-06-12T22:30:00.000-05:002008-06-12T22:26:01.135-05:00

© Mel Gama | Dreamstime.comWho looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.~ Carl JungThe Epic of Gilgamesh, possibly the oldest written story in existence, tells the tale of the warrior-king Gilgamesh and his exploits. Believed to be as much as 4,000 years old, the epic includes several of Gilgamesh's dreams, which are interpreted first by his mother and then by his friend, Enkidu, who tell

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-74064160899406521732008-06-08T15:55:00.001-05:002008-06-08T15:59:43.649-05:00

Let's go down to the gazebo for a visit with the wonderfully talented Carly Simon. Here, she celebrates a lovely summer night with Quiet Evening. I like the bossa nova feel of this song, smooth and mellow. It's a nice reminder to take a little time for ourselves now and then.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-53651397577974908202008-06-04T20:45:00.001-05:002008-06-05T21:49:21.118-05:00

Credit: NASA/ESA/M.J. Jee and H. Ford (Johns Hopkins University)Much like black holes, dark matter suffers from a lack of visibility. It may make up almost all of the mass in the universe, but it doesn't emit or reflect light or other forms of radiation. So what is the evidence of its existence? Astronomers infer its presence from gravitational effects on visible matter. In the Hubble Space

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-87907833619056765982008-06-01T16:40:00.001-05:002008-06-01T16:45:51.430-05:00

It's the time of year for spring concerts offered by choral groups. This is a lovely video of a mixed chamber choir performing Durufle's arrangement of the medieval hymn, Ubi Caritas. No identifying information of the choir was provided by the video poster, so we will have to enjoy their work even as they remain anonymous.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-21241093834120127212008-05-28T19:30:00.007-05:002009-11-28T13:07:50.619-06:00

The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10cNeil deGrasse Tyson Pt. 2www.thedailyshow.comDaily Show Full EpisodesPolitical HumorHealth Care CrisisA couple of weeks ago when I wrote about black holes, I neglected to mention what happens when things get sucked into a black hole. So here's author Neil deGrasse Tyson explaining that process to Jon Stewart in an interview from 2007. Tip of the

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-70972661239992323332008-05-25T16:49:00.004-05:002008-05-25T17:23:24.515-05:00

YouTube comes through again with another gifted acoustic guitarist. Staffan Svahn has posted more than two dozen videos of his original compositions. This song is Mockingbird and Traffic, a reference to the two biggest contributors to background noise when he's trying to record his videos. That's pretty cool, turning frustration into such a great song. I've got to learn that trick.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-31045252869995853282008-05-22T18:30:00.000-05:002008-05-22T18:55:10.655-05:00

Rodin's The ThinkerSometimes insomnia is driven by a steady stream of thoughts that can be hard to shut off. These thoughts can be mundane, a reflection of everyday anxieties, but from time to time they take on a more existential flavor - "Why am I here?" "What is the purpose of existence?"Wouldn't it be nice if you could get an answer to these tough questions from a trained philosopher? Well,

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-74302964762579951962008-05-18T19:30:00.001-05:002008-05-18T20:49:55.001-05:00

Perhaps you're one of the 7.4 million people who have viewed this video of Israel Kamakawiwo Ole's version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World. If so, here's your chance to enjoy it again. If not, here's your opportunity to view a classic, with its wonderfully jumbled up lyrics and Ole's sweet, soulful voice. It's a simple, lovely video that has touched so many.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-31178392375736375572008-05-16T20:19:00.001-05:002008-05-16T22:07:27.593-05:00

Credit: X-Ray: NASA/CXC/D.Hudson, T.Reiprich et al. (AIfA); Radio: NRAO/VLA/NRLThe true magnitude of the weirdness of deep space becomes clear when you start to think about things like black holes. Most garden-variety black holes are remnants of supernova explosions that collapse in on themselves. They reach a point of zero volume and infinite density, from which no light can escape.So how can

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-67665564125065236352008-05-11T14:52:00.001-05:002008-05-11T15:50:00.172-05:00

