Eclipse!

Eclipse!

On Monday, August 21st—beginning at 10:15 a.m. in Oregon and ending at 2:45 p.m. in South Carolina—a total solar eclipse will sweep the entire width of the United States for the first time since 1918. Complete solar eclipses are…

Rare: This article from Time Magazine explains why.
Scary: Find out why people used to be so afraid of solar eclipses.
Weird: Will the great American eclipse make animals act strangely? Science says yes.
Dangerous: What happens if you look directly at a solar eclipse? An ophthalmologist explains.
Confusing: What's the difference between a lunar and solar eclipse? Here's the answer .
Interesting: Did you know an eclipse was used to test Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity, and once even ended a six year war?

Everything You Need to Know

Here's a great link to a NASA website about everything you ever wanted to know about the eclipse but were afraid to ask (including weather and traffic reports, and a countdown clock).

Speaking of NASA, here's how its scientists figure out where the moon's shadow will fall on the surface of the Earth, down to the city block. And here's some info for those who want to know where they can see the eclipse (or at least a partial eclipse) in the UK.

Notice the Shadows!

Here's my favorite eclipse viewing tip: Take special notice of the shadows cast by trees and leaves: Tree leaves serve as 'pinhole cameras' during a solar eclipse.

Have Fun & Be Careful

How to safely enjoy the 2017 solar eclipse, a buyer’s guide for normal people, and don't be blinded by a scam with eclipse glasses!

And just in case you're wondering when the NEXT solar eclipse will take place, here are all the total solar eclipses across North America during the 21st century. (The next North American total solar eclipse will take place on April 8th, 2024!)

By the way: How does the moon cut the sun’s hair? Eclipse it! (The moon's bald because he has no 'air.) I stayed up all night wondering where the sun goes during an eclipse… and then it dawned on me.

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“You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.”
–Friedrich Nietzsche

Norman Bridwell

The late children's book author and illustrator Norman Bridwell is best known for his Clifford the Big Red Dog series. I have a special place in my heart for Clifford because, until about a year ago, my family had a very kind and lovable dog who grew to be so large, people often compared him to Clifford upon meeting him.

By the way, did you know Clifford was originally going to be named 'Tiny'? Here are some more fun facts about Clifford and his creator.

Today there are over 126 million copies of Bridwell's books in print, and his books have been translated into 13 languages. In this short video, Norman Bridwell discusses Clifford (including how and why he made him red). And here's another short video: Norman Bridwell – A Writer's Secret. Norman Bridwell died in 2014 at the age of 86.

“Never underestimate the healing power of silliness and absurdity.”
–Steve Maraboli

1. That time Roald Dahl came to Canada—as a spy.

2. “Somewhere at Google there is a database containing 25 million books and nobody is allowed to read them.” Read more about “Project Ocean," Google’s secret effort to scan every book in the world: Torching the Modern-Day Library of Alexandria. Speaking of Google, they're using artificial intelligence to create stunning landscape photos with Street View imagery.

3. Lulu Jr. allows children to become published authors, encouraging creativity, strengthening literacy, and building self-esteem. Check out the 'new and improved' book-making kits they offer: IlluStory and My Comic Book. (Production and delivery of a finished book is included in the $29.99 price tag.)

4. Did you know Kurt Vonnegut was once a Saab car dealer? Or that Stephen King was a high school janitor? Or that J.D. Salinger was an entertainment director on a Swedish cruise liner? Read about famous writers and their weird jobs.

5. So Netflix is 'down' but you're not sure if it's just your house or the whole neighborhood? The website downdetector.com compiles user 'outage' reports for cell phone companies, online digital distribution services, and internet service providers. And how do you check the website if your internet is down, you're probably wondering? Hmmm… that's a very good question !

“There is love enough in this world for everybody, if people will just look.”
― Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

The Voynich manuscript is a 240-page illustrated book that dates back to approximately 1420. It's considered to be a great unsolved mystery because it contains a language no one has ever seen before. Check out this short video: The world's most mysterious book. And for those who really want to delve deeper, here's an interesting study. Update: According to the BBC, a new study suggests the manuscript may hold a genuine message after all.

RELATED: Want to Transcribe Rare Magical Manuscripts on Your Lunch Break?

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“Miracles are not contrary to nature, but only contrary to what we know about nature.”
– Saint Augustine

Each month I give away one hand-signed, limited edition Giclée fine art print to a lucky newsletter subscriber. These small 'heart' prints are both matted and framed. Winners are notified via email at the beginning of each month.

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“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.”
–W.B. Yeats

Until next week…

Well, at least I have this going for me: According to Science, a Messy Desk Is a Sign of Genius.

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About Me

Hi. I’m D.E.Uhlig. I’m an artist, author, husband and father.

For as long as I can remember, I have loved to draw. Years ago I gave my wife a hand-drawn card for our anniversary, and she loved it so much she made me promise to ALWAYS hand-draw her cards. Then our three kids made me promise to do the same with their birthday cards. And when I posted some of my drawings online, people began asking how they could purchase my work—so I created this newsletter. I believe in something I like to call “The Happiness of Art” and I hope it makes you smile.

Official Bio

D.E.Uhlig is an award-winning illustrator whose work has appeared in numerous publications including the Kansas City Star, Christian Science Monitor, University Daily Kansan, Editorial Humor Magazine, and World Policy Journal. Commercial illustration and design clients over the years have included Samsung, Sprint, and the Los Angeles Times Syndicate, among others—and his Starbucks RedCup illustrations have been featured on the company's Pinterest and Facebook pages. In 1989, Mr. Uhlig co-founded Uhlig LLC, a leading provider of cross-media publishing and communication services in industries ranging from residential housing to book publishing to cancer care. Mr. Uhlig is married with three children and resides in Kansas City. He is currently working on children’s books, ebooks and apps.

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