Out In The Sun Too Long?

Good news! I survived the eclipse! And, I assume, if you’re reading this you survived as well. Or not. I have no definitive proof that my blog isn’t read by the dearly departed; though common sense says no. Speaking of common sense, I’m pretty sure that’s a rare form of thinking on the verge of extinction.

Standing in a long line at the store the other day, I heard a guy say he’d like to view the next solar eclipse from the perspective of the sun—looking back toward the Earth. He told us he was already checking into travel arrangements. Okay, then.

Apparently, the guy has never heard how far away the sun is. (Not to mention the availability of flights to the sun is sort of limited. Severely limited. As in none.) I guess he’s never heard how hot the sun is either. And that, even if he could somehow manage to get there and not burn up, trying to find the Earth would be rather difficult.

I didn’t say anything because well, the only things I could think of were not polite! (Yes, I do know how to be polite—at times). However, another guy in line wasn’t as nice. “You’re joking right?”

The would-be space traveler insisted he certainly was not. The two of them argued the finer points traveling to the sun for a few minutes before the sane one gave up. Looking at me, he rolled his eyes and shook his head slowly. I just nodded—with a smirk on my face, I’m sure.

And that would be the real reason I chose to not get involved in the conversation; a rational and reasonable person stands no chance against utter insanity—and after listening to Solar Man talk, I’m convinced he wasn’t dealing with a full deck. What’s worse though, is there were at least a couple of people in line who seemed to agree with him. See why I say common sense is in danger of becoming lost forever?

I know the eclipse is over but I think these people are still very much in the dark. On a related note: marijuana use is now legal in Oregon! ~

Bruce A. Borders is the author of more than a dozen books, including: Inside Room 913, Over My Dead Body, The Journey, Miscarriage Of Justice, The Lana Denae Mysteries, and The Wynn Garrett Series. Available in ebook at www.amazon.com/Bruce-A.-Borders/e/B006SOLWQS and paperback on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million. Bruce A. Borders is a proud member of Rave Reviews Book Club.

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The Dark Side Of The Sun

Did someone mention something about a solar eclipse? Think I heard that somewhere—amid all the dire warnings of how Oregon’s economy is going to crash. The theory was a sudden influx of a million or more people would strain supply chains, such as food, gas, ATM’s, as well as disrupt phone and Internet service. Traffic was also a big concern. All this of course was supposed to lead to much mayhem and chaos with a possible failure of the power grid. The total eclipse would bring total destruction—if one listened to the nitwits in charge. They, and the so-called experts, were predicting some very dark days.

I agree that a million additional people crammed into a small area would cause a few problems, temporarily (in a few days, things would go back to normal). I just didn’t think that many would actually show up. And apparently, they didn’t. Sure, the cities in the direct line for the full effect of the eclipse have a few visitors. I’ve seen pictures, and there are a lot of people, but nowhere close to what was expected. And so far, there have been no ill effects, at least not in my neck of the woods. In fact, I saw virtually no difference in traffic levels, or anything else, in the last few days.

Granted, Monday afternoon may be a different story—when those people who did show up all leave at once. But that will be short-lived. By the time I get home from work late Monday night—or early Tuesday morning, depending on your perspective—I’m thinking they will be long gone.

Since the event is taking place near my house, I will get up early to view it. But I’m not driving the two hours it would take to see the eclipse in its totality. I might think differently had I not already witnessed a total eclipse—in the very town in which I now live—back in 1979.

I remember it well and as I recall, the only thing that happened then was it got dark for a few minutes during the day. I’m guessing that this time, history may repeat itself—the day will turn dark, then light again, and it will be over. No catastrophic calamities. But I could be wrong. The disastrous devastation may eclipse all expectations. I’ll let you know next week—if I’m still here. ~

Bruce A. Borders is the author of more than a dozen books, including: Inside Room 913, Over My Dead Body, The Journey, Miscarriage Of Justice, The Lana Denae Mysteries, and The Wynn Garrett Series. Available in ebook at www.amazon.com/Bruce-A.-Borders/e/B006SOLWQS and paperback on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million. Bruce A. Borders is a proud member of Rave Reviews Book Club.

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A Tale From The Dark Side

In light of the recent lunar eclipse that occurred last night, I have a story from a few years ago. Back around 1979. A total solar eclipse.

I’ve always been a little stubborn. I was in sixth grade at the time and during the days leading up to the eclipse, we were all instructed to NOT watch the eclipse; to NOT even look toward the sun. Our eyes would be permanently damaged, they said. Instead, we were told, we would make little shadow boxes so we could experience the eclipse safely. The idea was we would watch the effect of the eclipse as the shadow moved across our boxes. Everyone in my class was told we had to make a box.

Well first, I didn’t know of anyone who could look directly at the sun, it was too bright. I didn’t need anyone to tell me that. Most of us had tried long before this and discovered we involuntarily looked away. Second, and more to the point of me being stubborn, this eclipse was a rare event. There was no way I was going to miss it by watching a shadow displayed inside a box.

Since I didn’t plan on using a box, I saw no point in making one, so I didn’t. My teacher informed me that if I did not make a box I would get and “F.” But since the “F” was only for that assignment, I decided it was worth it. The day of the eclipse came and as I had so stubbornly informed everyone, I had not made a box.

But apparently, I wasn’t the only one who wanted to watch the real thing. Most all of the students in my class were excited and forgot about their little box. When the eclipse started, we all were watching the sun. Yet, not a single one of us went blind.

I think most people know how to shade their eyes with their hand, it’s another almost involuntary action. It allows you to see what’s going on without being blinded. We all practiced this technique that my teacher had evidently never heard of, and then the strangest thing happened, it got dark! Not completely dark but enough so we didn’t need to shade our eyes—because the sun was gone! Not really that dangerous after all!

I did get my “F.” But I also proved my point—that I didn’t need a box. My eyes were just fine afterwards! Although... Lately, I’m noticing things are getting harder to see. The print on virtually everything is so small these days! Maybe it’s just normal aging or... Maybe I should have made a box! ~

Bruce A. Borders is the author of more than a dozen books, including: Inside Room 913, Over My Dead Body, The Journey, Miscarriage Of Justice, and The Wynn Garrett Series. Available in ebook and paperback on iTunes, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Smashwords, or at www.bruceabordersbooks.weebly.com. Amazon Profile - http://www.amazon.com/Bruce-A.-Borders/e/B006SOLWQS. Bruce A. Borders is a proud member of Rave Reviews Book Club.

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