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NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day:

Heading for its next perihelion passage on April 21, Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is growing brighter. The greenish coma of this periodic Halley-type comet has become relatively easy to observe in small telescopes. But the bluish ion tail now streaming from the active comet's coma and buffeted by the solar wind, is faint and difficult to follow. Still, in this image stacked exposures made on the night of February 11 reveal the fainter tail's detailed structures. The frame spans over two degrees across a background of faint stars and background galaxies toward the northern constellation Lacerta. Of course Comet 12P's April 21 perihelion passage will be only two weeks after the April 8 total solar eclipse, putting the comet in planet Earth's sky along with a totally eclipsed Sun.

Photo by Dan Bartlett

A small Wren,
a small branch,
looking for food,
looking for a chance.

A precursor to Spring,
is my ernst prayer,
for I tire of rain,
wanting weather more fair.

The World had beaten
a path to his door.
The problem was,
he didn't live there anymore.

He had moved away,
to a smaller town,
for he was tired of the attention,
the World had found.

He left his friends,
who he had for a long time.
Looking for a freedom,
he thought would be divine.

Was it the right thing to do?
He thought it was
and so he would pursue,
a new direction and cause.

Back aways, late Fall, 1959, there was a place,
a tavern, which catered to the locals. Etta, was
the proprietor, owner, all around worker in this
small community, tavern. She was a short woman,
about 50 years old, not tiny but of a substantial,
size. I won't attempt to estimate her weight. She
was someone that was sought out in this area,
not only for her great sense of humor but also,
because she handled all her customers in a fashion,
both efficient and helpful. A well-known person, in this
small community. If a stranger came in, they may have,
found her gruff, but inside she had a heart of gold.
I enjoyed going there, for an occasional beer and to hear,
from others what was going on in the community. This was
during my early college years, before getting married, as I
was still living at home. I still remember this place and after
I had moved away, when I returned to see my parents, I
would make a quick trip to say hello to Etta and to have a
wee sip.
Unfortunately, this location burnt down, several years ago. The
rumor was Arson, but nothing came of the investigation. Now,
I reflect about Etta. A great woman who kept us young men
in line and always dispensed advice in a loving way.
I miss you Etta, very much and thank you for your efforts in
guiding my view about the good in people. God Speed, Etta.

Epictetus - (c. 50 – c. 135 AD) was a Greek Stoic philosopher born into slavery at Hierapolis, Phrygia in present-day Pamukkale (Turkey). He lived in Rome until his banishment, when he went to Nicopolis, Greece, where he spent the rest of his life. 
Epictetus taught that philosophy is a way of life and not a theoretical discipline and that all external events are beyond our control. However, individuals are responsible for their own actions, which they can examine and control through rigorous self-discipline.

My mind is convoluted,
so it must be,
for I am unsure what is happening,
to this emotionally me.

I miss my wife much more,
than it should be,
so why do I struggle so,
to remain solo and free?

I need to run and hide,
for I am weak and sad.
I do not want someone,
to be close, when I am mad,

for I get upset with what
life has done to my love
and to our family.
I will pray to God, above.

All the love there is.
Don't ration your love.
Share love with each other.
If there is love in your heart,
share it with others.
Love is unlimited.

She walked,
walker in hand.
Walking the hallways,
as if in a foreign land.

How many miles,
must she travel,
before the sameness,
she sees, will unravel.

She danced with abandon,
a yellow ribbon in her hair,
twirling about the floor,
floating heavenly, unaware.

The music lively,
providing a rhythm nell,
gliding across the dance floor,
a magic moment under her spell.

Her lips,
painted red,
made me believe,
she soon would wed.

Wed someone,
rich and pure,
like a Fairy Tale,
life will endure.