Two Days (in One)

World Rainforest Day 

Rainforest Leaf: photo by Cliff Hutson

Some say that “luck” is when preparation meets opportunity. So, luck or not I always appreciate it when a Monday rolls around, it is a notable day, and I have a photo in my archive to go with it. It makes that week’s blog post easy-peasy. This week I am going with a twofer. 

June 22 is World Rainforest Day. A rainforest is not my favorite environment - too humid, too buggy. But, I do recognize their importance; they support more than half of all known plant and animal species and play a crucial role in regulating the world’s climate; and was once in a place where I took a photograph that is a personal favorite. It just captures that day for me.

National Chocolate Eclair Day

Eclair: photo by Cliff Hutson

On the other hand, I love eclairs, and thought that I would have several images from which to choose. But, when I ran my search of the archives the one photo that came up as not the one I had in mind. I guess it is on a drive to which I no longer have access to or otherwise has become lost in the mists of time. This one will do nicely though.

National Chocolate Eclair Day is also observed on June 22 every year in the United States to celebrate this delicious dessert.

Feuilles esthétiques

Good-looking Leaves

"Photographers are the only people who can turn a normal walk into a 45-minute investigation of shadows, walls, puddles, and suspiciously good-looking leaves."  -  Anon

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

World Ocean Day

 A Not So Deep Dive

A Dive Watch: photo by Cliff Hutson

World Ocean Day is an international day that takes place annually on June 8.  The day is supposed to  highlight the ocean's vital role in life, this year's theme focuses on reimagining humanity's relationship with it.  Oceans form an integral part of the Earth’s ecosystems as well as human culture. 

Casio Duro (MDV106-1A)

Some might think it strange, given my background, that I have long had a love of the ocean. For many years, I once spent as much time as I could near it, in it, and on it as I could. However, it has been a while since I have the ocean. It was May 19, 2024 to be exact. It has longer since I did any diving. That may be as far back as 1979.

Bulova Snorkel: photo by Cliff Hutson

Back then, we called it "skin diving".  Wearing just flippers (or fins), a swim mask and snorkel it was fun to swim with the fishes down at the Palos Verdes Peninsula.  There was no need to wear a watch as there was no air supply to track nor decompression time to calculate. 

Today, I have even less excuse to have a "dive watch"; yet, somehow I own two of them as pictured here.  However, I am not alone in this. I have read that arguably dive watches are almost certainly the most popular style of traditional men’s watches today, and it’s an open secret that the vast majority of those who own one don’t actually take them diving.. Some refer to them as “desk divers”, as that is where they are more likely to be worn.

So, at my age, while I have no plans to go diving again, it's been so long since I've seen the ocean I guess I should.

Reading Log: May 2026

The books that I finished reading in May 2026

May 2026 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

“Casino Royale,” Ian Fleming 

“In a Pickle,” A.J. Stewart

“Cat on a Hot Tin Woof,” Spencer Quinn

“The Hunt for Red October,” Tom Clancy

“Ironwood,” Michael Connelly

“First In,” Gary C. Schroen 

Pacific Asia Museum

 A Family Outing to the Pacific Asia Museum

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.