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Falling Snow Scarf made with husky yarn from Belfast Mini Mills

Falling Snow Scarf Pattern from Purl Soho Knit with PEI’s Belfast Mini Mills Yarn

Finished after two years… originally intended to be finished for a yarn festival in Montreal that was ultimately cancelled because of the, you know, pandemic.

Used yarn I bought on a previous trip to Canada: the Belfast Mini Mills Specialty Sock yarn (husky fur!) doubled to match the blue Island (PEI) collection.

Belfast Mini Mills Yarn Wrappers

Got my own husky at home in the meantime.

Galaxy, the Siberian Husky
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Pen and Ink Drawing

Pen and Ink Drawing of a Goat by Heather Classen

Pen and ink drawing in it’s simplicity has become a favorite medium of mine. Black on white paper. Black, white, and walnut ink on natural paper. These and other works are available to purchase at Fine Art America.

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Heather Classen’s Spoonflower Shop

Firebird, Musical Medallions

Visit Heather Classen’s fabric shop at Spoonflower.

Surface design work created from Heather’s painting can be used for fabric projects, wallpaper, and all that Spoonflower has to offer.

Delicate flowers in black and blue
Black and blue flowers inspired from the original artwork for the CSO’s Tosca performance.
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Solar Panel tracker with Adafruit Magtag

Solar Panel Tracker with Adafruit Magtag

As a subscriber of the Adafruit ADABOX, I knew when I saw the low power  E-Ink “MagTag” display that it would be a great way to keep track of how our solar panels are performing. In 2019 our solar panels lost a month or so of contributing to our electric supply because of a faulty inverter that we failed to notice. Ever since I’ve wanted some sort of monitor inside my house that I can keep an eye on.

I replaced Adafruit’s Covid Tracker project almost word for word, variable for variable, with the json output of the SolarEdge Dashboard api. It works like a charm, every day at the time of maximum sun, 2pm, the MagTag updates the display with data it acquires over the Wi-Fi network in my home.

The Adabox supplied the LiPo battery, the cloud cover plate, and many project ideas at their learn.adafruit.com site. Note: I did try adding an optimistic Covid-19 “percent of the nation vaccinated” data point but I couldn’t find any data sources online that can be queried with JSON.

The Circuit-Python code as snarfed and updated for SolarEdge tracking.:

# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2017 Scott Shawcroft, written for Adafruit Industries
#
# SPDX-License-Identifier: Unlicense
import sys
import time
import board
import digitalio
import neopixel
from adafruit_magtag.magtag import MagTag

try:
    from secrets import secrets
except ImportError:
    print("WiFi secrets are kept in secrets.py, please add them there!")
    raise

DAILY_UPDATE_HOUR = 14

SOLAREDGE_SOURCE = "https://monitoringapi.solaredge.com/site/"+secrets['solaredge_SiteID']+"/overview?format=json&api_key="+secrets['solaredge_apikey']
LAST_UPDATE_TIME = ['overview', 'lastUpdateTime']
LIFE_TIME_DATA =   ['overview', 'lifeTimeData',  'energy']
LAST_YEAR_DATA =   ['overview', 'lastYearData',  'energy']
LAST_MONTH_DATA =  ['overview', 'lastMonthData', 'energy']
LAST_DAY_DATA =    ['overview', 'lastDayData',   'energy']
CURRENT_POWER =    ['overview', 'currentPower',  'power']


magtag = MagTag(
    url=SOLAREDGE_SOURCE,
    json_path=(LAST_UPDATE_TIME, LIFE_TIME_DATA,
               LAST_YEAR_DATA, LAST_MONTH_DATA,
               LAST_DAY_DATA, CURRENT_POWER),
)


