Random picture thread for Friday

@1northcoin said:
FROM THIS MORNING'S VISIT TO THE MUSEUM

Curator Identifies Native Potlatch Hat’s Added Rings at the Anchorage Museum’s Smithsonian Exhibit

On long term loan from the Smithsonian, the Native Alaska Hall at The Anchorage Museum is filled with artifacts from Alaska’s indigenous Native Cultures. The artifacts were collected by expeditions during the last century and originally housed at the Smithsonian. There many languished in the Smithsonian’s warehouses until returned to Alaska.

In this video see artifacts from the Southeastern Alaska Haida People. Highlighted is a conical Potlatch Hat with added rings. As explained by the Anchorage Museum curator, each added ring represents an additional Potlatch attended by the wearer.

Link to Video of Curator Ex[plaining Potlatch Hat at Smithsonian'sLoaned Native Alaskan Wing of Anchorage Museum

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/urKVVK0OVmE

CONCURRENTLY TAKEN PHOTOS INCLUDING A PAPO0SE MADE FROM SEALSKIN:

An uncle of mine who lived in Southeastern Alaska prior to 1941 where he worked as a foreman in Juneau's AJ Gold Mine painted the below pictured painting which he titled, "My version of 'Off to the Potlatch,' " He was apparently inspired by Sydney Laurence's painting titled, "Going to the Potlatch" circa 1920.

On the back of the painting my uncle attached a writing describing a potlatch as also pictured below.

The above narrative reads:

My Version of “Off to the Potlatch”

A potlatch is to the Alaska Indian as a fiesta is to the Mexican, a rodeo to the Westerner, and a county fair to Nebraskans.

When a man got enough money he threw a Potlatch and everyone came and he gave them all presents and provided whopee until he was broke.

Then he started to make more money so he could throw another one.

For each one he had added to his prestige and honor and entitled him to another story on his ceremonial hat. Some get to be four stories tall.

The U.S. [and Canada] stopped the custom [in the late 1800s - although it continued to some extent secretly until the 1950s when the ban was lifted] as their excuse that it made too much poverty, but really all that troubled them was that they wanted to swindle the Indians themselves and sell them more whiskey.

The boat [in my uncle’s painting] they are using is hollowed out of one log and would sometimes hold 50 or more, and be 100’ long.

Renowned Alaska Artist painted the below pictured painting relating to the Potlatch that today hangs in The Anchorage Museum:

Also found in the Anchorage Museum is this below picture Potlatch Hat:

Lightning Lit Clouds Add Fireworks to Utah Homes Decorated for the July Celebrations

Only in Utah? Homes in Salt Lake Valley are adorned with 4th of July Lights that remain lit through the month.

Captured in this video are both the red, white and blue lit homes, but in addition celestial fireworks created by lightning lighting the clouds in the sky above the houses.

Link to Music Video of Patriotically Lighted Houses Below and Celestial Fireworks Above:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rryhWRb425o

Link to Panoramic Landscape View of the above linked video, sans the accompanying music:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s25H3SQxAC4

Screenshot from the above linked videos and Added Views taken in The Great Salt Lake Valley Today:

"ALLY" THE 20 FOOT LONG AND 15 FOOT HIGH ALLOSAURUS FRAGILIS DINOSAUR ,"ESCAPED" FROM THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF UTAH, GREETS ARRIVAL AT SALT LAKE'S INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:

AN APPLE TREE LADEN WITH. APPLES ALONG A VALLEY WALKWAY:

OMINOUS CLOUDS PRECEDE THE THUNDERSTORM: