bookofjoe

Lucy in The Sky With Diamonds is dead at 46

Lucy Vodden was a nursery school classmate of John Lennon's son Julian, then 4, in Weybridge, Surrey in 1966; at the time her name was Lucy O'Donnell.

Julian came home from school one day with a drawing (top), showed it to his father, and said it was "Lucy in sky with diamonds."

You know the rest.

Ms. Vodden died last Tuesday, September 22, 2009 after a long illness.

Her death was reported yesterday by St. Thomas's Hospital in London.

Here's Liz Thomas's obituary from today's Daily Mail.

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Woman who inspired Beatles' Lucy in The Sky With Diamonds dies aged 46 after battling disease

The woman whose childhood friendship with John Lennon’s son Julian inspired the song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds has died.

Lucy Vodden, who was recently revealed as the girl behind the 40-year-old Beatles song, had been battling lupus, an incurable disease of the immune system.

Julian Lennon has said that the track was inspired by a picture he drew of classmate Lucy O’Donnell [below]

with star-like shapes when they were at nursery school in the mid-1960s.

The young Julian showed his father the picture and told him it was ‘Lucy in the sky with diamonds’.

Lennon used the phrase as a title for a song he wrote for the album Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, released in 1967.

Last night Julian and his mother Cynthia said they were ‘shocked and saddened’ by 46-year-old Mrs Vodden’s death.

The musician, who lives in France, got back in touch with her six months ago after discovering through mutual friends that she was chronically ill.

He sent a bouquet with a personally written card and then gave her garden centre vouchers because he had learnt that she took solace in her plants.

‘I’ve been able to help out a bit,’ he said at the time.

‘I was so upset to hear what had happened.’

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds initially caused controversy and was banned by the BBC because of its supposed reference to the drug LSD.

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Below,

Lucy Vodden.

Nature Planter

From the website:

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Nature Planter

A modern ceramic planter intended for growing a variety of herbs and flowers. The form takes inspiration from patterns and shapes found in nature, hence the name.

The largest opening at the top can hold plants that need to root deeper. Opening like a blossom, the form allows each pocket to collect water.

The planter is made using a complex six-part mold (compared to the typical two to four part mold) with seventeen post-molding cuts. Each piece is carefully cast, hand-finished and glazed in Portland, Oregon. Three holes on the bottom allow for drainage. The planter is suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

18"H x 22"Ø.

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White, Grey or Yellow.

$375.

[via Bem Legaus!]

Knitted graffiti — 'tag you very much'

Just in from Kermit Mercado in New York City, the following: "i remembered you posted a story about a group of ladies that go around and place knits on poles and whatnot, thinking it was weird and possibly not real i run into this [top] on my way to work (Houston & Broadway, New York)."

File under "videre est credere."

Electronic Webcaster Gun

That's different.

From websites:

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Electronic Webcaster™ Gun

Electronic Webcaster Gun blows out streams of what looks like spooky spider webs, creating a spooktacular scene usually found in ultra-expensive haunted houses.

In just minutes you can spray a chandelier, window, wall art, and more! It pulls right off without damage. All you need is an air compressor with at least 90 PSI. Includes UL® listed cord and 6 web sticks.

One package of Web Sticks covers approximately 350 square feet, or one 12-ft. x 15-ft. room. Choose Clear for traditional webs which glow blue under black light; Glow In The Dark for an even stronger eerie effect; or Neon Yellow for webs that glow yellow under black light.

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$37.

Robo.to — 'All your face are belong to us'

Long story short: unlimited online 4-second video calling card/status updates from a mobile phone or webcam.

Over 100,000 people have signed up since the beta came out last month.

Free, the way we like it.

[via Jenna Wortham and the New York Times]

Bear Bells

From the website:

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Bear Bells — Protect Yourself and Children From Bears

Better safe than sorry.

Let those bears know that you’re coming — you don’t want to have a run-in with the wrong one.

Bear bells attach to your pack and gently chime to alarm any potentially harmful predators — the key is not to startle them.

Has magnetic bar to silence bell when not in use.

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$4.

Another style:

Also, $4.

Every McDonald's in the U.S. Mapped

"To get to a McDonald's in the lower 48 United States, it's never more than 145 miles by car."

[via Good, Weather Sealed, Kottke and Milena]

Electronic Steel Finger Drums

From the website:

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Electronic Steel Finger Drums

Electronic steel finger drums bring the relaxing, tropical sounds of the Caribbean to your home or office — simply tap the different parts of the drums to play.

With a freestyle and demo mode, plus record and playback function.

Requires 4 AAA batteries (not included).

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Have a listen.

$22.98.