Originally published September 1, 2012

Once in a blue moon, you learn something new, but it isn’t every day, or at least that is how it seems when traveling through life in the fast lane. 

However, sometimes, living in the fast lane becomes so complicated that you do not have time to think about anything but your priorities.

Luckily for me (and you, dear reader), I no longer travel in the fast lane. I am no longer in a race to emptiness—and I saved myself from being doomed.

This is not about religion—it is about waking up, smelling your armpits, and remembering why you shower every morning.

Let me explain.

Life in the fast lane begins shortly after birth when you start to learn about life.  And as you learn, you begin to yearn (for things in life). 

And when you yearn for things that aren’t readily available, you begin to dream about achieving success.

Life in the fast lane is a race to win everything you have ever wanted, to get things that will make you happy. When a dream comes true, there is a brief moment of victory and happiness, and then it is onward to the chase for the next dream.

Some people remain in the fast lane for their entire lives, overcoming numerous obstacles to achieve their dreams. But at the end of the day, what they thought would make them happy does not. They accomplished their goals but did not bring true and satisfying happiness.

And that, dear reader, is because we never stop dreaming, regardless of the road or obstacles we travel.

I still have dreams, some of which I have had for most of my life.

Dreams are difficult to let go of, but we cannot always get what we want.

Or can we?

But Danny, what has this got to do with the title of your blog post?  Are you going through male menopause or….

~ Spanky

Relax, Spanky! And why are you drinking beer with a straw? Please sit there and try to remain sober for a bit longer, okay?

~ Danny

Anyway, earlier this month, I first learned about a rare event about to happen here on Earth.

For those of you who believe in science, particularly astronomy (not astrology), you are familiar with the fact that the moon rotates around the Earth.

You would also know the several phases of the moon, including the full moon, which occurs every 29.5 days or once a month (lunar cycle).

And I bet that even the most brilliant scientists have often wondered about the meaning of Blue Moon.

Men have landed and walked on the surface of the Moon. 

Immediately after taking the historic “One step for man, one giant leap for Mankind,” the astronaut picked up a piece of the Moon and determined that it did not smell or taste like blue cheese.

If you are a music fan (like me), you are probably aware of the numerous songs written about the Blue Moon.

And the songs are not limited to one genre either.

Artists like Elvis Presley, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Mel Torme, and Cliff Richard have recorded their versions.

My favorite Blue Moon song is the one by The Mavericks.

But all of those songs are about a person who is sad and lonely, or “blue” – like a sad and lonely Blue Moon.  

But how can the Moon be sad, lonely, and/or blue?

Then there is the expression “Once in a Blue Moon.”  What’s that all about?

Well, I no longer live in the fast lane and have ample time to ponder such matters,

I decided to solve the mystery once and for all (which, by the way, is another strange saying).  While researching Once in a Blue Moon, things began to get weird and scary.

Here’s what happened.

On August 1, 2012, at 3:00 AM, my dog, Holly Golightly, woke me up and desperately asked to go outside.

As I approached the patio door, I was surprised at how bright it was outside—I did not need to turn on the outside light.

I stumbled onto the patio and looked up at the sky—and there it was—a full moon! It was such a beautiful sight that I decided to sit in one of the lawn chairs and admire the scenery.

The moonlight creates a shadow that is very different from the sun’s, and it is mysterious and spooky.

Suddenly, the shadows from the fence, apple tree, and shed took on their own life, and I felt as though I was being watched.

Chills ran up and down my body – the hair on my head turned a blue/white color.

I ran to the patio door, then raced inside to my bedroom, and quickly hid under the covers, shaking with fear.

But where was my little Holly?  I peeked out from under the covers and noticed she wasn’t in the room.

Did I leave her outside?

I quickly slipped out of bed and quietly crawled through the hallway to the sunroom.  As I got to the patio door, a face suddenly appeared on the other side of the door!

It was Holly!

We both started to bark – a tactic sure to scare away any ghouls or goblins hiding in the shadows.

But as I opened the patio door, Holly suddenly noticed a cat and started chasing it across the yard.

I started to chase Holly but then heard a familiar voice.

Hi Danny!  Are you and Holly out looking for dew worms, too? 

It was Bob, my next-door neighbor, an avid fisherman.

Uh, no, I uh, was just taking Holly out for a walk, in the neighbourhood.

It was at that exact moment that the flashlight that was taped on Bob’s safety helmet shone on my near-naked body.

I don’t know which of us appeared to be the weirdest: him, looking like a coal miner, or me, looking like an aged Chippendale stripper in boxer shorts!

By the way, isn’t that the nicest looking Moon? he asked.

