Hello Reader,
More often than I not, I miss out on once-in-a-lifetime celestial events.
In April 2024, I missed the partial solar eclipse because I forgot to get glasses. Plus it was a classic cloudy Portland day, which makes it hard to remember there is anything up in the sky except water.
Instead, I made a cheese plate with a cheese called “Midnight Moon,” opened the windows, burned incense and promptly grew nauseous from the perfumed scent.
I later read an OPB article about a man who gathered to witness the eclipse, “He loves to see things that place him within the universe.”
But surely I made sure to catch the next phenomenal night sky experience of the aurora borealis? Nope.
It was a clear night in Portland. I didn’t even go outside to check on my patio. I was exhausted on my couch indulging in TV. I didn’t even try.
Finally, this late August, I stood on the dark backyard patio to watch the near-total lunar eclipse.
My love and I tilted our necks to look a few meters above the recycling and trash bins. Through a lucky sliver of sky between our house and our neighbor’s, we watched the blood moon eclipse, in awe.
We used to stare up at the night sky together on backpacking trips. Since he became disabled due to Long COVID acquired ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis), we don’t get to experience the sky far from the city lights.
This was special.
The celestial bodies, Moon, Earth, Sun, in relationship to our human bodies made of stardust— I felt small in a good way.
I was reminded that everyday is a once-in-a-lifetime event.
If I remember, I can be full of sudden awe, like my toddler nephew who always looks for the moon.
Reflection
What once-in-a-lifetime event did you show up for with full presence? How has that experience stayed with you?
Resources
My Creative Updates & Offerings
Join me on Wednesday October 28 at 7:00 p.m. PT at Powell’s City of Books in Portland: Kristen Millares Young in Conversation with Vanessa Micale & Devon Fredericksen. Kristen Millares Young debut memoir Desire Lines (Red Hen) "excavates submerged truths about motherhood, the body, and the sacred."
This fall, I will facilitate a handful of private workshops.
I'll be teaching a one-hour writing workshop for Kim Moy's upcoming Caregiver Wisdom series. You can learn more about Kim's paid offering here, "Thrive as a Caregiver." p.s. I have taken one of Kim's group workshops that deeply supported me.
I also have an upcoming bilingual in-person somatic workshop for Latino Network, and a corporate workshop on psychological safety and burnout prevention for a Fortune 500 company.
Community & Care
I loved this “Notes toward an anti-CV” from Sayana Sarkar. It was refreshing to see a CV celebrate multi-disciplinary and non-linear ways of being.
Kim Moy, of Caregiver Wisdom has a free video on "Staying Grounded Amid Constant Change."
From Hyperallergic, on "What Artists Sign Away.” Damien Davis shares “Contracts are not neutral documents. They are instruments that determine where value flows over time. Who retains control. Who assumes risk […].”
Dog-trainer, punk rocker, and rad human needs help: Kaia Wilson has a GoFundMe for support after a house fire.
Portland-area events, autumn whimsy:
Portland Latin American Film Festival, films screening through November: https://hollywoodtheatre.org/series/portland-latin-american-film-festival/
“Wildwood: Follow the Crows” is a new public art trail. Giant crows are dispersed all over the city through October 31: https://ohsufoundation.org/wildwood-follow-the-crows
Oregon Donkey Sanctuary: Fall Fundraiser: Pick a Pumpkin, Pet a Donkey! October 17 and 18: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fall-fundraiser-pick-a-pumpkin-pet-a-donkey-tickets-1996373857950
Soft Pants for Your Mind
From NPR, “We asked a first grader to interview his hero: A bird scientist” Cutest interview ever. Kids are rad, and their dreams deserve to come true.
I have the new Helado Tropical album on repeat, in particular “Déjate Caer” (Let yourself fall) song. Check out their KCRW performance here (Helado Negro collab with Reyna Tropical).
Plus A Concert for Venezuela with Gustavo Dudamel, the LA Phil and more || Aug 23, 2026.
Notes & Citations
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/see-last-nights-blood-moon-eclipse-from-around-the-world/
https://science.nasa.gov/moon/eclipses/
https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/education/alp/are-we-really-made-of-star-stuff/
https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent/the-universe/stars/a-spectacular-stellar-finale/we-are-stardust
https://www.opb.org/article/2024/04/08/hundreds-of-oregonians-view-partial-eclipse-through-cloudy-skies/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2024/04/09/how-lost-productivity-during-the-total-solar-eclipse-is-actually-a-win-for-employers
https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14835/
Let’s resource! Let’s play! Let’s happen to notice, together.
In peace,
Vanessa Micale
Founder of Poderosa Voz LLC
(she, they, ella)
P.S. You can show your support by sharing this micro-newsletter with a friend, or you can send me a digital tip and treat me to a pastry.
P.P.S. Sharing resources is one of my love languages. Is there a resource related to somatic and creative realms you want to see or you know of? Hit reply and let me know.
