Friday, February 6, 2026

Lesson 937: Under the Same Big Sky

Hello, Readers.

Here we are again.

Another Friday night on Earth.

All of us,

living Under the Same Big Sky. 


On February 1st,
we were beneath the Full Snow Moon.
She was gorgeous.

And full snow we have had!





It, too, is gorgeous.


Penny chooses to wade through the deep,


ignoring the tracks Mr. Lamp Post makes for her.


Hazel needs booties.
I have to get some for her.
She shivers and shakes like a chihuahua,
holding up her paw to show me it is cold.


Birds are tough.
It was negative 1 on the morning I took this.


I've watched some pluck some alpaca fibers
from this ball.


I hope they've lined their nests 


and houses.


Six more weeks,
so says the groundhog!

Not fake news!
Anna was there to watch it happen.


Charlie tells us they used to EAT the groundhog.
That certainly puts a different spin on the day


So what are the Lamp Posters doing this weekend.
I'm hoping to take a ride to the peninsula
to see the ice dunes.
Never, ever walk on them, remember.

I heard this cool stat on the news:


Record cold temps this weekend
so Penny is preparing.


They are finding their sunny spots.


Mr. Lamp Post will be buffing up some bowling pins.


This is no make-uped me
after a hot shower and my hooded snuggly robe.


I'm watching the Winter Olympic Opening Ceremonies.
I give the US team uniforms and A++++


Under the Same Big Sky, 
4000 miles from my house,
athletes are gathered together in spirit of the game.

Under the Same Big Sky, 
only 364 miles from home
the most bizarre and unbelievable news
feeds through the outlets.
This government reminds me of school
when the kids elect the @$$h01e for Class President,
thinking it is one, big joke.

Under the Same Big Sky
in the dry desert of Tucson,
Savannah is looking for her Momma,
and her Momma is waiting for Savannah to find her.

We must all keep the faith.
Pray with conviction.
Never lose hope.

And for Pete's sake,
wake up Americans.

Weekend Homework:
Is this the world you want?
Think about that over a steaming hot drink.
Sit outside for a bit when you are pondering.
Maybe the cold will shock some sense back into some of you.

Eloise





















Friday, January 30, 2026

Lesson 936: Winter Moon

Hello, Readers!
It's finally frozen over!


No, not Hell.
Lake Erie.



This season has the most beautiful of days.


Snow piles in the Clark School parking lot.


I had to climb to the top of this snow dune


to see how my tree was wintering.


There's Lake Erie,
all frozen over.  


The daytime skies are beautiful
with the bright white 
against the sky blue.

But the nighttime is equally stunning
on a clear night
and a winter moon.

It's not an easy capture for my little mom camera,
but here I was in negative one degrees this morning
giving it the old college try.




My first task of the day is to feed the ferals.
They get bowls of warm milk
and fresh, hot chicken.

Evidence of my foot shuffling walk.


Outdoorsy folks--
what animal makes tracks like these?


I'm giving out the weekend homework
early in this post
so you get right on it!
The countdown is on.

NASA's Artemis II mission
is nearing the start.



Launch date:
February 6, 2026,
the same date as the Opening Ceremonies
of the 2026 Winter Olympics--Milan Cortina.


Here are the very smart and dedicated astronauts
on the crew of three Americans and one Canadian.
As my students say,

Lucky Bummers

 
Look what you can do!
Sign up to include your name on a jump drive,
and your name can go for a ride around the moon!
Thank you to Jeff Burger, 
Science Teacher extraordinairre
for telling me about it!



I got a great moon book recommendation for you.
I got the hot tip from my Principal at Clark.
It was granted this seal in 2016.
If it wins the Newberry,
it has to be good.




I just started it,
and agree with the New York Times--
it is impossible to put down.


Plus it has chapters not only titled,


but with clever plays on words
for each chapter.



It's simply as brilliant as the moon itself.


I'll bring you back to solid earth
for the next moon link--

My Prairie Moon seed catalog came today!
Yay!



I'll be choosing one of the Staff Favorites to plant this year.


Help Eloise decide--
post in the comments in you have a favorite.

Eastern Bluestar?
Sneezeweed?


White Trout Lily?
Royal Catchfly?


Western Indian Physic?


Maybe I'll ask Whitford.


He's always by the fire,
ready to lend an ear.


We'll close the blog tonight with some winter wildlife.
I've been trying to catch this little guy up in the tree!


Success!


He's a birdseed thief!



Tufted Titmouse doesn't mind.




Time to watch out for my nightly visitors.


They know to follow the light of the Lamp Post.


I'm glad that you do, too!
To be sure to be notified of my weekly,
Friday night post,
become a follower on Blogger.

Facebook isn't circulating my posts,
probably because I'm not paying
the advertising fees they are requesting--
if that is even a thing.
I'm not sure what to trust anymore.

Enjoy your wintry weekend.
Look up at the moon 
and take in a big deep breath
of frozen air,
to remember in
hot, humid July.

Don't forget to do your homework!

Eloise