Day #418 Total Lunar Eclipse

Here I go again, letting you know about interesting goodies from Science.NASA.gov.

If I lived in the western part of the USA, I’d be out at 6:45 a.m. on December 10^th to watch a total lunar eclipse. Unfortunately, I live in the Atlanta area, so no eclipse for me. But, I did get to watch a simulation of it that explained why the moon looks bright red during a total lunar eclipse. You wanted to know that, too, didn’t you?

Here’s the answer:
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/02dec_lunareclipse/

Be sure to click on the triangle to play the video so you can see the simulation.

BEEattitude for Day # 418:

       Blessed are those who step outside and look up, for they shall see wonders untold.

 _______________________________

The teeny details:

BOOK SIGNINGS

Today! Come on by if you’re in the area.

Dec. 4   1-3 p.m.   Humpus Bumpus Bookstore, Cumming GA

Dec. 10   2-4 p.m.   Peerless Bookstore, Alpharetta GA

my print books:  http://www.franstewart.com

Please buy them from an independent bookstore or directly from my website.

my eBooks for Kindle:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006AA0I4M

Day #71 the perfect house

Six or so years ago, I was looking for a house. I wanted it to be smaller than the one I was living in at the time, with a certain arrangement of rooms, a two-car garage, lots of trees, a front porch that was such and such a size, and so on. My long-suffering realtor took me around to see numerous prospects, none of which fit the bill.

Finally, one day in absolute desperation, I climbed into his car and said, "I've upped the ante. I want a house with everything I've had on my list PLUS I want a skylight, a wood-burning stove, and a bay window." While he gaped at me, I added, "And a creek in the back yard."

We looked at five houses that day. The first had a skylight; the second had a bay window; the third had a creek; the fourth was a disaster. I bought the fifth house, which had everything I asked for. Little did I know, when I gave him that list, that someday I'd be sitting here in my bay window looking out at the big back deck where the bees are going to be installed.


Fran's Garage Doors

 Oh! And did I see the lunar eclipse Monday night? Yes indeedy! The moon was so bright when I got up to go outside at 1 a.m. that I pulled my rocking chair under the skylight, leaned back, and watched in total comfort as the moon passed into the shadow of the earth, until the reddish glow was quite apparent. At which point, the clouds swept in and I couldn't see anything else. I was warm, and happy. What more can one ask?

BEEattitude for Day # 71:

       Blessed are they who are open to new experiences, for they shall be pleasantly surprised.

One thing Fran is grateful for right now:

       The people who've bought my e-books. 

Day #70 Protective Clothing

"There is no stigma attached to wearing protective equipment; it will save you and your visitors a lot of worry if you are properly prepared to look through colonies without the fear of being stung."

So says The Beekeeper's Handbook, which I've quoted numerous times in this blog. I was caught by that phrase "there is no stigma." And I disagree with it. Having talked to a lot of beekeepers over the past few months, I've noticed that the ones who say

"Of course, I never use veils"

generally have an underlying pride in those words, as if they belong to an exclusive club, the Anti-Veil Society.

"You can use a veil if you're afraid."

"I just scrape out the stinger and keep working."

"Don't be ashamed if you have to use a veil."

Well, until I'm really, really used to my bees, I will use a veil, without any feeling of inferiority. The risk of receiving a sting on my eyelid (or getting an inquisitive bee stuck in my ear) is a bit more than I can stand.

I'll be buying veils in the next few weeks. I did buy three used veils -- a real mistake, as they turned out to be in need of such major repairs, they're not worth the effort. I wonder if I could ask for my money back?

BEEattitude for Day # 70:

       Blessed are those who ask for what they need, for they shall receive. 

One thing Fran is grateful for right now:

       Warm curtains over cold windows.

Day #68 The solstice lunar eclipse

Bees and the night sky? Bees and the moon? Bees and astronomy? Bees and the Solstice? Bees and photography?

A similar lunar eclipse in Nov 2003
Photo credit: Jim Fakatselis



I can't think of a way to connect this blog-post to the general topic of bees, but I'm going to post it anyway because I think the topic is pretty interesting.

If you read this blog regularly, you know I subscribe to NASA Science News. I'd like to share with you this great article about the total lunar eclipse that will be visible on the night of the Solstice (the night between December 20th and 21st).

The article explains why the moon glows an eerie red during a lunar eclipse and exactly when to see it. The photo above comes from the NASA article.

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/17dec_solsticeeclipse/

 If you live anywhere in North America, you'll be able to see the eclipse -- if you're willing to take the time. If the skies over Georgia will cooperate by staying cloud-free, I plan to give a look.

I know it's possible to see a lunar eclipse despite the light pollution of a city area, because the following two photos were taken by my son from a balcony in downtown Atlanta during an eclipse in November 2008.

Yelloideas Photography

Yelloideas Photography

I've seen only a few exlipses, but each one has been memorable indeed.

If you see the one next week, let me know what you think.

BEEattitude for Day # 68:

       Blessed are those who look up, for they shall live in wonder. We bees wish we could see the moon; it sounds marvelous.

One thing Fran is grateful for right now:

       Those precious places in this country where light pollution is not a factor.