Lunar Eclipse ~ Moon-Gazers

Moon child that I am, I hadn’t planned on watching the lunar eclipse last night. Hubby mentioned that we should go to the reservoir and try to see it; although, they have a curfew for entering when it gets dark. Then he said, let’s just stay home. Then I said, no, let’s go, let’s give it a shot. So, we were on our way to the reservoir to scope things out. I mentioned that maybe we should go the back way and try the hill. It was a high area. Instead we headed to our original destination, all the while hubby is declaring that we should go further and that we probably we’re going to be able to see it. We were getting the lunar and solar eclipse mixed up. We only needed to see the moon. There were a few clouds hovering. We also weren’t yet sure which direction the moon was going to rise. We sort of tried to look up bits and pieces of information on our trusty iPhones, but just plodded along. It was an adventure–in search of the moon that would promise to dazzle us with it’s reddish-orange hue and large round body. Apparently it was also a super moon night!

When we arrived at the reservoir, we asked a few people that we saw and thought were up to the same thing, if they thought we could see the lunar eclipse from here. A couple said that perhaps not. They pointed in the direction that it would rise, where there were lovely pine trees blocking the way. We mentioned the hill to them and how that’s where we were headed. Off we went.

There were a lot more cars parked there from when we passed by earlier. We took our spot in the line-up. As we walked a bit up the hill and found a spot and made ourselves comfortable, we caught sight of a patch of clouds illuminated with the soft pinkish-red of dusk.

Now we would wait with the many other moon-gazers. We waited for a while, but it was nice to sit there looking out, looking up, waiting for the moon to make its appearance, to rise above the clouds, and up over beautiful Mt. Diablo. I soaked in the night air, the rustling of the wheat grass. I felt my bottom planted firmly upon the earth below me. I watched as night settled in and the stars came out, and then we saw the very top of the moon beginning to show itself, as though stepping out of its robe, baring itself, rising up to reveal it’s light, reflected from the alignment of its self, the earth, and the sun.

It was nice to be amongst others that were enchanted, curious, moon-gazers. When we got home, there was the moon in full sight, as if it were above our abode. I turned to hubby and said, “we didn’t even have to leave the house.”

But, I’m glad we did.

(photo taken with iPhone)

The Moon & Childhood Innocence

Last night as I was driving to class I was captivated by the moon. I couldn't take my eyes away. I've always been a moon gazer, and being ruled by the moon, I feel a special affinity with her. Sometimes the moon feels like a masculine being and other times, I feel her feminine presence. It's difficult for me to describe how beautiful she looked last night–a dainty slice curled into a translucent golden orb–framed, reflecting each other's light upon the space they shared–the whole and the part and the brightest star, a sweep away, held by the distant and dazzling moon.

**

On my way to class I started to re-listen to the audio book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain. I loved listening to the book the first time and felt that I was in the mood for a second go. Eventually, I will check the book out from the library because there are so many spots I'd like to re-read. Anyone that has any interest whatsoever in learning more about introverts and extroverts, will gain much from this well written and researched book. I don't like labels, but introvert is a label I am and can live with and am not at all ashamed of. 

My class was interesting partially because of the group activities we had, although, I was feeling overstimulated by the noise and didn't participate that much. When it was time for us to do one last thing, I decided I wanted to work alone, so everyone else was in groups, hurrying to copy each other's answers and trying to get done to get out of class. My partner asked me if I wanted to see his answers and I said that I would  pass and that it helped me to work through he material and search for the answers myself. 

I wasn't all alone though because one of the students brought her son with her and he was sitting in front of me. He had his lego figurines and book laid out of the table that he sat at. He had turned around earlier in the class and I smiled at him. At another occasion we were watching a video and when he turned and saw that I was writing notes, he flashed his light on my paper. I looked up at him. He said, "You shouldn't write in the dark." I told him thank you. He turned back around to his table. And and I was watching the movie, I was thinking what a sweet kid he was. I asked him later what grade he was in. He said 4th, so he must have been about 9 or 10. 

So while I sat there working through my glossary words alone, the boy turned around and started chatting with me. I gave him my attention. He said how he was looking forward to school tomorrow because he had band. I asked him what instrument he played and he said the chimes. I think it was the chimes, either the chimes or the bells. He asked I wanted him to show me the song he was working on and I said sure. It was short. He went through the motions with his hands, the first time calling out the notes, then he did it using his voice to make the sound of the bells/chimes. Anyway, I have to say I was more interested in hearing what he had to say than when I was working in the group and it was more my style: One-to-one communication. 

