Better Homes and Garden's healthy Christmas countdown item for December 14 is to put a candle on a table nearby at arm’s length and gaze into the glow. Slow your breathing and let all stressful thoughts gently disappear. Simply relax.
I tried this and it works—you just have to sit quietly and focus on the flame.
I think this would also work if you have a fireplace and I’m going to try that, too.
There’s another idea perfect for tonight that you can enjoy—nature’s very own lights display in the form of the annual Geminid meteor shower, one of the best meteor showers of the year.
The following picture shows the Leonid meteor shower, not the Geminids, but it gives you a good idea of the possibilities in the sky. I love the whole idea of possibilities—the word itself is so full of promise.
I have to wake my husband in a little while as we’re going outside to view this wonder. Hot chocolate is at the ready and I’m dropping in some of my homemade marshmallows (I’m so tickled about the marshmallows). Tucson nights are down in the 30s right now so we’ll snuggle under quilts to keep warm as I unfortunately have pneumonia.
As many as 120 to 180 meteors per hour are expected to streak across the sky so we’ll stretch out on our pool chaise lounges to avoid straining our necks as we watch.
For tips on how best to view the Geminids display, here is a link to the Smithsonian’s newsletter.
Want to hear how an actual Geminid meteor echo sounds? NASA has a very short recording you can listen to, click here. In a funny bit of synchronicity, it was also recorded on a Dec. 14th but in 1998.
If you want to see some awesome photos of the Aurora Borealis taken recently, visit Hoganfe’s excellent blog and see her gorgeous photos of the most amazing light show on planet Earth.
Bandage Brigade Update
The fire of generosity has truly been lit by many of you wonderful folks. To this moment, 26 wonderful souls have joined the Bandage Brigade. I’ve made an alphabetical list of participants in the right-hand column with links where applicable. Thank you so much to all of you!
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, please read this post. You are welcome to join us in this effort to “Give Unto Others.”
Oh how wonderful that so many people have signed up for the Bandage Brigade! That is a thought that makes this a nicer day for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely ideas and the tip about the meteor showers. It's cloudy here. :>( I would love to see them though. The photograph is lovely.
Have a truly lovely weekend June!
How romantic watching the stars with your hubby in the early morning hours :-)
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to email me instructions on the bandage....(()) Rosie
I think I need to light my pine-scented candle this morning, and maybe have a fire in the fireplace this evening.
ReplyDeleteHomemade marshmallows? How cool!
Hi June, honestly, just reading your blog calms me down and relaxes me. I haven't had time this week, so I'm catching up on all my blogs, and reading your blog always makes me slow down. Thank you for that. Now I'm all to email you for the bandage brigade! :)
ReplyDeleteYou have pneumonia??? Take care of yourself... maybe not going outside on a 30 degree night to look at the sky. Are you feeling any better?? When did this start??
ReplyDeleteWhat is that 'lovely' behind the candle??? We(hee,hee)NEED to see that!!
Get lots of rest and stay under those quilts.
Love, Joni
You have pneumonia and you are star gazing in the middle of the night? You certainly do savor everyone of life's moments! Good for you. Take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteHi June, I sent my sign up info last Wed. but didn't hear back. It probably got lost in the shuffle. I'm resending my private message but thought I'd post here too. Mrs. Staggs encouraged me when she blogged about the project.
ReplyDeleteDarla
Pneumonia??? You better take care of yourself -- we can't have our bandage commander out of commission!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat picture you got of the meteor shower, we had cloud cover.......
crystalxo