# Date stamp of info
magtag.add_text(
    text_font="/fonts/Arial-Bold-12.pcf",
    text_position=(10, 15),
    text_transform=lambda x: "Update Time: {}".format(x[0:10]),
)
# Positive increase
magtag.add_text(
    text_font="/fonts/Arial-Bold-12.pcf",
    text_position=(10, 35),
    text_transform=lambda x: "Lifetime Energy:   {:,}".format(x),
)
# Curr hospitalized
magtag.add_text(
    text_font="/fonts/Arial-Bold-12.pcf",
    text_position=(10, 55),
    text_transform=lambda x: "Last Year Energy:   {:,}".format(x),
)
# Change in hospitalized
magtag.add_text(
    text_font="/fonts/Arial-Bold-12.pcf",
    text_position=(10, 75),
    text_transform=lambda x: "Last Month Energy:   {:,}".format(x),
)
# All deaths
magtag.add_text(
    text_font="/fonts/Arial-Bold-12.pcf",
    text_position=(10, 95),
    text_transform=lambda x: "Last Day Energy:   {:,}".format(x),
)
# new deaths
magtag.add_text(
    text_font="/fonts/Arial-Bold-12.pcf",
    text_position=(10, 115),
    text_transform=lambda x: "Current Power:   {:,}".format(x),
)

# updated time
magtag.add_text(
    text_font="/fonts/Arial-Bold-12.pcf",
    text_position=(245, 30),
    line_spacing=0.75,
    is_data=False
)

magtag.peripherals.neopixels.brightness = 0.1
magtag.peripherals.neopixel_disable = False # turn on lights
magtag.peripherals.neopixels.fill(0x0F0000) # red!

magtag.get_local_time()
try:
    now = time.localtime()
    print("Now: ", now)

    # display the current time since its the last-update
    updated_at = "%d/%d\n%d:%02d" % now[1:5]
    magtag.set_text(updated_at, 6, False)

    magtag.peripherals.neopixels.fill(0x0F0000) # red!

    # get data from the JSON QUERY
    value = magtag.fetch()
    print("Response is", value)
    
    magtag.peripherals.neopixels.fill(0x000000) # 


    # OK we're done!
    magtag.peripherals.neopixels.fill(0x000F00)
except (ValueError, RuntimeError) as e:
    print("Some error occured, trying again later -", e)

time.sleep(2) # let screen finish updating

event_time = time.struct_time((now[0], now[1], now[2],
                               DAILY_UPDATE_HOUR, 0, 0,
                               -1, -1, now[8]))

print("event_time :", event_time)

# how long is that from now?
remaining = time.mktime(event_time) - time.mktime(now)
if remaining < 0:             # ah its aready happened today...
    remaining += 24 * 60 * 60 # wrap around to the next day
remaining_hrs = remaining // 3660
remaining_min = (remaining % 3600) // 60
print("Gonna zzz for %d hours, %d minutes" % (remaining_hrs, remaining_min))

# Turn it all off and go to bed till the next update time
magtag.exit_and_deep_sleep(remaining)
print("waking up")
Solar Panel Tracker with Adafruit Magtag
Solar Panel Tracker with Adafruit Magtag
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June 29 – Paris Last Day : 2019 France Trip Memories

Mosaic at Petit Palais, Paris, June 29, 2019

On our last day we visited the Petit Palais Musée des Beaux Arts de la Ville de Paris. So much art to see all over the city. Taking a day in between art outings really helps you take it all in.

Petit Palais Musée des Beaux Arts de la Ville de Paris, June 29, 2019
Petit Palais Musée des Beaux Arts de la Ville de Paris, June 29, 2019

The front entry way was lovely, of course.

Inside Petit Palais Musée des Beaux Arts de la Ville de Paris, June 29, 2019
Inside Petit Palais Musée des Beaux Arts de la Ville de Paris, June 29, 2019

The Petit Palais has art from many different periods. This art nouveau portrait is “Woman wearing gloves” by Charles-Alexandre Giron.

Portrait of a Woman, Petit Palais Musée des Beaux Arts de la Ville de Paris, June 29, 2019

A book of printing samples.

