Stepping outside my front door recently,I was struck by the brightness of Venus. When we had the total eclipse of the sun on Aug. 21st, there was talk on TV about it for months. It made me think...how many of those who raved over the eclipse have taken any time to view the moon, planets or stars? You don't have to have any special glasses for that! (Venus is the closest planet to Earth. Even so, it is about 25 million miles away!) Just now as I am typing this, the full moon is brightly shining!
I am reminded of a quote by Madeleine L'Engle...
When I look at the galaxies on a clear night - when I look at the incredible brilliance of creation, and think that this is what God is like, then instead of feeling intimidated and diminished by it, I am enlarged . . . I rejoice that I am a part of it.
Wonderful news to me...a new biography of Madeleine L'Engle will be released in 2018, which would have been her 100th birthday year. It was written by her granddaughters, Charlotte Jones Voilkis and Lena Roy.
Praying for all those in the path of the newest hurricane, Irma and for all those affected from Harvey. I don't know who did the video above, but I love their accents and the calm waters.
The stars and the night skies are an ever changing blessing. So are sunsets and large bodies of water. All of nature, actually. We just all need to take the time to take a breath and pay attention.,,,Oh, Kay, I am so excited to hear about the biography of L'Engle!She has always seemed quite a complex person to me. I would like to know more.
ReplyDeleteOf course, you would love her too! Like you, I am hoping to learn more about her.
DeleteI'm not sure many of those people would have ever taken in the night sky for themselves. Unfortunately it's pretty difficult these days with all the light pollution. I remember being able to look up at the sky as a kid and see a whole host of stars. Now I'm lucky if I can make out three or four.
ReplyDeleteI bet there are lots of places that you can see stars, you just have to get out more into the countryside!
DeleteNice to see your comment here, Mark! Take care.
Looking at the stars reminds me i'm not in charge, i can rest knowing Someone is.
ReplyDeleteI can rest knowing. That sounds nice.
DeleteI do love Madeleine L'Engle and often use her quotes. We haven't had a good view of the moon here as it's been cloudy and rainy. I too am praying for all affected by the hurricanes.
ReplyDeleteAs the day as gone by today, the news has gotten more and more intense about the hurricane. Praying for all in the Caribbean and now, Florida and Georgia.
DeleteMy daughter, when young, introduced me to Madeleine L'Engle's book and I loved them.
ReplyDeleteHope all goes well for you in Savannah.
DeleteOf course, you would love Madeleine L'Engle!
The Wrinkle in Time series is good. My daughter reads it every year.
ReplyDeleteThat book was one of our son's favorites.
DeleteThere is, I think, only one book my Madeleine L'Engle I read as a child. Was it something about a white horse? I am not sure, but I remember that I liked it.
ReplyDeleteThe accent in the video sounds Australian. I might be wrong, but I have an Australian friend who sounds rather similar.
Venus can often be seen rather clearly, as can Sirius. But my favourite sight in the nightly sky is Orion! I greet him like an old friend when I finally see him again.
Yes, it is most certainly an Australian accent, doesn't it sound pleasant to the ear? I think so.
DeleteOrion, an old friend you can rely on!
Hi Kay - fantastic photos ... and yes we need to take time to look at the sky ... it's something I don't know a lot about, though my mother was knowledgeable ... I remember from my youth. That's great that the new biography will be coming out next year - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteUsed to look at the night sky a lot as bothies (mountain shelters) are usually in pitch black dark sky areas. Holidays in mountain areas abroad though are best as it's normally too cold in Scotland to stay out for very long. The full panorama of the milky way in complete darkness is amazing. Liked the Aussie video.
ReplyDeleteI love that Madeline L'Engle quote. I often feel like that looking at the night sky, which I think if much more interesting than the sunlit sky, eclipse or no eclipse!
ReplyDelete