Great American Eclipse
It is one of those maybe once-in-a-lifetime things. And having been fascinated by space science and aeronautics since I was a kid, we weren't about to miss out on this one.
They called this past Monday the Great American Eclipse.
Also known as The Day It Was Cool To Be A Nerd.
I ordered several sets of glasses months ago, long before their unit cost increased from a dollar to a thousand. Read article after article, advice and how-tos, accounts from those who had lived it before. Counted down the days.
We weren't in totality range, but ninety percent ain't bad for just stepping outside and avoiding nature's black Friday a couple hours south of here.
And being a Monday afternoon, of course, we were all in different places.
I received the following from Brandon at school, with the caption "I even look good in these..." Of course he does.
Good lookin' spent his planning period staring skyward.
At work, my fellow IT geeks and I went back and forth, in and out of the office, glasses and box viewers and pinhole cards aplenty. As we gazed and gawked and exclaimed over the beauty, fellow staffers walked by staring at us, snickering and shaking their heads. Until each and every one coolly moseyed over and asked for a peek through the glasses.
Seriously, nerddom is a gift. As was getting to experience this. Thankful and excited and in total awe at my God, showing off His stuff. Had a bit of trouble containing myself.
It was amazing. An eerie sunset haze fell and we could barely make out the sounds of crickets. Shadows turned all weirdly crescent-shaped and fuzzy, then all but disappeared at the peak. The air was very noticeably cooler. The sun looked like the top half of a glowing wedding ring, made all the more dramatic as wispy clouds floated by. One of those moments that emblazons itself onto your heart and mind forever.
As for the boys, Nana and Granddad yanked them out of school early, our peaceful resistance to the school's party pooper stance on the day. I know, safety, lalalala. This is life experience in spectacular fashion. Nothing teaches like life. For the love of Pete, y'all.
They all gazed in wonder a few minutes at a time, using the breaks to down Dr. Pepper. So glad this will be part of the boys' childhood memories. Eventually it will mean more to them than the fact that they got out of school early, which for now, trumped the eclipse in their minds.
Just past peak time, a text from Trey read, "I'm done and I'm not blind."
Perfect.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth
their words to the ends of the world
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.
Psalm 19:1-6
They called this past Monday the Great American Eclipse.
Also known as The Day It Was Cool To Be A Nerd.
I ordered several sets of glasses months ago, long before their unit cost increased from a dollar to a thousand. Read article after article, advice and how-tos, accounts from those who had lived it before. Counted down the days.
We weren't in totality range, but ninety percent ain't bad for just stepping outside and avoiding nature's black Friday a couple hours south of here.
And being a Monday afternoon, of course, we were all in different places.
I received the following from Brandon at school, with the caption "I even look good in these..." Of course he does.
Good lookin' spent his planning period staring skyward.
At work, my fellow IT geeks and I went back and forth, in and out of the office, glasses and box viewers and pinhole cards aplenty. As we gazed and gawked and exclaimed over the beauty, fellow staffers walked by staring at us, snickering and shaking their heads. Until each and every one coolly moseyed over and asked for a peek through the glasses.
Seriously, nerddom is a gift. As was getting to experience this. Thankful and excited and in total awe at my God, showing off His stuff. Had a bit of trouble containing myself.
It was amazing. An eerie sunset haze fell and we could barely make out the sounds of crickets. Shadows turned all weirdly crescent-shaped and fuzzy, then all but disappeared at the peak. The air was very noticeably cooler. The sun looked like the top half of a glowing wedding ring, made all the more dramatic as wispy clouds floated by. One of those moments that emblazons itself onto your heart and mind forever.
As for the boys, Nana and Granddad yanked them out of school early, our peaceful resistance to the school's party pooper stance on the day. I know, safety, lalalala. This is life experience in spectacular fashion. Nothing teaches like life. For the love of Pete, y'all.
They all gazed in wonder a few minutes at a time, using the breaks to down Dr. Pepper. So glad this will be part of the boys' childhood memories. Eventually it will mean more to them than the fact that they got out of school early, which for now, trumped the eclipse in their minds.
Just past peak time, a text from Trey read, "I'm done and I'm not blind."
Perfect.
the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth
their words to the ends of the world
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.
Psalm 19:1-6
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