Memorable moments of the eclipse
By Jim Orwig and Harriet Bachner
Despite the naysayers about rain and clouds blocking the spectacle of the moon passing to block the sun, we set off on Sunday, April 7 to North Texas to witness the total eclipse on Monday. Since I had lived in The Colony, Texas, where viewing the total eclipse was reported to be one of the best areas, seeing the changes in the town where I had once lived for many years was an additional incentive to take the trip.
Monday morning was cloudy with the sun peaking sporadically through, but we were enthused nonetheless to find a quiet country spot to experience the eclipse. We had a jovial breakfast with our artist friend, Glen Ayers, who gave us some moon pies for the occasion. Then we left the intensity of traffic and crowds in The Colony and Plano, and headed northeast following the viewing line for the total eclipse. We finally settled upon a parking lot and open field with cows and shade trees somewhere a bit north of Bonham, a small town in east Texas.
We were soon joined for the eclipse watch by a multi-generational family from Muenster, Texas, who brought the fixings for a picnic of fried chicken, a snickers cheesecake dessert, curious kids, a baby in a basket, and friendly conversation. We all had a fine time watching and waiting for the totality. As the sky darkened, the grazing cows in the pasture adjacent to our viewing area slowly gathered in a circled group. At the near total eclipse, the cows laid down, the chirping birds quieted, and the stillness of those total eclipse moments was beautiful and awesome. Amidst our encouraging cheers and appreciation to whatever entity awarded our common commitment to wait for the spectacular show, we watched with awe and gratitude to have witnessed this possibly once in our lifetime event.
As the moon continued to move allowing sunlight again, life resumed: birds singing, cows slowly getting up and grazing, folks packing up lawn chairs and picnic leftovers. Then we exchanged phone numbers, moon pies and collage art from our Texas artist friend, and said our goodbyes and hugged, and said goodbye some more to these beautiful folks with whom we shared this memorable event. On we went our separate ways. Memorable moments indeed!
