Orion is up every night — the nebula in his sword is visible even from light-polluted LA. Tim and Lin are home for the holidays. Marcia and I have 3 weeks of freedom. I had jury-duty the first week of vacation, before Christmas. I called in everyday; and everyday I was told by a computer (or someone that sounded awfully like a computer) that I need not report. I was happy not to lose vacation time.

Here is a pic of my new home in the desert (mouse-over for another). It is built on a 1.25 acre lot, so there is little chance neighbors can build or grow anything that would obstruct the skyview. Until I build my SkyShed observatory I will have my telescope on Wheelybars� from JMI, that way I don’t have to disassemble, disconnect, and breakdown after observing. I simply wheel the entire setup out to the back of the house, away from lights, and then wheel it back into the garage when I’m done — computer, wires, cameras, batteries intact — already setup and ready to wheel out the next dark, available night.

The sky is even darker at my new home than I had hoped. It is located on the north edge of Joshua Tree National Park, near the Indian Cove campground, and near the boundary between Joshua Tree and 29 Palms. There was actually snow on the ground last weekend. I’ll post pictures to prove it. After putting out a hummingbird feeder, seed feeder, and bird bath we have all sorts of birds hanging out. We leave our cats at home when we come out here: they tend to “mark” their territory unannounced, books, furniture, anything; we can do without that — new furniture, stained books, etc. — the trip would traumatize them anyway. We are looking for a nice dog to adopt — maybe a wiener dog!

A month or so ago I began a serious study of Spinoza. I am doing final revisions on my forthcoming essay on Melville’s mixed-genre, prose-and-poetry writings. Look for reflections about and quotes from Spinoza in my blog. And, as soon as I identify those desert birds, I’ll post pictures.

Happy New Year!

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In context of his philosophy, his Ethics in particular, the definitions Baruch Spinoza posits are functionally similar to the “revelations” of revealed scripture. Deny their validity or importance and his conclusions, meanings, and propositions are rendered absurd. The definitions can not be doubted without destroying the edifice which they found. In both theology and rational philosophy, valid reasoning is essential, but when revelation is doubted, explained, contextualized or otherwise secularized, it is a small, yet welcome relief to turn to Spinoza’s definitions for solace.

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