Connie, beautiful. I hope we are people who continue to want to look up. Voting for your husband, Sherrod Brown would be a step in that upwards direction
I can't vote for him (since I'm a resident of New Mexico–yes, it's in the USA), but I can sure donate to his campaign, which I'm going to do right now before the glow of the eclipse wears off.
I don't think I've ever experienced another writer who has the extraordinary gift you have, Connie, of drawing me into your stories as if I am sitting there beside you witnessing your life observations as your shadow following you around. In this case, your moon shadow. I did not get that experience here in Tampa. I saw it all on tv but, honestly, it was your words, eloquently "spoken" which actually helped me FEEL what it was like. And that is what once in a lifetime moments are supposed to be about. Thank you for letting be your Moon Shadow for a moment.
I agree and second Laura’s words. I love your writing and as someone still sort of struggling on Substack, I learn a lot from your style. I especially loved the part where you end with calling it hope. It complements your Substack name.
Yes, it felt a bit like hope. Everyone taking a moment to appreciate something wondrous and beyond their control without fear at the forefront of social engagement.
Thanks so much for sharing your feelings about this magnificent experience. We also were in the path of totality and gathered with students, faculty, staff and community members in the football stadium at Oberlin College! As the scoreboard counted down the minutes to totality the excitement was palpable- the cheering and applause was a shared response. The shared enthusiasm for a natural phenomenon was such a powerful thing. Coupled with the Guardians Home Opener victory I couldn’t have had a better day!
If you love your BirdBuddy like I do, you'll be pleased to find out that there is also a BirdBuddy for hummingbirds. I pre ordered last month and am not anxiously awaiting for it to arrive. Maybe we need a group for Ohio bird watchers....or at least a thread on Facebook. ;-)
Hi! Fellow Clevelander here. I LOVE the Merlin app. I greet the day on our deck with a cup of coffee, the Merlin app, and me trying to guess the identities of the birds before Merlin. LOL. I’m always slower. But it’s fun. Bird songs are magical.
I am! I was just telling my daughter (she lives in Santa Fe, NM) how wonderful it is when the skies clear up, the sun shines brightly, and the birds break out in song. It is like a beautiful poem from Nature.
Yes! Just, yes. I don’t know why I had not understood before what a collective, yet personal experience it would be. Hearing the unbridled awe in my neighbors’ voices moved me, too.
In our little town of Wickliffe, in Lake County, we had a gathering at the local Civic Center. There, a large contingent of neighbors gathered to share in the glory of Nature. We were all there; young, old, different races and nationalities. And the collective "Ooh's and Aah's" were regardless of political affiliation, or religious memberships. We were just neighbors, enjoying each other, and marveling in what most of us will never see again. It was absolutely fabulous, and as it should be!
So lovely. Watching it here north of Columbus and the universal-ness of it was striking. New bird-watcher here and I just downloaded the app you mentioned yesterday - so far 6 different birds at the feeder (that I could capture) and lots more to come I'm sure.
Connie, beautiful. I hope we are people who continue to want to look up. Voting for your husband, Sherrod Brown would be a step in that upwards direction
I can't vote for him (since I'm a resident of New Mexico–yes, it's in the USA), but I can sure donate to his campaign, which I'm going to do right now before the glow of the eclipse wears off.
Good for you Be!
Yes, a vote for Sherrod is upward and forward looking!
Agreed!
I don't think I've ever experienced another writer who has the extraordinary gift you have, Connie, of drawing me into your stories as if I am sitting there beside you witnessing your life observations as your shadow following you around. In this case, your moon shadow. I did not get that experience here in Tampa. I saw it all on tv but, honestly, it was your words, eloquently "spoken" which actually helped me FEEL what it was like. And that is what once in a lifetime moments are supposed to be about. Thank you for letting be your Moon Shadow for a moment.
I agree and second Laura’s words. I love your writing and as someone still sort of struggling on Substack, I learn a lot from your style. I especially loved the part where you end with calling it hope. It complements your Substack name.
“Our bed is full of blankets and beating hearts.” I love this. Thank you.
Beautiful words, and thank you for the links.
❤️
Yes, it felt a bit like hope. Everyone taking a moment to appreciate something wondrous and beyond their control without fear at the forefront of social engagement.
No fear, only being
Thank you for sharing your joy with the world. My day has started off much better for it. 💜
Thanks so much for sharing your feelings about this magnificent experience. We also were in the path of totality and gathered with students, faculty, staff and community members in the football stadium at Oberlin College! As the scoreboard counted down the minutes to totality the excitement was palpable- the cheering and applause was a shared response. The shared enthusiasm for a natural phenomenon was such a powerful thing. Coupled with the Guardians Home Opener victory I couldn’t have had a better day!
Glorious, Connie. ♥️
That was the most beautiful, uncynical piece of writing I've read in a very long time. Thank you for blessing my morning after the totality.
If you love your BirdBuddy like I do, you'll be pleased to find out that there is also a BirdBuddy for hummingbirds. I pre ordered last month and am not anxiously awaiting for it to arrive. Maybe we need a group for Ohio bird watchers....or at least a thread on Facebook. ;-)
Hi! Fellow Clevelander here. I LOVE the Merlin app. I greet the day on our deck with a cup of coffee, the Merlin app, and me trying to guess the identities of the birds before Merlin. LOL. I’m always slower. But it’s fun. Bird songs are magical.
Same here!
Happy to meet you!
I am! I was just telling my daughter (she lives in Santa Fe, NM) how wonderful it is when the skies clear up, the sun shines brightly, and the birds break out in song. It is like a beautiful poem from Nature.
And you! Enjoy the return of Spring and early birdsong to NE Ohio.
Yes! Just, yes. I don’t know why I had not understood before what a collective, yet personal experience it would be. Hearing the unbridled awe in my neighbors’ voices moved me, too.
We are all one
I love the bird feeder cam photos. It's like opera, every single day.
In our little town of Wickliffe, in Lake County, we had a gathering at the local Civic Center. There, a large contingent of neighbors gathered to share in the glory of Nature. We were all there; young, old, different races and nationalities. And the collective "Ooh's and Aah's" were regardless of political affiliation, or religious memberships. We were just neighbors, enjoying each other, and marveling in what most of us will never see again. It was absolutely fabulous, and as it should be!
It's been a while since I felt this optimistic in the morning. Thank you, Connie, and bless you.
So lovely. Watching it here north of Columbus and the universal-ness of it was striking. New bird-watcher here and I just downloaded the app you mentioned yesterday - so far 6 different birds at the feeder (that I could capture) and lots more to come I'm sure.