This week's lullaby is a wonderful performance of the classic R&B song People Get Ready, performed by Curtis Mayfield, the song's composer. This is a clip from the TV show Night Music, which aired in the late 1980s. I mention this to explain the credits that start running toward the end of the clip. That's Taylor Dane singing backup and David Sanborn on the sax. I hope you enjoy this poignant,

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-43456505200816211682008-05-09T20:25:00.002-05:002008-05-09T21:29:33.754-05:00

Credit: NASA/ESA/HEIC/The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)Acknowledgment: R. Corradi (Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes, Spain), Z. Tsvetanov (NASA)Deep space nebulae - the eye candy of astronomy. These clouds of space dust, plasma and hydrogen are some of the most beautiful objects in deep space. The image above is of the Cat's Eye nebula, which is actually a dying star. If you've noticed a

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-26539112256655690952008-05-04T16:05:00.001-05:002008-05-04T17:13:42.262-05:00

The calming experience of being near water, whether it's a river, lake, or even a pond, is beautifully captured in this video. The music is by Russian artist Pavel Tukki, whose work has been described as "uniquely intimate, vibrant and atmospheric." The song is Ambio #2 (reflections).

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-72966317248656756262008-05-01T19:20:00.001-05:002008-05-01T20:25:10.716-05:00

Credit: NASA/Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)Heaven's net casts wide.Though its meshes are coarse, nothing slips through. - Lao TzuWhile the various spacecraft have been flying through the solar system to bring us images of the planets, the Hubble Space Telescope has been quietly orbiting the Earth for 18 years, capturing extraordinary pictures of deep space, including gorgeous images of

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-15428548335622515902008-04-29T20:30:00.002-05:002008-04-30T16:38:34.350-05:00

Yes, it's Homer Simpson. I've been looking for this Simpsons clip for a while. Here's the setup - Homer is working two jobs and exhausted. While driving home, he has a wonderful, sleepytime dream. Enjoy this silliness, and please don't drive when you're too tired. Stop for some coffee, at least.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-62518734626586771182008-04-27T17:36:00.002-05:002008-05-22T20:35:28.939-05:00

I woke up with this song in my head this morning, so I figured I would make it this week's lullaby. It's No Sleep by the Cardigans, a lovely and poignant tribute to the night. The visual is the album cover, I think; normally, I'd try to find a video with more interesting images, but the song is so wonderful, I'm willing to make an exception in this case.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-15611480596405721152008-04-24T20:15:00.001-05:002008-04-24T20:11:19.675-05:00

There's nothing like messing with your brain to make the sleepless fog of insomnia even stranger. Here are two diversions that can do just that.The first is the puzzle of the dancing lady. Which direction is she turning in? Most people see her going counterclockwise. Initially, I saw her going only clockwise; now, I can get her to change direction pretty much at will. I always thought of myself

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-1071161158343932122008-04-20T16:35:00.000-05:002008-04-20T16:28:12.209-05:00

The weather is finally turning, so for this week's lullaby I thought I'd post something a little more upbeat. This is La Femme D'Argent from the ambient pop French duo Air. Accompanying the music are some beautiful images from the Hubble space telescope. This is a fun song - mellow, but with a nice groove. Enjoy!

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-64185181512611705172008-04-18T16:35:00.002-05:002008-04-18T16:42:12.509-05:00

Credit: European Space Agency/NASA; Acknowledgment: E. Olszewski (Univ. of Arizona)For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream. - Vincent van GoghIn our consideration of the night sky so far, we've looked at the moon and the planets, as well as the aurora borealis. But the night sky is nothing without the stars, those tiny jewels of light hung on the

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-51273070800336067962008-04-13T17:38:00.001-05:002008-04-13T17:32:15.314-05:00

A few days ago I looked out the window and saw two sandhill cranes making their way through the alfalfa field across the street. Migrating birds are returning to Wisconsin - it's nice to hear bird song again after a hard winter.To honor our avian friends, the lullaby tonight features lovely images of birds set to a melody played on a shakuhachi, or Zen flute. I find this music calming and

