Dark Skies in the MMP

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
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Morning, mumpers! It’s currently 16c/61f with a predicted high of 22c/71f and sunny. Weather app says “The fucking sun is shining like diamonds in a goat’s ass. Which is fucking fun to google.”

Following on from last week’s MMP, have you been stargazing in a dark sky reserve? We did, a few years ago on a trip to New Zealand, where we stayed in Mount Cook National Park which is a designated International Dark Sky Reserve.

We stayed in one of the hotels and walked down to the youth hostel, coming back in complete darkness where we could just sit outside and look up at the Milky Way. Stunning place, and one I would love to go back to.

(Old) Prepping for a visit in the MMP
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First!

I didn’t intentionally go to a dark sky reserve there, but some of the places I stayed in New Zealand had absolutely spectacular night skies, especially the national parks. There was one place where I stayed in a hut, at full moon, with snow on the ground where I did experiment with reading outside (yes, it could be done, but not for long, due to the whole ‘snow’ thing). In another place where aside from one tiny research station and no other people for several hours in each direction. I’d been dropped off by a cruise, which picked me up again the next day, and I was the only person doing it. I did go for a middle of the night wander…

Technically Bodmin Moor is a dark sky reserve. I used to live very close and did go out there a few times for stuff like comet viewing. It’s not bad by UK standards, but it had nothin’ on the skies in NZ.

Having a late start this morning, though I am planning on going in today cos I have a meeting later. The gig was good- the Cure in Edinburgh- but I didn’t get back home until after 1, which is very late for me on a skool night, and I was still a bit wired, having had to stay awake enough to drive back from the coach stop, so couldn’t sleep until probably nearly 3. My feet are still somewhat painful, being not used to being stood on all day at the moment.

Normally, no-one really keeps track of when I come in and when I irk from home, so I could just slope in and people would assume I’ve been irking from home for the morning, but seeing as I walked into the show yesterday and walked straight into one of my supervisors, I don’t think I’m gonna get away with it without comment today…[1]

Seriously though, I’ve been to one (1) gig since the start of my PhD and I walk straight into a supervisor?

  1. it’s OK, neither me nor him was wearing a bra top, miniskirt, ripped fishnets and nuthin’ else, unlike many of the lil goth girls there ↩︎

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Not too much in the way of star gazing here. Lately I’m pretty well asleep when the stars are coming out. Filbert, you went to see the Cure? How very cool. We’ve gone to see their companion band, Depeche Mode before. Lucky for me we didn’t run into anyone there.

It’s been awhile since I’ve been here. Where to begin? Well, my mom has been back in the hospital again due to physical and mental issues. She’s back home now and has just started an online IOP and she seems a tiny bit better. I can’t remember what I mentioned last when I was here. Well, forgive me if I’m repeating myself. MusicMan has gone back out over the road. He had his first home time last week and it was very nice. His new company that he works for gives you one day longer than most companies. I left the online job and will be working with kids who are homeschooled who have an IEP. We’ll be starting soon. It’s part-time which is what I wanted due to everything going on around here. I also got another part-time job as a traveling test proctor.

Ok, my keyboard has gotten weird or has a dead battery. More later, hopefully.

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I’m not usually up this early, but my legs woke me up, forcing me out of bed at 5:30 am.

Boofae said “shining like diamonds in a goat’s ass,” a folksy expression about contrast. Shakespeare’s version of it was, “like a jewel in an Ethiop’s ear.” You might have thought of “a canary in a coal mine,” which is also a color contrast, but the canary’s purpose was detection of unsafe air in the mine. If the canary died, the miners knew to get out of the mine.

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Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. YAWN ‘Tis 73 Amurrkin out and clear with a predicted high of 92 and partly cloudy this afternoon. We will have quality cee-mint pond this mornin’ followed by an afternoon of RDOS sloth. Sup will be jambalaya from a box (don’t judge!) with my own additions to make it homemade, sallit, and crusty garlic bread. Simple but tasty.

I liked spendin’ time at my aunt and uncle’s farm as a cub. A cousin and I would hang out in the pasture at night lookin’ up at the clear skies. There were some places not far from where I grew up where the night sky would be pretty clear as well. I really enjoyed the desert around Tuscon, AZ when I would be there for irk purposes as the sky was just so beautiful at night!

And now this…

< AHEM > CLEARIN’ THROAT < AHEM >

HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY TOOOOOO YOUUUUUU!!!
HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY TOOOOOO YOUUUUUU!!!
HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY DEEEAAARRR KKKNNNOOOTTTYYY!!!
HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY TOOOOOO YOUUUUUU!!!

Now I need more caffeine and to feed rumbly tummy. Then, onward into the day! Rah.

Happy Moanday Y’all!

