Sailing/Luna Moth

 Hello, my friends. How are you all doing? Sailing along through the summer? Well, Wimbledon is over, and I can't help but feel sad.  I enjoy the tennis (what I had time to watch) but honestly, it was the brief glimpses they would give us of London that would make me sit up and pause the TV and admire whatever scene they chose to give us. Sometimes, it was Buckingham Palace, Elizabeth Tower, Tower Bridge, or the view of the Thames with all the new modern buildings. What a city! 

Just before Wimbledon, the Brits had the Glastonbury Festival.  It is a musical festival that has taken place since 1970 on 900 acres in Somerset, which is in Southwest England. This year it was from June 25 through June 29.  Reading some of the reviews, it seemed that many criticized Sir Rod Stewart. Say what?  What is wrong with people? Don't you know a good entertainer when you see one? I really liked the video of him singing the song "Sailing". 

"Sailing" was written by Gavin and Iain Sutherland, two brothers from Scotland. In the words of Gavin... " The song has nothing to do with romance or ships. It's an account of mankind's spiritual odyssey through life on his way to freedom and fulfillment with the Supreme Being.".  There, isn't songwriting fascinating?  You all know I think so.

And LIVE AID was on July 13, 1985! So, gee whiz, that was 40 years ago now.  The most memorable thing for me was Freddie Mercury with Queen, what a performance, don't you agree?

Oh, and those scenes from London? I forgot to mention St. Paul's Cathedral!  This is NOT from the TV screen, it is a photo that Richard took one year that we were there. The area around St. Paul's has changed so very much! 

On a walk recently at Panola Mountain State Park, Richard spotted this moth beside the trail resting on a tree.  He did very well to see this, it was well camouflaged.  It is a Luna moth and it is very special to see one.  The Luna Moth only lives from 7-10 days and it does not eat. It has no mouth or digestive system, living off whatever was eaten in the pupal stage. The Luna Moth is nocturnal and since they are attracted by lights, you are more likely to see it in a parking lot or on a tennis court, for example. (Which is the only other time that we saw one. Christopher was about ten years old taking tennis lessons. He was astonished that hardly anyone else noticed this bright green moth, with a 4 inch wingspan!)

Male Luna moths have bushy antennae while the female have much thinner antennae. So, is the one we saw male or female?  Looking at photos, I can't tell.  Anybody want to guess? And you have to look very closely but it is missing the long bits hanging down...what do you call them?  Those bits must have been taken off by a predator. You all must be mightily impressed by my scientific wording, "those bits", but if you understand what I mean, well, that's what it's all about isn't it? 

Trying to walk every day in this heat is tricky. We have to be out very early and even then, it is hot. Very!  Wish us luck, we just keep sailing along.

 

Rod Stewart at The Royal Albert Hall from 2004! Enjoy!