You know those moments when the parent that you aspire to be has to take the parent that you actually are at that precise moment aside and give her a little pep talk? Where she says something like "It does not matter that is is 6 p.m. on a Tuesday and dinner is not ready and everyone needs a bath and your daughter has not done any homework. Again. You are supposed to be raising your kids to be outdoorsy nature lovers who are enthusiastic about science and regard the universe with wonder. Would you just get out there already?!?"
Yes, I'm talking about the Venus Transit. And, after Ideal Me gave Current Me a good talking to, we did indeed get out there already. We headed up to a local park where the Vermont Astronomer's Association had set up telescopes for the public to view the event and it was, in short, wholly fantastic. There is something about standing around in an open field with a bunch of complete strangers regarding a cosmic event with wonder and excitement that does good things for one's sense of being part of the human family.
I also really love the fact that when it comes right down to it, the sun kind of has all of our fancy modern technology beat. You want to look at Venus crossing in front of the sun? Sure. But, you will need an oatmeal box, an embroidery hoop and a plastic funnel from the hardware store to do it.
