123 Comments
User's avatar
Gayle Herrington's avatar

Beautiful. I knew in my heart it would clear and be sunny and I would see it. I felt my husband with me as I watched the moon move over the sun, the few minutes of totality with the sudden temperature drop as the sun was fully covered. Then I watched as Baileys beads appeared (the uneven surface of the moon allowing sunlight to appear), the corona during totality, and then the diamond ring. The whole experience was very moving and I felt my husband’s spirit was with me.

Expand full comment
Ryū Baldoquín's avatar

Bows and smiles.😻

Expand full comment
Alace Pearl's avatar

Those last few lines were such a gorgeous way to end this Substack - I have goosebumps now! This is quite a lovely re-telling of the eclipse. Thank you so much for it! <3

Expand full comment
Karen Sutherland's avatar

Thank you. I live over the far side of the Atlantic, too far from the path of the eclipse and this sharing of the day, of the awareness and the waiting and the happening, and the gift sharing of the links, was a prize indeed. 🙏

Expand full comment
Chickita Banana's avatar

You have a way of writing that makes me feel like you are here talking directly to me. Your husband always makes me feel like he is in the good fight for me and everyone in Ohio. The two of you, plus Franklin and Walter, make a great team.

Expand full comment
Alex Adamov's avatar

Your eclipse experience was absolutely captivating! The way you described the anticipation, the natural world's response, and the shared wonder of witnessing it... truly inspiring. It reminded me of the power of looking up and appreciating our place in the universe, connected by curiosity and awe. And the thread about your mother's love for birds added such a touching layer of personal connection and legacy. Thank you for sharing this beautiful moment and reminding us to keep seeking hope and wonder in the world around us.

Expand full comment
Shannon Henize's avatar

The eclipse was spectacular, and I was pleased to find out on Tuesday that my usually unimpressed high school sophomores were bedazzled by the spectacle, too. It's good to look up, and it's good to read your take on life. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Heidi and her goats L's avatar

Years ago I saw a partial eclipse in Carrollton Ga. I don't remember how much was covered but I believe it was in the 90+%. The coolest part were the light waves on the ground just before, and just after the areas totality. It was like standing on a beach with just a shallow wave washing past you. Light waves, but there is a different name I can't remember for the phenomenom. The light waves moved in one direction, then disappeared, on the other side of the eclipse they flowed back in the opposite direction.

Thank-you for sharing your experience with us!

Expand full comment
Catherine Donovan's avatar

The eclipse was magnificent! We now realize why people drive or fly long distances to see it🖤 The day was also my husband’s 72 birthday-what an extraordinary day🎂🌒

Expand full comment
Kathy Roeder's avatar

I truly did not understand what all the hoopla was about. But I had the priviledge to be at the ballpark for Opening Day to observe the eclipse and it was indeed awe inspiring. Not to mention the great ballgame we saw as well!

Expand full comment
Cathy Harvey's avatar

Beautiful! Thank you!

Expand full comment
Mary Margaret Rhees's avatar

Hope is a beautiful sentiment!

Expand full comment
Bonnie Sommer's avatar

Thank you so much, Connie, for your breathtaking description and for the links. Here in South Jersey what started as a beautiful day turned totally cloudy by afternoon. Although we were supposed to have some effect, nothing noticeable happened. It didn’t get any darker and the birds at my feeders kept right on eating me out of house and saffron seed. (Sunflower seed creates a mess on my white deck.) I’m going to appreciate using your links to see what I missed.

Expand full comment
David Warburton's avatar

"We stand so small beneath the stars,

so large against the sky;

And caught between the subway crowds,

I try to catch your eye."

Leonard Cohen

Expand full comment
Paul Thompson's avatar

Thank you to you and Franklin and Walter and Sherrod's feet, and all the birds, and the monks, the marriages, and (sadness) Littleton, Maine (from WAPO) with shrieks of gladness.

Expand full comment
Rich Jordan's avatar

The slight breeze and temperature drop enhanced the experience for me. I viewed the eclipse with a gaggle of friends. Our host insisted all attending and nearby neighbors listen to Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" as the moment arrived. My mental sound system, however, played Carly Simon's "You're So Vain".

Expand full comment