The Great American Eclipse was truly the most awesome event we've ever experienced. We followed it with The Weather Channel as Stephanie Abrams shared her emotions in Madras, Oregon and on to Jackson Hole, Wyoming and as it approached Jim Cantore in Carbondale, Illinois we could see the eclipse beginning here. Cliff brought home two pair of NASA and AAS approved viewing glasses from his fire station after a NASA briefing at the Emergency Operations Center. We viewed the changes off and on until about ten minutes before totality when we sat outside with our viewing glasses. As darkness approached birds hushed and flocked to the trees in a hurry. The temperature dropped six degrees. Our totality lasted two minutes and twenty-eight seconds. Cliff said it was the best experience ever. It's an event we'll never forget.
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02 days 23 hours 09 minutes as of this typing to Murphy's total solar eclipse! When we drove home from the gym at 11:30 today, we noticed traffic picking up. LED signs alert drivers that roads will become slow and congested in the next few days. Yesterday when I ran into Ingles for a few forgotten items, the hustling reminded me of hurricane preparations in Florida. Tall bread carts in the bread aisle, dairy coolers being stocked as quickly as possible, and dozens of unopened boxes stacked in every available space. Volunteers will man fire stations Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Cliff will be on duty Sunday. Medics predict more heat strokes, snake bites, allergy to bees stings, etc. because many people are camping in open fields that haven't been used until now. Our county's director of emergency management has advised residents to stock up on groceries and gas, treat it like a snow day, and stay home. With tens o...
Nine days until eclipse totality! Before ordering our viewing glasses from Amazon, I read about safety certifications, or so I thought I had. Today we received an email from Amazon advising us NOT to view the solar eclipse with the CE & ISO certified glasses because Amazon has not received confirmation from the supplier that they sourced the item from a recommended manufacturer. NASA and the American Astronomical Society advise only using glasses from their list of recommended manufactures. When I brought up the NASA site and read more, we've decided NOT to directly view the eclipse. Viewers need to beware of the tiniest pin holes, scratches, or blemishes that may have happened to the glasses as any flaws can cause retina damage. So unless we can purchase a NASA and AAS pair this week, we'll not be viewing the eclipse, just experiencing the darkness.
The mornings have been delightfully cool this past week with lows of 53 degrees. Locals tell us that for every fog in August, there will be a snowstorm. According the 2018 Farmer's Almanac, one of our snowy periods will be mid to late November. Because of Murphy's proximity to far eastern Tennessee, not only do I read the region 3 Appalachian forecast, I also include region 8, the Deep South forecast which includes Tennessee. If I don't like what I've read, I turn to region 4, Southeast, which includes northern Georgia. The weather's going to do what it wants anyway. Cliff and I met Mike and Barb at the Tin Loong Buffet in Georgia Sunday for lunch, then stopped at Tractor Supply before heading to their house so Barb and I could plan our small fall gardens. Whatever my little bunny hasn't eaten will be pulled up this week to make room for a few kale and mustard greens. My garlic will go in by the end of September and I'm attempting a small area ...
Only twenty-six more days until Total Solar Eclipse 2017. We are Ground Zero! It's better than waiting for Christmas. I don't have to send out cards or spend money on gifts. The only purchase we made was CE and ISO certified safe solar shades filter for solar eclipse viewing. " solar ready" Tommy Pickle has his own personal pair because five pair came in the package. I figure we can sell the extra three pair to tourists who've misplaced theirs or didn't arrive here prepared. Certified solar eclipse glasses purchased last minute have a high price tag! All hotels, rental cabins, and RV parks have been booked since last year. People are preparing their fields and ac...
"I did not have three thousand pairs of shoes. I had one thousand and sixty." ~ Imelda Marcos My neighbors probably think I'm having an affair with my Fed Ex driver. It gives them a reason to press their noses against their windows or gawk as they crawl by our house at a snail's pace. The Fed Ex or UPS truck is backed to the front porch steps at least three times each week with my online purchases. I have the sweetest most pleasant Fed Ex delivery person ever. No matter what the weather, there's always a short exchange of pleasantries before wishing each other a wonderful rest of the day. After eight and a half years of being here, I still marvel at the rural country living attitudes compared to what we had in the quick city pace in Florida. Today my Fed Ex truck delivered another pair of DSW athletic shoes for me. Our nearest DSW is 74 miles away in Chattanooga. My $15 off certificate was nearing its expiration date but it's too...
The Carolina wren feeding frenzy starts around 6:30 am and continues all day. Nested deep into the geraniums are three infant wrens. From the kitchen window I can watch the parents cautiously arrive with insects in beaks, sit on the edge of the window box scanning their surroundings before hopping into the dark nest to feed their babies. The babies are still quite frail looking and sleep between feedings. When they wake their heads strut out with beaks open waiting for more food. It's an all day job hopping along the porch rails and floor, grabbing moths and grubs and feeding three hungry babies. They must be exhausted by dark. I love the taste of traditional creamy Italian ricotta cheese. Mostly I use it in lasagna and stuffed shell dishes. Sometimes I enjoy it right out of the container. The other day I found a recipe for a Chocolate Ricotta Mousse. Ingredients: 2 cups of ricotta I use part skim. 6 tablespoons...