a dragon ate the sun

3.14 pm

The smallest sliver of uncovered sun still illuminated everything, and then moments of instant gray, and then black. It was like theatre when the lights went out, a little eery. Totality was almost four minutes, although it seemed far less. 

While most of the sun was covered, temperature dropped, a little breeze came, birds began chirping, tulips closed. The last light had a different quality; some eyeglasses that darken in the sun, cleared up, perhaps the ultraviolet lessened. 

Our greyhound was with us in the backyard. She was fine with it, she was laying down in the grass continuing a snooze, until some idjit neighbor on the street behind us exploded fireworks. Then Karma quickly scooted into the house.

___________________________________________

postscriptum 3pm 12 April: In the last year plus, i have found on reddit the only place for somethings i am interested in; search engines held nothing of value except for reddit on several subjects. The latest was about the failure and disappointment that the total eclipse of the sun was not an apocalyptic event.  A total eclipse is rare for any particular location on Earth, it is not rare for the Earth.  Apparently some people are surprised that they are still here. Not being conversant in crazy Protestantism, i did not know, some people thought the Rapture would come and begin the End Times that day. Firstly, this rapture was invented by John Nelson Darby in 1831 after he left the Protestant Church of Ireland to form the Plymouth Brethren. His ideas have been accepted by many American Evangelicals. Secondly, there have been many people who call for the end of the world. So far they have all been wrong. Thirdly, many like to quote biblical passages and do some mental gymnastics. They do this while ignoring straightforward passages:

• — But of that day and hour no one knoweth, not the angels of heaven, but the Father alone. — Matthew xxiv. 36.
• — Thou shalt have this sign: Whatsoever that same prophet foretelleth in the name of the Lord, and it cometh not to pass: that thing the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath forged it by the pride of his mind: and therefore thou shalt not fear him. — Deuteronomy xviii. 22.