Twinkle, Twinkle, LOTS of Stars: out searching for inspiration

Despite the December chill and my general malaise about life, I pushed myself out the door and drove to the observatory at the local community college where they have free public stargazing on Friday evenings. And I'm so glad I did! Bundled in coats, gloves, hats and scarves, a number of brave souls stared up into the night sky.

I found the constellation Cassiopeia (see above) all by myself, and then the lead stargazer pointed out that the bright object to the south of the observatory was the planet Jupiter. Then we each got to see it a bit closer through the telescope (enlarged to about the size of a pencil eraser, and you could just make out the planet's cloudy bands!).

Next we saw a double star; one shone a hot blue and the other a cooler yellow. The colors were very distinct. 

We viewed a variety of star clusters. Some were easy to make out while others were farther away and a bit fuzzy. But just knowing that one of those fuzzy clusters contained more than 1 million stars and was thousands of light years away blew my mind. I mean, I know all this stuff is out there, but to actually see it and try to wrap you head around it is a trip.

Then I realized my ears were going numb! But I did catch 2 planetary nebulae, with one called the Ring Nebula.

Then I headed back to my truck and fired up the heat! But it was worth the chill to fill my day with a little wonder, which has been sorely lacking. And to think I'd never visited the observatory before. Well, that needs to change.

And so I headed home--after a quick pit stop for some yummy hot chocolate.

Twinkle, Twinkle, LOTS of Stars: out searching for inspiration

Despite the December chill and my general malaise about life, I pushed myself out the door and drove to the observatory at the local community college where they have free public stargazing on Friday evenings. And I'm so glad I did! Bundled in coats, gloves, hats and scarves, a number of brave souls stared up into the night sky.

I found the constellation Cassiopeia (see above) all by myself, and then the lead stargazer pointed out that the bright object to the south of the observatory was the planet Jupiter. Then we each got to see it a bit closer through the telescope (enlarged to about the size of a pencil eraser, and you could just make out the planet's cloudy bands!).

Next we saw a double star; one shone a hot blue and the other a cooler yellow. The colors were very distinct. 

We viewed a variety of star clusters. Some were easy to make out while others were farther away and a bit fuzzy. But just knowing that one of those fuzzy clusters contained more than 1 million stars and was thousands of light years away blew my mind. I mean, I know all this stuff is out there, but to actually see it and try to wrap you head around it is a trip.

Then I realized my ears were going numb! But I did catch 2 planetary nebulae, with one called the Ring Nebula.

Then I headed back to my truck and fired up the heat! But it was worth the chill to fill my day with a little wonder, which has been sorely lacking. And to think I'd never visited the observatory before. Well, that needs to change.

And so I headed home--after a quick pit stop for some yummy hot chocolate.

"Your Johnnie Walker Eyes"

"I can’t believe how you looked at me
With your Johnnie Walker eyes.

He’s gonna get you, and after he’s through
There’s gonna be no love left to rye."

--"Speechless," by Lady Gaga

"Your Johnnie Walker Eyes"

"I can’t believe how you looked at me
With your Johnnie Walker eyes.

He’s gonna get you, and after he’s through
There’s gonna be no love left to rye."

--"Speechless," by Lady Gaga

Foolish, Blind and Torn

 

Foolish, Blind and Torn

 

Post-Thanksgiving Thankfulness

Because of the recent split with my partner, I was dreading the Thanksgiving holiday. However, things turned out well, in spite of all my worrying and fretting. My partner and I traditionally cook for my family--and he offered to do so again this year. I talked this over with some friends, and everyone said, "It's only lunch." Our counselor also suggested that, if we're serious about working on our relationship, we need to spend as much time together, especially during the holidays.

Well, Thanksgiving was great--good food, and no one had to get smacked with a drumstick! Also, the night before, I bought tickets for me and my partner to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in concert. Wow--way cool! Loved their Christmas show--and I think it made the heart in this ol' Grinchy Claus grow a whole 2 sizes that day!

Also managed to get in some leisurely, refreshing walks, a great motorcycle ride earlier today--and finished stripping wallpaper from one of the bathrooms. So much to be thankful for: good food, close friends and family, health, freedom to spend time as I choose, great fall weather, music and so on. There is still much in my life that is uncertain, but I can see that despite the uncertainty, I still have much for which to be thankful. I hope your holiday was as refreshing.