The final week of official summer is turning out to be a masterpiece of weather conditions. Sunny, quite warm, breezy--in fact, since about mid-July we have had a very fine summer this year, missing much of the heat and humidity usually characteristic of this period. Although it has been very very wet. How wet? Our grass is still growing like it's June, and I'm still chopping it back with the tractor. The Monarch butterflies seem to be making a comeback, too. We have seen more of them this year than in many previous years. Not a small victory at all, but a major one.
Looking at last year's astronomy autumn work, there was none. I observed on September 3rd, 2018, and then it got cloudy. Exceedingly cloudy. I next observed in January of 2019. It was a nightmare season, and I fervently hope that it never (ever!) happens again.
This time last year we were on our way to New Mexico for my 65th birthday celebration, which consisted of four very fine hikes, and a very long return drive.
This a photo from last September 17th, showing me driving west towards NM.
I timed the trip so that we would be there during a full moon (harvest), and back for some late September astronomy. No astronomy. Not even in October, or November. In December we were off to Vienna, so I may have missed a night or two that week. Anyway, I have been preparing my observing list for the next session, hoping that it will actually happen. Autumn skies are often the best ones, as it gets dark earlier and some of the most interesting constellations are up. There are no bugs, either. So it will be clear this week, but the moon rises too early. Next week, we shall have to wait and see.
Today is my mom and dad's wedding anniversary. I talked to them both this afternoon, and they are getting on fine, though not looking forward to another cruel winter spent indoors. Enjoy these last days of summer, and with luck it will be a mild autumn, too. Have a happy day!
Deb's movie pick last weekend was another Barbara Stanwyck flic, this one called Forbidden, from 1932. It also stars Adolphe Menjou. Not one of her best films, nor Frank Capra's. It was based on a story by the director. At least it was short.
Speaking of films, Deb went to Shetown in Detroit on Sunday to see her film screened. That same day the same film was also screening in northern Michigan, and a different film of hers was showing in Europe somewhere. Hard to keep track of her successes these days. She won the audience award last week for a short film of hers that showed in Cadiz, Spain! One would think we would be rich beyond our wildest dreams by now. I wonder what Deb is doing with all that award money. She certainly has a lot of certificates and laurels.
I'll try to find time to fit in a DIA painting next time--Canaletto, anyone?
Mapman Mike
Today is my mom and dad's wedding anniversary. I talked to them both this afternoon, and they are getting on fine, though not looking forward to another cruel winter spent indoors. Enjoy these last days of summer, and with luck it will be a mild autumn, too. Have a happy day!
Deb's movie pick last weekend was another Barbara Stanwyck flic, this one called Forbidden, from 1932. It also stars Adolphe Menjou. Not one of her best films, nor Frank Capra's. It was based on a story by the director. At least it was short.
Definitely not "her greatest dramatic role."
Speaking of films, Deb went to Shetown in Detroit on Sunday to see her film screened. That same day the same film was also screening in northern Michigan, and a different film of hers was showing in Europe somewhere. Hard to keep track of her successes these days. She won the audience award last week for a short film of hers that showed in Cadiz, Spain! One would think we would be rich beyond our wildest dreams by now. I wonder what Deb is doing with all that award money. She certainly has a lot of certificates and laurels.
I'll try to find time to fit in a DIA painting next time--Canaletto, anyone?
Mapman Mike
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