Spend more time looking at the sky

I didn’t realise it had been quite so long since I’d done this. I managed a bit of time this morning. The sun was out and the sky was cloudless. It was the deepest blue I had ever seen. Not the darkest, but the deepest, most intense. Just gorgeous.

I attempted to use my astronomy book tonight, without much success. I think I need more practice at reading the star maps. Admittedly, I didn’t get to spend as long looking as I would have liked because I got chased inside by the mosquitoes. I shall simply have to persevere.

December proved to be a hectic month for me and so I didn’t make the time for this that I should have. I did, however, buy a book on astronomy for the southern hemisphere that lists major celestial events. I think it’s going to prove invaluable for this goal.

I got in early this month, so that I wouldn’t forget and leave it to the last minute. Though perhaps my attempt yesterday doesn’t really count, since I spent most of it with my eyes closed. It was an overcast day, yet very bright. Even with my sunglasses on it was bright and there wasn’t much to see. So I closed my eyes and felt the cool touch of a light breeze from time to time. The chatter of the sparrows and the buzzing of beatles provided plenty to listen to. I found it very peaceful and just what I needed.

I almost didn’t make it this month. Uni work kept me exceptionally busy for most of the time. Not really any excuse, though.

I didn’t have much luck with this today either. I tried going out at lunch time, but it was too hot and I would have been sunburned if I stayed out long. So I went out tonight instead and spread my picnic blanket out on my lawn. Scared off a black cat while I was at it.

It was lovely seeing the stars come out. A few moths floated overhead and I could hear a couple of neighbours out and about in their yards. For some reason, I just couldn’t relax though. Perhaps next time.

I was a bit worried I wouldn’t get to do this today. We had quite a bit of rain last night and it wasn’t looking promising. However mid-morning a long line of blue came marching over the horizon and liberated the sun. It ended up being quite warm.

It was lovely and relaxing today. I saw a few interesting shapes in the clouds. One looked like a Commedia Del’Arte mask and there was another that started off looking like a fox and ended up more like a kangaroo.

I had a few bees buzz by close overhead too.

I didn’t stay out long today. Shortly after I lay down, the sun disappeared under a massive bank of cloud and it became quite cold.

Still, it was amazing to watch the clouds. The looked like living things, the way they grew and reached out and merged with each other. I saw one that looked like the head of a hippopotomas for a little while.

I got out for a little while today, though not as long as I would have liked. The weather was a little cloudy at times today, but I managed to time it so that I had a lovely sunny patch. It actually felt a lot like Spring was on its way. The sun was warm and the breeze cool, but not freezing. There were also plenty of birds chirping away around me. I even got startled by a couple of low-flying currawongs.

It felt restoring.

It’s been cold lately, so it has taken me some time to get around to getting out this month. I managed a little bit this afternoon, though. The air had a distinct chill to it, but the sun felt wonderful.

There seemed to be two layers of clouds overhead. One was very high up and quite misty… more blue than white and you could see right through them. One of the clouds looked like a man’s face smiling down at me. Then a second layer of clouds came racing past in a completely different direction. It surprised me and made me smile.

No deep feelings of peace this time around. I felt restless, more like the second layer of clouds than the first.

I wonder why it takes me so long to get around to doing this? It’s certainly well worth it. Watching the clouds drift along above gives me a better feel for what my own pace should be… relaxed, but moving at a faster rate than you think.

The sun was wonderfully warm on my skin, softened by a slight breeze now and then. It felt like lying in bed, with the Earth solid beneath me and a warm blanket of sunshine on top. Or maybe like a hug.