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It's The Season.....

Discussion in 'Snippets of Life (Non-Fiction)' started by Srama, Dec 1, 2020.

  1. Srama

    Srama Finest Post Winner

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    As I turn into the driveway, I go, "Oh shoot"! There are leaves piled up from raking that need to be bagged, like now! It is late in the evening, the air is chilly, but a girl has to do what she has to! As I set out bagging, DD being the sweetheart that she is, decides to help me, flashing light for my benefit, holding the bag wide open! The air is somewhat warm for this time of the year and, the hurried way we are bagging reminds me of our ancestors preparing for an impending storm, not simply sitting cozy in the house sipping coffee. Yes, the weather channel has mentioned a snow storm coming our way with rain, possibly icy and whatnot, not after these two lovely clear days. But if there is one, there is no way we leave the piles of leaves and allow the underlying grass to choke! Lesson learned after an experience or two.

    As we continue to bag, I see the full moon, yes, that very same "karthikai moon" or "beaver moon" named after the beavers who build their winter dams at this time of the year. The moon of course is getting enveloped by those clouds. Weather men are rarely right. If not a complete storm as expected, there are clouds setting in certainly. I am somewhat bummed that I cannot see the upcoming lunar eclipse in the early hours of next morning, because of the same storm that had me scurrying around to bag those leaves. I had made grand plans of going for an early morning walk, all the while eyes up toward the sky watching the eclipse. Now don't blame me for making those walking plans - after all, we were treated to clear skies. You need to see our winters to believe why I am so ra-ra over clear days.

    I have been excited since the day I had read about the visible planets in the night sky knowing well that there were a couple of clear days and, I have been coaxing my DH to set the telescope up. I can understand his hesitation with the cold and all but, I am no super gal to carry that thing out and spend time setting up. You know I am better at wearing mittens, a cap, jumping up and down in excitement, chatting away nonstop and, hold that hot chocolate for him to sip from time to time while he sets up the telescope! You understand the hesitation now, don't you? Other than the hot chocolate....well, anyway, he promises that he will set it up as soon as we come back from our walk with the dogs.

    I set out eagerly with him on that walk, all the while eyeing the sky and squealing with excitement every now and then at the lovely stars and planets so clearly visible, thinking of "The Little Prince" his rose, his adventure, smiling, and imaging my ancestors, loved ones smiling down on me, showering blessings! Why will not the sky look lovely? Tell me? Just as we take that turn, we hear our neighbor call out, "did you see that Jupiter and Saturn," and before I could answer, he invites us to take a look. Yes, he had set up his telescope and was enjoying the beautiful night sky. Can a gal get luckier than that? Those rings of Saturn, I tell you! The sheer magnitude of what one can see standing in one's own backyard! Imagine the joy when they first discovered those? How can mind not go back to generations before us who not only watched the skies but got us this technology to us and at hand? Basking in the beauty of that world out there is the least we can do.

    We continue taking turns at the telescope, talking, covering all the constellations that we can see, the planets, the beautiful moon, the craters, all as eager amateur astronomers! Now, do you understand why I feel like a hunter-gatherer as I bagged those leaves? I have had two full days of doing nothing but gaze at the skies and think of seasons. Did I say two full days of nothing? Well, not the entire truth. The two days before the two days of sky gazing, even as I had put up a string of lights, decked up the Christmas tree, listened to the radio playing Christmas music - all I could think of was the joy I felt in doing these simple decorations, the serenity in making one's surroundings pretty, not following any particular tradition, looking forward to sending some cards and receiving a few, exchange some cookies, thinking of all the friends I have made through the neighborhood cookie exchanges and more importantly being able to keep those decorations for some time - simply being part of the joy everyone is feeling at this time of the year.

    As we walk back in the crisp winter air, the smell of fire logs burning in fireplaces emanating all around, I enjoy the decorations of the neighborhood, some going all out, others doing what they do every year - hoping for peace and joy! Here's to peace and joy on earth :beer-toast1:!

    PS: Even as I type this and look out the window, after that expected storm, I am enjoying the beauty of our first snow, the first snow that always makes you joyful, no matter the impending clean up and what not!
     
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2020
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  2. Balajee

    Balajee IL Hall of Fame

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    Wow! you really saw the rings of Saturn? Lucky you. It must reallly be a once in a lifetime experience. Yes, the first snow or first monsoon rain always brings joy You only see the slippery and slushy paths afterward!
     
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  3. Viswamitra

    Viswamitra IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear Sabitha,

    Watching the beauty of the planets and stars from a Telescope is an exciting experience always. Even walking into a Planetarium and watching the planets in the semi-circle top of the building in the comfort of an air-conditioned facility. I guess we are all connected with the Macrocosm inescapably and the happiness we derive by watching them with excitement knows no bounds.

    Recently, someone posted a video on Facebook of how two puppies react to their experience of the first snow as they run after each other looking up wondering, "What is that white stuff falling from the sky?" Hats of to your daughter for helping you to bag those dry leaves. Have a wonderful white Christmas season!