Fabric Samples, Petit Palais Musée des Beaux Arts de la Ville de Paris, June 29, 2019
Fabric Samples, Petit Palais Musée des Beaux Arts de la Ville de Paris, June 29, 2019

A delicate brocade wrap.

Pretty Wrap, Petit Palais Musée des Beaux Arts de la Ville de Paris, June 29, 2019
Pretty Wrap, Petit Palais Musée des Beaux Arts de la Ville de Paris, June 29, 2019

A behind the scenes painting of a music party.

Painting by Camille Roqueplan, Petit Palais Musée des Beaux Arts de la Ville de Paris, June 29, 2019
Painting by Camille Roqueplan, Petit Palais Musée des Beaux Arts de la Ville de Paris, June 29, 2019

The CSO had just played the Symphonie fantastique by Berlioz before my trip. I was delighted to see the original score in the museum.

Portrait of Hector Berlioz, Petit Palais, Paris, June 29, 2019
Portrait of Hector Berlioz, Petit Palais, Paris, June 29, 2019

This one is so peaceful.

"Soir antique" by Alphonse Osbert, at Petit Palais, Paris, June 29, 2019
“Soir antique” by Alphonse Osbert, at Petit Palais, Paris, June 29, 2019

Jean d’Arc est partout.

Jean d'Arc, Petit Palais, Paris, June 29, 2019
Jean d’Arc, Petit Palais, Paris, June 29, 2019

Art Nouveau furniture.

Art Nouveau Furniture, Petit Palais, Paris, June 29, 2019
Art Nouveau Furniture, Petit Palais, Paris, June 29, 2019

Outside after the museum, a view of the Eiffel Tower.

View of the Eiffel Tower from Petit Palais, June 29, 2019
View of the Eiffel Tower from Petit Palais, June 29, 2019

In the evening we got last minute tickets to the Assassin’s Creed concert at the Palais Des Congres in Paris. The symphony played over classic Assassin’s Creed gaming video from the various games. The composer came out for a bow at the end. Such a great way for this gamer musician to wrap up vacation.

Assassin's Creed in Concert, Palais Des Congres, Paris, June 29, 2019
Assassin’s Creed in Concert, Palais Des Congres, Paris, June 29, 2019

Thanks for looking at all this. I’m writing this a year after the fact during the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, like everyone else we are largely quarantined to quell the spread of the virus. Herd immunity was something I didn’t know we were taking for granted. Hopefully soon science will get us to a place where we can gather in sports arenas, museums, and at musical events again. Be well, everyone.

Click to return to the index of 2019 France Trip Memories.

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June 28 – USWNT v France Quarter Final : 2019 France Trip Memories

US and France take the field for the World Cup Quarterfinal in Paris, June 28, 2019

Attending the Quarter Final game of the 2019 Women’s World Cup at Les Parc des Princes in Paris was, no doubt, the highlight of this adventure. The US Women’s National Team had two more games to win after this one, but somehow this one felt like a final with the French team playing in the French capitol to a very excited crowd.

The games were all very family friendly and each game had bunches of cute little soccer fans.

Little French Soccer Fans, USWNT v France, World Cup Quarterfinal in Paris, June 28, 2019
Little French Soccer Fans, USWNT v France, World Cup Quarterfinal in Paris, June 28, 2019

Timbao Percussion Group played outside the stadium and set the pulsating tone for the arriving crowd.

Timbao

We arrived at the stadium early for this one so we didn’t miss a thing.

“The Outlaws” US Soccer fan club arrived en masse.

The US Women’s National Team warmed up before the game in blue.

The starting line up was announced.

A video from the crowd’s point of view before the game. The stadium was intermixed France and US fans in red, white, and blue.

The players marched out in the pregame pageantry.

An image of a woman was unfurled during the opening ceremony.

And play began. USWNT in white and the French team in blue.

