Thursday, December 31, 2009

Once in a blue moon

It's New Year's Eve which is a singular enough occasion, but this New Year's Eve is even more rare.

Tonight is the night of the blue moon. The last time there was a blue moon on New Year's Eve was in 1990, and there won't be another for 19 more years.

No, it's not really blue. A "blue moon" happens when the full moon occurs twice in a calendar month. There was a full moon on December 2, so the full moon tonight is a "blue moon."

A blue moon is rare, hence the expression "Once in a blue moon," meaning a rare occurrence.

Perhaps because it's so rare, we remember our own lives' blue moons. It's been a long time since I've been there, but I once used to hang out at the Blue Moon Tavern in Seattle's University District. Bet they're rocking tonight.

An astronomical blue moon happens every two and a half years or so - the next one will be in August of 2012 - but having it happen on New Year's Eve is special.

So let's toast the blue moon tonight as we bring in the new year.

1993 Photo by Joe Mabel from Wikimedia Commons.

8 comments:

  1. I totally want that bar sign in my kitchen!!!!

    I'm looking forward to reading another year of "Doves Today"

    Happy new year to you - and best wishes for all you hope for.

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  2. Oh...love the sign!

    Happy New Year to you! I've really enjoyed getting to know you the past few months and look forward to more "conversations" in 2010!

    Sue

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  3. I've heard wishes made on a blue moon are bound to come true...here's wishing you a Happy New Year!

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  4. Thanks for the info on the BLUE MOON. We missed it here in Seattle as it was overcast last night. But, I think they are really cool. A fellow blogger caught a really good picture of it though and thought you might enjoy it.

    Happy New Year!

    http://adventuresinjuggling.wordpress.com

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  6. what a lovely sign.. thanks for the info. I did not know all of this.. Happy New Year..
    hugs ~lynne~

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  7. Lovely sign...i like it.....have a great and prosperous new year.......

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  8. I hope your New Year's Eve was a happy one, and that your New Year is, too.

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