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Monday, August 21, 2017

Anniversary Eclipsed

This year two special events are happening today, August 21.

The first has received worldwide coverage; countless numbers will be out to view "The Great American Total Solar Eclipse" which will be visible in totality within a band across the entire contiguous U.SThe last time a solar eclipse of this magnitude occurred was during the June 8, 1918 eclipse.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon's apparent diameter is larger than the sun's, blocking all direct sunlight and turning day into darkness. The path of totality—the region from which the total eclipse is visible to skywatchers—will  stretch from Oregon to S. Carolina. About 12 million people live in its path; 220 million reside within a day's drive.

Did you see the interactive Total Solar Eclipse of the Sun Forever stamp issued by the U.S. postal system? (Hope you got some as when the 60 million printed stamps sell out, they won't be reprinted.)

The stamp uses a photograph taken by astrophysicist Fred Espenak of a total solar eclipse viewed over Jalu, Libya on March 29, 2006. 

It was the first U.S. postage stamp to use thermochromic ink that reacts to the heat of touch. Placing a finger over the black disc on the stamp caused the ink to change from black to clear and reveal an underlying image of the moon. When it cools, the image reverts to a black disc. The back of the stamp pane showed a map of the eclipse path.

Here's the second, but no less minor, event that's being celebrated today, a private one with far less coverage except here. August 21 is our (18th) wedding anniversary.  
Also, co-celebrating across the pond in England today are friends Kath and Andrew. We met several years ago when they were on a U.S. visit and hope we will meet again, perhaps in England this time.
Later this week, family members in CT will also celebrate wedding anniversaries. We send our best wishes to them and all others celebrating this month.

In 2 years, we'll have to come up with a really quite spectacular celebration for our 20th. 
Admittedly, it will be hard to top a solar eclipse — but, we're open to all suggestions.
This year, we're taking a couple of short getaways that don't involve family, VA house projects or anything other than enjoying ourselves. The latter part of the trip will involve one of Grenville's favorite activities — a train ride (details to follow in a future post).

Happy Anniversary to Everyone🍾

16 comments:

Lady Jane said...

wow,a solar eclipse for your anniversary, how did you finagle that one, lol.... Seriously, happy anniversary... Hugs, lj

MadSnapper said...

Happy anniversary and add to this list my brother is 69 today..

Doris said...

Happy Anniversary to you! Enjoy your day and all the special activities you two have planned!

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary to you guys! Have a wonderful time.

We experienced darkness around 2:25 this afternoon. Our solar lights came on in the garden.

William Kendall said...

Happy Anniversary!

It was a partial eclipse here. Clear skies, so I looked out around peak time, and noted the unusual tone to the blue skies. I had to mentally tell myself not to look up at the sun!

Emma Springfield said...

Happy Anniversary. I had no idea it was coming so soon. The eclipse was wonderful, wasn't it?

Red said...

Happy anniversary. You'll remember this one!

Connie said...

Happy Anniversary! How exciting to have the eclipse on the same day to celebrate.

Anvilcloud said...

Happy belated anniversary.

Kay G. said...

YES! I did buy some of those stamps and I truly meant to mention them on my post but you guessed it, I FORGOT!
Hope you had a great anniversary yesterday on ECLIPSE day too! :-)

bj said...

Here's hoping your anniversary is wonderful.
Thank you so much for coming by with such a sweet comment. Yes, ma'am, going thru this has been the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I thought I was a strong person...but...I'm not. I just pray every night for HIM to help me thru the next day. Our daughter posted some of the most beautiful words on her facebook today and, with her permission, I am inserting it in my next post.
Love and happiness to you...and please come back to see me soon. xo

baili said...

wonderful post about full eclipse my friend!!!

i totally enjoyed it and how nice to turn it into a everlasting memory in the form of stamp.

i love train journeys though unlike before i lay most of the time on birth ,i think train journey is more fascinating than plane's

wishing you a happy safe break dear

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Thanks to everyone for your wonderful comments and best wishes on our anniversary. All were much appreciated. ❤️ And, we did get to see part of the solar eclipse too!

L. D. said...

A first cousin of mine, my age, and her husband also had their wedding anniversary on the Eclipse day. The live in St. Louis.

Leonora said...

Happy Anniversary! Wishing you many more happy years together! You'll never forget your 18th with that eclipse happening on the same day : )

DeniseinVA said...

A belated Happy Anniversary to you both. Great post!