By Adrienne Provenzano
Songstress of the Limberlost and NASA Solar System Ambassador
"Oh, the moonlight's fair tonight along the Wabash.
From the field there comes the breath of new mown hay.
Through the sycamores the candle lights are gleaming.
On the banks of the Wabash, far away."
These lines from the official state song of Indiana, "On the Banks of the Wabash," seem especially fitting for October 2020, a month which has two full moons! The Harvest Moon occurs October 1st and the Hunter Moon on October 31st. When there is a second moon, in a month it is also called a Blue Moon. Some may know the expression of things that are rare occurring "once in a blue moon." Enjoy watching the changing shape of the moon all month long!
Check out http://moon.nasa.gov/observe-the-moon-night/ for lots more informaiton and free educational resources about the Moon!
Gene Stratton-Porter's first poem was about the Moon. Written in"wabbly letters" when she was a child, she recalled these lines from her "Ode to the Moon" in later years:
"Oh, Moon, thou art glorious,
Over the darkness of night
Thy beams shine victorious.
Thou lightest the weary traveller's way,
Guiding his feet till break of day."
So, whether you are near or far the banks of the Wabash this month, stop, look up, and enjoy the Moon!