MOONSTRUCK

This is when I wish I had a better camera. It is something I am working on, but what can I say? Today, globally people are watching a beautiful, natural spectacle occur - a total lunar eclipse. What I like about it is the fact people worldwide are looking up with awe and wonder, collectively in the spirit of something wondrous and good. It is just that simple. The photo I took was right before the eclipse began from my backyard. However, after the moon's rising, my tawdry piece of equipment disappointed, but not so much.

You see, I am not going to sweat the small stuff here. The fact that I am witnessing it live and in person is a marvel. Standing right there in my yard, alone with nothing, but me, the crickets and a cantankerous raccoon mulling about in a nearby tree. Sharing this moment, my lady friend, Deborah, who I met on Facebook, across the country in California and a friend, Antoinne, who lives back home in Detroit. I wasn't sure if my friend, Alma, from Texas was able to stay up at press time.

The point is, this is a moment in natural history that I can share with not only these special people, but the many people I am interacting with online tonight. People coming together sure beats out my complaints about my old camera, which aside from this has served me pretty well. I guess when I look up at the moon (I am having a Cher moment), it puts me right in my place and a lot in perspective.

Standing there in my yard, outside my cozy home where I live with people who care about me. It just shows me that I am here. I am now. This is just one moment. Take it in stride... and I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

You can read a cool brief article about the eclipse at WIKIPEDIA.

And watch the eclipse at SPACEVIDCAST on USTREAM.