Megan Rapinoe got a goal pretty early on. A magical penalty kick, the video is in the highlights video at the end of this post.

We sat behind these two. The French woman on the right was a super polite fan, the US man on the left could hardly stay in his seat he was so excited.

This video shows how sitting behind these two went for the whole game. The French woman is a saint, btw.

The French team keeping the pressure on with this corner kick.

Definitely the most media of the games we saw.

Btw, “Dare to create”, what does that mean? How about just “Create”. Maybe something was lost in translation.

The French had a penalty kick.

Ettie, the FIFA mascot, made her appearance at the half.

A panorama gives a feel for the place. The entire audience was excited for the game, good sportsmanship and camaraderie all around.

Dunn throws in.

A Megan Rapinoe corner kick.

The arena was almost at capacity.

The audience around the broadcaster’s booth.

Both sides had huge support in the stands, the stadium was pulsating.

The barricades and guards were the same setup at all the games.

Red, white, and blue.

The US won 2:1 leaving the French out of the finals.

The US team huddled as the saddened French team found their way together.

There was always this mini huddle after the large team huddle.

And the heartbroken French grouped up for a post mortem.

The fans left the stadium in a festive mood. The crowd showed good sportsmanship over a game well played. I was concerned that people might get nationalistic and combative, but I never saw it happen. People just loved the light-hearted nature of how the Women’s World Cup was played.

The FIFA highlights real:

One more day left, a museum visit and Assassins Creed (yes, the video game) Live in Concert.

Click to return to the index of 2019 France Trip Memories.

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June 27 – The Louvre : 2019 France Trip Memories

Musical Interlude, at the Louvre, June 27, 2019

June 27, 2019 was the day before our last soccer game in France. We spent it at the Louvre. These are the pieces and experiences that struck me the most.

Spring term of 2019 I took a pen and ink class at the MFA in Boston. We learned exactly this technique of using standard tan colored paper stock, and lightening and darkening the illustration with black and white ink. I absolutely love working in this style myself, and was pleased to see a whole gallery on the hallway into the main part of the Louvre dedicated to examples of this type of work.

Next we viewed the ancient Egyptian art. These blue hippos are the best, you can see examples of them in Providence, RI, and New York. Of course there’s one here.

Ancient Egyptian Hippo at the Louvre, June 27, 2019
Ancient Egyptian Hippo at the Louvre, June 27, 2019

These carved wall reliefs are just beautiful. The Brooklyn Museum has a display showing how the artisans created them, if you’re nearby and curious.

Ancient Egyptian Wall Relief at the Louvre, June 27, 2019
Ancient Egyptian Wall Relief at the Louvre, June 27, 2019

Below are snapshots of the same piece from two different angles to see how the carving is recessed in the stone.

The Ancient Persian art was next after the Egyptian galleries. They also use the aqua colored glazing that the Egyptians mastered with those hippos. The three following images were quite large on the wall, these photos don’t show their size properly.

Ancient Persian Tiles at the Louvre, June 27, 2019
Ancient Persian Tiles at the Louvre, June 27, 2019
Ancient Persian Tiles at the Louvre, June 27, 2019
Ancient Persian Tiles at the Louvre, June 27, 2019
Ancient Persian Tiles at the Louvre, June 27, 2019
Ancient Persian Tiles at the Louvre, June 27, 2019

I wish I got a photo of the information card for these signet rolls below. They are thousands of years old, and I believe they are used for commerce. The Harvard Art Museums have examples of these cylinders. The designs are clever and repeating. Nothing new under the sun, people always needed their brands with eye catching designs, even four plus thousand years ago.

Ancient Signet Rolls at the Louvre, June 27, 2019
Ancient Signet Rolls at the Louvre, June 27, 2019

From Egypt to Persia to Europe. The word is 12,000 people visit the Louvre a day in normal times. I believe this 100%.

Louvre Hallway, June 27, 2019
Louvre Hallway, June 27, 2019

We made our way to the lunch café overlooking the center courtyard.

