We almost forgot about the solar eclipse, because we were barely back from our trip when it started.

I tried to look at it, but got spots in my eyes for my trouble. I thought I would walk the dog in the waning light to experience it as best I could.

Me and dog were taking a short walk, and we saw a lot of people trying to get a look at it. I said to everyone I met, “Happy eclipse!”

One man said, “You just missed it! The people over there had special glasses. Go knock on the door, you can take a look.”

After hesitating, I decided to go for it.

Julie answered my knock, and came out with extremely dark cardboard sunglasses. It was so neat to see! It was horned like a crescent moon.

i thanked Julie, and spent a little time getting to know her.

Guess what? Her astronomer husband is from Alaska.

EAGLE RIVER, even. Crazy! I welcomed them to the neighborhood, and said I would come back with some of my alaska stories.

“We come all the way around the world and meet aroudn the block!”

“Claremont is like that, ” she said.

I guess so.