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Thanks, Swampy! I am 77 today. Back when I was working, and drinking, I’d go to the tavern across the street from work for lunch. I once let it slip that it was my birthday, and several people bought me drinks. By the time it was time to go back to work, I had to call the boss to tell him I was “in an unsafe condition” and could not return. After that, I always took my birthday off, claiming I had a “family obligation I couldn’t get out of.”

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Hippo Burpday, you young whipper-snapper!

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Today starts with a mere 60 Ferrets! I opened the house last night since I knew we were due for some coolness, and I was right. FCD woke early and dug out an afghan for himself (I already had mine!) I will take advantage of the coolness and do some weeding - it’s been a while.

I got started early today - the dishwasher just finished its load and I’ve got 8 russets in the oven that will eventually become twice-baked. I figures since it’s cool this morning, turning on the oven won’t overheat the kitchen and tax the a/c. I are SMRT!!

I’ll have the grandspawn overnight tomorrow and I’ll need to get Roxy to the bus on Weds (first day of school here.) SIL has an MRI first thing on Weds, so I agreed to lend a hand. Which means when Daughter brings the kids tomorrow, I get to feed all 3 of them for supper. I pulled a meatloaf out of the freezer to thaw and I’ll make mac-n-cheese for the kids since they’re not big on meatloaf. Sides TBD.

Speaking of stars, etc, I’ve always lived in areas with too much light pollution. But eons ago when I was stationed in Millington TN for training, I went to Shelby Forest one night and was amazed at the number of stars I could see! I wish I could say the same for being on a cruise ship at night, but maritime regulations require far too many lights when at sea, alas. But I just found this place which is less than a 2 hour drive from home, traffic permitting. Maybe I should look into a hotel near there.

Anyway, as I mentioned, school starts on Weds in this county - maybe in the whole state. It got me thinking about my many first-day-of school mornings, and I only remember one - probably because it’s now sooooo embarassing.

First day of 9th grade. First time riding the bus, first time attending public school (as opposed to Catholic school.) I wore a pink dress that I made myself (back in those days, girls could absolutely not wear jeans of slacks of any kind) and a pink cap like this. I also carried a purse like this with a pink cover made from the same fabric as my dress. Yep, I was stylin’!!! Wish I had a photo, but by that time, my mom quit doing first-day pics. Maybe it’s better there’s no evidence…

Anyway, Roxy will meet her teacher today and Daughter will drop off a load of supplies for the teacher. Having been one herself, she knows what the classroom most needs.

And that’s how my week is starting. Happy Knotty Day! And Happy Moanday!

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I also didn’t intentionally go to a dark sky location for that purpose, but we were on a couple of Africa safaris that were nowhere near city lights. I remember looking up to see the Southern Cross and a night sky full of stars in Botswana.

My eldest’s daughter/son is now ensconced in his dorm room. I hope he can cope with all of his new surroundings and not having his parents around (he is on the autism spectrum). In the photos his mother took, he looks somewhat apprehensive.

A cool 61 Fairy Tights this morning and mostly crowded skies. Not much on the agenda, although I want to get the ingredients for a white bean soup recipe I saw on the NYT that has some 14,000 5-star reviews. I’ll go after morning exercise.

Now to get breakfast underway.

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Happy birthday

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And a good Morning to you all. Didn’t need an alarm today, a leg cramp at 6:30am served just fine to get me moving, so onward we go. No soccer today (first practice is Tuesday) and it’s only 68F outside, so rather nice (don’t worry, it’ll end up close to 90F). Outside of the usual shop-n-sammich routine, there is nothing much on the agenda, so probably will be my usual RDOS.

Boo fae, I am NOT going to goggle 'diamonds in a goat’s ass"…I lied, I did it and some rather interesting information there.

Last real dark stargazing I’ve done was many years ago on a trip to the Galapagos, they turned off all the lights on the outside of the boat and we had an astronomer with us, was quite a thing to see.

And checking in with all the other early (or late for our overseas friends) posters.

boo fae, Nut, New Zealand truly is a place worth visiting.

Nut, well, at least you know the supervisor is also a fan, and what the heck, they may be late too…

Sticky Buns, welcome back from your hiatus. Hope Mom, Music Man, and you adjust to the changes.

Hippo Birdies, Knots!! I’m 73, so your ahead of me, but i think Cookie has us both beat on the ‘longest existence on the planet’ race. Never drank on my birthday that I can remember (hardly drink at all) but it was a nice memory to have all the same.

FCM, school has been going here for a week and a half already. Hope Roxy is looking forward to it. No Dark Sky places near me, however… :worried: And no memories of first day in school come to me, but maybe one will pop up during the day.

Cookie, best to grandson, he may get the willies a few times but hope he can adjust.

And it’s off to the week I go. Take care and have a good one all.

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Good morning.

It’s 56F and partly cloudy outside. Today’s forecast calls for morning clouds, then late-morning and afternoon sun, with a high of 85F.

