We needed to post a quick acknowledgment of last week’s smashingly successful, 2nd Dark Sky Event, a mid-week gathering of friends and fellow practitioners under the partial, p.m., Solar Eclipse and annual height night of the Perseid Meteor Shower. While the write-up on our calendar offered an afternoon of “Seated Meditation (Zazen), Walking Meditation (Kinhin), Zen Work Periods in the Garden (Samu), and Rest Meditation (Rest Kinhin), as well as a swim in the middle branch of South Haven’s Black River,” I joked that it was me and RoZie and a few friends enjoying BBQ, which we did, as well. Big Bad Jan, whose moniker continues to evolve, floated in like a butterfly then stung like a bee, coming up from South Bend to offer a capable hand cleaning up the garden and then critiquing my recent rookie efforts. Under a cloudy, early afternoon sky, we acknowledged the Midwest USA’s partial solar eclipse, cleared more patches of rag weed, and swam.
Later Tyler Can You Jet Ski made an appearance, along with Chris Ferris, the culinary Force behind The Farmhouse Deli and all our great grinds, along with our new friend Ronnie. The cloudy, hazy, doggish summer day gave way to a clear evening sky, and we enjoyed some lengthy green and red streakers that exploded into small fireworks of light. “I just spent the last 24 hours with The Higher Haven’s incredible host Paul for their August Dark Sky event celebrating the partial Solar Eclipse by day and amazing meteor shower by night. Sharing the experience with terrific folks, yummy food, and jovial conversation made it an evening to remember. And then there’s RoZie!” Thanks Big Bad Jano. We’re excited about the significant Lunar Eclipse occurring around August’s full moon later this month, but for now, are gearing up for our Ceremony weekend.