Total Eclipse of the Heart

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, thereby obscuring the Sun. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight. Totality occurs only in a limited path across the Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a larger surrounding region. Very little of the eclipse on April 8th was viewable in Horry County given this limited path of totality started in Texas heading in a Northeastern direction crossing over other states and out to the Atlantic Ocean through parts of Canada.

Amazingly it was projected the eclipse could be a $6 billion boosts to the US economy. People were flocking to communities in the path of the total eclipse. Restaurants and hotels were full, parties were thrown, and the news even reported hundreds if not thousands of couples became engaged and there were mass marriages, and you could see the awed-inspired feelings in these individuals' faces. In essence, this astronomical event created excitement, happiness, peace, and maybe even a “love thy neighbor” feeling amongst us.

Not sure how to completely explain these emotions, but given our current world is dominated by anger, division, fighting, and hatred toward others, it was reassuring to see that put aside even for a moment. Maybe it reminded us that a loving God made the Heaven’s and the Earth and set in motion these eclipses to give us peace, hope, and love, even for just a day. Anyway, it was a “Total Eclipse of the Heart”.

Until next week,

Jimmy Crack Corn: “I don’t care”

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