Monday, August 21, 2017

Total Eclipse of the Heart


By: Becca Leighton (16 years old)
From: Leave It to Cleaver
Pub. Date: June 23rd, 2017
Series: Vintage Kitchen Mysteries
Author: Victoria Hamilton
Website: Victoria Hamilton Mysteries

So on Wednesday, May 30th of this year (1984) we had a cool spectacle in the US... a solar eclipse! The last total solar eclipse was in 1979, and I remember it really well (it was just 5 years ago, when I was 11!). We went out then and watched the eclipse through photo negatives. (By the way, that is apparently NOT safe at all!!) It was very cool.

The eclipse this year was what is called an 'annular' eclipse. According to my science teacher 'annular' means ring shaped, from the Latin 'annulus', meaning ring. It is an annular eclipse if the 'ring of fire' - a ring of the sun still visible when the moon is blotting out the center of the sun - is seen in even one location for even just one second.

Most of us saw what looked like a partial solar eclipse. I will say, in Michigan we had a pretty good view of it, as we're close to the exact path.

The next total solar eclipse in the United States happens Monday, August 21st, 2017.

Total Eclipse of the Heart
2017!

That's a lifetime away. I wonder where I'll be?
Anyway, one of my favorite songs from last year was Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart. It totally ROCKS!

Think I'll play my tape of it again. I just made a mixed tape with that on it, as well as Flashdance by Irene Cara, All Night Long, by Lionel Ritchie, as well as songs from this year, Missing You, by John Waite, Drive by The Cars, and others as well as my fave from last summer, True, by Spandau Ballet.

I could listen to True all day. Always slipping from my hands/ Time's a sand of its own...

So anyway... it's a new school year, 1984/85, and things are touchy at home (Mom had a new baby, Jaymie, and I love my little sister to death, but man, does she whine a lot! And poopy diapers... yuck!) and my friends are acting kinda weird, and one of them Dolores, who I hung out with all summer is now dating (Eeuw!) Brock Nibley, Valetta's older brother and... things are just really, really weird. Maybe by 2017 we'll all have our acts together.

So... Total Eclipse of the Heart... coolest song of all time or what?

~::~

GIVEAWAY

So everyone... please be careful viewing the total eclipse of the sun today. Enter my draw instead!

You will LOVE this prize package including a copy of Leave It to Cleaver, a Cozy up to a Great Mystery! mug, pen, and the neatest skull teaspoon.

Follow these guidelines:
1 - Canadian and US entries only, please!
2 - Enter by Midnight, August 23rd: don't worry if your comment doesn't show up immediately. After midnight on the 21st it will go into a queue to be moderated and I'll approve the next day.
3 - Leave an email address (yourname (at) yourserver (dot) com) and a first name.

Good Luck!!

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88 comments:

  1. LisaAugust 21, 2017 at 4:09 AM

    I'm looking forward to watching some of the eclipse. I have my glasses and hope that any one else that is planning on watching have theirs. Lisa at [email protected]

    Reply
  2. DebbyAugust 21, 2017 at 7:31 AM

    I shall see some of the eclipse. If I cannot then there is always TV.
    debby236 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  3. Dianne B.August 21, 2017 at 8:08 AM

    I hope to see the eclipse but it may not be visible here because of cloud cover. I will use the internet, if need be. dbahn(at)iw(dot)net.

    Reply
  4. Teresa UnderwoodAugust 21, 2017 at 8:16 AM

    Love love

    Reply
  5. mwahAugust 21, 2017 at 8:20 AM

    I have my glasses all ready for the eclipse!
    Bridgetcollins26 at yahoo dot com

    Reply
  6. amy guillaume lindermanAugust 21, 2017 at 8:26 AM

    i think i was in 3rd grade for the last eclipse...i remember it. my family is all set with the glasses. thanks for the giveaway [email protected]

    Reply
  7. AnonymousAugust 21, 2017 at 9:00 AM

    Raining here. No eclipse today. gretaduerstatgmaildotcom

    Reply
  8. RoseMary ForstromAugust 21, 2017 at 9:01 AM

    I will watch it on television , later. [email protected]

    Reply
  9. AnonymousAugust 21, 2017 at 9:13 AM

    I am taking your advice...I will check it out through NASA later...thank you for the contest...
    Marilyn [email protected]

    Reply
  10. templarladyAugust 21, 2017 at 9:15 AM

    I will watch on tv or computer - thanks for the contest

    Reply
  11. Leslie BoyleAugust 21, 2017 at 9:19 AM

    Thanks for the opportunity! I love this series. Leslie at [email protected]. Enjoy your day!

    Reply
  12. MelissaAugust 21, 2017 at 9:37 AM

    Might watch the eclipse on NASA's website. Thanks for the chance to win. I love this series! mcastor07(at)gmail (dot)com.

    Reply
  13. travelerAugust 21, 2017 at 9:41 AM

    I will be watching the eclipse. Thanks for this lovely giveaway.saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  14. Sheryl Hagan-BoothAugust 21, 2017 at 9:41 AM

    I love the song "total eclipse of the heart" because we played it as a marching band song during competition one year. I was the field commander and I loved singing along to it as the band was playing.

    I am excited about watching the eclipse today. I'm hoping that everyone goes blind today and all the kids at school listen to their teachers and wear their glasses. If not, all the optometrists will be having a lot of business.

    Here's to eclipses, strange plants with weird, huge appetites (feeeed me Symour) and amazing 1980s songs. Thanks for the giveaway too! Sherylhbooth(at) gmail (dot) com

    Reply
    Replies
    1. Sheryl Hagan-BoothAugust 21, 2017 at 9:42 AM

      Does not go blind, I hope everyone does not go blind! Good grief. Typing on my phone can be dangerous.

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