It has been a very interesting season of life - losing my job in the fall, seeing my boys Beau and Jeremy spread their wings leaving the nest to explore their world and developing new relationships, being awesome employees and students at work and school. Cindy going back to work last year after 20 years at home and becoming totally vital to the company she works for and doing classes online! My little clan here out in the world making a difference!I was up early today to catch up on my web astronomy adventures, continue my job hunt and admire the Equinox morning sky with a waning Moon in Sagittarius, Jupiter on a long leash to it's left in Capricorn, and our Sun rising in the east . The sky never ceases to amaze, comfort, and inspire me. I am very grateful today - yes somethings are unsure and out of whack but most things are right where they need to be. I get to serve and support my family in a different way as a "house guy" and the general public as the "astronomy guy". I am enjoying my 2 occupations. Where is all this going I do not know, but I desire to make the most of it and add a little light and joy to my world when and where I can. What the Spring will bring remains to be seen - but one thing I know the universe will be a part of it!
8 comments:
It's not about the destination, it's about the journey. I appreciate your sentiments. As I increase the amount of astronomy outreach I do, I feel it is leading somewhere but it's not clear where. So I am enjoying the ride and trusting that the stars will align in a good place.
Keep on doing what you are doing!
Richard,
Sorry to hear about your job. It does however sound like you have much to be thankful for and a family to be very proud of. I'm sure with your supportive family great things will happen. I always remember this- “When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”A.G. Bell
Wish you great success with the new job bound to come your way. Keep up the great work!
Regards
Mike
Thanks fellas for the encouragement! Most days I feel very grateful and I am keeping my eyes wide open looking forward to new things.
Astronomy throughout my life has always been there as a source of refreshment and joy. Like last night I was able to grab a quick observe before the haze moved in. I was viewing in the NE section of Canis Major and I swooped in upon a neat asterism/cluster group? that I was not able to identify on any of my atlases or charts. It is similar to Kimbels Cascade in Camelopardalis - but more compressed - just a awesome mix of stars of various colors and magnitudes. I have never seen it before - and the thought crossed my mind that my current situation will shift with something new as I JUST GO ABOUT LIFE RIGHT NOW.
It really was a pretty object!
what was that near. I've been spending a lot of observing time in that area recently in a dark sky location. A friend I observe with at our dark site has been observing for 35 years and knows that area very well. He's amazing to observe with and has taught me much. We could name it in your honor. I have taken it upon myself to rename Mel 71 in puppis ANZ 71 since I did discovery it for myself while cruising that area one night. How's "Richie's Region"
Maybe you've seen this. Absolutely nothing to do with astronomy but if you're have a bad day this certainly can help. It made my week. I hope I don't break out in dance my next public observing session...although it might be fun !8^)
http://www.wherethehellismatt.com/?fbid=ClNUzSRmY0F
Hey Mike - thanks for the fun postings! My mom still after all these years calls me "richie" so the "Richie's Region" is not out of the question!
I have not had time to further research as to what I saw but I have some resources to here to check. I am positive it is listed somewhere.
Thanks for the link - my boys showed me this a number of months back and I was totally entertained by it. I think is an incredible life lesson. We can dance no matter where we are - who we are with - and whats going on! I am going to view it again!
What is funny about your comment on dancing at your next observing session is that when I do certain classroom programs(have not for a while)I would put on a Hubble Anniversary video intro which has really great pics/music and have the kids dance to it with the teachers and I up front leading the way! It was a great icebreaker and no one would be sitting down!
It would be awesome to do a video for the IYA with a bunch of us amateur astro-geek types dancing to fun music at all the important astro sites/observatories ect around the world and in outreach situations!
I am going to find a way to get a group of my visitors at one of my outreach sessions to dance and post it here! A good view of Saturn will make some folks want to dance!
I thought exactly the same thing about the dancing. What a hoot it would be and what better year to do it. I'll see if I can get some visitors to dance too!
what are your online astronomy adventures ?
Post a Comment