I can't remember the exact name of the song he was playing but it was French and it had to do with the moon. He said it in French and I tried to repeat it and he said, "That's right!" The last part of our conversation was priceless to me and brought me back to the simplicity and innocence of childhood:

"Did you see the moon?" I asked

"Yes, it was a quarter moon!"

"And did you see the sta..."

"The star! Yes! It was right across from it."

"It looked so beautiful."

My heart was so touched. Except for some children, writers, poets, nature lovers, how many students in the class would have truly seen the moon as this boy did? It was wonderful to share the moment with him and to know that he truly saw it and was just as touched.

We chatted some more and towards the end, he said to me, "You have a good attitude. I like you." I kept my eyes on his and said, "I like you too." There was a pause, then he said, "Friends?" And I affirmed his question and with the carefreeness and confidence of of childhood, I said, "Friends" and I smiled.

At some point in our conversation he told me I looked like I was about 12. I said, "Wow, really...Thanks."

I started packing up and we said our goodbyes. I wished him a fun band class and said good bye; he thanked me and said goodbye.

I walked to my car with a light step, and in some ways thinking, I've gotten to a point in my life, where children make more sense to me. I've always been in touch with my inner child, but there was just something that made me feel that I should be or belong amongst children...in reality I don't think it's in my cards, but that doesn't mean I can't make the most of the experiences that bring me in contact with children.

**

Sliver of a moon

you are especially dazzling

tonight. Orb glows sending

messages across the gap to a shining

star. Crisp air. I step out of the car

and Jacaranda, your scent arrests

my senses. I inhale your spicy tangerine

aroma that fills me with the feeling that I

am at the entrance to a great hearth

in the kingdom of...I reach out,

my fingers touch the handle–

I turn, ready to enter.

Books, a Quote, and the Moon

"Be yourself, everyone else is taken."
–Oscar Wilde

Yesterday was a long work day, but it was a productive day. Busy season is upon us and I have a feeling that this year is going to feel more crammed than the last.

Energy zipped through me last night. I went to bed a little after midnight, which isn't the norm for me. Then I woke up for some reason at around 4:30 a.m. Whenever I wake at these early morning hours, I take the opportunity to put my glasses on and peer out the window at the moon.

Last night the picture outside my window was a half moon surrounded by stars as billowy clouds streamed by. All I could think of was that this was the image of a soothing lullaby. I stayed there propped up at the windowsill for a few moments taking in the moment, then I tucked back into bed and went back to sleep.

I've tried to stop buying books. This Sunday, though, I browsed the bookshelves of a second hand store wondering what I'd find. I've purposely avoided this section on recent visits, but on Sunday I splurged. I allowed myself to look a little longer and found a handful of books to buy and here they are:

-Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert.

I saw the movie a year or so ago and decided then that I'd like to try the book. I usually wait until the hype goes down for certain things. A month back I tried a Kindle sample and I knew it would be a book that I wanted to read, just not on Kindle.

-All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten: Uncommon Thoughts on Common Things by Robert Fulghum. I'm surprised I don't own a copy or that I haven't read it yet. I did read his collection of writings by other authors that inspired him called Words I Wish I Wrote. I enjoyed this one a lot.

-Kitchen Table Wisdom: Stories that Heal by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D. I have a vague recollection of seeing this book around. Flipping through it, I knew it would be a gem to add to my shelves.

-Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy through Jokes by Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein. I always wanted to pick this book up when I heard about it, but then I forgot about it; I must not have wanted it that bad. When I saw it this time, I knew I had to get it. I flipped open to a random page and was immediately laughing. Laughter and philosophy–what a great combination!

-Ed Emberley's Great Thumbprint Drawing Book. Well, I've seen this cute children's drawing book somewhere, maybe a library. I had to have it. The thumbprint drawings are adorable and it takes you step by step. It speaks to the kid and little artist in me.

-The Touchstone by Edith Wharton. I've never read any of her novels. This is a short one. The descriptions on the back intrigued me, so I had to get it.

I felt like it was my lucky book day, finding so many gems.