Happy Birthday, Knots!

Red, I send continued good wishes your way. What a slog this has been for you!

Sticky Buns, welcome back.

I would love to go to New Zealand. It’s been on my bucket list as long as I can remember.

Public school starts the first Wednesday after Labor Day in my area.

Saturday was morning was busy. I got gas, then drove to PetSmart to buy new leashes, plus treats for the pups to take down to my son’s place. They were having an adoption event and had the cutest husky pups. There was one with a reddish tint to its coat that kept quietly creeping up to me. It took everything in me not to hold one of those cuties. I would have caved, and having a third dog, especially a large breed, is just not feasible. I don’t have enough yard as it is, plus the vet bills for the two I have are mind-numbing. I can’t imagine triple the costs.

I dropped the treats and leashes at home, then left again for my hair appointment. After the appointment, I scooped up the dogs, my husband, and the treats, and we drove down to my son’s place.

Zeus and my son were very happy to see us, and we all hung out together, talking, playing with the pups, and snarking at Love Island (US version). That show is all sorts of terrible and cringe-worthy, but it’s our thing to watch it together and snark at it.

We brought lunch with us, but my son made dinner for all of us, and we ended up spending the night. We got an early start to the day yesterday, and were back on the road home by 6:30 in the morning. Zeus was very unhappy with our departure.

We got home, for once avoiding the mystery slowdown on a section of I-5 that is always choked up, and Mr. Taters went to bed about 30 minutes later. I watered the plants and did some general tidying. After that, I was a true sloth. I even took a long nap on the couch, which, unfortunately, screwed up my nighttime sleep.

I need to tidy up the kitchen and do some garden tidying today, and order birthday presents for Zoe. She turns eight soon.

Alright, I guess I better get cracking. Please take care of yourselves.

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Happy birthday knotty! :partying_face: :birthday_cake:

Still in the hospital. I need to call Dr. Pepe’s (his last name is similar to that of a cartoon skunk, so Sis and I refer to him as such) to cancel my appointment today. Then, I’m in the mood for a nap.

Y’all have a great day!

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:partying_face: :tada: Happy birthday, Knots :tada: :partying_face:

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Good morning! It was 61ºF this morning, with a dew point at 60ºF. The cool air was a nice change. Weather Underground is telling me it should be like this all week. That’ll be a nice change from the last few weeks.

I had a chance to try them on last night. They fit great. I’m a little miffed that they were out of the tanks in my size, but whaddya gonna do? I had also found a navy blue t-shirt in my size. They had a lot of floral tops, but I have no clue how to match those. I wear solids. I can handle solids.

I lived in a suburb of Atlanta in the late 70’s early 80’s. We backed up to a cow pasture. I remember being able to see the Milky Way and Andromeda. I need to go to a Dark Sky Park. The last time I saw a truly dark sky was about twenty-five years ago at the Penguin Parade in NSW, Oz. The guide took us to a different beach to where all the tourists go. It was very dark, and I could see the Magellanic Clouds and Orion was standing on his head.

Yes. Yes, she is. Sometimes I think Squeaky is jealous, but then I see him pampering her even more.

Knots - :hippopotamus: :bird: :ewe: :ewe:

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I do that too. IMO, solids are much easier to cope with than multi-color patterns.

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She is very excited. Not only about 3rd grade, but she’ll be starting in string orchestra this year - today she may find out what instrument. When they talked about it last year, they mentioned cello, since she’s about the tallest kid in her grade.

We’ve just got the one and our last to vet visits rather choked me. FCD keeps saying “Otis needs a buddy” - um, no he doesn’t. I like him fine, but if you recall, I didn’t want any critters, so I surely don’t want another. Trevor was here for a few hours yesterday and the two of them did some damage to one of my flower bed. For some reason, Trevor likes to lie on liriope and hosta. Idiot dog.

But jeans go with everything, so print tops are easy! I have a bunch of print and striped polos that work with blue and black jeans, and some go with khaki, too. Solids are boring!!! :wink:

I’m clean and dressed for venturing out. I weeded for a bit over an hour and got a lot done in the new garden beds in the back. I didn’t finish since my back was protesting mightily, but maybe another hour will take care of it. I hope.

FCD has gone to the boat to do a fit check of the chart holder that he’s making. Once he gets home, I need to run to Aldi. And I should probably pull something out of the freezer for supper. I think there’s still some smoked turkey in there.

For now, tho, a little chillage, then lunch.

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Happy Birfday!

I didn’t get up until almost five. By the time I cooked and ate my breakfast burrito, it was 05:32. I just didn’t feel like going on my 1.4 mile walk today. :frowning:

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I knew I’d forgotten something. Good colors this morning.

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Happy birthday, Knotty!

Red, I hope your day goes well.