Wednesday, July 1, 2015

The Moon is Full

According to the Farmer's Almanac, July is called a Buck Moon because July is normally the month when the new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur. It was also often called the Full Thunder Moon, for the reason that thunderstorms are most frequent during this time. Another name for this month’s Moon was the Full Hay Moon.   See Farmer's Almanac.

I noticed tonight's full moon just after dusk.  It was there, low in the sky, and faint against the barely darkened sky, but a full moon indeed.  Although is will certainly wane and wax, this is one of those rare times when it will be in the sky all night for nearly the whole month.  Additionally, we will have two full moons this month with one on July 1, and the next one on July 31.

Seeing the moon brings back memories of recent summers when I would spend nearly every other weekend out camping with a group of youngsters, or the family, or both.  So many good experiences camping.

We never really wanted it to rain, but after a little experience, and preparation, I actually found overnight rain on the tent or camper top to be relaxing.  The key is to be prepared.  I recall one particular night when I was attending an outdoor training, the rain started right at dusk, and it rained most of the night.  I was alone in my tent with a good book, and even enjoyed the lightning and rain as it came and went most of the night.

Full Moon, 100% of full

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

It Just Feels Good All Over

The din from last week's Supreme Court decision on Human Rights seems to have diminished somewhat. Could it be that the haters have looked around and realized how many of their "friends" are on the other side of the fence?  Or maybe they see the world continuing to turn, the sun has not burned out, and life goes on--the same as it did before the Court recognized the rights of all citizens?  

I am in awe of the love that is oozing from people from all walks of life, all income levels, regardless of sexual orientation or preference. It feels good. 😋

Sunday, June 28, 2015

JUNE 26 WILL BE REMEMBERED AND CELEBRATED

I have long wanted to write more, but as many of us do, I 'don't really have the time' or 'I will get around to it later'.  Well, it's later.  One thing is certain, it is always gonna be later...we aren't getting any younger, and it feels truer today than ever before.

It's June 28, 2015, and we all know that June 26 will go down in the history books.  I have been so in touch with my gay friends, that I really didn't even think about the other side of the fence.  I must say, I am very disappointed by a few who have never shown me their hatred and stupidity the way Facebook and the Supreme Court ruling has given them the opportunity to show it now.  Of most concern, is those who are all for Freedom of Religion until we choose not to pick theirs.  I am happy, though, that I know who those few are now, and I can show appropriate sympathy for them in their diminished mental capacity.

On the other hand, I also have seen a side of some others that I wasn't sure existed.  I am referring to those friends (acquaintances ?) who may not agree with same sex marriage, but understand that the right to choose is an individual right, and not one to be dictated by anyone in our society.

Congratulations and best wishes for those friends who have taken this opportunity to announce or re-commit to their relationship/marriage/partnership.  I wish you all the best.  It's a better adjusted world than it was last week.  The fight is not over, but a major battle won.

Friday, August 15, 2014

Words of Wisdom

"Has anyone ever looked at you as though you are a hero? Well, let me tell you, it does not happen very often, but when it does, you better fucking act like a hero."
-Tony

A great article.

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
than my own meandering experience…

I will dispense this advice now. 

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh never mind; you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded.  But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now, how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you imagine. 

Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that
never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday. 

Do one thing everyday that scares you. 

Sing.

Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours. 

Floss.

Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself. 

Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how. 

Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements. 

Stretch. 

Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year
olds I know still don’t. 

Get plenty of calcium. 

Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone. 

Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s. 

Enjoy your body, use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people
think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own.

Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room. 

Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them. 

Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly. 

Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future. 

Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young. 

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. 

Travel. 

Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were
noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders. 

Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out. 

Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85. 

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the
ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth. 

But trust me on the sunscreen.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

“Some people come into our lives and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never ever the same while …..

Some people come into our lives and quickly go. 
Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to a new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom. 
Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.”


A dear friend said his final goodbyes last week.  A death event for him, and a life shattering event for many who knew him.  He was one of those guys who you always believed was too strong to die.  

He will be buried on the farm he loved and where he died.  

RIP