Half Moon

Half Moon – Photo: L. Weikel

Sheila, our Boston Terrier, is requiring frequent ‘waterings’ throughout the day and evening in order to minimize accidents. It’s a simple function of age and, according to Karl’s theory, perhaps a reaction to the colder weather.

We keep our home on the cool side during the winter (some might say freaking feezing), and so when she leaves the warmth of our living room, which we keep toasty with a fire, she’s like the rest of us: being cold makes you have to pee. And she can’t hold it as well as she used to.

All of this to say that when I took Sheila outside a few minutes ago to pre-emptively relieve herself, I was bowled over by the half moon dipping low into the western sky. It’s stunning!

Smaller Earlier

Earlier this evening, in fact it was so early in the evening it barely registered as evening, we took our usual (2.2 mile) walk ‘around.’ We were both shocked by how dark it was at only 5:30 p.m. and even more unpleasantly surprised by the fact that it was distinctly drizzling. Nevertheless, we persisted, determined to get at least some semblance of movement clocked into our systems for the day.

What was particularly odd, though, was how it felt we were in two different realities at the same time. A fine drizzle was indeed dropping from somewhere above us, yet even further above, we could see the half moon. Yes, there was some haziness surrounding it, but it was actually shedding a surprising amount of light on our path.

So it was weird. How was that moon – and only a half moon, at that – managing to shine through the cloud or fog that was dropping a steady drizzle upon our heads and light our way?

While I felt the urge to try to capture this juxtaposition, I didn’t even want to try to photograph the moon in her cloudy undergarments. This modesty was made even more compelling by my total reluctance to take my iPhone out of my pocket and expose it to the drizzle. No, I knew there was no great shot to be taken, even though I yearned to share the moment with you.

Sheila’s Revelation

Which leads me back to my surprise at how much larger the moon looked a few minutes ago when I took Sheila outside.

The sky has cleared up dramatically and stars were clear and twinkling brightly. Two bands of parallel clouds framed the moon, top and bottom, almost making the half moon appear as a note on a musical staff I was only privy to partially view.

I tried to capture the beauty of what I saw, but I know what I’m sharing barely hints at the quiet loveliness.

Nevertheless…I was thinking of all of you when I stood in wondering appreciation of the setting half moon. Catch it tomorrow night before bed if you can.