The latest space sensation is a new photograph from the Hubble Space Telescope that takes in ultraviolet (UV) light along with the infrared and visible light to reveal a deep look at a universe resplendent with thousands of galaxies and a riot of color.
This represents a significant upgrade to the hobby of stargazing.
Don’t get me wrong – I love the tiny pinpricks of light that dot the night sky. Even though my aging eyes are less and less able to see them with each passing year, I do take a moment from time to time to marvel at the pageant overhead.
But I know I’d spend a lot more time looking up if this is what I saw.
This is a view to inspire awe and poetry.
Which is unfortunate, because I’m not much of a poet. But I know somebody who is. Or at least I know somebody who thinks he is, which is more than enough because this is a simple blog and not the Norton Anthology of Timeless Verse.
Singsong poet Schuyler Tyler Wyler took one look at the amazing image above and quickly penned a few self-referential lines, which is his habit. He is as fixed in his path as the stars and planets themselves, though much less beautiful when observed deeply.
But there’s one thing this amazing photo has taught me – not to worry about the small things. The universe is big enough to swallow any poem a human can devise, and it will suffer no ill effects.
Behold!
“The night sky is a wonder!”
the astronomer had said,
as he carefully explained
how starlight shifts from blue to red.
But I wasn’t really listening.
I didn’t truly see.
As I took in all this grandeur
and the tininess of me.
Yes, I know the light reveals
how Heaven’s tapestry is knitted
and the spectrum that we view
is only part of what’s emitted.
But when I stare into space
on any normal summer night
I admit I’m disappointed
that it’s mostly black and white.
Which is why, every December
with the Cosmos overhead
I put all my time and effort
into Christmas lights instead.
How colorful are you?
Trail Baboon 
Good morning. Being colorful is not one of my strong points. I am a little too serious to branch very far from the black and white world as I see it. I admire colorful people who brighten up the day with their interesting stories and other colorful efforts. However, my focus is usually on the dark and not too bright side of life. I think there should be more room for colorful things in my life and I do try to not spend too much time dwelling on the darker side of existence.
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Your upcoming move to the Cities will put you in more regular striking distance of Baboons. If that does not cheer you, nothing will!
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Jacque – I believe you were away when Jim’s upcoming move became actualized… he is now located in S. Mpls!
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As BiR has indicated, I have moved to the Twin Cities. Also, I have managed to attend several recent meetings of members of this group who are, without doubt, colorful.
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Well, I guess the prediction of color was accurate…just way late! Sorry Jim. I saw you at Steve’sgoodbye, but I did not know you are now local color.
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Rise and Shine Baboons!
Apparently I appear quite bland and traditional. However, after people get to know me they seem pretty shocked at my opinions, activities, etc. I put all my “color” into the garden. And I must say that the garden is currently outdoing itself providing “local color.” Irises are a riot of yellow, purple, and white; columbine are bursting with red; even my fragile white bleeding heart is showing off this year trying to compete with its pink sister. Next up: the peonies which are very late this year. But I love ’em.
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My yard is mostly green and overgrown at this point. Looks like the perfect day to start coping with that.
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I know the sensation well, mig.
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I’m afraid I’m rather drab. I used to be colorful, but alas, the color is rapidly fading, at least on the outside. There’s a lot more color on this inside of my head.
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You and me both, PJ. Saving grace about being drab – it’s easy to maintain.
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I still have more hair than you do, Dale, but that too is turning grey.
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I have a pretty colorful wardrobe, but if you really want to see colorful, you’ve gotta see my mom’s closet. She still has pretty much every bright and pastel color of blouses, which she used to arrange in a rainbow. I’ll have to do that again for her…
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Sandy and I lead very colorful lives: we have red, green yellow, brown, purple, violet, pink, orange, two-colored, three-colored, and white pills.
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Snort.
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Whoa. Last night on TCM I watched two space movies back to back: 2001 A Space Odyssey and Alien. AND they were both in COLOR! Isn’t that ironic??
To answer the question, “How colorful are you?” I’ll let you know in an hour or so when I come in from tanning.
P.S. So far retirement isn’t all that colorful. It pretty much feels like summer vacation. La di da, la di da.
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Nice to have you back, Donna.
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Retired? Did this just happen? If so, congratulations Donna, and condolences to all future first graders who will not have a chance to be in your class!
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Aww, that is so nice! My son told me the same thing.
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Ooh, I’m so glad you’re back. Been thinking of emailing you…
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when life feels like summer vacation you are on the right track. sounds colorful t me
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Like Jacque, I am not that colorful, but our garden makes up for personal blandness. Not too much color there right now, but the peonies are getting ready.
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Not very colorful lately. As Toad would say (in the Frog and Toad books): BLAH.
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that ABD is me, littlejailbird.
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Thought so, Edith. I’m not sure why, but the Frog and Toad books gave you away.
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BiR, I take that as a compliment!
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If you think you are colorful or, worse, if you cultivate colorfulness, there’s a strong possibility you are merely ridiculous or annoying. The most colorful people are naturally and unconsciously so.
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i reperesent that remark
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In nature it’s the male birds who are colorful and the females are drab. I’d probably make a good robin. I blend in. There are worse things in life than being drab, though. Being colorful can attract the attention of a predator.
I love Christmas lights. Lots of different colors are best.
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I would say baboons are a colorful group because we get brightly colored blog offerings from Dale and make an effort to come up with replies that add some additional color to Dale’s offerings.
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But we are all saying we are not colorful…I guess, though, in light of Bill’s comment, that’s a good thing.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoG3FUZGcyA
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Didn’t know this one, thanks.
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I guess I’m a sepia kind of guy.
Except when I’m in Las Vegas. Then I like the green, red, and white chips (in that order). Once in a great while I get to touch a black chip, too.
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I don’t see a new post, but I don’t see any new comments either – here or at the docks. Where is everybody?
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