I promised myself that I would post something today, anything.
I need to get back in a routine after the past five or six weeks.
Aside from Christmas, the big event for me in December
was the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn on the Winter Solstice.
Terry and I shivered for half an hour, staring in wonder
at two brilliant jewels gleaming in the dark.
I wanted to pluck them from the sky and hold them in my hands,
feel their cold splendor shining on my face,
see their unearthly light spilling through my fingers.
Jupiter (left) Saturn (right)
December 21, 2020
Aurora, Colorado, USA
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
When Terry spent ten days quarantining in the basement
after a September trip to Vegas, he discovered You Tube videos.
In mid-December he sucked me into his latest find:
live streams from Tembe National Elephant Park in South Africa.
I discovered that munching giraffes and splashing elephants mesmerized me.
I discovered something that made me relax!
Well, not always,
like when a solitary impala froze as lions roamed nearby.
Terry and I barely breathed for twenty-five minutes,
until the lions flopped for a nap and the impala slipped into the brush.
Just remembering this cartoon that Debra posted
made me laugh during an unfunny time.
Such has been my life recently,
isolated by Covid and sidelined by uncooperative limbs.
But now it's a new year and things are approaching normal.
I'm back to trying to catch my tail!
If I fall back too deeply into bad habits, I have hope:
a rhyming friend recommended a bed of nails.
Till next time ~
Fundy Blue
On the Bay of Fundy
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
The live stream of the animals would be interesting.
ReplyDeleteDidn't get out to see Saturn and Jupiter. Just not a clear place to see it.
I'm sorry you didn't get to see the Great Conjunction, Alex. It was lovely!
DeleteGlad you enjoyed that cartoon, Louise! My job here is done.
ReplyDeleteYou lift the spirits of a lot of people, Debra! I slid the cartoon onto my desktop, so I see it when I need a laugh. Have a great weekend!
DeleteYou got a better shot of the two planets than I did.
ReplyDeleteI love animal specials. I'll have to tune into the feed.
More animal specials are in my future for sure, Diane! Tembe is now on my Bucket List ~ LOL! Have a great weekend!
DeleteYour picture of Saturn and Jupiter is much like mine. But It's as good as it gets :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you saw it, Jemima! The planets in the sky were lovely and unforgettable. Enjoy your weekend.
Delete"Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn"
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing we can look up and see the same thing? My husband got out the telescope and we saw this pretty close. A big wow. Our sky is amazing!
I will take your word for it that things are approaching normal. Strange days indeed. Hope all is well where you are. We are home a lot too, but go out for things we have to like dr visits and groceries. I feel very blessed that I can stay around the house as much as I can.
How lucky you were to see the GC through a telescope, Sandi! I hope you saw some of the moons of Jupiter. Have you ever read Kim's Stanley Robinson's book "Galileo's Dream?" It's sci-fi, but it's also a detailed and documented look into his life and times. I was referring to my physical self returning to normal (rough Dec.). You and I are really lucky to be able to stay home. May you and your loved ones remain healthy and safe!
DeleteI'm so sad I missed Saturn-Jupiter. That's once every 400ish years--right? Lovely post. Glad you're back!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jacqui! Every 400ish years ~ but sometimes it occurs during the day when the sun outshines the conjunction. I like to imagine that Xhosa observed it or another event ~ and surely Seeker. Have a good one, my friend!
DeleteThank you Louise for a wonderful post, the pics are great. Lovely to have you back.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Yvonne.
Thanks, Yvonne! I hope you have a relaxing and pleasant weekend. Hugs to you!
DeleteI never have looked at those cameras much. Never went out to see the planets as I think it was cloudy...or I was sleeping. What? lol
ReplyDeleteThat is how the nails go hahahaha they work for me though
I have it on good authority that it was cloudy in the Maritimes during the Great Conjunction. But sleep is always good. Have a good one!
DeleteYour picture of Saturn and Jupiter is so cool! The live streams are amazing! Thanks for the cartoons! Made me smile! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteHugs back at you, Stacy! I continue to watch the the animals at the Tembe waterhole with great interest. Tonight a pride of five female lions were playing around (It's morning there). I hope you have a happy day tomorrow.
DeleteSomething about the way Louise writes attracts me like no other blogger . . .
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Oops, Janie! I thought I had replied before. Your comment made me laugh, and I had the Beatles "Something" all night. It's back again ~ LOL!
DeleteI was sad as clouds filled in on the 21st and I realized there was no reason to pull out the telescope, then about 7:30, I stepped out and on the front porch and saw it just for a minute (I'd been watching the planets come closer for weeks). On the 22nd, I had great views of it from up on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
ReplyDeleteI hope your house soon returns to health.
I'm so glad you saw it, Jeff! Someday I'd love to see the Blue Ridge Parkway.
DeleteI can see how those wild animals can be calming. It’s nice to know that even though we are going through a stressful time that animals continue in their normal routine. I find happiness looking at horses playing with big balls in their pastures. Animal videos make me smile during this crazy time.
ReplyDeleteI love all kinds of animals, Peggy, and I'm hooked on watching the waterhole at Tembe. I had periodontal and bone grafting surgery this morning, and my periodontist had his two-month-old boxer Newman in his office. What a sweet dog and so well-behaved! It was definitely calming to talk with and pet Newman before getting those needles. The dental assistant told me Newman is a real hit with the patients! Take care, my friend!
DeleteThere always seems to be cloud cover here when anything astrological happens – but we did get to see the conjunction the day before and two days after they were at their very closest, which I was quite pleased about.
ReplyDeleteClouds are so frustrating when they block some wonder in the sky. I'm glad that you caught Jupiter and Saturn when they were close together. I remember earning my Astronomy Badge in Girl Guides in Canada. One of the things I had to do was point out Jupiter. It's funny what we remember. Have a good one, Patsy!
DeleteThanks for sharing these wonders and funnies, Louise.
ReplyDeleteMay your creativity flow and your writing come easy.
Thanks, Sandra! I am really hopeful for this new year. Wishing you all the best!
DeleteJupiter and Saturn coming together were definitely the highlight of the year.
ReplyDeleteStay safe. Be well.
My old dog Zelda was never a tail chaser. She did eat her own poop though, I’d rather her chase her tail instead
ReplyDeleteDefinitely chasing a tail sounds better ~ LOL. You're amazing, Adam. You publish posts faster than I can read! Have a great day tomorrow!
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