I love a full moon - I can see the rabbit on the surface, the night is bright for walking, the tides are higher (and lower) and it's an odd kind of company. So much less threatening than a dark shadowy night. But the neighbourhood dogs hate it - you can hear them baying and I must put on a black satin eye mask or like you, I would never sleep.
On this night of a supermoon, I can hear the birds - plovers and magpies - becoming confused at the abundance of light. Perhaps they are mating. It's a night for love
Which brings me to your special night - tell the story soon. I can imagine your beautiful wordage already...
Oddly, I don't think I have ever looked for the rabbit! I'll have to make a point of that. A moonlit walk by the water's edge sounds so delicious, but isn't it funny that the dogs sense something different? Perhaps I should also look for a satin eye mask! Thanks for your comment, and your confidence in the future of my love story. :)
When we were with the Peace Corps in the early 1970s in Dahomey (now Benin) West Africa and "up-country," a full moon took on new significances. As there was no electricity in most of the scattered hamlets and small villages, a full moon was a celebrated event. "On va tappee' ces soir," people said, which meant there would be bonfires and drums, dancing and story-telling, frolicking and festivities. Children ran through the clay pathways and in and out of huts...the drums seemed everywhere, and the full moonlight illuminated a living time and place. It animated and excited everyone with its magical powers. It was an unforgettable good time....
I can almost picture it, Charlie. The area must have been vibrating with energy, and I presume colors! I regret that that kind of tradition is, generally, less common in the American experience -- at least in mine. Thanks for sharing that!
Lovely essay, Elizabeth, and well researched! I picture you at work, surrounded by index cards, or post-its, leafing through books, pulling from this pile or that. Here in Silver Spring it looked like a giant orange cookie.
Is the moon is the only surface that has been scanned by every sighted human eye that ever was? There, too, is its potency.
Thanks, Stewart. The full moon notwithstanding, if the actual picture of me working was that organized, I might get more sleep! Your closing thought is powerful and one that had never occurred to me before. Unity, of a sort.
I remember hearing the whiporwill all night long with a full moon one spring night, and seeing the backlit profile of a hootowl in the huge oak. The watermen say the crabs slough with the full moon. So many special, wonderful events by its creamy light!
I can picture each one of these, Susan -- and to think how much goes on when we're not looking, or how much happens that we haven't yet noticed! Thanks so much for your comment. <3
About 30 years ago I was living on Cape Cod and the tall ships had anchored off Provincetown. We went whale watching and the owner of the fleet rode along that day. We stopped by the ships before heading out and got some wonderful pictures of them. I wonder if that's the one you all were on and I waved at you all. In fact, I wonder about that sometimes in general--whether we humans saw people in the past who would be part of our lives in the future. And if so, did we smile at them? There should be a name for this.
I love this idea, Kathy - !! It sure seems, at times, like we meet someone we've known forever. In this instance, I can be sure you were not waving out our ship, as the Spirit sailed solo that summer. But, some of the whales we saw might very well be those seen by others. Yes, there should be a word, or a term. It relates to interconnection. Maybe prennection? :)
I love a full moon - I can see the rabbit on the surface, the night is bright for walking, the tides are higher (and lower) and it's an odd kind of company. So much less threatening than a dark shadowy night. But the neighbourhood dogs hate it - you can hear them baying and I must put on a black satin eye mask or like you, I would never sleep.
On this night of a supermoon, I can hear the birds - plovers and magpies - becoming confused at the abundance of light. Perhaps they are mating. It's a night for love
Which brings me to your special night - tell the story soon. I can imagine your beautiful wordage already...
Oddly, I don't think I have ever looked for the rabbit! I'll have to make a point of that. A moonlit walk by the water's edge sounds so delicious, but isn't it funny that the dogs sense something different? Perhaps I should also look for a satin eye mask! Thanks for your comment, and your confidence in the future of my love story. :)
When we were with the Peace Corps in the early 1970s in Dahomey (now Benin) West Africa and "up-country," a full moon took on new significances. As there was no electricity in most of the scattered hamlets and small villages, a full moon was a celebrated event. "On va tappee' ces soir," people said, which meant there would be bonfires and drums, dancing and story-telling, frolicking and festivities. Children ran through the clay pathways and in and out of huts...the drums seemed everywhere, and the full moonlight illuminated a living time and place. It animated and excited everyone with its magical powers. It was an unforgettable good time....
I can almost picture it, Charlie. The area must have been vibrating with energy, and I presume colors! I regret that that kind of tradition is, generally, less common in the American experience -- at least in mine. Thanks for sharing that!
Oh my I missed the super moon.... But to me every moon is super.... Great info...thank you for sharing
Luckily, you have another chance on August 30th. Super moon for sure!
Lovely essay, Elizabeth, and well researched! I picture you at work, surrounded by index cards, or post-its, leafing through books, pulling from this pile or that. Here in Silver Spring it looked like a giant orange cookie.
Is the moon is the only surface that has been scanned by every sighted human eye that ever was? There, too, is its potency.
Thanks, Stewart. The full moon notwithstanding, if the actual picture of me working was that organized, I might get more sleep! Your closing thought is powerful and one that had never occurred to me before. Unity, of a sort.
Also, now I want a cookie.
I remember hearing the whiporwill all night long with a full moon one spring night, and seeing the backlit profile of a hootowl in the huge oak. The watermen say the crabs slough with the full moon. So many special, wonderful events by its creamy light!
I can picture each one of these, Susan -- and to think how much goes on when we're not looking, or how much happens that we haven't yet noticed! Thanks so much for your comment. <3
Love your love story. ❤️
Aw, thanks. May I draw your attention back to the moon? 😌
About 30 years ago I was living on Cape Cod and the tall ships had anchored off Provincetown. We went whale watching and the owner of the fleet rode along that day. We stopped by the ships before heading out and got some wonderful pictures of them. I wonder if that's the one you all were on and I waved at you all. In fact, I wonder about that sometimes in general--whether we humans saw people in the past who would be part of our lives in the future. And if so, did we smile at them? There should be a name for this.
I love this idea, Kathy - !! It sure seems, at times, like we meet someone we've known forever. In this instance, I can be sure you were not waving out our ship, as the Spirit sailed solo that summer. But, some of the whales we saw might very well be those seen by others. Yes, there should be a word, or a term. It relates to interconnection. Maybe prennection? :)
Oh, my heart - this is positively delightful. Thank you.
Thank you, Roe. Makes me smile to know this.