The Heather Garden, Fort Tryon Park

I have recently been drawn to parks, trees, flowers, and nature, so on my way to the Cloisters Museum this past Saturday, I decided to bring my camera and wonder through the Heather Garden in Fort Tryon Park. Was I ever surprised to see so many beautiful flowers and bushes in bloom this late in the year! My stroll turned into several hours of enjoying the environment, the scents, the views, and peace that comes with letting go of the distractions and wonders of contemporary society for a brief bit of getting back in touch with myself. I took these pictures to try to capture what I experienced, and while they cannot replace my memories, they are the best way to share them with others online.

I uploaded the garden pictures to Flickr, and will share a few of them here to brighten my blog. May they brighten your day as well.

Ornament Signing; Final Day in New Orleans

Michael Storrings will be signing his book and ornaments for the second and final day this year in New Orleans today. He will be at the Lakeside, Metairie location, signing his Galatoire’s Ornament, among other New Orlean’s landmarks.

GalMSorn07_enlarged If you miss him there, he will be signing several other ornaments, plates, and such in New York City beginning early November. It is nice to know that quality, European hand-made ornaments can still be found this holiday season.

A Very New York Christmas Book & Amazon Comment

a very new york christmasToday, Michael Storrings’ first Christmas book, somewhat based on his European hand-blown and painted ornaments, arrived in the stores. I posted the first comment on Amazon.com about it today as well. As a matter of fact, this was the first Amazon comment I ever made (over all the years I have been purchasing on the site)!

I really meant everything I said in the review, and having received and read my copy today, I have to confess that there are few other ways $13.57 (the current Amazon price) can be spent in a better way.

Lyotard and Baudrillard for Educational Technology

There is a very interesting discussion going on over at SCoPE on the Virtual Museum Project. It made me consider my favorite postmodern thinker, Jean-Francois Lyotard, as well as another colorful character, Jean Baudrillard, and how and why I saw them both as influential thinkers in the history of educational technology.

Any other Lyotard fans out there in the world of adult education and educational technology?