Ain't~nothing~ma, Epic.

My son called me to say it got real dark outside. Cloud cover but they could see the tiny bit of sun left since it was 99.5% where he lives. He met one of his neighbors, so at least it got him out of the house.

I can’t imagine not driving to where it was 100% if it was that close!

I am afraid my dance weekend event may end up on Fox News. We had some dance troupe performances Saturday night. One of them from the local country radio station’s group of ladies. Sure, whatever. But someone’s been posting that they were asked to leave and not perform because they were wearing patriotic outfits. I did see some folks during rehearsal time in American flag looking tank tops. I asked our people and they claimed no, they weren’t asked by anyone official to leave, but that attendees were upset by the outfits (?!!!) and that the dancers were offended people were upset and therefore left. But it’s being claimed the dancers were asked to leave and…ugh. Don’t want to be on Fox News!! Also rolling my eyes at people who are Big Mad about American flag apparel. Is it conservative coded? Sure. Is it offensive? No. (Had it been confederate flag shirts absolutely would’ve supported asking them to leave. But it wasn’t)

Epic, lots of nothing~ma headed your way!

We had perfect weather for the eclipse -- 70s and sunny with some wispy clouds that didn't interfere with viewing at all. We drove about an hour west into Indiana, to a state park where Tim's brother and some family were camping. Totality was stunning. Nothing really prepared me for it. People all over the campground cheered when totality started, which was awesome.

My eclipse-viewing plan mostly worked. Arrived at my first choice of site about three and a half hours before totality and snagged the last open parking spot. There was quite a crowd, and some pretty fancy telescope and photography rigs. Lots of kids running around, and about a dozen dogs, too.

I grabbed a couple of quick mobile-phone shaky-cam pictures, but mostly just watched the old-fashioned way. [link]

There was a little bit of thin cirrus, but the viewing was still very good. Jupiter and Venus were much brighter than I expected.

It was a great show. Worth the effort.

I’m so glad it was nothing worse, Epic!

We had clear skies and ~75% coverage here, so I went out to my parking lot with a colander and a camera for science. Some of my neighbors joined me. Since I’m in a local astronomy group this has been on my radar for a while, and I had a 6-pack of glasses to hand out. (I may never be so prepared for anything ever again.) I work with a bunch of fellow nerds so they were all cool with me being away from my desk for an hour or so—most of them were, too.

We had sunny, clear skies here too. Totality was actually much more spectacular than the one in 2017—it got as dark as late evening twilight, far more than I expected. Very humbling experience, to think we're standing being awestruck by the same phenomenon that amazed and terrified people thousands of years ago.

Continued nothing-ma for epic. So glad the news was good.

I can’t imagine not driving to where it was 100% if it was that close!

It was very cloudy, and his girlfriend had to work, so he didn't make the short drive. Her work people went out into the parking lot.

I love hearing everyone's eclipse experiences!

Also rolling my eyes at people who are Big Mad about American flag apparel. Is it conservative coded? Sure. Is it offensive? No.

The whole thing sounds absurd. When I was a young teen hippie chick we all wore flag clothing.

Epic, keeping the ~ma flowing. Good to hear the results of the scan, and shame on them for leaving you so long!!

Oy, Cupid pooped at the top of the landing which I didn't see in the early morning gloom. So I tromped all in it on my way out the door with her for the morning walk. And now I've been scrubbing it out of the carpet. A fine way to start the day.

Fortunately this is the crappy (pun intended) stairway carpet which is worn and frayed.

Continued -ma, Epic!!