The Rise of the Pink Full Moon

Writer Nicole Richards-Sharpe

"The Rise of the Pink Full Moon".  It sounds like a movie but it may very well be more exciting since the appearance of this type of moon is so special.  In a cosmic coincidence, the April full moon coincides almost minute to minute with the first lunar eclipse of the year.  In addition, Saturn will shine super close to our moon; about 4 degrees from it.

Tonight, according to NASA, if you are in Europe, Africa, central Asia or western Australia, you will witness this event. Sorry Western Hemisphere-ers.  The moon won't necessarily appear pink in color though.  North American aboriginal peoples named this April moon such after a type of wildflower that blooms around this time of year.  This helped to identify the launch of spring. Some coastal tribes refer to it as the fish moon because it coincided with the shad fish swimming upstream.  It goes by other colorful names such as the Seed Moon, Growing Moon and Sprouting Grass Moon. 

Whatever you prefer to call it, it will be an interesting event to watch.  Good news!  Those in the Western Hemisphere might not be fortunate enough to see this celestial show with the naked eye but you will have the luxury of sitting in the comfort of your own home while sipping on pink champagne and pink lemonade as you watch the phenomenon unfold online.  Check out these sites and Enjoy!

http://events.slooh.com/
http://www.space.com/

Illustration from The Christian Science Monitor http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2013/0422/Pink-full-moon-Thursday-Who-gets-to-see-it

Out of the Cave!



 

Writer Nicole Richards Sharpe

 





"Are you better off now than you were 4 million years ago?" This is the tagline of America's #1 family film to date, "The Croods", another DreamWorks Animation work of art. Actors Emma Stone, Nicholas Cage and Ryan Reynolds, among others, lend their voices and their personalities to the colorful prehistoric characters.

I laughed throughout the entire film. I was not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. My intention was to simply entertain my daughter who started showing symptoms of Spring Break Antzy Fever.  If left untreated, it could lead to brooding.  So I packed up some treats and met with Epiphany and her kids, who were also exhibiting signs and we headed to the movie theater.  She and I were both astounded at how entertaining the film was.  Not only was it hilarious, it forced you to think.

Without giving away too much of "The Croods", their cave was their safe haven.  It is was the one form of protection that preserved their lives as opposed to their neighbors'.  The over-protective father played by Nicholas Cage, heavily relied on their cave to keep them safe.  Although they were alive, as the teenaged daughter played by Emma Stone said, they weren't "Alive".

Do you feel that way sometimes? Sitting at a comfortable administrative job with medical benefits that is not your dream career of museum curator.  Pursuing a degree because it would lead to a more lucrative job as a financial advisor as opposed to your dream of clam digging.  Staying on the block you grew up on because the rent is super low although you want to venture into another state or even another country.

Whatever your cave may be, identify it and just go.  You might be fearful of the world that awaits you out there but at least its not a volcanic, earthquakey mess filled with prehistoric carnivorous plants and animals as big as houses waiting to devour you.  Relax and take that first step.  And go see "The Croods"!



It's Always Sunny...

Writer Nicole Richards Sharpe aka "Ambrosia"

Do you realize that every day is a Sunny Day?  The Sun is always out.  It doesn’t go anywhere. Yes, scientists theorize that the Sun is in a binary orbit with a lesser star but the Earth travels in time as it revolves around it, so the Sun really is constant.  It doesn’t set or rise. The Earth spins on its orbit and we perceive the Sun setting and rising. At night, the sun is still there, lending its light to the moon.  On a cloudy day, the sun is still there.  It’s our perception of clouds that get in the way of us seeing the sun but the sun is still there.  I might sound like a vinyl record stuck on a vintage record player’s pin but do you get my point?  Our perception of the absence of the sun gets in the way of us seeing the sun that is ever present.  Just because we don’t see something with our natural eyes, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.       

We can adopt this outlook when it comes to the daily pressures of life too.  It might seem dreary and cloudy at times but try not to perceive it as eternally gray.  Know that the Sun is there; ready to shine its rays upon you if you only see beyond the present.  Unlike the song from Annie, the sun is always out, yesterday, today and tomorrow. 

So the next time you look through the window or at your life and see a bunch of menacing cumulonimbus clouds coming your way, know that the Sun is in fact there.  You just have to change your perception.  

Image from www.thehealthyhavenblog.com

Isn’t it or not it isn’t?

Double talk and rivalry in Ancient Egypt...

Isis meets with Itis and Isit, who are always giving Itit a hard time about his name.  Isis has the power to solve the problem between Itit, Isit and Itis.  But Itis and Isit both think they also have the power to deal with the situation.

Itis and Isit talk about their powers, and Isit thinks it is the same, while Itis says doubtfully “Is it”? 

“It is or it is not” says Isit. 
“Don’t you mean “Is it or not it is?” says Itis.  And this is how it goes.

Isis meanwhile asks Itit if his relationship with Isit and Itis is problematic.  To which Itit replies “It is”! 

“Why is it?” asks Isis. 
“It is because of Itis and Isit, and that is it” Itit says.

“Well,” said Isis, “if it is then why is it?”

