Ron and I went out the THF on Sunday morning just to pick more rocks.  We were bored, you see.  Still no friends showing up to help. What is with that?? He had decided that we would stop at 11:30, this after he spent most of Saturday out there by himself. Ron used a 4 tined cultivator to pick up rocks;  he has always been a tool guy. Me, on the other hand, I am down there in the dirt. Picture rice field planting. Apparently our goal is to get as many rocks out of the field as we can. Taking that to heart, I snag just about every one I can. Ron and Jo tend to focus on the larger ones.
With the lunar eclipse happening that night, we decided that we would set up the burn barrel so we can come back at night to watch it. Out on the farm, the light pollution would be much less an issue. When we got that finished, Ron told me that we had a stop to make – North Star Orchards in Westmoreland. They make the best pumpkin cake, but only in the fall and now, only on Sundays. He had called to order 8 pieces for me. Sounds like a lot I know, but I cut them into 3 smaller pieces and then freeze them. Now I can have yummy pumpkin cake whenever I want it. We did make one stop first, at Old McMarley’s Apple Farm in Clinton, NY. There cider is fabulous.   And they are our source for apples for dehydrating into chips.
Back home and I headed out to get  some shopping to get done. Then it was time to get our normal Sunday chores done and wait for 8 pm to get here. Pack up chairs, lighter (most important), bug spray just in case, headlamps, camera and jackets. Of course I grab the nearest one, turns out to be much too light.

Practicing for the zombie apocalypse.

The moon was so bright, we almost didn’t need our headlamps.
Even with the fire burning nicely, I was so cold that Jo felt sorry for me and switched jackets with me. Next time I will bring two jackets. Just in case.

Once the moon was totally in the sun’s shadow, we could see all stars. For the first time, I actually saw that shot that you see on TV, with thousands of stars across the sky.  My trusty Canon camera which has taken fabulous photos since I got it when Jo started cross country in school  over 10 years was just not up to this task.

This was the best shot I got. So does not do justice to the scene.  We didn’t stay out on the Farm until the eclipse was over.  Just too tired.  We are early morning folk, not late nighters.  Our normal wake up call at 4 am comes around awfully early.