EDITORIAL: Looking peacefully at the Ocean of Storms

Those of us who are lucky enough to have been here in Florida these last few days have had a week of crisp weather under what seems to have been an exceptionally long, and beautiful, series of full moons. There is a difference to a Florida fall, and we had it this week. The old Florida “You Need It Bad” ad from 1981, which won so many awards, talks about this time in the north, “When the last leaves of autumn have fallen to the ground … ” Then comes cold.

This very long-lasting full moon, which was actually Monday, is now in its “waning gibbous” phase, rising later into the night. As the week closes, at presstime, we were at an “87 percent” phase, and NASA Goddard puts the craters Tycho, the Oceanus Procellarum and Mare Imbrium in view with the naked eye in its online moon guides.

That means for two weekends we have had bright nights, where the moonlight is strong.

Of all the things that the federal government does, the observation of the moon is a good one, as NASA offers us analysis with the unaided eye, binoculars and telescope. At some point when America returns to the moon, we will have to confront the Apollo conspiracy folk, but if we look closely we can see the general sites (not the refuse or marks) of Apollo 12, in Oceanus Procellarum, in English known as the Ocean of Storms. Another site is where Apollo 15 landed on the edge of the Mare Imbrium, the Sea of Rains. They are all there, waiting for rediscovery.

Just being outside on Earth, you can feel the difference. In Florida, the winter season is perfect for moons. Because the clouds are scarce and land is flat, the moons seem closer, and appear across the horizon from seemingly every direction. Even looking up in a paved Publix parking lot in the evening has been satisfying this week, the weather has been beyond description, and the breezes so strong. No matter how perfect the HVAC system, or the landscape lighting, it could not improve on 67 degrees and a 15 to 20 mph breeze, which kept mosquitoes at bay. The other effect during this season is how the moon seems to “move” through holes in the clouds, almost like a movie, with a corona effect around it. It is all a bit cinematic, though you do not have to look anywhere but up to see it.

In a morning walk this week, a disquieting moment came early on with the passing of an electric car during a moonlit walk. At slow speeds, the car makes a sort of “hrrrrrrr” sound as it passes. Apparently, the sound is fake, as the cars have an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System that is needed so people near the car can hear it come by.

Many dogs hate the sound. So does this editor, though the sound is necessary, and a compromise we make with modernity, one of the many more that we seem to have to make each day. Does it seem to the reader that all of us must make more and more compromises to these little encroachments, for our convenience? What is the price when natures rewards are available for free?

Thankfully, the encroachments are rare, if we keep them at bay, and pay careful attention to being out in places with the electronics off and the nature around.

This Saturday in the English-speaking world is Halloween, and Sunday, All Saints’ Day. Monday is All Souls Day. It is a pity that Halloween has become the larger of the three days in popularity. While not at all merchandisable, the All Saints idea is more satisfying a guide forward, as it asks us to “grant us grace so to follow thy blessed Saints in all virtuous and Godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys, which thou has prepared for them that unfeignedly love thee.”

In this last week, we have had the opportunity to talk, visit and share dinner and time with many of the saintly people who are dear, and nearby. It has been nice to do that outdoors.

In spite of the differences between us, and an election day ahead, perhaps the message is that at least this week we can all share in the time together for those of us who are still here, with us, in whatever capacity, status or state of health.

And with many cool days ahead for the season, and special holidays too, perhaps All Saints is a time when we can now reflect on the blessings that others have given us over the years, to allow us to experience this part of the world, in these moonlit nights and sunny days ahead.

No matter what they bring.

Garland Pollard is editor of the Boca Beacon. Email editor@bocabeacon.com