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There were no dogs howling or other creatures making strange sounds. My dog did what she always does, roamed around the yard, sniffing at the ground for what, I do not know. Nonetheless, it was a magnificent event. I am talking about the solar eclipse that just happened. I live in Little Rock, Arkansas which was a perfect location to view the eclipse. We are in a swath of real estate stretching from Mexico, extending across fifteen states of the United States.

The news folks have been chatting up the eclipse for who knows how long, predicting that Arkansas would experience an influx of up to one million visitors. For a state with a population of just over three million, that increase in humans if for only a short while is significant. Grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, gas stations and all manner of service-providing businesses have been preparing for the eclipse, hoping to prevent crippling shortages of all things we need to live. Just the other day, I read an article in my local newspaper about hospitals in Little Rock making plans to order additional amounts of regularly stocked medical supplies early. They will be ordering their supplies two to three days before they normally do, because they are not sure what effects the increase in visitors to the state will have on their supply chains.

Out of all the logistical concerns political and business leaders discussed and planned for over the weeks and months leading up to today, I can honestly say that the event was fascinating. My wife, oldest child and I pulled down lawn chairs from the back deck, positioned them on the lawn and took it all in. Seeing the moon creep slowly across the path of the sun was eerie to say the least. When totality occurred, I removed my eclipse glasses for just a few seconds to see nature’s celestial beauty in full array. I did not want to look too long without the glasses…better safe than sorry.

I got the opportunity to view a partial eclipse from my back yar back in 2017; however, it was not as spectacular as the event I just witnessed. I sat through the entire event, watching the moon’s shadow slowly invade the sun’s rays and eventually cover it entirely. The point of totality was sheer beauty to behold. Watching the streetlights come on when darkness occurred was cool, too.

I am old and blessed…hope you will be too.