1906 Streets of San Francisco-Horses, cars, hats

I must share this mesmerizing video. I love to see back in time. If you need to relax, this is the film to watch. Thanks for the heads up, Jack.

This film, originally thought to be from 1905 until David Kiehn with the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum figured out exactly when it was shot. From New York trade papers, announcing the film showing, to the wet streets from recent heavy rainfall, and shadows indicating time of year and actual weather and conditions on historical record, even when the cars were registered (he even knows who owned them and when the plates were issued!). It was filmed only four days before the Great California Earthquake of April 18th 1906 and shipped by train to NY for processing.

Summer at the Stable

There is a lull in the science camp schedule, so this is our week for riding lessons at the local stable. My 10-y-o has been asking all year about horse camp. It turns out there is no camp this week, so we made a "camp" of sorts out of private lessons. It is working out fine. I think that learning to care for animals, especially large ones like horses, helps to build character in children.

Horseback Riding Class

Horseback riding is also a favorite pastime this summer for my 9-y-o boy. He has been taking classes every Saturday, and will cap off the summer with a 4-day horse camp the last week of August. I feel happy to pass on the love of horses to my kids. My Mom loves horses and so do I. As a kid, I worked as a guide at a riding stable in Northern California. I read lots of horse books, too. And I have included some of those books in my son's bedtime stories. He has a way with animals and babies/children. He has a kind heart.