The close of 2025 is nigh upon us. Looking for something to occupy your time and give you a break from the fire hose gush of nonsense coming from Washington?
Get out and chill out.
The evenings of December 30 and 31 present an opportunity to view both Aldebaran and the star cluster Pleiades.
Aldebaran is the 'eye' of the constellation Taurus - The Bull. In Greek mythology, Atlas' daughters turned into this group of stars. Tonight and tomorrow the moon and Pleiades will cross the sky together in the southeastern sky. Both will be visible for a few hours past midnight. The chart is courtesy of EarthSky.
Fun Fact:
Subaru is the Japanese word for 'unite' as well as a term identifying
this cluster of stars. In 1953, five Japanese companies merged to form
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. The resulting corporation adopted the star
cluster as the official logo for its line of automobiles. Fuji Heavy
Industries, known as Subaru since 2017, is a global leader in both terrestrial and aerospace transportation.
On the road to independence we find ourselves in the winter of 1775-1776 and the patriot cause has ground to a halt. The Continental Army had surrounded and laid siege to Boston but lacked the heavy artillery necessary to drive the the British garrison from the town.
Enter Henry Knox, a Boston bookseller and aspiring artillery officer who proposed a daring solution. Knox would lead a force north; to march 300 miles to Fort Ticonderoga in New York. From there he would disassemble and pack cannon, powder and shot and return across 300 miles of rivers, swamps and frozen wilderness to Boston; bringing the weapons of deliverance to Washington's army.
Knox lacked any formal military training; nevertheless, he had proven himself the previous May when he, Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen ambushed the small British garrison at the fort, capturing it intact, including its artillery. Washington approved the plan and sent newly-commissioned colonel Knox on his mission in late November.
Arriving at the fort, Knox did not delay. Within 24 hours he selected 59 pieces of artillery, including brass and iron mortars, howitzers and cannon, each ranging in weight from 100 lbs. to 5,000 lbs. That was the easy part. Now he had to figure out how he would bring this enormous weight of firepower 300 miles back to Boston in the dead of winter. It would prove to be a logistical challenge like no other: a feat of endurance, ingenuity and sheer determination. Knox's expedition is often referred to as the Noble Train of Artillery.
Image Credit: Tom Lovell (American, 1909-1997), The Noble Train of Artillery, 1946
Knox packed everything on wooden sledges pulled by teams of oxen. While the frozen ground and ice made travel easier than wagons on muddy roads nothing was straightforward or without enormous challenges.
The return route wound south along Lake George, across the Hudson River and east through the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. Conditions were brutal and took a toll on men and beasts.
December 16, 2025 Reenactors
Sleds broke through the ice dumping cannon into lakes and rivers that had to be recovered. Steep hills were a challenge to surmount and a more formidable challenge to descend as the drovers struggled mightily to keep both teams and cargo from cascading out of control.
Against all odds, and in just over two months, the artillery arrived in late January 1776.
On March 4 - 5, under the cover of darkness, Washington's troops positioned the Ticonderoga artillery behind earthworks on the Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston Harbor. When British General William Howe woke the morning of the 5th he arose to the sight of his army and fleet now withing range of cannon positioned on the high ground.
Faced with assaulting fortified positions or evacuating, on March 17 British troops including their Loyalist followers sailed out of Boston Harbor without a fight.
Henry Knox's audacious plan became one of the most celebrated logistical feats of the American Revolution. Knox commanded the Continental Army's artillery for the duration of hostilities and later served as Washington's Secretary of War.
Notably, Knox had never received any formal military training. He owned and ran one of the best-stocked bookshops in Boston: the London Book Store. Knox regularly placed orders to London on behalf of occupying British troops. And when British military technical manuals arrived Knox made a point of putting them aside, reading them and taking copious notes. In particular anything and everything to do with the Royal Artillery. Only after he was finished with his studies did he deliver the order to its British soldier.
Henry Knox's London Book Store on the corner, left.
When the Ticonderoga guns were emplaced on Dorchester Heights and trained on British forces Knox organized the construction of fortifications, fields of overlapping fire and prepared for siege warfare. He supervised and drilled the gun crews on powder load, shot size and fuse timing. He taught the mathematics of trajectory, range and elevation and drilled the crews in the discipline of loading, firing and safety.
