Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Sunday 16 March 2014

Night and Morning Skies

 

We  had spectacular skies the other night, ranging from softish pink to deepest red.

The next night, grey, smoky to steel, in a matter of minutes.

This morning the moon was right there, shining brilliance onto the lawn and trees. Nights with broken sleep, or very little sleep at all, means I am  awake very early, and this morning managed to get outside ( not cold at all), and see that moon behind our tall trees.

This was taken at 8.15 p.m. to the West,  the brilliant red faded fast.red sky at night #1

The next night, 15th March, 7.44 p.m. again looking to the West.

Sky at night #2

This morning, the moon shone so brightly, this is slightly west of direct North, at 4.30 a.m. Settings on my Cannon 550D… f3.5,  1/20 sec., 18mm.,  ISO 6400, remote shutter, using a beanbag balanced on the outdoor tall wood-box. Just too tired to set up the tripod!!!

Early morning sky

Later on the Eastern sky showed promises of a fine day, the cyclone has travelled south, we missed the rain, gale winds,  and had no damage, unlike Northland and Auckland areas.  It has gone down south, hope Josh and Mike have a calm flight home from Christchurch to Rotorua, The Oceania MTB  Championship races were held at Mt Hutt yesterday.

morning sky in the East, March 16th

We are having broken sleep and worrying days, Hugh has a spinal   problem , that has not been successfully diagnosed. Pain, that has become constant,  severe , and last Friday it was crippling both in severity and effect., he needed another ambulance trip to ED. Entonox,  then Morphine, I am hoping the arranged MRI ( a lovely lady doctor  who was very attentive and thorough) will happen very soon. He is using crutches almost all day now, so hard for an active outdoors man.We have had some/ just a few , laughs this last week, and are so thankful for hospital staff, friends, family, their love . Now, when I ring to tell them, the first answer is “ Is it his heart or back?”, relief  when not his heart, but the unseen and unknown is still scary.

Quotation of the day, from Yasunari Kawabata,

“ Palm of the Hand Stories”

The true joy of a moonlit night is something we no longer understand.

Only the men of old, when there were no lights, could understand the true joy of a moonlit night.”

Greetings from Jean

17 comments:

Barb said...

Jean, I've been thinking of you and Hugh. How awful that he must now be plagued with back pain! I hope you have answers soon. Not good that you're not getting rest either. Take Care! Your skies are so spectacular - I love the last which sends peace.

Carol Mattingly said...

I wonder if they have ever thought of prescribing Lidoderm patches. I have to use them on a very painful bladder condition and they help. Just a thought. Love your skies there. Would love to see those here.

TexWisGirl said...

i am so very sorry to hear of hugh's constant and intense pain! i know this is so hard for you, too. bless you both. and thank you for sharing your beautiful skies.

Georgia said...

Jean, it seems like it's just one thing after another for you to deal with! Praying for some resolution for Hugh's pain. My sister sent me this link and I immediately thought of you and Julie F. http://www.youtube.com/embed/88UVJpQGi88 G.

Linda said...

Sorry to hear about Hugh's pain, Jean. God bless you both. This is a beautiful post, your photos are gorgeous and the quotes are great.

eileeninmd said...

I am sorry your dear Hugh is in so much pain! I hope the doctors can find out why and take care of the problem.. I will keep you both in my prayers.. I hope you can enjoy some more laughs with your family and friends. Keep positive thoughts and take care!

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

Beautiful and stunning photos! And I echo the comments above mine. I'm sorry to hear about Hugh, and will keep you in my prayers that he finds comfort from the pain, and that you both find the needed peace and the answers to all of the medical questions you have. Take care...

Karen said...

Such beautiful skies!
I'm sorry to hear about Hugh. I was stricken with a spinal disease two years ago as a result of the MS, nasty and totally scary. I was diagnosed right after the MRI. Hoping the best for you both and a swift diagnosis for Hugh.

Jenny said...

So sorry to read that Hugh is still having bad back problems which meant another trip to hospital. Thinking of you both.

Jenny and Robin

Susan Heather said...

Lovely skies and so sorry to hear of yet another trip to hospital. As everyone else has said I do hope things get sorted out soon.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Beautiful photos dear Jean.

I'm so sorry to hear about Hugh's back pain.

My heart aches for the both of you. I hope you find out something soon and that Hugh gets some relief.

Love, prayers and hugs ~ FlowerLady

KB said...

Those are beautiful skies. I am holding you and Hugh close in my heart.

Michaele said...

I am so glad that you can take a few minutes from your day and worries to look up and see the glory in the skies. It must be so hard for you both. I do hope the pain can settle down some as I am sure this is not good on his heart either. Prayers for you both.

Lindsjö taxar said...

Hi!
Beautiful skies you catched. Hope Hugh will recover from his pain.
Hugs from Sweden!

camp and cottage living said...

Oh, I hope they discover right away what's causing Hughes back pain and can get on to treating it. It is so hard not knowing too, wondering what it could be.
I'll pray for him, Jean.
You've really captured some beautiful photos of the skies again!

Here I Am Carrie said...

I should probably start always with the newest blog when commenting to get the rest of some of the stories. But here I am late again. So sorry to hear back problems again. My hubby was down for 2 weeks this winter with back pain. His are just beginning. I keep telling him he can't be lifting stuff so heavy. He thinks he is invisible. Meanwhile mine just keeps coming and going depending on what work I have to get done. Seems it's always moving rocks for landscaping. Sending prayers and hugs.

fromsophiesview said...

Sunsets / clouds just exhilarate me!!!