Today was the much anticipated total solar eclipse, and while mid-Missouri experienced totality during the 2017 total eclipse, this time around the area maxed out at about 95% coverage.
Rich and I talked about driving a few hours south to experience the totality for a second time in our lives, but we opted to stay home and enjoy our 95%. We also decided to skip the viewing glasses this time, and rather than looking up, we chose to look around instead.
After lunch, from the vantage point of a Mexican restaurant parking lot, we noticed the world turning that strange “eclipse bronze” color, and as we drove home the bronze turned ever deeper and darker.
Later, closer to our max totality, we went out on the deck and listened: the world had gone still and the bugs and birds in the woods behind our house were quiet. (The barn cats slept through the whole thing.)
A breeze was blowing, making the air temperature drop even more pronounced, and the shadows on the deck became markedly crisp, so much so we could see shadows of individual hairs on our heads.
Truly I didn’t need to look up. Looking around spoke to exactly what was happening in the sky. I just needed to NOTICE it.
Sometimes life is like that, too. We get so busy looking up at one particular thing we miss all the other extraordinary moments happening all around us.
YES! Today was the day of the solar eclipse! And what a grand sight it was!!
But today was also the day a little flower pushed its way through a crack in the concrete.
Today was the day the blossoms on a dogwood tree opened.
Today was the day someone say the first hummingbird of the season.
Today was a great day to look around!
Today is always a great day to look around.
Best,