View from Louvre Cafe, June 27, 2019
View from Louvre Cafe, June 27, 2019
View from Louvre Café, June 27, 2019
View from Louvre Café, June 27, 2019

Next, the Mona Lisa.

the heck?

View of People Viewing the Mona Lisa, June 27, 2019
View of People Viewing the Mona Lisa, June 27, 2019

Grab a snapshot as you shuffle by in the crowd to prove you were there.

The Mona Lisa, June 27, 2019
The Mona Lisa, June 27, 2019

Jean d’Arc is everywhere and I love it.

Jean d'Arc by Ingres, at the Louvres, June 27, 2019
Jean d’Arc by Ingres, at the Louvres, June 27, 2019

Arcimboldo depicted the four seasons as people made entirely of food.

Arcimboldo's Seasons of Food at the Louvre, June 27, 2019
Arcimboldo’s Seasons of Food at the Louvre, June 27, 2019

Musical instruments!

Musical Interlude, at the Louvre, June 27, 2019
Musical Interlude, at the Louvre, June 27, 2019

I feel Iike this was a dream I had.

Musical Interlude, at the Louvre, June 27, 2019
Musical Interlude, at the Louvre, June 27, 2019

SOoooooo much lovely art.

European Gallery at the Louvre, June 27, 2019
European Gallery at the Louvre, June 27, 2019

Dramatic clothes.

Portrait of a Spanish Woman by Mazo, at the Louvre, June 27, 2019
Portrait of a Spanish Woman by Mazo, at the Louvre, June 27, 2019

Pssst, I like this Da Vinci more than the Mona Lisa.

St Anne by Leonard da Vinci, at the Louvre, June 27, 2019
St Anne by Leonard da Vinci, at the Louvre, June 27, 2019

This artist’s work felt very modern to me. Though this may be what the Mona Lisa changed about art, adding the fogging.

Painting by Francesco Marmitta at the Louvre, June 27, 2019
Painting by Francesco Marmitta at the Louvre, June 27, 2019

This fella had a bad day, but isn’t the artwork amazing?

Temple Presentation by Bergognone, at the Louvre, June 27, 2019
Temple Presentation by Bergognone, at the Louvre, June 27, 2019

Gilded Fra Angelico pieces take my breath away.

again, the heck?

Painting by Sassetta at the Louvre, June 27, 2019
Painting by Sassetta at the Louvre, June 27, 2019

I was surprised to see this work below. While working on CSO posters I snarfed the image of these demons for the background of the Angels and Demons concert poster.

Maitre Des Anges Rebelles, St Marin partageant son manteau, circa 1340. At the Louvre, June 27, 2019
Maitre Des Anges Rebelles, St Marin partageant son manteau, circa 1340. At the Louvre, June 27, 2019

Winged victories come in all sizes.

Winged Victory at the Louvre, June 27, 2019
Winged Victory at the Louvre, June 27, 2019

Thought this one was lovely.

Portrait by Fragonard, at the Louvre, June 27, 2019
Portrait by Fragonard, at the Louvre, June 27, 2019

Queens have nice fabric.

Louise Tocque Portrait of French Royalty at the Louvre, June 27, 2019
Louise Tocque Portrait of French Royalty at the Louvre, June 27, 2019

Look at the varying levels of interest and boredom in this painting. So great.

The Lecture of the Bible, Jean Baptiste-Greuze, at the Louvre, June 27, 2019
The Lecture of the Bible, Jean Baptiste-Greuze, at the Louvre, June 27, 2019

Right about when we saw this view we realized we were maybe halfway through what was on display and decided we needed to come back and visit Paris for maybe three months and go see all the art. But this day we were done.

The Louvre Courtyard, June 27, 2019
The Louvre Courtyard, June 27, 2019

Next: quarter final game day.

Click to return to the index of 2019 France Trip Memories.