Finally - Venus and Saturn Pair Up

Yes, yes!  Finally it's the end of the month and Venus meets Saturn coming within 0.66 degrees of each other.  There's so much more to this, as I previously posted, but here's the basics:  Start looking at 7 p.m., because in North America you'll see little after 9 p.m. UT.  Tonight (Friday) Venus will be below and to the right of Saturn, very visible with binocs.  Saturday, they'll be on top of each other (o my!) Sunday, Venus shifts to the lower left of Saturn.  If you're up around 5:30 a.m. Sunday, you'll see them at their very closest. 

Let me give you an idea of how close they are:  Make a fist and hold it out arm's length.  Consider that 10 degrees.  Now picture the moon in miniature is sitting on your arm, that's a tenth of a degree.  Venus and Saturn will have a space between them approximately 0.66 degress, perhaps less.  Doesn't that make you think a little?  Like about planetary gravity and magnetic fields and orbits and don't forget solar storms constantly affecting Venus!  

After 9 p.m. UT both planets will be below the horizon.  All during July they slowly pull away from each other.  

Venus has always been considered our "Evening Star" and June is it's stellar month.  Which means July is your last chance to planet-gaze at what is very obviously visible.  Come August, Venus becomes our "Morning Star."  Not quite the same - not as startling.  So I hope you can make use of the weekend to watch these two planets align in such amazingly close proximity.  Whew! 

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Basics courtesy of Skywatcher, Sky & Telescope Mag    

Leave Paris Alone

Imagine from your very first cry into the world, from your home on Mt. Olympus, you were treated as the baby goddess you were.  Imagine never having a need for one single thing in life.  Pampered and adored, you are completely unaware of the realities of everyday life, the untold vagaries of people trying to get through just one more day.  Imagine if your main function was shopping, and of course you do it well.  You surround yourself with other baby gods and goddesses, because they understand you.

I keep hearing how Paris Hilton "needs to learn a lesson."  Exactly what does she need to learn, how to be someone she never was?  Okay, she broke a law and of course is expected to pay like all of us do.  But she was used as a political pawn to show how the law must be equal for all people.  Yet, when given a month in prision she was released within DAYS in perfect accordance with the shark-like lawyers her family hired.  Days.  During her first incarceration she got by just fine because she knew she'd be getting out VERY soon - so she used the time to tell open-mouthed girls that, yes indeed she really did throw out a $5,000. dress because of a catsup stain.  Paris was in the limelight, which warms her. 

When she was released to house arrest, THAT was her real punishment.  She wasn't allowed out to shop, which is torture for a goddess.  She developed a skin rash from not being able to wear all the gold, copper, silver, other metals that enter one's pores and certainly hers for many years.  So her skin reacted.  Okay, that's reasonable in her world.  It was far more difficult for her to sit at home without being able to drive to a pal's place or check out the latest diamond bracelet or $200. shoes or ... it's another world.  It's Mt. Olympus.  That's where she's from.

So when the judge sent her BACk to jail, she cried "It's not fair!"  And she was right - it WASN'T fair to HER in her world because she'd already DONE her term of punishment by being locked in her house (however magnificent we may imagine it) but there she was, unable to go out.  Couldn't party.  Couldn't shop.  Couldn't bask in the limelight of the papparazzi who she adores and they adore everything she does but most especially if it's a mis-step.  Ordinary folks love to see that.  For shame.

Now she'll be on probation for two years.  I'm sure she'll make the best of it, since she'll be able to pose, shop, party, visit, dress-up, buy that diamond bracelet, all the things a goddess is expected to do, and was raised to expect.  

For whatever it's worth, and whatever you think of her, this is a human being who was raised on Mt. Olympus.  She has a different reality than we do.  It doesn't make her wrong.   

 

Much-Needed Smiles

Penny had just received some very good news, when my brother Chris fell ill on Monday.  Damn it, not him!  Before letting myself become overwhelmed, I searched for some laughing lines, and found these.  They are ACTUAL PRODUCT LABELS:

 

1. On a blanket from Taiwan
NOT TO BE USED AS PROTECTION FROM A TORNADO.

2. On a helmet mounted mirror used by US cyclists
REMEMBER, OBJECTS IN THE MIRROR ARE ACTUALLY BEHIND YOU.

3. On a Taiwanese shampoo
USE REPEATEDLY FOR SEVERE DAMAGE.

4. On the bottle-top of a (UK) flavored milk drink
AFTER OPENING, KEEP UPRIGHT.

5. On a New Zealand insect spray
THIS PRODUCT NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS.

6. In a US guide to setting up a new computer
TO AVOID CONDENSATION FORMING, ALLOW THE BOXES TO WARM UP TO ROOM TEMPERATURE BEFORE OPENING.
(Sensible, but the instruction was INSIDE the box.)