Bob had only been living in the neighborhood for a couple of years and had already seen me running around the yard in my boxer shorts several times.

I nodded in agreement and then knelt down to pick up Holly.  Suddenly, I noticed that my boxer shorts were on backward.

I had been in such a rush to let Holly out. 

As I walked back towards the patio door, I could feel the light from Bob’s safety helmet shining on my back.

When I got back to my bedroom, Holly was already curled up on the bed.  Within minutes, she was snoring.

I couldn’t sleep – I was too rattled.

I turned on my computer and started to search for the term “once in a Blue Moon.” It didn’t take long to find the answer.

It refers to a rare occurrence when there are two full moons in one month.

As I did more research, I learned that August 2012 was one of those rare occurrences when there were two full moons—the first on August 1st and the second on August 31^st.

“Wow!” I thought, “This is really something special.”

The next Blue Moon won’t occur again until July 2015.

I thought about all of the Blue Moon occurrences I had already missed in my life – I wasn’t going to miss another!”

So, I decided to make preparations for a Once-in-a-Blue-Moon celebration on August 31^st.

I awoke early on August 31^st and turned on the morning news.

There was no mention of the Blue Moon, but that was okay.  I was probably the only person in Langley who was even aware of this rare and exciting event. 

And now, all I needed to get was the weather forecast.

I knew that the night sky would need to be clear of clouds for the Blue Moon to be visible. It’s too bad I cannot share this exciting news with others.

It would probably spread fear and panic to some, while others would scoff at the idea, like they scoff at global warming.

Mark, the Global TV Weatherman, finally gave the forecast – clear skies for the next few days!

“Hurray!” I screamed to myself.

I cut and trimmed the lawn and then swept the patio.

I put candles on the patio table and brought out a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which I had been saving for a special occasion.

As dusk approached, I was excited like on a first date.

But there would just be Holly, the Blue Moon, and me.

I sat in the Adirondack chair and watched as the sky became darker.

On the western horizon, shortly before sunset, the planet Mercury is just above the setting Sun.

And then, the sky got darker, with a billion stars shining like diamonds in the sky.

The Blue Moon wouldn’t rise for a few hours, so I sat back and waited.

I put on my headphones and listened to an Eagles tune, which brought back memories of the last time I witnessed something amazing in the night sky.

During a trip to Ontario in August 2003, I was caught in the Power Blackout in Eastern North America.

I had traveled to Haliburton to visit the grave site of my beloved Grandma Puffer and was staying at a nearby motel when I learned about the massive power outage.

The blackout lasted a few days and affected more than 10 million people in Ontario and 45 million in 8 states in the Land of the Free. 

However, it was also during the blackout that another rare occurrence was happening in the night skies.

It was when Saturn was closest to Earth, a much rarer occurrence than a Blue Moon.

That night, I was sitting on the end of the dock, with my legs and feet in the water, staring at the bright planet in the sky.

I remember closing my eyes and making a wish.

“When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are. Anything your heart desires will come to you. If your heart is in your dream, no request is too extreme. When you wish upon a star as dreamers do. Fate is kind she brings to those to love the sweet fulfillment of their secret longing. Like a bolt out of the blue, fate steps in and sees you through. When you wish upon a star your dreams come true.” ~ Jiminy Cricket song

And last night, when I finally noticed the Blue Moon rising on the horizon, I wondered what I should do to mark the occasion.

As I was staring at this beautiful object in the sky, I closed my eyes and made a wish.

I wonder if it will come true.

I can’t tell you what my wish is – because that might jinx my wish from coming true.

Update: Saturday, July 5, 2025

The next Blue Moon will occur on May 31, 2026.

I have made two reminders for the event on my calendar. The first reminder is for the actual event, and the second is to write about it the following day.

Never give up on your dream(s).

Dedicated to my Blue Moon Wish.

I hope my stories are a gift to your head and heart.

Hugs,

Danny

Today’s tune from Danny’s library (purchased):

If I should stay
I would only be in your way
So I’ll go, but I know
I’ll think of you every step of the way

And I
Will always love you
I will always love you

You
My darling, you
Mm, mm

Bittersweet memories
That is all I’m taking with me
So goodbye, please, don’t cry
We both know I’m not what you – you need

And I
Will always love you
I will always love you
You

[Saxophone Solo]

I hope life treats you kind.
And I hope you have all you’ve dreamed of
And I wish to you joy and happiness
But above all this, I wish you love

And I
Will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you,
I will always love you, you

Darling, I love you
Ooh, I’ll always
I’ll always love you

Songwriters: Dolly Parton

Here are other songs I’m listening to: These Songs Will Make You Smile Today.