We stood on a small hill Friday night, Tom and I, waiting for the Blue Moon to make its appearance.

This hill is just a small rise in a neighborhood down the road.  A weathered asphalt road, gated at the bottom, winds to the top. I guess someone planned to build a home up there, where you have a 360 view of the hills and lake all around, but then changed their mind. The top is flat, but house-less.

I'm grateful to the owners, whoever and wherever they are, for hanging on to the hill and keeping it vacant for respectful trespassers like me and Tom (and me and Lisa on the horses last week.) The little hill is a beautiful spot to watch moonrises, sunsets, and approaching storms.

(Or active storms, for that matter. My oldest, while still a teenager, would slip away when I wasn't looking and drive his old car up there when the skies were really putting on a show. I'm so grateful to his angels for keeping him safe! Dang kids.)

There were no storms Friday night, but there were low clouds that veiled the moon from us. Tom and I were patient, though, keeping one hopeful eye on the clouds while we gazed out over the hills and a shrinking lake.  We were rewarded by this sunset directly opposite the moon's stage…


 
Aug 2012-0025

 aug 2012-0028

 

 

A few minutes later, perhaps out of mercy, or maybe just jealous that our attention had wavered, the moon finally peeked at us through a small gap in the clouds.

 


 
Blue moon aug 2012-0050


 

By now you probably all know the definition of a Blue Moon: the third full moon in a season that has four full moons, instead of the usual three, or a second full moon in a month.

It's pretty rare… hence the saying "…once in a blue moon."

But not nearly as rare as two people meeting one night in a bar and, within a few days, knowing they want to spend the rest of their lives together… 

That's what happened to me and Tom thirty-one years ago this month. What better way to celebrate than wandering around the top of a small hill at dusk, watching the sun melt and hoping for a glimpse of a Blue Moon.


Blue Moon
You saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Blue Moon
You know just what I was there for
You heard me saying a prayer for
Someone I really could care for

And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms will hold
I heard somebody whisper please adore me
And when I looked to the Moon it turned to gold

Blue Moon
Now I'm no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own

Blue Moon lyrics © EMI Music Publishing

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24 responses to “Once in a Blue Moon…”

  1. Liz White Avatar
    Liz White

    Beautiful photos and beautiful story 🙂

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  2. Lissa @ lafcustomdesigns Avatar

    Oh my, Barbara … these images are breath-taking! I’m so glad you have that special place from which to view such gorgeous occurrences. And what a wonderful love story! You are so very lucky, but of course you know that. ;->

    Like

  3. Kathy Avatar

    We chased that blue moon up here but didn’t get the stellar photos that you managed to snare. They’re take-your-breath-away gorgeous!

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  4. Jennifer Richardson Avatar

    deliciously romantic post, Barbara
    …feeling it to my bones:)
    thanks for sharing the beautiful peace
    of your moon gazing,
    Jennifer

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  5. beth Avatar

    beautiful photos…..
    when was this?….i must have been sleeping 🙂

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  6. Bella Casa Avatar

    beautiful photos and story.

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  7. Gail Avatar

    That is so beautiful! Enjoyed the sunset very much. So glad you and Tom were patient enough to wait for the blue moon. What a special moment for the two of you. 🙂

    Like

  8. Christine Avatar

    I can just feel the beauty on each side 🙂 After I comment, I’m going to go stare at the amazing shots again and again.
    Seems like many of us are having some struggles, it makes such a difference to feel so loved and supported by the blog world. Thanks for your kind words. I hope today is better for you, I am much better ❤

    Like

  9. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you so much, Christine! Yes, today has been better and I'm glad it was for you, too!
     

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  10. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I was disappointed about the moon, but that sunset made up for it!

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  11. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    You missed the Blue Moon?? 

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  12. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    You are very welcome, Jennifer!
     

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  13. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Ah, thank you! I was really disappointed by the clouds, but at least we had the sunset and a peek-a-boo with the moon!

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  14. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Yes, I do!! I confess I forget it every once in awhile, but I try not to!

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  15. Gina Calvert Avatar

    Such a sweet post! Love the pictures!

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  16. Suldog Avatar

    I wonder how it came to be called a “blue” moon? Great photos, in any case.

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  17. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    According to Wikipedia… "
    In calculating the dates for Lent and Easter, the Christian clergy identified a Lenten moon. Historically, when the moons arrived too early, they called the early moon a betrayer (belewemoon, so the Lenten moon came at its expected time."  Those early Christians were such trendsetters!
     

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  18. Barbara Shallue Avatar
  19. Hilary Avatar

    What a lovely way to celebrate.. I’m glad it gave you a peek.:)

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  20. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Me, too!! We were just about to give up…

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  21. Wolf Pascoe Avatar

    And I always thought it was the second full moon in a calendar month!
    Gorgeous pictures.
    Oh, those early Christians: A degenerate sort of cult

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  22. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Well, that's another definition for it – I think it all adds up to the same thing, perhaps!! But hey, don't you go talking 'bout my people like that! lol

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