Friday, November 6, 2026

V covers it


utility cover with V and four dots
V and four dots

Seen beneath our feet on the shady side of the street, this traffic burnished utility cover is illuminated by sunlight reflected from surrounding buildings.

The small size suggests that this may be a water utility cover.  Any identifying markings are well worn off.  The "V", the four raised dots, and the four lifting indents make for a stand out design.  



Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Security envelope letter A


security envelope letter A
No. 9 envelope

This No. 9 security envelope is made by the Aimoh Company.  It is their model 30128.  The security pattern uses the letter "A"; this reinforces their corporate identity.  The combination of  the "A" and inverted "A", both with deckled cross bars, and the blue color makes for a pleasing envelope security pattern.  


Friday, October 23, 2026

Cloudy layers


sunset 3d stereogram relaxed view
Orangey sunset

This sunset is presented as a relaxed view 3d stereograph.  Click on the image to embiggify it. 

A passing weather system brought with it different types of clouds at different levels.  This stereogram emphasizes those levels.  The high clouds are from the main system.  The lower, puffy, clouds are formed by the cold winds of the system passing over warm waters.  Noted is a hard to see sundog about one-third of the way in from the right side.


Monday, October 19, 2026

Joint shine


section of bridge joint
Two sections meet


Seen in the street beneath our feet, the proud sections of this bridge joint are shined by tired wear from vehicular traffic. 


Thursday, October 15, 2026

Polar explorer

Accidentally running a checkerboarded square as a linear polar and then performing a polar to cartesian transformation, with repeats, yields inwardly folding patterns.


polar checkerboard
first

polar checkerboard 2
second

polar checkerboard 3
third

polar checkerboard 4
fourth

polar checkerboard 5
fifth time

The pattern continues to collapse; five steps are enough to see that happen.  

n.b.: Your results will vary with the transformer that is used.


Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Chocolate Beetle

This very customized Volkswagen Beetle with a Sunroof may be circa 1962.  It keeps its classic lines while adding many features.  One is the dark chocolate metallic paint.

front view VW Beetle
Low to the ground

The windshield opens out.


right front view VW Beetle
Hood and front details

A closer look at the windshield and how it is held in place.   The windshield wipers are removed to allow the glass to swing forward.  The side mirrors are mounted way in front.


left side voew VW Beetle
Just as low from the left side

The view of the left side shows just how low this Bug is at rest.  The front windshield and the two side rear windows open out.  The rear "hood" is opened to get more air to the air cooled engine.


front view VW Beetle
Full on frontal view

The front view gives a taste of the dark chocolate color.  Maybe that is a dark roast coffee?

rear view VW Beetle
Full on rear view


What this Bug looks like as it pulls away from you.  n.b., the license plate is purposedly blanked out.





Thursday, October 1, 2026

Morning dewed


spider web dewed in the morning
Big drops on small web

The heavy morning dew highlights the grass spider (genus Agelenopsis) spider web seen in the grass beneath our feet.