At the time America had no formal military academies - Knox
was entirely self-taught. He turned imperial knowledge against the
empire itself; essentially beating the British at their own game. A home-schooled artilleryman and military commander.
National Museum of the United States Army
Fun Facts: Knoxville, Tennessee, the state's first capital, was founded in 1786 and named for Knox while he was Secretary of War. Fort Knox, Kentucky was established in 1918; named for Henry Knox and his role as Washington's chief of artillery and the first Secretary of War. Eight states are home to counties named after Knox.
This ends the short series on the Semiquincentennial as our trip to Boston essentially ended with the end to the Continental Army's siege of Boston. I had high hopes for a post featuring Old Ironsides; alas, the USS Constitution was closed to the public as it is undergoing extensive refitting likely in preparation for being under sail during next year's festivities.
If you're like me and
don't head south for the winter months winter warmth is found in a walk
in the woods with the dog, whipping-up terrific food in the kitchen and
sitting fireside by the wood burner with a book or to watch British
detective series or a good movie.
The
critters that make their home in our woods have their own survival
strategies to get thru winter. Including the addition of new winter
outerwear. They do so by means of molting (shedding) their summer coat
and swapping it out for winter pelage that is a thicker, denser, water
repellent coat of fur that provides superior insulation and
camouflage.
When
you live half-way between the equator and the North Pole the fall molt
is especially important to animals adapted to cold climates. That new
winter coat serves two purposes - warmth and concealment.
This time of year the ubiquitous deer appear fuzzy or chubby in their cold weather wardrobe. Whitetail
deer sport a uniquely adapted winter coat that efficiently absorbs
scarce winter sunlight. Solar heat is trapped by coarse outer guard
hairs - each of which is hollow. For added insulation the layer beneath
is dense and soft - retaining heat close to the skin. Deer also
produce an oily substance that works thru the entire coat to enhance
waterproofing. These insulating qualities are so efficient
that falling snow will collect on the animal without melting. Furthermore, the dull brownish-grey winter coat this time
of year is superb camouflage.
The long-tailed weasel changes into all white winter coat. Brown in the summer months with an
identifying field mark in the form of a black-tipped tail year-round.
This species is larger than the short-tailed weasel and the least weasel - who lacks a black-tipped tail.
Then there is the larger mink who does not sport a
white coat in the winter.
Indeed,
like the mink, the fisher also does not sport white winter camouflage either. One
of the largest members of the weasel family the fisher's coat is
characterized by a soft suppleness and so prized as a fur bearer that is
was oft referred-to as the American Sable.
A few days ago I had to run into town on some holiday errands and encountered this.
One of our resident bald eagles. The bird casually allowed me to snap photos and even reposition the car on the road. As I departed the bird did too. I wonder if he/she deliberately allowed me the convenience of observation and study. Naw. That would be too much Disney-like anthropomorphism.
Thirty years ago these weren’t as common as they are nowadays.
On the south side of County D a short distance from my front door…
From the Gospel of Matthew we all know of the the story about the Magi or the Three Kings. In three paragraphs it goes like this:
Kings? Wise Men? More likely priests or wealthy astrologers who journeyed from Arabia, Babylon or Persia. More importantly, they came to pay homage and to worship Jesus. And they came bearing gifts; rare and expensive gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Symbolically, some would suggest this is significant proof of gentiles recognizing Jesus as king; thus marking a turning point in Christian tradition.
After their arrival the Magi were warned in a dream to avoid King Herod and to return via a different route to throw-off snooping Romans with murderous intentions. An angel also appears to Joseph in a dream with a warning that Herod intends to slay his child. Consequently Joseph, Mary and Jesus flee to Egypt. They return home only after there is news of Herod's death.
With the passage of time the 'Three Kings' received names: Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar even though the bible is silent about their identities. Their appearance along with shepherds in nativity scenes is a bit of a historical mash-up; but more about that in a bit.
What about the star?
Was the appearance of the star a literal event or a symbolic literary device?
