I agree! I love the communal excitement. I stayed home today and yesterday due to projected eclipse traffic snags . A friend stopped by and said there was a sign at the beginning of my very rural road that said, “free eclipse camping!” I went this morning to check it out and actually got out of the car and walked to talk to that neighbor about it. Turns out he is going to open a Carribean kitchen with adjoining outdoor bar and garden and outdoor games on this little corner property in the middle of Texas. I said happy eclipse and he gave me a big hug! I am excited to have this in our tiny community!
I actually thought of last week’s newsletter today because, I’ll be honest, I was pretty cynical about the eclipse. Or maybe working too hard to be indifferent. But I got to carpool this afternoon, and it was empty. All the parents had parked in the grass, and the head of school came out to tell me that the kids were on the field. Everyone just gave up their afternoon schedule to sit on some wet grass staring at the sun. Of course, I was unprepared, but a kind dad brought extra glasses and offered them to me. It was such a surprisingly sweet afternoon. And the eclipse DID amaze me after all. I need to be more willing to be amazed.
Although we were in the 100% totality path, it was pretty cloudy this afternoon but that didn't make the experience a failure. We sat out in a field with dozens of other families and cheered each time there was a break in the clouds and we could turn our eclipse glasses to the crescent of sun showing. The shrieks of excitement and fear from the kids as the darkness of the totality came on like watching sunset on 16x speed. Everyone had places to be, and pressure to be productive but we were able to set them aside and just BE with each other, the sun, the moon, and the clouds for a little while today.
Yes and one more yes for good measure. I'm just outside of Chicago for baseball and I didn't think I cared about this eclipse. That was until a friend of mine living in Northern Ireland messaged and asked if I was able to see it. Humph. I'm able to see it; why would I pass that up? The Adler Planetarium had a huge viewing party but I stayed put and sought out the glasses at a local library. A local school obtained a piece of technology that helped their visually impaired students "see" the eclipse via sound and vibrations. Isn't that tremendous? Today I'm wondering what other "eclipses" might I pay attention to? What other seismic, galactic experiences are right around the corner?
Yes! I think we need to hold onto these communal events. I did not go out as long as you did, but did leave an extra set of glasses we wound up having to be picked up by someone on my neighborhood email list that had forgotten to plan ahead. And I talked with my neighbor who I had not seen in awhile as I enjoyed it with my son (who will be leaving in a couple of weeks to start his new job at a wildlife refuge in NW Minnesota.) There is something about stopping your day for a few minutes to watch something that so many others are watching too.
I felt this way when I worked as an election officer for the presidential primary (my first time!) I came together with 8 other people (republicans and democrats) to help put on an election (that honestly did not mean anything at that point really.) And 200+ people came out and voted in that same primary that had nothing riding on it. The 98 year old man and his 96 year old wife in their walkers. The 25 year old army guy, new to the area who got sent to multiple polling locations before we figured out where he was supposed to be but stuck it out anyways. The guy who did not know there was an election until he saw the signs but came anyways. The first time voters of all ages (we had a couple and got to cheer for them.) The guy who wafted pot smoke in his wake. The older white woman who was not happy with the parking/location of our polling place (in the entertainment room of a high rise condo building) and told everyone she would be letting our senator know. The older DEA agent who flashed his badge as his ID and told us that he would be happy to protect us if anyone gave us any problems.
Basically all of us, in all our messy glory. Coming together to do democracy. And it was grand. Just as the solar eclipse was grand, even at 89% totality and all I did was stop my day and go outside for a moment.
We are en route back from a magical camping trip to an LCRA park just about right on the line for peak totality--the clouds darting in front of the sun until peak totality made everything more amazing, as it happened. Magical despite/ because of a barf-in-tent incident (outdoor cooking dessert demo last night= 7 year olds learn about excess, but also end up sleeping under the stars, seeing meteors), and I love how camping makes folks instant neighbors in the best sense of the word.
I wasn't going to go out either to see it because your new book arrived and it was going to be my lunch hour! Looking forward to starting it this evening. Community awe!
I’m late to this because we were one of those who spent the pt couple of days driving hundreds of miles (not thousands, but still 8-10 hours each way) to see the total eclipse. We ended up in one of the places that was cloudy, and the clouds only got thicker while we waited, but the experience was still transcendent. Not only was it great to be in a random rural park in the middle of nowhere amidst a bunch of strangers who were there for the same reason, but also getting to spend two full days with our teenage son to experience the eclipse will be a lifelong memory.
“And so it’s no small thing when not just any world but this particular world stops for a second and we are in love with what is in front of our eyes and our only immediate hope is that our neighbors can see us too.” Loved everything about this, and it was the perfect read to end my night. Your book also just came in at my library so excited to start it soon! Happy eclipse!
I read something in passing about that book you are talking about! It got complaints but I don't remember them.
I almost napped through the eclipse but woke up in time. I went outside and there were all the neighbors of my little 14 unit complex in the courtyard. I too was going to skip it (it was very cloudy in Austin and thinking about the universe always hurts my brain) but I'm glad I didn't. I got to share community with the neighbors who never seem to appear.
