Eclipse?

Last Monday was a big day here in Ottawa: a total eclipse of the sun was expected, clear skies permitting. 

Interestingly, Dallas, Texas - where my brother lives - also expected a clear view of the solar eclipse. 

Should we even try to look at it? Terry and I wondered... We didn't want to risk damaging our vision by staring at the sun. We decided to watch the coverage on TV instead.

Local schools cancelled classes - so our grandchildren were home for the day. Terry and I volunteered to drive there - 35 km away in the country - but still within the city limits. 

 So we went and watched them play.

When the anticipated time of early-afternoon darkness arrived, our neighborhood in Ottawa - together with much of the city experienced a few minutes of total darkness, as the passing moon blocked the light of the sun.

Our neighbor Earl took this pictures of the sun at 2:30 in the afternoon.

But, 35 km west, where Terry and I were waiting for darkness to occur, NOTHING happened. It was just another sunny spring day!

How small and specific the area experiencing total eclipse is!