There is no scientific astronomical evidence to suggest a star moving as described. Due to the Earth's rotation a real star (fixed in the heavens of the northern hemisphere) would be unable to move east to Jerusalem and stop over a house in Bethlehem. It is possible there may have been a supernova, comet or planetary conjunction - naturally-occurring astronomical events - explaining its appearance. Needless to say, some faith traditions suggest the appearance of the star was divine, a genuinely miraculous event.
Only the Gospel of Matthew mentions it; the Gospel of Luke does not. Some biblical scholars have suggested that the appearance of the star may have been a later addition to Matthew's narrative to serve as a literary device - a metaphor or allusion for his audience.
The bible does not specify tell us when Jesus was born. There are only clues such as Herod The Great's reign and a census facilitated under Syrian Governor Quirinius. The Scriptures are silent as to a specific year and date. The birth story of Jesus is found only in the Gospels of Mathew and Luke 1-2 and place his birth during the reign of King Herod. Herod died in 4 BCE; consequently, Jesus was likely born between 7 and 2 BCE. Naturally, this conflicts with the later Christian calendar system. A calendar miscalculated in the 6th century.
Matthew 2:1-12 informs us that the star appeared at Jesus' birth and appeared from the east. Upon the arrival of the Magi; Joseph, Mary and Jesus are living in a house (not a stable) and Jesus is referred-to as a child. Furthermore, Herod orders the slaying of all boys two years of age and under.
The implication is that the star materialized shortly prior to or at the time of Jesus' birth, hypothetically 6–5 BCE. The Magi arrive months or possibly 1-2 years later. Herod dies 4 BCE. The adoration of the Magi would be unlikely to coincide with the visitation of the shepherds.
So why is it only Matthew mentions the star and Luke mentions shepherds instead of Magi?
The answer may be found in their respective audiences. Inasmuch as there was no single and consistent birth narrative in very early Christianity both Matthew and Luke tell a true story as they understood it, using different oral and written traditions shaped by purpose; and complementing one another.
Matthew was preaching to a Jewish audience; consequently, he focused on the fulfillment of old testament scripture and prophecy. Numbers 24:17: A star shall come out of Jacob; symbolism and prophecy signaling the birth of a Jewish king.
Luke was preaching to a Greco-Roman audience; consequently he places an emphasis on shepherds, angels and census records. Stars and astrology add little theological substance and are avoided. Luke explicitly says he chose what to include in Luke 1:1-4; an orderly account of Jesus' life.
In closing, why December 25? First-off it's not a historical date and was likely adopted somewhere around the 4th century. This is because Christian holy days and important events were intentionally chosen over many years to supplant pagan holidays, Roman festivals and themes like those of the triumph of light over darkness. The Winter Solstice comes to mind. This was done for theological, liturgical and evangelical reasons. To be clear, it is not historical conflict; rather it is the intentional telling of Christian theology.
The story of Jesus' birth, the Magi, shepherds, Herod, Matthew and Luke have captured the hearts of untold millions of believers, wanna-believers and the attention of some non-believers. It is a a story rich in drama and allegorical symbolism. It is a fun story readily embraced by children. And as with many things in life; parts of the story are supported by history and science and other parts are articles off faith. Neither are irreconcilable.
Happiest of holidays to all my readers however you celebrate them; or not.
Scored a five pound Amish chicken, humanely-raised and hormone-free.
Stuffed with homemade dressing made last evening. Popped it into the oven on the Convection Roast setting at 12:30 PM. Another bonus crock of additional dressing and a humongous yam anointed in bacon drippings went in 45 minutes later.
Finished everything by 3 PM, including pan dripping gravy and whole kernel sweet corn from the garden.
On account of today being Christmas, Friday Morning Music arrives on Thursday this week.
Composed by Greg Lake with lyrics by Peter Sinfield this tune periodically gets an undeserved anti-religion rap. The truth of the matter is Lake wrote the song in protest of the commercialization of Christmas. Sinfield has insisted that the words are about the loss of innocence and childhood belief. So, I dunno. Combination of the two?
Released as a debut solo single in 1975 it reached Number 2 of the UK Singles Chart. This happens to be a YouTube Short compilation - full length recordings are available on YouTube.
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