Day 3, Level 2.5: Birthday, Full Moon, Bubbles, Fish curry and Skifields

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Today is my birthday - a-hem, 58yo. Good grief! It's really just a number and another day - but the reality is with each passing year we slide ever closer to the edge of life ...

I made myself a coffee and, amongst phones calls and texts, I settled back in bed to read the local Junction magazine September edition, just out. Oh what a creative and fabulous edition this one is. I devoured every word, cover to cover, and emerged quite some time later feeling enlightened and enlivened. So many people doing such fabulous creative innovative things. Right here in this area. Love it. I have to say, this whole area is right up there in terms of entrepreneurship, creativity, innovation and fabulosity. And that doesn't even touch on the beauty of the place. 

I did some work, some housework, went to Matakana for some supplies (incl. oysters), made a lemon cake ...

It rained most of the day. Highly disappointing. Egad - where are you Full Moon? You are supposed to sort good weather! Please don't let me down today!

Friends Marie and Charles arrived around 5.30 - with a delicious fish curry for dinner.

The sun was out, the air was calm and the Full Moon had indicated it was trying to come to the party!

We had bubbles, oysters and baked camembert.


And then the gorgeous September Full Moon rose into the sky, large and languid, tinged a rose/gold colour. We looked up in awe. 

That time between when the Full Moon rises above the horizon and then moves up to hit the higher sky (less than an hour) is the most magical of times. The moon starts off massive and golden but all too soon it becomes just normal moon size and colour. That is of course also very stunning - but just not as incredible as when it rises huge and low in the sky.

We checked in with the moon many times tonight and each time we looked skyward, it was different. The size of the moon, the glow across the water, the inky background, sometimes a wispy cloud passing. Can't get enough of it.

The shame is, the moon is impossible to capture on camera (although I always try). Seeing a perfect Full Moon is an experience to be absorbed in the moment. I've checked in on the Full Moon month on month for years upon years since starting my Full Moon research back in 2012. Never ceases to amaze and inspire me.

Bottom line - after a  constantly rainy day, this evening's Full Moon brought perfection with it.

So this is the first one with none of my boys. Well, maybe the second (I turned 44 in France on an art course back in 2006). Brett and Michael are in Auckland (Michael's flatting), Sam is in London and I am in Omaha - eking out every last fabulous moment. We're all in different places and this is a sign of the times - in terms of Covid as well as the fact kids move on of course. Go forth my boys and do all you can and want to do, wherever and however that may be. The world is there to be discovered and you'll always have my blessing xxx

I have to say that going back to Auckland is not top of my list of desires, I'm loving the slow pace of things up in Omaha. But I must return for various commitments. 

What a lovely birthday dinner ... Marie had made a delicious fish curry. Yum.


I made a lemon cake for dessert. No candles tho - woe betide anyone who blows out candles these days and forever more! It's now a nostalgic historic practice!


SHARE-NOTE OF THE DAY:
Turoa Skifield, Mt Ruapehu ...

I've always made an effort to ski on my birthday, at Turoa. Early September can often offer great spring skiing with warmer days and lovely corn spring snow. I've enjoyed some perfect ski birthdays in the past. 

Due to Covid uncertainty I certainly wasn't planning that as reality this year.

But I did check in today to see what Turoa was looking like. Pretty damn good. Wish I'd been there! But also very happy to be right here where I am, in Omaha.

These photos taken from the Turoa ski-cams around 1pm today ...

OMG this is perfection at the top of the mountain - few people and perfect conditions!
Wish I was there!

And this photo is of Blyth Flat ...

Midfield - looking so good, hardly a soul in sight! Usually seething!
Still not quite sure of the Blyth connection with this part of the field - but it's a big hub.

Well, looking at these photos and cams through the day, I really shoulda coulda woulda skied on my birthday this year - it would have been superb. 

That's okay, I've skied so much that I am able to enjoy it in the envisaging realm. And preserve my knee!



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