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Summer in Felton has arrived and is in full swing. It's not as hot as in previous summers, the mornings are often cool and overcast from the movement inland of the marine layer that forms over the Pacific Ocean only 10 miles westward. Late nights can be damp from the mist that drifts upward into the coastal redwoods. Not that I am usually out and about "late night" but last night was an exception. I lugged my new telescope out to my astronomy club's prime viewing area in Bonny Doon. What an incredible display of the universe! More on that later.
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In the garden, I am enjoying the fruits of my labor with delicious cherry tomatoes. These little darlings are red and sweet. I had less robust results from the lettuce I grew this year, but I do enjoy going out in the morning, picking some tender lettuce leaves and ripe tomatoes and calling it "lunch".
What a simple delight. In the evening, I use the fresh greens and tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and fresh basil drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar to make a caprese salad paired with a very tasty Cab, 2009 Joel Gott 815. Delish.
I also have a bunch of green beans that haven't produced anything to eat yet, but they sure look nice as they turn their leaves towards the sun or cup them to collect moisture. They were supposed to be bush beans, but I have discovered tendrils commingling with the neighboring blackberry bush so perhaps they have bigger aspirations.
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Now to the sky... Up here in the hills, we have skunks, we have deer, we have spiders, we have birds and bees, and of course, we have trees. And the folks who go to the trouble to live here like it quiet and dark. No or very few street lights. The beauty of that is the abundance of stars that are visible on most clear nights. After years of watching them sparkle, I was compelled to go further and get a telescope. My little view of the sky from my deck rises almost directly overhead with a small V between the tall trees towards the Northeast sky. The brightest star in that V is Vega, appropriately, and it was the first star I caught in my scope. A beauty. To enrich my knowledge and viewing opportunities, I joined an astronomy club and attended my first big sky star party last night in Bonny Doon, a nearby tiny mountain town far from city lights.
The location is up a winding mountain road to the top where there is a wide open space. Clear views of the West, South and East skies offered a night sky right out of the star charts. What a treat! I'm still learning how to use the beautiful telescope that is now so treasured, but I saw Polaris, the Big Dipper and many other constellations, and got Mars and Saturn to show me their best sides. Wow. 4 hours flew by until I started to fade and drove down the winding road to home. But I shall return.
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