The British Isles are being pummeled by a powerful Christmas storm and travel is disrupted for many

This was the snow globe covering the statue of Eros in Piccadilly circus shortly before the storm destroyed the globe
This was the snow globe covering the statue of Eros in Piccadilly Circus shortly before the storm destroyed the globe

The British Isles has been pummeled by a Christmas storm during the last couple of days, yesterday it was the southern parts including London. Today the storm is moving north towards Scotland and Ireland. There is more rain and high winds predicted for the London area later on today. Travel was disrupted for many holiday travelers and people were stranded on trains for hours due to blockage from fallen trees and other debris.

An umbrella destroyed by the high winds
An umbrella destroyed by the high winds
Harrod's was still looking festive despite the storm, and it provided  welcome point of shelter for many - and you could pass the time by shopping or eating.
Harrod’s was still looking festive despite the storm, and it provided a welcome point of shelter for many – you could also pass the time by shopping or eating.

Finland is 96 years old today as an independent nation.

Statue of Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim and the Finnish Parliament building in the background
Statue of Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim and the Finnish Parliament building in the background

Finland has a long history as a country, a big part of that was spent being under the rule of other countries. During the Viking period there is plenty of evidence of Swedish settlements on the Åland islands and there is also evidence of Viking settlers having settled on the Finnish mainland. In the 1500’s when Swedish ruler Birger Jarl established rule over Finland during the Second Swedish Crusade in 1249 it was the beginning of more than 650 years of Swedish rule.

In 1809 Sweden lost control over Finland to Russia after a war. That was the beginning of more than 100 years of Russian rule of Finland. In 1917 Finland gained its independence from Russia and the Republic of Finland was formed.

Today Finland has about 5.4 million people.

 

 

Today 50 years ago the nation and the world was stunned

Former Texas School Book Depository at Dealey Plaza in Dallas
Former Texas School Book Depository at Dealey Plaza in Dallas on the very left, viewed from the motorcades direction of travel, looking back at the route past the building.

Today we all remember JFK and the presidency that was cut short by his assassination today 50 years ago. I recently visited the Museum that is now housed in the building that was formerly known as the “Texas School Book Depository” and nowadays is the “Sixth Floor Museum”. It is well worth a visit, mostly because it gives you a reason to reflect back and it creates really powerful emotions. There is also a cell phone walking tour that you can add that will give you some facts while you walk around the surrounding area.

Looking up at the window where lee Harvey Oswald was positioned.
Looking up at the window where Lee Harvey Oswald was positioned. The trees were obviously smaller back when it happened 50 years ago.
Close-up up of the sixth floor window.
Close-up up of the sixth floor window.
The then Texas School Book Depository building on the left.
The then Texas School Book Depository building on the left.

 

One of the two marks in the roadway (they were supposedly 'unofficial and were removed in a repaving shortly before today 11/22/2013).
One of the two marks in the roadway (they were supposedly ‘unofficial and were removed in a repaving shortly before today 11/22/2013).

 

 

The Aqueduct is 100

Today is the 100:th anniversary of the Los Angeles Aqueduct that brings water from northern California to the Los Angeles area. It was seen through to completion by william Mulholland in 1913. He thought that if you supply water people will come…. It turned out he was correct. Mulholland’s words when water started flowing down the cascade in Sylmar on the very last stretch into the L.A. basin was: “There it is, take it!” That statement is a vital part of the history of Los Angeles and the aqueduct that brings water to the city.