    We experienced a cold wave this week but no snow. :(

    Viswa
     
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  4. shyamala1234

    shyamala1234 Platinum IL'ite

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    Dear Sabita,
    Ready for snow, winter and Christmas too which would raise you spirits with
    mundane things like raking leaves. Icing on the cake is watching the constellation on the sky!!!! Enjoyed???
    When little we used to sleep on terrace during summer. Clear sky...my father used to tell us a lot about stars. Both from scientific point and a little from Mythology....a small group of seven stars names saptharishi mandal and their names too.Four stars like a square and three more on one side. He used to work in Meterology department.....used to explain all four of us kids about clouds, stars, rains etc.
    Went back to nostalgia....
    I know it is a rare sight to see clear skies in winter in USA. You enjoy all seasons.Great!!!
    Syamala
     
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  5. Srama

    Srama Finest Post Winner

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    Dear Balajee, @Balajee

    Thank you for your response! Winter, as cold as it gets can be one of the best times for night skies especially with it getting dark so early. A lof of exciting things happening - the meteor shower, upcoming christmas star - Jupiter and saturn aligng...it is fun when you have friends and neighbors who are also into the same activties. It has been wonderful watching saturn and jupiter move closer :) I can't help but think, no matter what's happening on our earth, whatever has to happen is also happening out there, in those universes! How amazing no?
     
  6. Srama

    Srama Finest Post Winner

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    Dear V sir,

    first things first! As much as I want you to enjoy snow, I would never wish for snow in Florida - global warming and all
    you see! So when it gets better, you please come visit me. Till then enjoy the snow along with a cheerful giant Santa that I get to see every morning on my drive Screenshot_20201205-081544_Photos.jpg Our bright beautiful skies are quite deceptive, let me tell you that!

    Now, this is indeed the best season for sky gazers especially with good company and a warm cup or two of hot cocoa. I plan on taking advantage of every good night sky we can get!

    Toby loves snow but it was fun watching junior step in the first time - it is his first winter and now he doesn't want to come in and just eat snow as much as he can only to come in, plop down on his bed exhausted!

    Thank you for your wishes for a white christmas - it has been a few years since we had a white christmas! Hopefully this year!

    Have a fun filled holiday season, and cold or not do stay indoors and watch the world go by!
     
  7. Srama

    Srama Finest Post Winner

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    Dear Syamala,

    I didn't know your dad worked for the meterology department! I can imagine the fun nights you must have had.
    I am glad you got nostalgic! For me, it was my mom - those dinner on the terrace and talking to us about the night sky! Arundathi is part of saptharishis! Next time, i will carefully look for that star :) It is wonderful to have some mythological stories associated with major constealltions! What a lovely way to teach both of them together.

    All seasons have down days, especially winters but a good day every now and then makes up pretty much for the dull days of winters and as always when I write here, it helps me keep the picture longer in my mind! I absolutely love raking leaves, go figure! I think when an activity is very mundane, it gets quite meditative for me :) As kids grow up, I see that they have some of my quirks as well!

    Thank you for always being so encouraging!
     
  8. Laks09

    Laks09 Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    Sabi,
    I showed my son the great conjunction on our evening walks the past few days. What a beautiful sight! I wouldn’t have star gazed had it not been for your post.

    I wasn’t sure if he even understood that we were looking at planets but I wanted to put up the telescope and show it to him again. After we got back last evening and gave one last glance to the celestial duo, my son surprised me by asking me where is Pluto? I understood then how much he knows and how much everyone underestimates him because he can’t talk as much. I’m glad I showed him Jupiter and Saturn in the night sky multiple times this past week. I couldn’t break out the telescope because other more important things like legos distracted him. I’m so happy for our evening walks and the tiny glimpses into his mind.

    Without your post, I would have missed the planets discussion. I wouldn’t have known what he knows and I already am missing out on so much because of his speech impediment.

    Thank you for the lovely write up!
     
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  9. Srama

    Srama Finest Post Winner

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    Dear Laks!!!

    This response from you warmed my heart more than anything else and brought tears to my eyes. Thank you my frined for sharing this - belive me this response alone made it all worth for me. I often wonder as to why I write and then Laks, a response like yours, I am glad and grateful.

    I am glad you got a glimpse to another side of your lovely boy. Children surprise us, dont't they? As a teacher, I experience what you have said of your son almost everyday. I come home happy having spent that day with those young minds - no matter where they are in their learning curve, those glimpses makes it all worth it.

    Tell you what, you can see the conjunction well today also and for us we have clearer skies today. In your parts of the world, it will be amazing to watch for the next one week. I also follow starwalk 2 on my phone and my favorite pastime is to see what's visible in the night sky and trying to identify what I see in the sky :)

    But most importantly Laks, I know you enjoy those walks with your DS! Continue doing that enjoying your boy. Much love to you girl. You are amazing! Thank you Laks!
     
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  10. Laks09

    Laks09 Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    I ran a virtual half yesterday and I decided to take a break from the walk today. I just stepped out to check but it’s not dark enough for the planets yet. In the next 15 mins they will be out there shining away. We have clear skies all week long and plan to take advantage of it. A neighbor has got amazing photographs of the duo including Saturn’s rings very clearly and I plan to go to the same spot at the end of our street to view today! Hope the entire street isn’t out there with the same idea. Clear skies and perfect temps for us, can’t ask for more.
     
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