“Silently, one by one, in the infinite meadows of heaven, Blossomed the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the angels.”
Today is the sort of morning which comes so often in the early spring. It is a bit chilly, but the air gives hint of a warmer day. The birds are lively. The dogs stay outside running the yard. Nala usually has a stick in her mouth or something she’s stolen from the house. Yesterday it was a plastic water bottle now crushed and lying flattened in the yard. It is the only debris.
When I was in elementary school, I did well, mostly A’s, except for a few subjects, not unexpected subjects. In the fourth grade, I got B’s in art except for one term when I got a C. In music, I got B’s except for one A. My penmanship too was worthy of only B’s. The worst I did was in conduct. I had mostly C’s, but it seems I did better by the end of the year when I got a B. My poor showing in art and music has been lifelong. I have an appreciate for both but no talent in either.
When I was a kid, I always looked for the man in the moon and his gigantic smile. I never believed the moon was made out of green cheese. I loved Hey, Diddle Diddle. It made no sense which was great fun. I got to imagine the cow jumping over the moon, the little dog barking and the dish running away with the spoon. I have always wished on the first star I see, “Star light, star bright, The first star I see tonight; I wish I may, I wish I might, Have the wish I wish tonight.” I know my wishes didn’t often come true, but that has never stopped me from wishing. I remember I used to lie on the grass and watch the sky. I hoped for a falling star and sometimes saw one, but it took time and patience. Now, when we have meteor showers, I still watch the sky. I sit outside even in winter. I ooh and ah out loud, but my neighbors are usually asleep, their houses dark. I am tempted to run up and down the street to tell my neighbors to come outside and be astounded.
When I lived in Ghana, the night sky was jaw dropping amazing. It was filled with stars, more than I had ever seen or have seen since. I could actually see the Milky Way’s span across the sky. I saw falling stars every night, sometimes even a couple. The only place here which comes close is at the beach on a clear night. The sky is ablaze with so many stars. I sit on the cold sand and watch and wait for a falling star. I usually see one. I ooh and ah out loud. I am still thrilled to see a falling star.
April 5, 2022 at 12:35 pm
Hi Kat,
If you read Tolkien’s version of Hey, Diddle, Diddle, it all makes perfect sense. Sort of.
I used to be able to see the Milky Way and the Pleiades here at home but the light pollution is too bad, now. Only the very brightest stars are visible.
It’s a lovely, sunny, warm and cool day up here although it is clouding up pretty quickly.
Have a great day.
April 5, 2022 at 8:24 pm
Hi Caryn,
I get to see the Pleiades when the sky is clear. The last few years it has been cloudy. I set up in my drive way. It is a wonderful viewing place.
I haven’t read Tolkien’s version of Hey, Diddle, Diddle. Now you have me curious.
It got chilly this afternoon. Even though it is after 8, it is still 46˚. I’m at the point where I’m thinking that’s still cold.
April 6, 2022 at 3:12 pm
Frodo sings it at the inn in Bree. Fellowship of the Ring.
April 6, 2022 at 4:32 pm
Thanks!! I’ll find it and listen. I found the Cat and the Moon. Is that it?
April 5, 2022 at 11:20 pm
Hi Kat,
Just when you think summer is a at least two months away, we had a high temperature of 95°. Last night lines of thunderstorms left a string of damage from tornadoes and hail. Luckily none of them were anywhere near us. By tomorrow afternoon the high temperature will be back down to the low 70° range.
I have always looked to the sky both during the day and at night and been fascinated by the clouds and the stars. Navigators have steered vessels via the stars for centuries and these days everyone navigates by a constellation of GPS satellites. One can locate yourself via your cell phone. GPS accuracies are down to a couple of meters. An accuracy I never dreamed of when I started flying in the mid 1960s.
April 6, 2022 at 12:07 am
Hi Bob,
We will get raid starting tomorrow, and it will rain until Sunday. The cape is slated to get over 2 inches of rain. It was in the 40’s today. It gets colder when the sun goes down. It isn’t even spring here yet.
I know where some of the constellations are, but that’s about it for sky knowledge. I love the meteor showers though for the last couple of showers the sky has been cloudy which always disappoints me.
The rapid technological changes are sometimes overwhelming while we catch up.