I agree! I love the communal excitement. I stayed home today and yesterday due to projected eclipse traffic snags . A friend stopped by and said there was a sign at the beginning of my very rural road that said, “free eclipse camping!” I went this morning to check it out and actually got out of the car and walked to talk to that neighbor about it. Turns out he is going to open a Carribean kitchen with adjoining outdoor bar and garden and outdoor games on this little corner property in the middle of Texas. I said happy eclipse and he gave me a big hug! I am excited to have this in our tiny community!
I actually thought of last week’s newsletter today because, I’ll be honest, I was pretty cynical about the eclipse. Or maybe working too hard to be indifferent. But I got to carpool this afternoon, and it was empty. All the parents had parked in the grass, and the head of school came out to tell me that the kids were on the field. Everyone just gave up their afternoon schedule to sit on some wet grass staring at the sun. Of course, I was unprepared, but a kind dad brought extra glasses and offered them to me. It was such a surprisingly sweet afternoon. And the eclipse DID amaze me after all. I need to be more willing to be amazed.
Although we were in the 100% totality path, it was pretty cloudy this afternoon but that didn't make the experience a failure. We sat out in a field with dozens of other families and cheered each time there was a break in the clouds and we could turn our eclipse glasses to the crescent of sun showing. The shrieks of excitement and fear from the kids as the darkness of the totality came on like watching sunset on 16x speed. Everyone had places to be, and pressure to be productive but we were able to set them aside and just BE with each other, the sun, the moon, and the clouds for a little while today.
Yes and one more yes for good measure. I'm just outside of Chicago for baseball and I didn't think I cared about this eclipse. That was until a friend of mine living in Northern Ireland messaged and asked if I was able to see it. Humph. I'm able to see it; why would I pass that up? The Adler Planetarium had a huge viewing party but I stayed put and sought out the glasses at a local library. A local school obtained a piece of technology that helped their visually impaired students "see" the eclipse via sound and vibrations. Isn't that tremendous? Today I'm wondering what other "eclipses" might I pay attention to? What other seismic, galactic experiences are right around the corner?
Yes! I think we need to hold onto these communal events. I did not go out as long as you did, but did leave an extra set of glasses we wound up having to be picked up by someone on my neighborhood email list that had forgotten to plan ahead. And I talked with my neighbor who I had not seen in awhile as I enjoyed it with my son (who will be leaving in a couple of weeks to start his new job at a wildlife refuge in NW Minnesota.) There is something about stopping your day for a few minutes to watch something that so many others are watching too.
I felt this way when I worked as an election officer for the presidential primary (my first time!) I came together with 8 other people (republicans and democrats) to help put on an election (that honestly did not mean anything at that point really.) And 200+ people came out and voted in that same primary that had nothing riding on it. The 98 year old man and his 96 year old wife in their walkers. The 25 year old army guy, new to the area who got sent to multiple polling locations before we figured out where he was supposed to be but stuck it out anyways. The guy who did not know there was an election until he saw the signs but came anyways. The first time voters of all ages (we had a couple and got to cheer for them.) The guy who wafted pot smoke in his wake. The older white woman who was not happy with the parking/location of our polling place (in the entertainment room of a high rise condo building) and told everyone she would be letting our senator know. The older DEA agent who flashed his badge as his ID and told us that he would be happy to protect us if anyone gave us any problems.
Basically all of us, in all our messy glory. Coming together to do democracy. And it was grand. Just as the solar eclipse was grand, even at 89% totality and all I did was stop my day and go outside for a moment.
We are en route back from a magical camping trip to an LCRA park just about right on the line for peak totality--the clouds darting in front of the sun until peak totality made everything more amazing, as it happened. Magical despite/ because of a barf-in-tent incident (outdoor cooking dessert demo last night= 7 year olds learn about excess, but also end up sleeping under the stars, seeing meteors), and I love how camping makes folks instant neighbors in the best sense of the word.
I wasn't going to go out either to see it because your new book arrived and it was going to be my lunch hour! Looking forward to starting it this evening. Community awe!
And there was a stage where they apparently had reggae music last nite! Happy Eclipse!
I’m late to this because we were one of those who spent the pt couple of days driving hundreds of miles (not thousands, but still 8-10 hours each way) to see the total eclipse. We ended up in one of the places that was cloudy, and the clouds only got thicker while we waited, but the experience was still transcendent. Not only was it great to be in a random rural park in the middle of nowhere amidst a bunch of strangers who were there for the same reason, but also getting to spend two full days with our teenage son to experience the eclipse will be a lifelong memory.
wonder! awe!
“And so it’s no small thing when not just any world but this particular world stops for a second and we are in love with what is in front of our eyes and our only immediate hope is that our neighbors can see us too.” Loved everything about this, and it was the perfect read to end my night. Your book also just came in at my library so excited to start it soon! Happy eclipse!
I read something in passing about that book you are talking about! It got complaints but I don't remember them.
I almost napped through the eclipse but woke up in time. I went outside and there were all the neighbors of my little 14 unit complex in the courtyard. I too was going to skip it (it was very cloudy in Austin and thinking about the universe always hurts my brain) but I'm glad I didn't. I got to share community with the neighbors who never seem to appear.
It was grand!
Great piece! Thanks for sharing!
Easily the best article about the eclipse (or is it?) I've seen all day.
Thanks, Garrett.