Watching the Gathering Storm

I have never lived in such awareness of a horizon. Growing up in the country, going to school in the country, I never really studied the horizon because I always lived below it.  But now, by the time I hike up all 137 (I think, Jenny counted – somewhere around there) steps, I am above the skyline and have a perfect horizon view.  The fact that the Eiffel Tower acts as a perfect marker to gauge any changes in the horizon is an added bonus. Ok, so it is a BIG added bonus.  All last fall I secretly and pettily resented that the sun set to the left of the Eiffel Tower and not behind it, thus imagine my surprise and delight when I looked out the window last week and realized that the sun now nestles itself each evening between the Eiffel Tower and the shining golden dome of Hotel des Invalides.  My first though was shock  and fear that the sun had MOVED.  I know of course that there is some scientific reason involving the Earth’s tilt, etc, but having never had a benchmark like the Eiffel Tower, I have just never noticed the sun setting in a different spot.

Last weekend I had the privilege of watching a storm roll in across my horizon.  What could be more impressive, more awe inspiring than watching the heavens regroup into thunder clouds and rain down showers of gold from a sky that was clear not long before?  And then, at the end, we are rewarded with a sunset.

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