I share with you the harvest moon, rising over L.A. through the branches of the eucalyptus ringing the atelier.

Neil Young famously sang about said moon a few years back:

Because I’m still in love with you
I want to see you dance again
Because I’m still in love with you
On this harvest moon.

I’m too damned lazy to explain the phenomenon of the harvest moon and so turn matters over to the elves at Wikipedia, who inform us:

The Harvest Moon is the full moon that appears nearest to the autumnal equinox, which occurs on or about 23 September. This moon is also known as the Wine Moon, the Singing Moon and the Elk Call Moon. About once every four years it occurs in October, depending on the cycles of the moon. Currently, the latest the Harvest Moon can occur is on October 7 or 8.

The appearance of the Harvest Moon begins the first of the harvesting months in the Northern Hemisphere. Many cultures celebrate the harvests with gatherings, festivals, and rituals that are intricately attuned to the Harvest Moon.

At this time, the moon rises at a point which is opposite to the sun, and is situated close to the eastern point of the horizon.

It is claimed by some that the harvest moon seems to be somehow “larger” than other full moons. The human eye sees a low hanging moon as being larger than one that rides high in the sky. This is known as a Moon illusion, because the image of the moon in the sky is always the same size.

The harvest moon gets its name from the fact that farmers who were harvesting their crops at this time of year were able to use the extra light of the harvest moon to continue the work in the fields.

Couldn’t have said it better myself. All I know is that, as of 9:30 p.m. PST, the canyon is bathed in shimmering silver light that washes away the noxious orange of the sodium lamps of L.A.’s streetlights, and that it is good.

I’m waiting for damned coyotes to take notice at any moment and start up a chorus of yips and yowls in celebration.

I might joint them.