Eclectic Musings

No special theme or identity, just random images that seem to belong here

[clarabowlover]

The Original Vamp

Theda Bara

In A Publicity Portrait For

Romeo And Juliet (1916)

[mahgnib]

SPAIN WINS! They were the only team thst deserved it today. Spain dominated throughout, and was essentially the only team thst showed up during the first half. They were knocked around by the Argentines, they were knocked around by the refs, they had a Niko Williams goal disallowed on a foul that should not have been called. But the unsung Ferran Torres, who started the game on the bench, broke through with a stunning goal in extra time. Lionel Messi waited far too long to become interested in the proceedings, then failed to contribute much. And indeed the entire Argentine offense played as if they felt they could stay away from the net until the penalty shots that never materialized. Spain truly earned this one!

[pmamtraveller]

by Maurice Pépin

[along-the-silkroad]

A puja ceremony at the Besakih Temple, eastern Bali, Indonesia. Photo: Wikipedia (user: Paco Pater) Besakih Temple is the largest, holiest, and most important Hindu temple complex in Bali, Indonesia. Located on the slopes of Mount Agung at an elevation of nearly 1,000 meters, it consists of 23 interconnected temples, with Pura Penataran Agung serving as the principal sanctuary. The complex is arranged on six terraced levels, connected by stairways and gateways that symbolically guide worshippers toward the sacred mountain.

Although its exact origins remain uncertain, the site likely dates back over 2,000 years, with foundations resembling prehistoric megalithic structures. It has been a Hindu place of worship since at least the late 13th century and became the state temple of Bali's Gelgel dynasty in the 15th century.

The temple's central ritual focus is the padmasana (lotus throne), dating from around the 17th century. During the 1963 eruption of Mount Agung, lava flows narrowly missed the complex, an event regarded by Balinese Hindus as a divine miracle.

Besakih remains an active religious center, hosting more than 70 annual festivals based on the 210-day Balinese Pawukon calendar. Although it was nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status in 1995, the nomination was withdrawn in 2015.

[mahgnib]

As we reach the unfortunately politicized and commercialized finale of the 2026 World Cup, one might well wonder when and where the next World Cup tournament will be held. No, Mr. Trump, you cannot host the event again, unless you’re still around 12 years from now. The World Cup only takes place every four years, and the next two events are already solidly committed. 2034 will be held in Saudi Arabia, but the next tournament, in 2030, will be far more complicated. Whereas this year’s event was split between the USA, Canada, and Mexico, 2030 will be spread over six countries. It will be the 100th anniversary of the World Cup, so to honor this centenary, it will open in the original 1930 location, Uruguay. The next couple matches will be in Paraguay and Argentina. After that, it will head northeast and across the ocean, to be split between Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Confusing? Yes, and perhaps more conducive to television viewing than to travelers, depending on which countries are playing where. But can it be as exciting as this year’s World Cup? That, of course, remains to be seen, but the 2026 tournament will certainly be a very tough act to follow. Enjoy today’s match!

[an-elegant-reflection]

Igor Samsonov

[uwmspeccoll]

✨🧚‍♂️Fairytale Friday! 🧚✨

Emerald Isle Epics

This week, we’re traveling to ancient Ireland through The Frenzied Prince: Being Heroic Stories of Ancient Ireland, told by Pádraic Colum and illustrated by Willy Pogány. Published in 1943 by David McKay Co. in Philadelphia, this first edition brings together a collection of traditional Irish myths and legends. Willy Pogány (1882–1955), a Hungarian-born illustrator, was famous for his work on classic legends and fairy tales.

Pádraic Colum (1881–1972) was a major figure in Ireland’s literary revival. Beyond poetry and plays, he devoted much of his work to sharing Ireland’s folk tales and epics with new audiences worldwide. The Frenzied Prince draws from the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology, focusing on themes of bravery, fate, and the bonds of kinship.

May these tales whisk you away to a land where heroes roam and faeries twirl in every glen!

-View more Fairytale Friday posts

-View more from our Historical Curriculum Collection

--Melissa (prone to being caught in a faerie ring), Distinctive Collections Library Assistant

[image-plus-official]

A New Beginning, mural by Oba Yong. Thailand, 2019 [4500x4860]

[horsefigureoftheday]

Horse figure of the day: Herend Unicorn

[happyzenmonk]

Máté Bence

Hungarian nature photographer Bence Máté won second place in the International Photography Awards (IPA) international photo competition in the nature photography category.

[the-wolf-and-moon]

NGC 6188, Fighting Dragons of Ara

[enchantedbook]

"Little People of the Moon", Sydney Seymour Lucas (1888–1954)

[mahgnib]

John Deering cartoon

[mahgnib]

Photographer Berenice Abbott, known for her innovative photos of New York City buildings and bridges, was born on this date (7/17) in 1898. She didn’t just do inanimate objects, though. These six photos include two of Lead Belly, one of painter Edward Hopper, two of poet Claude McKay, and one of Buddy Gilmore (drummer for James Reese Europe’s dance orchestra of the 1910’s).

[mahgnib]

1920 children’s book, not actually written by the Babe himself. It is not known for sure which of the several ghostwriters hired at times by Ruth’s agents did write it, though famed sportswriter Bill Slocum did a great deal of the writing attributed to the Babe.

[mahgnib]

[mahgnib]

B-movie sex symbol Acquanetta was born on this date in 1921. She was billed as “The Venezuelan Volcano”, though she was actually born in the US of disputed ancestry. She claimed her birth name was Burnu Acquanetta, while other sources state her name as Mildred Davenport. She was born in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Wyoming, her ethnicity was Hispanic or Arapaho and/or part-African-American. I suppose she might have known for sure, but in the 1940’s ambiguity was a publicist’s dream, as were matters of race. Her so-so film career found her in films such as “Captive Wild Woman”, “Jungle Woman”, “Tarzan and the Leopard Woman” - well, you get the idea. In 1990, nearing 70, she made a brief comeback (after a 35-year absence) in a sequel “Legend of Grizzly Adams”. An interesting minor figure, but a minor figure, nonetheless.