7. On a Japanese product used to relieve painful hemorrhoids
LIE DOWN ON BED AND INSERT POSCOOL SLOWLY UP TO THE PROJECTED PORTION LIKE A SWORD-GUARD INTO ANAL DUCT. WHILE INSERTING POSCOOL FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES, KEEP QUIET.

8. In some countries, on the bottom of Coke bottles
OPEN OTHER END.

9. On a packet of Sunmaid raisins
WHY NOT TRY TOSSING OVER YOUR FAVOURITE BREAKFAST CEREAL?

10. On a Sears hairdryer
DO NOT USE WHILE SLEEPING.

11. On a bag of Fritos
YOU COULD BE A WINNER! NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.
DETAILS INSIDE. (No purchase?  What aboutthe Fritos?)

12. On a bar of Dial soap
DIRECTIONS - USE LIKE REGULAR SOAP.

13. On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert
(printed on bottom of the box)
DO NOT TURN UPSIDE DOWN.

14. On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding
PRODUCT WILL BE HOT AFTER HEATING.

15. On a Korean kitchen knife
WARNING KEEP OUT OF CHILDREN.

16. On a string of Chinese-made Christmas lights
FOR INDOOR OR OUTDOOR USE ONLY.

17. On a Japanese food processor
NOT TO BE USED FOR THE OTHER USE.

18. On Sainsbury's peanuts
WARNING - CONTAINS NUTS.

19. On an American Airlines packet of nuts
INSTRUCTIONS - OPEN PACKET, EAT NUTS.

20. On a Swedish chainsaw
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO STOP CHAIN WITH YOUR HANDS OR GENITALS.

21. On a child's superman costume
WEARING OF THIS GARMENT DOES NOT ENABLE YOU TO FLY.

22. On some frozen dinners
SERVING SUGGESTION DEFROST.

23. On a hotel provided shower cap in a box
FITS ONE HEAD.

24. On packaging for a Rowenta iron
DO NOT IRON CLOTHES ON BODY.

25. On Boot's "Children's" cough medicine
DO NOT DRIVE CAR OR OPERATE MACHINERY. (A car being exactly what?)

26. On Nytol sleep aid
WARNING MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS. 

Laughing - might feel odd, but just might help.  Where there's life, there's hope.  With hope, comes joy and smiles.  And heck, these are funny!  Thanks everyone!

 

So Grateful

It doesn't seem like I can THANK YOU ALL enough, no matter how I attempt to find the words.  Such incredible faith, prayers, blessings, sentiments of hope and courage, it's all MORE than appreciated, this compassion you all show.  You have, truly.  I opened the door to my world, and you've shown I made the right choice.  My sincere gratitude for the support, the prayers, the encouragement.  God bless every one of you, over and over.    

The Thief Has Returned

I come to these pages in shock.  Just as things felt better again, the MINDLESS THIEF OF JOY called CANCER has struck again, only this time it has slammed hard and deep into the delicate brain of my sister-in-law PENNY.  She is married for life to the brother of my heart, Christopher.  He cannot survive without her.  I cannot without him.

Brain tumor.  Pituitary gland.  Now it begins again, the "hurry up and wait" world of medicine, where they will bring my sweet PENNY to the edge of death with toxic radiation to kill those horrid cells, hoping against hope they get them all.  The chemical therapy, chemo, which will pour these countless compounds into her dear body, draining her strength to fight as she does so well for others in need.

What IS this horror, this CRUEL COLD MINDLESS THIEF that keeps robbing me of all that is precious in my life?  

I can only pray.  So that's what my job is, and I cannot stop, I will not stop, never, not ever.  PENNY MUST BE 100% BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT SHE GIVES, 100%. 

This is her "give back" in the world:  FUN ON A STRING PUPPETS & MARIONETTES This is PENNY, this is what she does, for children, and they need her.  Chris needs her, I need her, does God need her more?  I don't understand. 

 

 

Moving Through My Grief As I Move Through My Life

Guess I've been away from these pages long enough.

I learned a great lesson when my father died so young at 67 such a perfect light in my world, snuffed out.  I didn't grieve properly, and paid for it a year later when something inside of me just broke into pieces.  You can't just cry if you have other things you need to feel, you have to get through them and feel them, then release them.  I feel I've grieved just enough now for my Uncle Jack, I've cried and stayed up all night thinking of him, and I can now release my grief into the universe.  Maybe someone else can use it now.

