Photo by Jim Ruppel – Copyright 2012

There’s a Blue Moon tonight meaning it’s the second full moon in a calendar month – this month being August.  It’s bright, full, eerie and majestic as it hangs there in the sky.

While typically it is rare that the second full moon would be blue in color certain unusual particles of dust or smoke in the atmosphere can create them.  Folklore has it that the name Blue Moon originated as a saying for when there are more full moons in a month than ordinary.

It is hard to believe on the same day of this month’s second full moon a National iconic legend, the first man who set foot on the moon, Neil Armstrong, was laid to rest – almost in tribute to a humble hero.

He commanded the Apollo 11 historic moon landing on July 20, 1969 and said as he stepped on the lunar surface, “That’s one small step for a man, a giant leap for mankind.”  It’s been over 43 years ago and no other event has been more gripping and proud than watching a human walk on another planet.  It hasn’t happened since nor been pursued.

Tonight’s Blue Moon is beautiful to watch rising in the sky, a pale yellow, as it first appears on the horizon.  It seems so large and close at first and brightens the higher it gets lighting up the ground as if it’s day.

I can’t think of a more fitting salute to Commander Armstrong than the heavens escorting him to the other side with the rise of a Blue Moon.

Pat – from the ol’ kitchen table