I also had some books waiting for me at the library, mostly children's picture books, and one book related to astrology and the moon. I don't think I'll have time to read all of the moon book, but I'm hoping I have time to sit with it for a little while.

The highlight of my Sunday, besides the books, was browsing in a combination vintage art shop this weekend where I saw a canvas that someone had painted the Oscar Wilde quote in white block letters. Well, my significant other actually saw it first and pointed it out to me because he knew I'd like it. I did; I decided to do a similar one using the Doodle Buddy App, so that's today's picture.

Love those words: "Be Yourself..." Yes!

Happy writing and creating & happy Tuesday!

Night

Tonight I drove home with my mouth agape staring at the moon; trees streamed by, blocked my view as I ducked and searched–where is the moon?!

A champagne moon spilled out on its side, close enough to touch.

And the tree I've been admiring each night of class, in her bare beauty, was clothed in beautiful pink blossoms tonight. She looked alive. I like her bare and also in full dress.

What a beautiful night. The air feels fresh. The streets are empty and class was quite satisfying.

Under the Night Moon

She peers out the window into the
night, under the rays of the moon.
From somewhere the words appear: bamboo moon.

She climbs through the large
opening of a bamboo shoot,
crawls up and up,

guided
by the moon;
light filters in.
Dark womb,
she feels a swaying
motion through her limbs,
a lake in sight, midnight blue
stretched across years. When
she reaches the end of the bamboo
she pauses at the
opening,

sitting on her knees, gazing
up at her reflection in the lake—
bamboo moon.

Morning Moonlight

The birds sing--reach my senses
as a bouquet of yellow freesia and pink sweet peas.

I sit up in bed, look out the window and a bright light is beaming at me; it is the moon. I sit up taller and it's as though the moon is merely feet away from the trees below and speaks to me--whispers, here I am.

The hush of the morning enveloped in birdsong, the moon, and the faint breeze tickles my spirit--we breathe as one golden ray of light.

Night Walk

I don’t usually take night walks alone.

Inclined to join the crisp night air,
I turn off the stove. Dinner will stay warm.
Flashlight in hand, bright stars,
movement in the shrubs sends a shutter, then
the familiar sound of startled deer—two of them,
as they look up to see who’s there, only their dark outlines visible in the darkness.

Usually a scardy cat at night, but this night: determination in each step,
vigilance tucked in my pocket.
I walk and walk down dark, house lined streets. At moments
when I don’t need the flashlight because there are no cars, I
feel as though with each step, I can slip at any moment into an abyss.
And then I wonder, what would it feel like to step into the darkness—disappear and reappear?

With each step,
darkness—the lack of shadows, only dark outlines and moonlight—almost full.

As I amble from the dark and quiet street, I meet the main road, well lit.
Two stars—like eyes—the moon a far removed mouth of surprise, a disconnected face and then the scene changes and the moon is just a moon gliding along the tops of trees—It peeks through, the wind grows stronger and I hear the ocean, only it’s not the ocean, but the palms and other leafy trees mimicking the sound of waves crashing.

I steal one last look at the moon, listen to the waves, and feel the night air on my face, knowing the special connection to the moon—its, his, hers—many shades of emotion.

MOOn Moment ~ HOwl Talk

Today the muse is Keiko Amano, her blogs and our exchanges. It came to me at work in a moment. It felt playful and fun. I quickly took a pencil and scribbled quickly on a post-it note in pencil and slipped it into my satchel.

**

All this talk about Howl

       SOund of Haru

Is making the mOOn

       Achoo

Moon dust everywhere.

       Aroo, Owwooo,

Ow, ow, ow, Aroo.

       MOOn.

Morning Page – Laughing in my Sleep & Two Books

This morning when I got out of bed to begin my morning routine, my significant other said to me in that You talkin to me? way, “You laughing at me?”

He’s not usually conversational when I begin my morning routine because he sleeps an extra hour or so. “Huh?” I said. Clueless, I reached for my slippers, and joked back, "You talkin to me?"

“You were laughing in your sleep. I thought maybe you were laughing at me.”

Slippers on, I came and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Ohhh, yeah…thanks for reminding me. I completely forgot, but yes, I was cracking up, wasn’t I? Gosh, what was I laughing at?” I put my head into my hands trying to find a clue from the night. No clues.

“Yeah, you were really laughing.”