I've been in a state of anger, too.  Another emotion I had to learn to use properly, a survival tool we need.  Yes, we need to know how to use our anger, then let it flow right through us back out into the world - maybe some poor overworked single mom with kids hanging off her arms and legs, dinner burning, the other kid crawling out the door into the street and hubby's late coming home - maybe she needs to get angry for 10 minutes or so.  That's why I release my anger when I'm done, and say "Anybody need this?  Anybody want this, because I'm through with it now, don't need it, don't want it, don't like how I feel when I'm angry, have to give it back to the world."  And I do.  It's done.

Boy have I missed being here, talking to you - just as you are, I'd never assign judgment or want to change you in any way.  I know I'm talking and I knew you'd hear me, and look!  Here you are, you made it to my little place of peace and thoughts, ideas and theories, memories, dreams, all the minutia of a life.  Just one life.  You managed to get this far into reading what I've been feeling and I thank you for that, you know I always feel better when you're around!  I need you in my life.  So always return, you have the key.

   

"Into The Light"

This is my Uncle Jack and his wife Joan, at my late Mother's 80th Birthday, 2005.  My Mother was his only sister. 

For all my family, my thoughts of wise Uncle Jack, who shed this mortal coil and became light on 6/1/2007. 

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Light into light - into that One Great and bright,

here, now, but somehow gone from our sight;

It's a light of joy!

This man, once a boy,

a husband, a father, a brother -

his sister, my mother, a light herself it seems,

came to meet him, with a smile -

and walk him into our dreams.

Now, for awhile,

we cry alone - we're human, we're prone;

But oh such a Light!

He is at peace, embraced by Our Lord

merciful, eternal and pure -

of that I am sure,

like the perfect chord.

He can never die, I say,

for he'll always be thought of -

and we can cry, it's okay -

for he has become love

to help light our way.

csr

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Thank you, Uncle Jack, for your intelligent humor and wise patience.  Safe journey - visit me often. 

 

                   

SMALL ADJUSTMENT (Blame The Moon)

For those nice people who enjoy star gazing and read the preceding entry, I mistakenly had the 8th instead of the 18th as the best day to watch Venus.  I'm sorry, my eyesight is a bit blurry, as my Uncle Jack just physically died 5 a.m. yesterday and I've been coordinating arrangements, easing sadness, helping my family.  Lack of sleep.  I made a serious typo, now fixed; the basic thing is Venus will be active all June, but be alert on the 18th.  Watch the star chart, you'll see why the 18th is so important.  Thanks. 

Venus Becomes A Vamp In June

What a planet!  Venus is really making a spectacle of herself this month, joining with stars, having a rendevous with Saturn at the end of the month you'd be nuts to miss.

As she falls from her western peak, Venus will be making several pairings.  You'll see her in opposition to Jupiter, our most active and dynamic planet, early this month. 

During June, Mercury is waning quite rapidly, and will be lost to view by the 10th.

The best time I'd say, to look at Venus, is on the 18th.  And then of course, at the end of the month when she flirts with Saturn.  But on the 18th if you have simple binocs, you'll see Venus in an exact half-light.  Watch the star chart move, and note the sight available on the 18th - Venus, on her way to meet with eager Saturn, finds that the Moon has come between them.

Right now she's enjoying the company of Pollox and Castor, the stars forming the "heads" of the Gemini twins.  Look for Venus again on the 12th and 13th when she makes a pass at a great cluster of stars in Cancer, called the "Beehive" cluster.  Then, from the 17th through 20th, the Moon takes notice of all this and decides to participate in an already impressive "contracting" line Venus forms with both Saturn and Regulus. 

What's really most exciting as I say, is Venus' dramatic approach to Saturn all June.  She's moving toward him and he's definitely interested.  Saturn makes his move and closes in on her from the upper left.  Look for this on the 16th, 23rd, 29th and 30th.  You may not see Saturn but you'll see Venus.  Binocs are all that's needed for all these pairings, except this last one: 

On the last evening of June, telescopes will show the dazzling spectacle I described earlier - their rendevous - the illuminated crescent of Venus, and the 17"-wide globe of Saturn with its splendid rings.  Yet Saturn will be alot dimmer, hence the scope. 

Saturn is in western Leo.  You want to know that for this end of month spectacle.  All month, Regulus hangs around to the left as if following at a safe distance, while Saturn charges out to meet Venus.  I'll keep postings about the placement of other space objects but this is the time of Venus, she's giving us something - I plan to accept.  Good show!  

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Some facts courtesy of Skywatcher, Sky & Telescope