THE OBSERVATION BOOTH
OP / ED & PHOTO CREDITS ANDREA DIALECT
My daughter and I went to the overlook last Sunday night in hopes of gazing at the bespoke planetary line dance that supposedly was to grace the skies. Unfortunately, we didn’t have my other daughter’s telescope, and when our eyes failed us, there was nothing to see besides all those other glorified star gazers peering from their cars, squinting like me.
Had those planetary line dancers sat that one out, or was it the foggy skies – or perhaps our limiting eyes – that caused such a potentially amazing memory to slip by? Sadly, I’m told that it was my failing eyes that were the reason I hadn’t seen that six-planet line-up.
This time they were (there), but they hadn’t failed me when it came to peering at my boy Nate. That time, that Cosmic Wave was very clear, which means I got to wave back, making for an amazingly beautiful memory that I shall always cherish.
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CASTING SHADOWS
It is said that the jiva-soul is aware of its own body only, and the cosmic soul is aware of all bodies in past, present, and future. I say that the spirit man is aware of them all. Google Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World,” and let it play as you read what follows…In loving memory of Nate Meyers!
When planets align in night skies, they cast shadows as bright white points of light—and I say so do we. It was around 5:45 in the morning that day, and the night skies engulfed all around us. The crew was there – Millie and Nate – when I jumped out of that ride. How did I know? Because the beaming lights of those buses aligned in all those rows of yellow, and the roar of the engines’ hum told me so.
Millie was in action and after our quick hello. We exchanged small talk as I stood in the roadway. Soon after, that bus whizzed by, did the dip, and then that beep sounded—that melodic demand for you to get out of the way during that back-in.
But I was safe in the front of the way, which gave much space when I threw him that wave. It was him – my boy. What up, Nate? As fast as that whip, in that shadow the bus made cast, as that hand waved. Peering at that shadow, I threw a smile back at Mr. Johnny-on-the-spot, said my goodbyes to him and Millie, and like any other morning, I jumped in Big Yeller. The heat was pumping, it was nice and warm, and I pulled out to start my day.
It being Friday made it all the better. All was well that day until I pulled on the scene – rows and rows of yellow buses, parked for the night behind an elongated gate. I pulled up to the curb, jumped out after my route. One of the two, or Earl our mechanic, would park it. As I scurried across that busy roadway, I’d hear Millie’s call, but that wasn’t all that odd. We say our goodbyes as we say our hellos. But this time it was different – there was a look on her face when I approached.
“Had I heard what?”
“Nate passed today.”
“What, when?”
“This afternoon during the break.” I instantly heard Louis Armstrong’s song begin to play. When I first met him, I would say to him, “Your voice reminds me of someone.” And then it would eventually dawn on me. He sounded just like Louis Armstrong and, right down to his disposition, could easily pass for kin. He got a kick out of it, so I played between the two names often.
Boy, had that thrown me for a loop. But God is so good. Sadly, during that early morn, I had only peered into the dark and caught sight of the shadow cast that I knew. But on the day before, I was a bit early, and although my bus was already idling, it was still in the parking lot. Millie had told me that during our brief early-morning chit-chat.
When I jumped in, as I was pulling out, that voice said to me, Look over there. And when I looked over to my far left, there he was. It was Nate there in the shadows. So I rolled down the window to attempt that back-and-forth slick banter we did all the time – which always ended with a be quiet, Louis.
But, as I called out to him, he turned his head quickly and looked at me. I had startled him. His expression was so intense that it threw me aback and I knew that wasn’t the moment for child’s play. So I then said, “What’s up, Nate?” He spoke, but it was ditto: “What’s up.” Then I said, “Bye, Nate,” and he lifted his hand waved and said, “Bye.”
And that would be the last of our encounters, beside the wave cast by that shadow on the next day. A beautiful last encounter, what a memorable farewell.
Now when I’m in that parking lot or passing by, as I look over in that corner, I can hear Louis song play. But, it plays even louder, and it’s very intense when it’s dark in those early mornings because that’s when that shadow is cast. And I say, “What’s up, Nate,” and I hear that “What’s up,” and then I say, “Bye,” and I hear that goodbye and see Nate’s shadow as its casting a wave.
From the swift morning pick-ups to the gush of heat when entering that bus that said you were there. For your kindness and all those years of service, we thank you. You are sadly missed, troublemaker, knucklehead and etc… lol.
When I’m in that parking lot or passing by, as I look over in that corner, I can hear that song play. It plays even more loudly, and it’s very intense when it’s dark in those early mornings because that shadow is cast.
And I say, “What’s up, Nate,” and I hear that “What’s up,” and then I say, “Bye,” and I hear that goodbye and see Nate’s shadow as it cast a wave. What amazingly beautiful memories cast that day, what a beautiful soul.
From the swift morning pick-ups to the gush of heat when entering that bus that said you were there. For your kindness and all those years of service, we thank you. You are sadly missed, troublemaker, knucklehead, etc., etc. … Smiles!
The six planets involved in this year’s planetary line up were Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Because this cosmic dance memorable for me it seven . But, in my mind’s eye I will always remember Nate when I look up there casting shadows and our cosmic wave.
The Observation Booth is utilized as a space for Andrea Dialect to stumble through, which aids in life and brand development. It can also be used by readers, subjects, and features to assist or advance our world or their own. It is a peek into one’s world from the outside. It is also for the development of content.
Everything printed here is in draft form; thus, error is welcomed and to be expected. Everything is constantly evolving, is her mantra. Seeing the work in printed format is the initial step and is quite valuable and therapeutic for developing all forms. Like Everything, Andrea Dialect uses this space as a test lab for test study and a test subject.
Here you will also find influencers, professionals, and muses who are considered “clay” who lend their image to change as doing us proud who are contributors to the upward progress of human progress. It is a platform for the growth, inspiration, motivation, and development of herself, her subjects, and her readers. Enjoy!
DID YOU KNOW….
The planetary alignment that was visible in the night sky on January 25–26, 2025 was a rare event known as a “planetary parade”. The six planets involved were Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
What was visible
- Venus and Saturn: Bright white points of light in the southwest
- Jupiter: High in the southeast
- Mars: An orange dot in the east
- Uranus and Neptune: Visible with a telescope or high-powered binoculars
When to look
- On a clear, dark night, about 45 minutes after sunset
- In the afternoon, between 5:30–7 PM
How to find them
- Use a sky map app to find the best location to look
- Face south
Why it happens
The planets orbit the sun at different speeds in a flat plane called the ecliptic. This means that sometimes several planets can appear to be lined up on the same side of the sun.
What’s next
The next planetary alignment visible from Earth is not expected until 2040.
Do planets cast shadows on each other?
Short Answer. Yes, planets cast shadows. Evidence includes solar and lunar eclipses, as well as the observation of planetary transits and moon phases.
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