Once In a Blue Moon
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- Published on Friday, 31 August 2012 03:41
- Written by Donna Mazzitelli
I recently came across an article written by folklorist Philip Hiscock entitled, "Once in a Blue Moon." In it, Mr. Hiscock states, "According to old folklore, some people say the second full Moon in a calendar month is called a 'blue Moon.' They go on to explain that this is the origin of the expression 'once in a blue Moon.' But it isn't true! The term 'blue Moon' has been around a long time, well over 400 years, but its calendrical meaning has become widespread only in the last 25 years."
The first recorded reference to a blue moon goes back to the 16th century. According to Mr. Hiscock, Cardinal Wolsey — Henry VIII's advisor — wrote about his intellectual enemies who "would have you believe the moon is blue." The colors of the moon usually range from white to yellow, so to call the moon blue was to state an absurdity. The phrase therefore became a reference to absurdity or impossibility. By the 1700s, the phrase apparently acquired a related second meaning: never.
Hiscock further explains, "But there are also historical examples of the Moon actually turning blue. That's the third meaning — the Moon appearing blue in the sky. When the Indonesian volcano Krakatoa exploded in 1883, its dust turned sunsets green and the Moon blue all around the world for the best part of two years. In 1927, the Indian monsoons were late arriving and the extra-long dry season blew up enough dust for a blue Moon. And Moons in northeastern North America turned blue in 1951 when huge forest fires in western Canada threw smoke particles up into the sky.
"So, by the mid-19th century, it was clear that visible blue Moons, though rare, did happen from time to time — whence the phrase 'once in a blue Moon.' It meant then exactly what it means today, a fairly infrequent event, not quite regular enough to pinpoint. That's meaning number four, and today it is still the main one."
On Friday, August 31st, we get to experience an actual "Blue Moon," the last Blue Moon until 2015.
Comments (6)August Musings
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- Published on Friday, 17 August 2012 18:25
- Written by Donna Mazzitelli
The month of August is already more than halfway over, a bittersweet month filled with endings and new beginnings. It means we're moving towards summer's end--the bloom of many of summer's fruits, vegetables, and flowers is slowing down. Many crops are being harvested as we begin the preparations for the coming of fall and winter. Families and children have begun to gear up for the beginning of the new school year ahead. Many children have already returned to school. The last of summer vacationing and leisurely days at the local swimming pool are upon us as the days get shorter. I can already see the angle of the sun lowering in the daytime sky.
In the past two weeks, here in Colorado, I've already smelled more than a few fall mornings. Along with crisper mornings, the nights have become visibly cooler. As I drove north yesterday, I saw one tree-lined path sprinkled with yellow leaves...already. It seems as if fall may be coming a bit early this year. But then, as I look back, I remember that our Colorado summer began sooner than usual too.
I feel the anticipation of fall and winter and look forward to days of snow when all we can do is stay indoors and look out at the blanket of white that envelops our neighborhood. Yet, I feel sad to say goodbye to this season of activity and abundance. My yard is still abloom in vivid, bright colors of yellow, purple, pink, blue and white. The bees and butterflies are still busy at work. The birds still fill my trees with song and cheery morning and evening greetings.
I know that the colors in my yard will soon fade and the hummingbirds will disappear until next spring. I sense the impending invitation to move inward as the days grow shorter. The cooling weather invites me to wrap myself in the warmth of outer layers of clothing and even shawls and blankets. Soon, indoor fires, warmer foods and hot drinks will call me further inward--both indoors and deeper into more introspective pursuits.
For today, though...
Comments (6)Handwritten Letters and Notes
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- Published on Wednesday, 25 July 2012 15:30
- Written by Donna Mazzitelli
There's nothing to inspire a writer more, in my opinion, than writing by hand. I love the feel of pen in hand as it flows across the smoothness of paper. I feel the words flow from my heart, down my arm, and onto the paper--a purely heartfelt action. And I truly appreciate looking at the words I've written in longhand with all their curls, curves and curlicues. They show how I'm feeling and say something about my personality. On any given day, I can tell when I've written hurriedly or full of emotion or when I've taken the time to write the most beautiful cursive with intention.
My father was a rare kind of man. He had the most beautiful handwriting, much prettier than my mother's (sorry, mom, but I know you know this is true!). He prided himself in his ability to write and print with a style and flourish not possessed by many men of his generation. Even his "route books" that he completed nightly for the next day's deliveries were written with care and attention to detail. Everyone--men and women alike--complimented him and commented on his exquisite penmanship.
Handwriting may be becoming a dying art, which makes me sad.
Comments (16)Writing the "In Betweens"
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- Published on Thursday, 12 July 2012 22:09
- Written by Donna Mazzitelli
Until quite recently, I coached writers, especially those working on memoirs, to "dig deep"--to get to the heart of their stories and those core experiences and truths. To take us into their learnings, transformations and aha moments. As I spoke these words to the people I worked with and coached them about the process of getting to that raw, honest, authentic material, I found that asking them to "dig deep and excavate" didn't feel or sound inviting. In fact, it felt intimidating and critical.
I noticed that I even had a physical reaction to these words. I tuned into the constriction I felt in my own gut as I spoke about digging and excavating. Yet, I couldn't figure out why. After all, don't we have to "dig deep" to get to our core truths and emotions?
The answer I finally came to was no. In exploring my own thoughts and feelings around these words, I found that what was not sitting right with me was the imagery they evoked. What came to mind were images of toil and struggle and even confinement and constriction. They felt judgmental (as if I were saying to the person, "You're not doing it right. You're not doing enough!") The words felt harsh and quite frankly, masculine. They represented doing, going, pushing and pulling--lots of energy done with force. They didn't speak of being gentle with ourselves or allowing for flow. They didn't acknowledge the ebb and flow of emotions or the awareness and insights we usually experience as we get in touch with the events and transformational processes within our lives. They didn’t speak of our need to sometimes pause.
That's when it hit me!
Comments (6)