Day 240
This weekend we observed the full Harvest Moon … 3 nights of a full moon and I missed seeing it all together. How did that happen?
The harvest moon … back in the day (I always wanted to say that!) … when farmers were harvesting their crops (as is customary at this time of year in the northern hemisphere) they called the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox the harvest moon because the moon was so big and bright they could continue harvesting by moonlight (before tractor lights, etc.).
The harvest moon really isn’t any bigger or brighter or more orange in color than any other full moon but the moonrise is later, making the time between moonrise and sunrise shorter – so it seems like there is less darkness. The “larger than normal” moon size is due to the proximity of the moon to the horizon. It’s an optical illusion called “Moon Illusion”.
Furthermore, the orange, red or yellowish color harvest moons seem to be upon moonrise is due to the blue light that is scattered through the thicker atmosphere at the horizon. Our eyes see red light which in combination creates a more orange, red or yellowish cast to the moon when it is low in the sky.
And, of course, if we are thinking about harvest moons … you are probably already humming this little ditty already … (if not, you you will be shortly) …
In 1903 Nora Bayes and Jack Norworth wrote the song … Shine on Harvest Moon.
Shine on, shine on harvest moon, up in the sky. I ain’t had no lovin’ since January, February, June or July. Snow time ain’t no time to stay outdoors and spoon. So, shine one, shine on harvest moon – for me and my gal.
Personally, I’ve heard better lyrics … but at the time it must have been quite something because it was a big hit! And unfortunately, it is one of those infuriatingly annoying songs that I’ll find myself singing while in the shower, or driving, or going up some escalator; one of those songs that sticks in my head for weeks on end.
In any case … songs aside, full moons hold a special place in my heart.
Back in the early 80’s Tim and I went to a John Denver concert at Red Rocks amphitheater. It was one of those luscious August evenings when the night was absolutely perfect. The full moon rose in the eastern sky, above the stage, and looked like it could have been the size of Jupiter it was so big and so orange. It was spectacular. The evening sky was almost purple that night and as John Denver sang about Shanghai breezes … it almost felt like we were half a world away.
Fast forward to the summer of 2006. A month before Tim died Mobes came out to the backyard with me one night. It was such a difficult time for our family and around 1am that night, after checking on Tim, I went outside to get some air. The dog was acting really strangely and I had to coax her outside with me; she didn’t like to leave his side for very long. I laid down on the chaise lounge looking through the maple leaves at the full moon. The breezes made the limbs move and the moonlight danced around the yard. I can still hear the soft swish-rustle of those leaves. It was one of those balmy and beautiful nights – practically perfect, except that the man I loved was upstairs dying of cancer. As I laid there, Mobes climbed up onto the chaise and laid her full body on me – nose to nose – in a big lab hug. I think she was telling me that she was Tim’s dog, but she was going to be there for me, as well.
I laid there, for the longest time, with a 100 lb dog on me, crying my eyes out and the dog licking the tears off my face.
So, when the full moon rises … harvest or otherwise … those are the things I remember and I send a little “Hello honey” up to the man in the moon.