“I must have woken you up then?”

“I don’t know, but I heard you.”

“I can’t remember what it was…I love it when I laugh in my sleep.”

I rose to get up, kissed his lips, smiled, and continued with my morning routine.

**

I have a handful of books that I am pecking away at. I was reminded of one recently and decided to stray from my current reading to read The Giver (1994) by Lois Lowry. It’s a young adult book, recommended for readers 12 and up. I delighted in this utopian adventure. We follow the story of 12-year-old Jonas as he learns the truths and responsibilities of his new role as the community’s receiver of memories.

This book then has lead me back to George Orwell’s 1984. I was supposed to read this in high school and I remember perfectly well not reading it at all. I know some of the references because they have inserted themselves into our consciousness. I also recall watching a few of the republican candidates speak on the television at a Jewish community center a few weeks back. I thought it interesting that Newt Gingrich had alluded to Orwell’s 1984 and specifically used the example of “2+2=5.” I remember this reference well, having heard it before. I have a vague recollection of watching the movie at some point. The memory is fuzzy. I downloaded a sample copy to my Kindle yesterday to see if it fit my mood. I began reading this morning, absorbed. I reached the end of the sample. I purchased it and was ready to enter the world of 1984 will full attention.

On my version of the e-book, there is “A Note on the Text” written by Peter Davison and I found it to reveal some very interesting facts. One being that Orwell had edited the English version differently from the American version, using different words in some cases for a certain word and also using a different style of punctuation. I found that to be fascinating, but it makes sense. Also Davison points out, “A serious flaw occurred in the 1951 printing in the Secker & Warburg text.” The ‘5’ was left out of the formula “2 + 2 = 5” and he further states “That all English editions thereafter, including the special 1984 editions prepared by Secker & Warburg and Penguin Books, have repeated this error.” Equally fascinating to me. To think that by leaving off one simple symbol, how much meaning is lost, the intended message not conveyed.

I’m looking forward to reading this timeless piece that I have been pulled toward since reading and finishing The Giver. I was in another thrift store this past weekend. The book section called. I’ve never bought or used CliffsNotes before but I saw one there for 1984 and thought what the heck? I knew I would read 1984 soon, just not this soon. I like the additional background from CliffsNotes on Orwell and I am going to treat this experience as a revisiting of a book that I am now reading by choice and I will be my teacher and guide, along with CliffsNotes, of course.

**

I caught the moon one night while I was gazing out the window during this past full moon cycle. The branches in the foreground framed it beautifully; it beamed so bright, it felt like the sun was wrapped around the moon as one.

Three Moons

I woke in the middle of the night to the brightest presence staring back at me. I sleep on the window side and I hoisted myself up on the window sill to steady myself. The full moon was brilliant; it angled toward the window giving the appearance of three moons telescoping out—as though it had two shadows. I kept looking and tilting my head from left to right and back again. Sleepy and drunk at the sight of the moon(s), I wondered, could I really be seeing three moons? I must have caused a stir because my significant other pushed himself up from his deep sleep.

“What are you looking at,” he said, sounding a little groggy.

“The moon looks like it has two shadows,” I replied earnestly.

“Oh…I thought someone was looking inside the window.”

“Someone is—it's the moon.” I gave a small giggle. He gave a friendly grumble, got up to use the bathroom. While he was in there, I scooted over quickly to look out the screen side of the open window and saw my one moon.

We went back to sleep with no words, just the bright light of the moon keeping us safe.  But really, I knew it was three moons.

Little Musings

My calmest time is in the shower, where thoughts seem to float in and out at a pace that I cannot keep up with. I have often wondered if there is a tape recording device that is water proof, and how fun it would be to speak aloud what whimsy comes about. But then—if I tried to catch the wings with my verbal voice, would they flit away, out of reach? Is there something more subtle, less obtrusive in pen, hand, and paper?

**

Dear Moon, where are you today? In Aquarius, Ah…A flight of fancy, dancing with the glow, with the rainbow, dangling with green wings, posing before yourself, looking into the mirror, seeing, gazing, creating music with your hands, with your fingers. Swaying back and forth, holding me like a stringed violin; or a cello, plucking me into your very bosom, into your very soul.

**

I feel the water on my skin,
The soap suds washing away yesterday and tomorrow. I am now.
In the present.