# 230: Check This One Off My Bucket List

A lifetime goal of seeing the Aurora Borealis going full tilt accomplished!

I’d seen the Northern Lights on one other occasion during a cross-country night flight back to Seattle. The pilot came on the intercom and quietly said, If you are on the right side of the plane, look out your window because the Northern Lights are with us. I had a window seat and when I opened the shade there was a chorus line of dancing green waves that stayed with us for 45 minutes as we flew. I thought this couldn’t be beat but last Friday night will claim the award of Best Light Show Ever and the admission was free.

✔️See the Northern Lights

I knew they were coming—the Northern Lights a/k/a Aurora Borealis—but would I be able to see them? On the north coast of Washington State (US) it’s hard to predict what the weather will be like day to day and sometimes hour to hour. The weather app on my phone may show rain—only to be clear, or calm and clear—only to turn in to lashing rain. The promise of perfectly clear robin’s egg blue skies all day long turned out to be true. It was a spectacularly beautiful day.

I made a pie that afternoon for a local fundraising auction. I exchanged my flour-covered apron for some dressier garb, carefully packed the pie and drove it to the

# 210: A is for Aprons

venue where the festivities were to be held. Once there I was seated next to an acquaintance who, I discovered, knew a lot about solar storms and the Aurora. I learned that we were in the middle of the biggest solar storm in decades and was strongly encouraged to find somewhere to see the light show that night. OK, but where could I view them with as little light pollution as possible? A good friend also at the event came over to say hello. We chatted a bit and then I asked, “Could I come over tonight to see the Northern Lights?” I knew they lived in a more unlit location and was thrilled when the reply was, “Sure! It will be good to catch up more, too.”

Perfect!

Photo by me

The auction wrapped up, I headed home to swap my fancy-ish garb for something more comfy and warm, grab my headlamp, water-bottle, blanket and load GP and me in the car. I was excited but GP was more like, Uh Mom, what the heck are you doing. It’s the middle of the night and time for sleepies—but, being the very good companion that she is, she hopped in the car anyway.

Photo by me

Just before we turned down the road to my friend’s place, I saw what looked like the pale beam of a search light high over head but it was it rippling. Is that it? i think that might be it. I headed on through the gates and parked.

My friend greeted me with, It’s happening! and we walked straight through the house and outside to where two comfy chaise lounges were set up and waiting. I settled GP next to me, covered myself with the blanket and looked up.

Photo by me

You bet it was happening—big time! Colors and striations, ripples and waves all undulating above us. Wowza! We pulled our phones out to see if we could capture a bit of it and found that the cameras pick up color that the naked eye doesn’t see.

Photo by me

Wow, oh wow! The colors are awe-maze-ing! I said, We sound like hippies on an LSD trip!, and both of us laughed. For over two hours we watched and when I got home around 2 AM it was still happening. My across the street neighbor even saw it at 4 AM still displaying.

The view from my front porch about 2AM. Photo by me

The colors! Wow, the colors!

Photo by me

P.S. And the pie I brought to the fundraiser? It auctioned off for $1300. 😀 That was pretty amazing, too.

Apple Pie (photo by me)

Did you see the Northern Lights, too?

What I’m Reading and Watching

• The Woman They Could Not Silence: One Woman, Her Incredible Fight for Freedom, and the Men Who Tried to Make Her Disappear by Kate Moore

  
  Well, this is one heck of a compelling biography and was suggested by a subscriber to this newsletter. (Thank you, Denny!)

  When Elizabeth Parsons Ware Packard (1816-1897) disagreed with her husband, she was institutionalized in an asylum. The physicians who had met with her before her hospitalization claimed that her religious views and her refusal to submit to her husband demonstrated insanity. She was incarcerated for three years during which time she met many other women who were unfairly incarcerated there and witnessed as well as experienced horrific abuse herself. But, she didn’t give in and ultimately “became a voice that resonated across the nation, igniting a movement for change.”

  
  Once I started reading this book I could not put it down.

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• A Gentleman in Moscow based on the book by Amor Towles

  
  I think the show gets better and better with each episode. The series finale is this Friday and even though I like the book best (don’t we always) you can bet I’ll be watching.

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• Bridgerton Season 3

  
  If you need a recap of the Netflix series before Season 3 commences on 5/16/2024 or don’t know about it here’s the link. 😉

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Let’s Dance by David Bowie

Next month I’m going to a showing of the movie Labyrinth. I’ve not seen it and can’t quite imagine the combination of David Bowie and The Muppets but when I’ve mentioned it to others who have, their reaction is, It’s really fun! And, did I mention that there will be a dance and costume party before the screening? No? Well, there is and I’ve ordered up some big round red tinted glasses and blue hair spray coloring to wear. I’ll add a red scarf around my neck, too, so I can look a little like Mr Worm who is one of the characters in the movie.

Mr Worm

Yes, I’ll share a photo next month and goddess help me that I don’t burst a bursa while dancing!

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