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-49988715585008432772008-04-10T20:58:00.002-05:002008-04-10T20:58:17.056-05:00

I was in Target the other day to get some potting soil, so I went back to the patio/garden area and spotted some very pretty light strings. They made me think of summer entertaining, and how fun and relaxing it is, if you can keep the mosquitoes at bay. Then I thought about the home decorating tradition of lighting the patio for outdoor parties. Some people use chinese lanterns or tiki torches,

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-55984750352801461572008-04-06T18:35:00.000-05:002008-04-06T18:28:31.285-05:00

Tonight we have the smooth, silky voice of Norah Jones to relax to. This is the video to her song Rosie's Lullaby, with the moon and the waves telling Rosie to "close your eyes and dream..."

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-49036705151353555832008-04-03T19:54:00.002-05:002008-04-03T19:51:25.215-05:00

© Pancaketom | Dreamstime.comFor my wall calendar this year, I bought the 2008 Phenology Calendar, which is specific to Wisconsin and produced by state and university experts. Phenology is concerned with tracking plant and animal cycles, such as when wild plants bloom and when birds and animals arrive in the spring or emerge from hibernation.According to the calendar, in the month of April, I

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-78711381404478339092008-03-30T17:35:00.001-05:002008-03-30T17:29:46.389-05:00

Here's a delightful little film featuring the song Interlude by Manyfingers. The visuals are by Joost Van Veen. The song has a vibraphone feel, but is actually electronica with a nice melodic sense. I like some of the visual effects too, especially when it looks like the emulsion of the "film" seems to be dissolving. Cool!

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-46598050926745771372008-03-27T20:42:00.002-05:002008-03-27T20:32:23.787-05:00

If you suspect that your insomnia stems from unharnessed creative energy, then this is just the diversion for you. Here are three different online drawing programs to help release your inner artist:1. ArtPad Digital Canvas2. Your Studio3. Jackson PollockThese are all fun and easy to use. I did the night sky image above using Your Studio. It should be apparent that I'm no artist (there are some

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-34018571673374175922008-03-23T18:54:00.001-05:002008-03-23T18:51:42.061-05:00

Acoustic guitar can produce such a mellow, beautiful sound. The lullaby this week is an original song, appropriately titled Lullaby, written and performed by Jeff Wahl. I hope you enjoy this lovely, meditative performance.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-58495490808853325702008-03-21T21:22:00.003-05:002008-03-21T21:25:36.595-05:00

Well, I wish I had some lovely images of Pluto for you. But Pluto is so distant, even the Hubble space telescope has a hard time getting a clear image. Below is the highest-resolution picture of Pluto we have.Credit: Eliot Young (SwRI) et al./NASANo, Pluto's not pixelated, but the brown coloring is true color. I did find clearer images, but as far as I could tell, they were artists' renderings.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-75257443788414041252008-03-16T16:35:00.001-05:002008-03-16T16:30:53.970-05:00

We're coming up on the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere, when day and night are the same length. The first day of spring will be Thursday, and the lullaby this week features beautiful images of flowers, the promise of things to come. The song is If Only, by French artist Galya Clavier.

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-79445741829035919802008-03-13T18:43:00.002-05:002008-03-13T18:43:20.619-05:00

Credit: Voyager 2/NASABeautiful blue Neptune is, it seems, a shy planet, being very far out in the solar system. Discovered in 1846, its existence was deduced from mathematical prediction, not from being directly observed. Irregularities in the orbit of Uranus led astronomers to think that another planet must be gravitationally affecting Uranus. Their prediction turned out to be correct.Credit:

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934825547707079589.post-26271576076148806922008-03-09T17:15:00.001-05:002008-03-09T17:09:56.067-05:00

This week we have a lovely song, played beautifully on the celtic harp - Carolan's Dream, arranged and performed by Mark Harmer. In his comments on the video, he writes, "Tradition has it that the harp was played last thing at night, before people went to bed." I knew there was a reason I went looking for harp music. Enjoy!

Night, the Belovedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07401474239383074386noreply@blogger.com