Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't...

Anyone reading this blog regularly has surely noticed my ramblings are on-again-off-again to say the least. Sometimes I feel like writing tons of stuff and sometimes I just don't have a lot to say. It's during those quite times that I am contemplating life, love, the universe, and everything in it. And speaking of the universe...

As far back as I can remember, I have been drawn towards the little bright lights in the night sky. Just like our ancestors must have done, I too gaze up and wonder about where we are in the universe and where we might someday go. I really began to get into astronomy when I was in about the 8th grade. My parents (or Santa Claus, depending on your point of view) bought me a cool 4-inch reflecting telescope for Christmas that year. Even as small an cheap as it was, I was able to see the rings around Saturn. After that, I was hooked.

However, as with every thing, life tends to get in the way. By the time I got into high school I was working at the family business after school and well into the night. Slowly, as time passed, so did my desire to spend night after freezing night looking into the sky. A few years later, while at sea on the USS Marvin Shields, I stepped out on deck after a midnight shift. There was no man-made light anywhere to be seen so the night sky was perfect. It really looked like a poster you might find at the planetarium. Well, many years have passed and I still try to enjoy astronomy when I can. I am lucky in that my youngest daughter is into it as well. This gives me someone close to share news stories and events with.

When I decided to return to college last spring, I had no idea what classes to take. So I decided to take Astronomy and I am so glad I did. I am currently the president of the Stellar Society (the Astronomy club) at GTCC and we are fairly active in promoting the Cline Observatory on campus, as well as many other events held at the school. In March we are hosting Tri-Star which will bring astronomers from across the state together for the weekend.

Once I become a teacher I certainly plan to integrate astronomy into my science and/or math classes as often as possible. I think it is important we understand the universe God has given us as well as our place in it.


MH