A Passing Star

On the night my mom died, I was out stargazing with my then-fiance (and husband of 12 years.) We saw a spectacular meteor. I vividly remember telling him we've got to go back (to her care facility.) I knew it was her spirit passing. I knew because it was related to experiences I had a few years earlier when my dad died -- yes I lost them both by the time I was 21.

In my novel I write that my protagonist, Niki, saw a bright meteor the night of March 2, 1982. She thought aloud, "I bet someone important is passing." That was Philip K Dick.

Last night I was stargazing late, 11 pm - 1 am. Around midnight (MDT), I saw an incredibly bright shooting star with long flashy trail. "Wow!" I said aloud in awe, then immediately wondered who died. I felt worried that it might be Thay, who has been ill.
This morning we all learned that a true star passed last night.
We knew it was coming, but it's sad and the country will not be the same without Ted Kennedy's strong leadership. He fought for forty years for health care reform. Let it pass, and not like a shooting star -- but into law for everyone.

Great Ted Kennedy site. Namaste, Senator Kennedy.

Cruisin' the Milky Way

It's been years since I was so excited by the stars -- the real stars! I used to have a large glow-in-the-dark sky map on my back porch and routinely kept an eye on the night sky. My car plate still says "Cosmic" (I'm Sirius!) Somehow busy life and other interests diverted my gaze. Well, that Star Gaze is back, Dr. Gribbin! Good thing, since chapter one (of my novel-in-progress) is all about the Jupiter Effect, Grand Alignment and John Gribbin. (Copyright, soon to be published.)

The Perseid's meteor shower got my attention about a week ago. I discovered big ole Jupiter (really bright in the East sky) and that was it. I was all amped up on magnitude ! I just love blogs -- I can be as cornball as can be here. Novel writing, not so much.

What amazes me, as much as the stars and planets, is how viewing has changed. On Sky and Telescope you see a box on right side menu. For free, you can register and instantly see beautiful sky maps/chart interface (better than Google Sky, cause it's simple to use and no install.) It's full color, totally interactive and allows you to plug in your position (lat/long) or enter a city name, and print custom maps! Right below that is a link to get Planetarium software for your iPhone! I just downloaded podcasts for listening on MP3 while sky gazing! In other words, your own guided tour of the night sky, which really is 'Cruisin' the Milky Way.' Too cool!

For now, I like looking with my binoculars and will probably upgrade to a 8 x 50 pair (over my 7 x 35.) This will provide a little more magnification and larger viewing area. It's easy to get started (or refresh) and now everything you can want is online and books for free at your local library. As Carl Sagan would say there are "billions and billions" of things to see! Oh, and I'm a star now on MeteorBlog! (down and right menu, recent comments!) Soon I'll have the T (shirt) to prove it! Fun, fun, fun! (read my comments, good stuff there including FREE download info.)

Health Care

I'm going to try really hard to stay positive while addressing this extremely controversial issue. Anyone who has ever done battle with an insurance company trying to get the benefit you've paid for (especially after paying premiums for years) should be sympathetic to the need for reform. People without coverage REALLY want reform. 60% of all bankruptcies in the U.S. are now caused by inability to pay medical costs. For those without insurance, one major medical crisis can wipe you out. A single operation can cost 100K!
This all began many years ago with corporate medicine, then malpractice lawsuits, but our terrible lifestyle choices are also right there in the top three causes for the crisis.
Obesity and smoking are the top contributors to health problems. Defensive medical practice -- ordering every possible test to CYA for docs -- and bureaucratic insurance paperwork are other factors contributing to a $1.2 Trillion dollar health care waste in the U.S. Yes, that's just the cost of waste. We spend over $3 Trillion annually now on health care.

How can we NOT need reform?

So, let's be honest. The trumped up protests at the health care hearings and town halls are not really not about reform. It's about money and providing free or subsidized care for immigrants (my polite term for "illegal aliens" or bluntly, Mexicans.) I doubt Repubs and racists are all worked up over Canadians crossing the border or an influx of Norwegians. Those people have their own health care. No, it's Mexicans and Asians the rabble-rousers don't want to care for. The tactic is to scare senior citizens -- since they vote. It's tragic, really.
Why can't we at least be honest about the issues? And to those half-wits who are yelling, "I want my country back." My reponse is "suck it up." I wanted MY country back for eight long painful years. It's our turn to attempt to restore some sanity, so just shut up and sit down! (Sigh, just couldn't stay Mindful. I'll never see myself as One with the racists who call Obama a Nazi or scare old people.)