2004 April 9 We are Golden

Yesterday was an excellent day. We spent the morning in the garden. I helped Carli put a fence around her peas that she planted. My tomatoes have their real leaves, so I put them into peat cups. There are like 40. I had a seed pack of Roma so I have a bunch of Roma starts. That will be good for sauces. I also planted the seeds from a mix of cherry tomatoes I got at the store. Years ago, on a cross country road trip, I picked up a mix of cherry tomatoes at a farmer’s stand. I used to replant those seeds every year, but I got out of the habit of saving seeds. Hopefully I’ll start that again.

Carli planted eggplant too. Then we planted some cannabis. I hate that I still get that taboo feeling about it. I’ve known the medicinal value for a long time. It’s legal now. We should always have been allowed to grow our own medicine. It’s a rule that should have been broken anyway. 

After that Megan, who was Carli’s roommate when we met, and her two-year-old daughter Charlie came by. We walked up to the top of Stinchcomb Hill. The hill is a very special spot atop the Cleveland Metroparks. It wasn’t crowded, but there were quite a few people who marched up the hill with picnic blankets and food and anticipation.

The first tiny piece of the moon was covering the sun when we got there. Everybody had our eclipse glasses on so we periodically checked the slow progression as we ate our popcorn and oranges and played with Charlie. Then, the air changed and we even had to put on the long sleeved shirts we brought. Slowly the shadows got weird and it felt like sunset time. 

The moment of total eclipse was clear and more exciting than expected. The silver ring of light, the excitement from the kids and adults alike. It was truly incredible to see. There was even a tiny red dot toward the bottom, light coming through the valley of the moon. 

If it was happening again, I’d drive to see it. There were no pictures that did it justice. It was an experience for real time.

2024. Things just starting to get dark as the moon covers the sun. Moments before total eclipse.

As a science-minded person, I understand the mechanics of an eclipse. As a spiritual person, I also felt the energy of the event. I was very careful with my thoughts an actions. I want to be intentional about what I manifest. It felt really, really good. I’d like us all to really focus on nature in this next period of life.