“OK.” Itit replies, “Here it is!”.  “You being Isis are a goddess.  Itis and Isit are not, but they think they are better that me because their names make sense and mine does not.”

“Is that all it is?” says Isis.  “Do you think Isis was an easy name to have at first; so many mispronunciations and all.”  I had to work to get people to say it as ‘Ice is’.  Why couldn’t we do something with Itit?”

“It is a tricky set of letters you know”, said Itit.  I mean, someone once suggested I pronounce it ‘I tee it’, which would prove the point Isit and Itis are always making. And, it could even be worse you know.”

“Ah, yes, I can see that it could” says Isis.  “Why not pronounce it ‘It i ty’?” Isis suggested.  “It sounds kind of official.” “That might do it!” says Itit. 

Isis told Isit and Itis about it and they had more respect for Itit now.  So that is the solution then, isn’t it or not it isn’t?

                                                                                                              L.S.

Photo: Dendara by Martyn E. Jones, UK

A Midnight Winter's Dream

Writer Nicole Richards Sharpe aka "Ambrosia"
Have you ever had a dream that keeps you up at night?  Not the sugar plums dancing around your head or that one where you're out of breath running for your life to find out later that nothing is behind you.  I'm speaking of that dream, that goal that you have always had that just won't leave you alone.  That thing that makes you happy.

Thus the reason I am up at 1:30am.  I have two dreams that tag team me and sometimes join forces to knock me on my head when I am not attending to them.  And a friend named Epiphany who hits me on the head with her energy-efficient light bulbs now and again.

How do you know what your dream is?  When you can see yourself doing it easily, well past 5:00pm on a weekday and Saturdays and Sundays.  That's passion. That's your dream.  And that dream should be your goal.

My advice to myself and to you?  Stop sitting on your dreams.  Get up and open the door and let them breathe.  Let them live! Against all odds, you can do it!  Dreaming the dream is the start.  Living the dream is the goal!  And get some sleep in between.

Ambrosia says, "Don't forget to turn your clocks forward." :-)

International Women's Day!

Writer Nicole Richards Sharpe aka "Ambroisa"

Rise and Shine!  Today is International Women's Day!  Never mind the Noreaster on the East Coast, today is a special day and an opportunity to honor the special ladies in your life.  Your mom, grandma, auntie, daughter, the love of your life, the little old lady who's been that familiar face at your local bakery forever, let them all know how much you appreciate them. 

All over the world, events are taking place today.  I have attached a link below from www.internationalwomensday.com which will take you straight to the event page.  One of the events that stood out the most for me is a simple yet compelling one - Take a picture of one of your stilletos and post it.  I just realized the wordplay in stilletos - (There are still toes?).  At one point in our lives, most women have worn one of those self-effacing foot contraptions at least once in our lives.  Stilletos, according to the site, represent a woman's life - Struggling through the challenges life hurls at her while making it look simple (and looking pretty doing it).  Or some people can take it as, society's obsession with a woman having to look beautiful even if it kills her!

Above, I posted a pic of my high-heeled pink friday nightmares.  They are beautiful to look at.  Together they almost look like a heart. Awwwwww. But I must admit, I have had those numbers for about 4 years and have worn them but twice and each time, I automatically transformed into a hunter, using my 20/20's in a dimly lit venue to stake out available chairs.  That's no way to enjoy an evening, believe me. 

Feel free to post yours here in the comment area and/or on the site below.

Whatever you decide to do today in honor of International Women's Day, make it sweet. Make it funny.  Make it memorable.  :-)
http://www.internationalwomensday.com/esearch.asp?country=223

Meet My Twin!!

Doppelgängers in simple terms mean any double or look-alike of a person.

If you met your Doppelgänger today, what questions would you want to ask?



Photo: My Twin by Gonzalo Haro, Uruguay

Learn something new everyday!

Today’s Word: “Gamba”

Gamba which stands for “Fog” in the Vili language is located in Gabon. According to wiki, Gamba is or was a oil hub in a village of fisherman and huntsman gatherers.  Here is the link

Gamba is also an instrument which looks like a cross between the violin and cello hence the more common name of Viola Da Gamba. 

Here is a link to the New York Chapter of the American Society dedicated to this decades old piece. 

Enjoy sounds of the Viola da Gamba

"I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy.  

I woke and I saw that life is all service.  

I served and I saw that service is joy."

 - Khalil Gibran

They say that when you are busy helping others the Universe helps you...take time to ponder.

Be well and Happy Tuesday!!

Celebrating Diversity

By Lisa Joseph
with reprint permission

peace in our hearts and love in the wind

doors open wide - welcoming

all races

from places

on a map so easy to share,

thoughts and dreams

and laughter, no fear.

in a time when equality is key

when joy’s within thee

when people join hands

helping one another

from distant lands.

to care, to know,

better dare to grow

seeing a future that is bright

where all colors shine in the light

from any corner - one race

feeling honored

that’s our place

to be red, blue, green - true

every shade, every hue

diversity - long overdue.

Just like a Star!!

“Begin doing what you want to do now. 

We are not living in eternity. 

We have only this moment, 

sparkling like a star in our hand

and melting like a snowflake...”

- Frances Bacon, Sr.

Corrine Bailey Rae "Like a Star"