God's Creation
This day is December 26- 2005. I have been paying more attention to the stars lately. This time of year clears the atmosphere, with winds from the north, and cool dry air. The "Southern Cross" has been a favorite, since the early sixties, in Germany. Another solder pointed it out to me one night as we waited for the Theater to open. The "Southern Cross" moves across the Southern Sky, at about fifty or sixty degrees, up from the Southern Horizon. As far as I can tell it is in about the same position as it was in Germany. Uncle Bill Hampton used to tell us a little story about the Big Dipper. It seems this country-boy was taking his girl for a moon-light ride in the wagon and the horse had to stop and pee. The young man was embarrassed, so he just blurted out "Isn't that the Big Dipper up there?” The young lady replied; "Now, honey, you know that stuff aint no good to drink". Anyway, the two stars at the end of the Big Dipper point to the North Star. The Southern Cross also gives direction to the North Star. From the star at the bottom to the star between the one at the left and the top star, point just about to the North Star. I stepped out on the back deck yesterday morning, and happened to glance up over the house. Apparently, two jet planes had passed over, ninety degrees of one another, and left perfect vapor trails. I went back in to get Dot to see this amazing sight. This was Christmas Day, and as I tried to get a photo, the camera lenses would frame a “Perfect Cross”, when, moved slightly off center. The film had been sticking in the camera for some time, so; no picture. But what a sight to see. Lonny would tell us often, that once the sun touches the horizon, at sunset it will take only five minutes to drop out of sight. This morning, I lingered in the house late, to make out The Big Dipper or The Southern Cross. I noticed the Quarter moon rising in the Eastern Sky I was standing under some oak trees, and had a thought. If I stand here a few minutes, and frame the moon in that opening in the tree limbs, maybe I can watch it move. Actually the earth is doing the moving. I was sixty five in November, and for the first time, I took the time to "Watch the Moon Move". I hope you don't take that long to enjoy God's creation.
by Claude Morgan