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Capsule
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Fractional currency were low-denomination banknotes of the U.S. dollar in use between 21 August 1862 and 15 February 1876
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Lead Picture (Story below in Thumbnail)
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Banknote credit: United States Department of the Treasury; photographed by the National Numismatic Collection
Read more on the blog www.existentialautotrip.com
The blog? A daily three to four-minute excursion into photos and short texts to regale the curious with an ever-changing and diverting view of a world rich in gastronomy, visual art, ideas, chuckles, stories, people, diversions, science, homespun, and enlightenment.
Observing with wit and wisdom, Dom Capossela, an experienced leader, guides his team of contributors and followers through that world, an amusing and edifying conversation to join.
Note that the blog is also the first place that posts the "Hey, Dom!" videos.
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Commentary
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Here’s an examination of the role writers’ groups have played in the development of the blog.
These two letters from Marc O whom you remember revamped our mini-studio in which we create our videos.
This first, in response to my next-day question to Marc re: the lighting.
Marc:
I believe we turned off the lights over the dining room table, but left on the track lights focused on the book shelves that included the “back light” shining down on your hat from behind.
I can’t wait to see how your next video will look when it comes out tomorrow.
Web Meister Responded by sending Marc the video link prior to publishing it yesterday.
And Marc responded to the result of his own changes:
I think it looks good. I’m happy if you’re happy. Face is a little shiny, though. Maybe a touch of powder on the cheeks, but just a touch; only shines when you smile. I wish I could tone down the light on the shelves in back of your a tad more. But just a tad.
It was fun. It felt good to play around with lights again. It made me miss the days when I used to light opera back in Western Mass––not to say lighting you was operatic, but fun to experiment as lighting an opera does encourage.
But that was then and this is now, and I’ve got to get back to writing.
Web Meister Responds:
Marc and I met about 7 years ago at a monthly writers’ group held at my apartment.
Four or five of us taking time to seriously critique each other’s work.
The meetings lasted a couple of years.
I withdrew when my book, as yet unpublished, was completed.
I prepared dinner which we ate following the meetings.
That was a talented group that helped me greatly.
A couple of years or so later Marc and I joined a group organized by Colleen Getty, called Room to Write.
While I enjoyed attending, I started the blog and its needs precluded my attending more meetings.
I hated to give it up but my days only last 24 hours.
I am going on local television on a program hosted by Colleen, in a few days and Colleen has contributed substantially to the blog.
The groups have been very helpful in my craft and rewarding socially as well.
Any hobbies or major interest?
Groups exist in pursuit of that, too.
Reach out.
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News re: existentialautotrip
Saturday, October 12, 2019
This is consecutive post #554.
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Thursday’s Dinner posted on
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Kat’s homecoming requires a traditional Italo-American version of Spaghetti and Meatballs.
With giant shells.
Wonderful.
To check out our recipe: either scroll through our Recipe Blog or just click the magnifying glass on the top right of the screen, type ‘The Gravy’ and hit ‘enter’.
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Chuckle of the day:
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Steven Wright:
Right now I’m having amnesia and déjà vu at the same time. I think I’ve forgotten this before.
How much deeper would the ocean be if sponges didn’t live there?
Last night I played a blank tape at full blast. The mime next door went nuts.
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A “Hello, my friends!” video.
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Michael’s Parrot: Curing a foul-tongued bird.
Dom’s website: existentialautotrip.com
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Today’s Thumbnail
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Fractional currency, also referred to as shinplasters, was introduced by the United States federal government following the outbreak of the Civil War.
They were issued in denominations of 3, 5, 10, 15, 25 and 50 cents across five issuing periods. The notes could be redeemed by the U.S. Postal Service for the face value in postage stamps.
Our lead picture shows a second-issue ten-cent (10¢) fractional currency note, issued by the United States Department of the Treasury between 1863 and 1867, featuring a portrait of George Washington, the first president of the United States, on the obverse.
The note pictured in our lead photo is in the National Numismatic Collection of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History.
Other denominations: 5¢, 25¢, 50¢
Logo of the Smithsonian Institution.
Original: US Federal government Vectorization: DieBuche - Constructed from different PDF sources
A tip o' the hat (U.S. President Calvin Coolidge, 1924) after signing an Indian treaty
Sly devil that he was
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Acknowledgements
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Thanks again to Marc O for the time and expertise he brought to the quality of the videos.
and for sharing his thoughts on the results.
Thanks to the Microsoft team at the Prudential Center for their unflagging availability to help with a constant flow of technological problems.
Always thanks to Wikipedia, the Lead and the Thumbnail sections of the Blog very often shaped from stories taken from that amazing website. They are truly worthy of public
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Good Morning
Saturday, October 12, 2019
I keep $100.00 dollars of various currencies in here to support my spontaneous urges to flee for a weekend abroad.
France, Hog Kong. You know.
And now? Gotta go.
Che vuoi? Le pocketbook?
See you soon.
Your Taeyeon