"Let there be lights in the vaults of the heavens to divide the day from the night, and let them be for signs for the fixed times and for days and years, and they shall be lights in the vaults of the heavens to give light upon the earth. And God made the two great lights, the greater light to dominate the day and the lesser light to dominate the night and the stars. ... And god saw that it was good, and it was evening and it was morning. A fourth day.
- To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
- There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
I don't know how many seasons I have left. I love New England because of the cyclic changes in climate. The effect of the seasons helps keep me grounded. This is fleece season, fall. Most of the fallen leaves have been collected and bagged. Snow can come any day. The heavy down jackets have been located and are on the hangers, ready when needed. The winter boots are also out. I will probably not have too many more rides on the lightweight road bike. I have recently pumped up and tested the tires of the mountain bike. The old steed is ready for another winter. As I am in an urban environment, I won't need the chains for the bike tires, but probably should have the studded tires ready if there is a major storm.
Do you have a calculator handy? I have been around a while. I have had more than two million seconds on this good earth to do good and make havoc. I have done a lot of one, and some of the other. I figure, if lucky, I have a half a million seconds to make amends. Tick, tick, tick.
When I was young I had a telescope. It was a reflecting telescope (also called a reflector).
- A reflecting telescope is an optical telescope which uses a single or combination of curved mirrors that reflect light and form an image. The reflecting telescope was invented in the 17th century as an alternative to the refracting telescope which, at that time, was a design that suffered from severe chromatic aberration. Although reflecting telescopes produce other types of optical aberrations, it is a design that allows for very large diameter objectives. Almost all of the major telescopes used in astronomy research are reflectors.
It, the telescope, wasn't real expensive. I spent much more on celestial maps, books and periodicals. I believe it was a Meade. I was making money as a caddy at the country club. There was a given amount that I had to contribute to the family budget. If I made more, it was mine. I was in seventh grade. The telescope had a large mirror at one end that showed you things upside down. Even in the suburbs you could really make out the craters of the moon. I'm sure I convinced myself that I saw a few planets, maybe a moon or two of Jupiter and a random nebula. Basically it was good for the craters of the moon.
My astronomical activities while in Africa during the Peace Corps days consisted of smoking joints, sitting on the ground, and listening to the drums while staring at the stars. Cool!
Later, partially because I felt guilty about all the blown opportunities in Africa, I bought myself a large, 10 x 70, pair of binoculars. I had done some research and knew that these were about as large as could be hand held. I was recently sober, about eight months, and gainfully employed.
The binoculars arrived. I unpacked them, admiring the balance, and tried them out in the house. I could see dust mites. Tiring of the domestic exploration, I took them outside. It was mid afternoon, but I wanted to work them out. I had spent a glorious afternoon exploring my backyard, when a police car pulled into my driveway. They (there were two) walked up to me and one yelled, "What the hell do you think you are doing?" That's not an exact quote, but figure angry, loud yells. I had no idea, honestly, what the hell he was mad about, as I stood there with the giant binoculars around my neck. Needless to say, one of the female residents of one one the houses that I was using (to calibrate) for my tests, made a call.
The same binoculars are a minor legend at NCAA basketball games. One year at a tournament, many of the spectators were getting up to leave at the half...the game was a blowout. Just as the aisles were filling, a dance team came on the floor. This team was legendary for the quality of their scantily clad dancers. I held up my binoculars and the guys came running back to take a peak. As my binoculars were being passed around I swear that I heard one or two counting (freckles?). A couple of days later I was surrounded at the game by most of the same guys with their small binoculars around their necks. We discussed "optics" as we anticipated the next half time show. Numbers were chosen to determine who would get a chance to borrow my "glasses" at the half. This game was also becoming a blow out, but no one got up to leave at the half. The guys got up, but not to leave! Unfortunately the team with the great dancers had been eliminated. One of the remaining teams did send out some dancers, in sack cloth from head to toe.
- To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
- There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
- And a time to every purpose, under Heaven
- A time to be born, a time to die
- A time to plant, a time to reap
- A time to kill, a time to heal
- A time to laugh, a time to weep
Add peeping Tom to a possible druid in my immediate family tree! It's starting to look more and more that I might burn in Hell, so we better move along. Amen for today. We'll continue tomorrow:
And God said "Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures and birds that flew over the earth across the vault of the Heavens." And God created the living sea monsters, and every living creature that crawls, which the water had brought forth in swarms, and all the winged birds of every kind. And god saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful and multiply and fill the water in the seas and let the birds multiply in the earth.", and it was evening and it was morning. A fifth day.
May I recommend for your enjoyment: Let the earth bring forth grass, plants yielding seed of each kind, and trees bearing fruit of each kind
Also, of a lighter tone, may I recommend for your enjoyment: Earl, you're outta luck. Mary Anne's a 4 H'er.
You may also enjoy reading: Accept that you are not so terrific
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Waldo County, situated in mid-coast Maine along scenic Penobscot Bay, has genuine New England character evidenced by working port towns and quaint rural villages. Visitors are awed by the area's unspoiled beauty. From striking coastal views to sweeping mountain vistas, dramatic natural settings abound. In addition great care has been taken to preserve and refurbish numerous historic landmarks, homes and buildings. Consequently, the Maine of yesteryear is still found here.
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