Blue Moon

I love the moon. I know this is not unique or hipster or anything. I'm not trying to make a statement. Everyone loves the moon. But I still love it. And last night was a BLUE MOON! 

Once in a blue moon, we get to enjoy two full moons in one calendar month. Two for one. Buy one, get one free. Win-win. 

So here's my joke of the day: 

Grandpa: "Alright, kids, now this is a graduate level joke. I'm not sure if Gabe can get it but Allie and Louisa probably can. What's better than one full moon?"

Any young cousin pipes in: "I know! TWO full moons!!"

Grandpa: "Right!! What a scholar! You got it!" (pointing in wide-eyed delight at the beaming child genius)

Hearing the phrase "Blue Moon" also makes me think of an E-4 Laurels trip to Lake Powell. What a nice houseboat that was. I probably won't elaborate anymore. Ask Tara Clark for more details. 

But Sara, Kelsey, Heather, and I spent last evening in the light of the blue moon at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival. There could not have been a better setting to sit and watch it rise up over the mountains, lighting up the clouds, and eventually becoming so luminous that I had to shade my eyes. For those of who who are underware, the TSF is a big deal. Basically, some of the best storytellers in the world (or at least the English-speaking world), including family favorites Donald Davis and Bill Harley, gather in Orem, Utah to tell stories. It's such a fun event. I've been almost every year in my memory. Donald Davis's North Carolina voice has accompanied all family road trips and is as familiar to me as any family member's. There is something so wonderful about sitting on the grass on a warm summer night and listening to the experts tell their favorite stories. There is often singing or dancing involved, and laughter is just part of the package. Last night's theme was "Our Favorite Stories" and somehow they were all hilarious, entertaining, and touching at the same time. Bill Harley ended the night with a story about the moon, which was absolutely perfect. 

The best part? I'm going again tonight with my family, and the theme is "Laughin' Night." That's sure to be a deLIGHT. 

(That lame pun was a tribute to you, Ben Jacob.)