Cynthia Kuhn

It’s Here…

The day of the total eclipse has arrived!

It has been suggested that eclipses affect us psychologically: the moments of darkness can be deeply unsettling but thrilling–and enhance our sense of being human/connected to others.

sidewalk crescents (2017 eclipse)

I have been registering varying levels of interest both online and offline, ranging from great enthusiasm to shrugs. One news channel has had a countdown clock going for days while other outlets seem to be treating it as just another story in the cycle.

There’s also a range in preparation approaches, from scientists developing new methodologies for studying the eclipse to other types of believers racing about declaring that this eclipse signals the rapture. Many viewing parties and events across the country have been planned, and prices are surging in locations that fall along the path of totality.

In short, attention is being paid in a variety of ways.

So… what are your eclipse plans?

  1. Outside watching (wearing proper eye protection of course)
  2. Inside watching on tv or computer
  3. Not watching

Whether you are totally into the eclipse hoopla or not, it’s a rare and beautiful event, one that won’t be repeated for another twenty years. We’ve already been lucky to have a chance to view more than one in our lifetime.

Wishing you a Happy Eclipse Day…or, if you don’t celebrate, Happy Monday!

 

31 thoughts on “It’s Here…”

  1. My husband is just out of the hospital. He has a follow up appointment with his doctor today at 3. That is the time it is supposed to start here in MA. We don’t have the proper eye wear and he is blind in one eye, so we won’t be looking up. I am a little nervous about driving home in the middle of it, though. The sun will be at my back, but I am just hoping that the other drivers on the road will be paying attention to the road and not the sun. We will catch the eclipse on TV later. Be safe everyone! Carol

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  2. I’ll be outside in my yard, not really looking at the eclipse itself, but watching the birds. They went a little crazy last time, as if they’d lost their internal compasses and didn’t know what direction to fly in.

    It was very interesting to see.

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    2. Mary, that is fascinating! How were they this time?

      (I heard on tv that one of the zoos gave people little cards to write down and “crowdsource” the reactions of the animals they were near at the time.)

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      1. We didn’t have totality here in Kansas City, only about 75%, and the birds didn’t react. It did get colder as it got just slightly dimmer, and that was cool. Literally, ha!

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  3. Robin and I came to Junction, Texas from Santa Cruz, California to view the eclipse. After hearing from friends who saw the one in Oregon how amazing it was, we decided we should travel to see this one. Looks rather cloudy here this morning, however, so we’re going to drive north where the weather looks better. Fingers crossed!

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    4. SO cool that you are there, Leslie! Looking forward to your report. Saw a bit of the totality moment in Texas on tv–someone said you could see stars and it was magical!

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  4. So far, it’s clear skies here in Path of Totality Indianapolis, which is good because estimates are that we will have up to A half million visitors to the area. There are literally dozens of events going on around town, Including an official NASA watch party at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, one of three such sites for this eclipse.

    My wife and I are going to take a couple of lawn chairs to a nice wide open area behind her office to enjoy the scene. With proper eye protection, of course.

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  5. NH has been going nuts over the eclipse–like primary season all over again! We live just outside the path of totality (jealous, JC!). That’s mostly a couple hours north– but we’re predicted to view 95-96%. Bought “certified” glasses from the Zon–hope they’re real, ha. Think we’re going to watch from our deck–there’s a lovely scenic overlook near our house, but we have pets who are still recovering from the trauma of losing power recently. Bright and sunny here right now–hard to imagine things going dark. A little creepy…all I can think of is A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. Will keep you posted!

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  8. I don’t believe it’s coming anywhere near me in So Cal. I’ll be inside working anyway. Maybe I need to try to find a video feed of it. That would be cool.

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  9. We get a partial eclipse over here, and the kids will actually be let out of school for a little bit to watch it. Our family already has protective eye gear because we did watch the last total eclipse. It wasn’t planned until the last minute when we happened to be in the right area… Anyway, it was both eerie and cool. Everything gets blanketed in the darkness, and it’s chilly & the animals go absolutely silent. Such a unique experience.

    This year, though, I’m not going out of my way to watch–too many deadlines!

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    1. How great that the kids are able to watch it! That’s a smart school. And so happy you were able to be together watching it last time. Good luck with your deadlines!

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  11. No eclipse plans – visiting my son & his family in Seattle, we were visiting a tulip farm in Skagit & there was nothing but cloud cover to be seen. Oh well.

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  12. We didn’t get totality. Hubs and I looked through index cards with a hole punch in them — it was similar to a pinhole camera with a larger hole. A college guy saw what we were doing and let us take a look through his fancy glasses, which was thoughtful!

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