EVEN MARTIANS LIKE UMBRELLAS by the look of this front yard decor at a Kitsilano home in Vancouver, BC. The canopy could keep the cute alien dry in a rainstorm but it would have been useless had there been showers of debris from the asteroid that sped by the moon and Earth last Tuesday.
There is nowhere to flee from heavenly debris and I might have cowered in a corner hearing news of this celestial body brushing by Earth. But all I could do was regret not having a camera powerful enough to take its picture and marvel that our dreamy existence could one day be snuffed out by the indifference of a massive rock from outer space. Apparently, the asteroid 2005 YU55 will fly by Earth again in 2075 but is not a threat.
I was reminded of scientist Carl Sagan who had a knack for putting our spot on the cosmic map into perspective. The deep thinker and author (who since passed away) read from his book Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space on youtube where he said:“Look again at that dot (Earth). That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there--on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.” ― Carl Sagan
To view more sights from around the globe visit Our World.
Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms
I enjoyed this post and hadn't thought about the Carl Sagan quote in awhile but could hear him saying that while reading his words.
ReplyDeleteTerrific post for the day Penelope and I love the Carl Sagan quote! I was/still am a great admirer of him and his work! Hope you have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
I think it's far more likely, we'll pollute ourselves to death!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to comprehend what a tiny speck Earth really is!
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I am a cynic like Gary. I believe we have more to fear from our fellow man than from an errant asteroid.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea about the big rock whizzing by. You know me, ever the ostrich. Dick knew, but didn't tell me.
ReplyDeleteGood post for your world. Glad to see there's no snow. I'll be there next week.
K
We are nothings in this big big universe, yet none of us remember that in our daily dealings. Great post.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love that quote by Sagan... we are indeed just a speck in this huge universe!
ReplyDeleteLovely pics too.
This is an interesting insight, penelope. I wonder which would be the first, the earth fall apart by the crash of asteroid or on its own passing the peak of civilization. We all are borne through life on the same planet as a dust. I’m not negative at all. To know our smallness is not a bad thing. Have happy days ahead.
ReplyDeleteI love to go out on the cabin deck on a clear night and gaze at the sky above. It makes you feel so small, yet part of something so big, - Margy
ReplyDeleteI too enjoyes Carl Sagans work. I have two of his books. :)
ReplyDeleteI love your last two paintings of umbrellas and can hardy wait to see what is coming next. I commented here since your last two posts don't have a comment spot. (or did I miss it?)
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