When I was little, I used to watch the sea at night. It was convenient, since it was right there. I loved watching the waves, the moon reflecting off the water.
When I was older (much), I fell in love with the Midwest skies. They had the most awesome colors. In Israel, the skies got to me, too. The colors were different- but I always got the impression that the Supreme Being was peeking through the firmaments, leaving us a message. One I was not quite smart enough to decipher.
Then, I had the opportunity to see sunrises and sunsets on the Shenandoah Mountains. And, because of my commute from Charlottesville to Long Beach, California (yes, commute- several times a week), I saw them over the Rockies, the Plains, the Pacific. They always made my day- or night.
I also routinely examine the skies when it’s meteor or comet time. Since I was little. I took my kids to out of the way places so they could discern each and every flicker in the sky, without any extraneous “light” noise. Sometimes, they weren’t happy about it. (“Da-ad. It’s three o’clock in the morning. I want to sleep.”) But, they really enjoyed it after we got to places like Wilderness or Sherando Lake (Lyndhurst), where the sights mesmerized them.
Among the wonderful pictures available from David Posey (PDPosey@me.com)Last month (12 July), we had the opportunity to see a wonderful moonrise. Right here in Alexandria. (My friend, David Posey, who is a wonderful photographer provided the picture above.) This was one of the three wonderful moon-rises this year. I saw the second in Philadelphia, after my ball game (10 August). And, the third is to occur on my birthday, 9 September.
These are called “supermoons”. Although they are only about 10% brighter than the rest of the moons, they are magnificent. And, since you probably missed the first two (I know, I should have posted this blog sooner), you just can’t miss the one on my birthday. (Or, for that matter, my birthday :-).) You need to be outside just when the moon is coming over the horizon- that’s when it’s the best. So, you have about an hour to feel the majesty. Because once the moon is higher in the sky, it’s just a full moon. (Like the full moon isn’t just glorious.)
Now, you should know that I follow the lunar calendar. Like most Jews (and Moslems), we use the moon to set our holidays. Because we Jews want each holiday to appear in the proper season, we also have leap years. (This is not true for the Moslem system, which is why Ramadan can occur in any of the four seasons.)
So, that may explain why I love looking at the moon. Because it starts my day (“There was evening, there was morning, one day…”). It also is when I get a chance to hang out with my friends, share my evening meal. But, I also watch the sun rise. Because it’s also so mesmerizing.
Don’t ever lose your ability to enjoy the blessing of this earth. Whether it’s the sea, the mountains, the storms, the clouds, the sun, or the moon. But, especially the rainbows.
I love following the moon cycles and seasons of the year. It reminds me that everything has a natural life cycle and it’s natural for things to come and go in life. Great photographs of the super moon. Looking forward to the one in September…happy birthday in advance!
Nice to meet you, Andrea! Thanks for your comment.
And, you’re right about the ebb and tide of things alive.
Don’t miss that September baby… it may not be the best of the three- but it certainly will feel so if you see it live!
Beautiful image by Mr. Posey. Indeed, Love that you are so inspired by the moon. I’ve been following the moon cycles now for just over 5 years to schedule my vacations, my business development and always love seeing it come up! I particularly am blessed to be able to watch it rise over the ocean’s horizon. Thanks for the post!
Laura…
David is an outstanding photographer- and I always enjoy seeing his art demonstrated around the town I live. And, I was thrilled he agreed to let me share this photo with you all…
Enjoy your moons, as well.
Thanks for the visit.
I have very fond memories from my childhood of mesmerized by the beauty and peace of moonlight adorning an ocean full of white-capped waves and that quiet connected feeling that comes from listening and watching the crash and recession on water on a sandy beach. Thanks for the reminder that it’s often the little things that mean so much, Roy.
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You bet, Nanette… And, your phraseology brought my own memories to the fore… Thanks for the rekindling.
Thanks for being able to read through the typos (I’m usually not so sloppy – but you triggered an immediate emotional response I wasn’t expecting). This was actually at my grandmother’s place in Long Branch, New Jersey. It was a safe and joyful place I’d go to feel loved during three weeks of the summer where I absorbed the kindness like a sponge. It was a wonderful highlight in the years during my youth. I wasn’t able to attend her funeral (farm demands), but the short message I wrote (memories) brought even the minister to tears (or so I’ve been told). She lived a long life and touched me in ways she probably never knew (shame on me).
Went back there this summer. The board walk is gone (not so surprising with Sandy), but so are the jetties (I was shocked by this). Her building has apparently been condemned (more likely vacated to provide land to those seeking to rebuild for deeper pocket residents – evident from recent nearby construction). Poignant in many ways. Did manage to find and “save” a live horseshoe crab washed up on the beach. Odd there were so many dead ones.
Those moonlit nights watching and listening to the waves crash ashore through her living room windows kept me mesmerized for hours. It was a wonderful place/state. .
Nanette recently posted..Buyers know being real is better than bragging
Well, this means the next time you make it to the East Coast, we should meet up and soak up the sunrises and nascent moons- probably along an undulating sea…
Then, we can each blog about the experiences.
First, a VERY happy birthday to you dear Roy with many many more to come! I have been finding myself watching more of the moon cycles these days and have taken great notice of the supermoons. They are truly incredible. Now that I live in a big city I really miss the night sky. It’s been breathtaking to see these bright moons each time and that is one gorgeous picture!
Well, Bonnie… I live in a city environment. But, I have found some nearby (and some not so nearby) locations to enjoy the meteor showers, the moons, the sunrises and sunsets…
It just takes some searching- but you just moved. It will take some time.
Thanks for the visit and the comment.