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Bizarre and Surreal
Author: TriSec    Date: 07/27/2021 11:34:01

"Wow folks - I don't normally comment about the weather on the tour unless we're about to be hit by a thunderstorm. But look across Boston Common in front of the trolley - that's not haze; I just saw it on the news, that's smoke from the fires in California and Oregon".



I'm not sure how to link it - but take a look at this tweet. There's a 13-second timelapse video that shows how quickly conditions degraded in Boston yesterday.

This photo was taken from the top of the Hancock Tower, looking towards the southwest. The other two buildings are just about 3/10 of a mile distant further down Boylston Street.

https://boston.cbslocal.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3859903/2021/07/boston-smoke-haze.jpg?w=1024


We've had western smoke reach us before. Last week we had some, but it stayed in the upper atmosphere and provided a whitish haze far overhead for days. I'm not sure what the weather difference is that is causing it to settle over the region. I could literally see it swirling over Boston Common, and many fire departments took calls about it yesterday.

It is not without precedent, though. Centuries ago, an even more bizarre event took place across New England.


New England's Dark Day occurred on May 19, 1780, when an unusual darkening of the daytime sky was observed over the New England states and parts of Canada. The primary cause of the event is believed to have been a combination of smoke from forest fires, a thick fog, and cloud cover. The darkness was so complete that candles were required from noon on. It did not disperse until the middle of the next night.

***

Since communications technology of the day was primitive, most people found the darkness to be baffling and inexplicable. Many applied religious interpretations to the event.

In Connecticut, a member of the Governor's council (renamed the Connecticut State Senate in 1818), Abraham Davenport, became most famous for his response to his colleagues' fears that it was the Day of Judgment:

I am against adjournment. The day of judgment is either approaching, or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for an adjournment; if it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. I wish therefore that candles may be brought.

Davenport's courage was commemorated in the poem "Abraham Davenport" by John Greenleaf Whittier. Edwin Markham also commemorated the event in his poem "A Judgement Hour", found in The Gates of Paradise and Other Poems.


I have written previously about how disconnected the United States has become. However - given that the fires causing our local phenomena are 3,000 miles away - it actually proves how interdependent we all are.









 
 

11 comments (Latest Comment: 07/27/2021 20:13:43 by Raine)
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Comment by wickedpam on 07/27/2021 13:17:53
Morning

Comment by BobR on 07/27/2021 13:51:47
We had some haze here in the nation's capital as well (about a week or two ago). it's pretty amazing that it stays cohesive enough to see this far away. It makes you wonder how bad it is further west.

Comment by Scoopster on 07/27/2021 14:07:24
Mornin' all..

I'm home today for a doc televisit, and watching the 1/6 hearing. I'm surprised it's not being broadcast on regular TV.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 07/27/2021 14:26:10
Good morning, bloggers!!!!

The haze here has lead to bright sunsets and several air quality alerts are accompanying it. (I am not sure what is the cause of the alerts, we sometimes get them over the summer.)

We are interconnected. Sadly, too many forget that and think that what happens elsewhere cannot impact us.

Comment by Scoopster on 07/27/2021 14:26:19
Michael Fanone gettin angry!

Comment by livingonli on 07/27/2021 14:42:48
Good morning. Only ABC has the hearings on my TV.

Comment by Raine on 07/27/2021 17:51:48
The testimony this morning was just stunning. Sorry I didn't pop in earlier -- I was mesmerized and shocked again.

Comment by Raine on 07/27/2021 18:10:31
ROFL



Comment by Raine on 07/27/2021 18:46:01
Chuck Todd has been on air spotty at best for most of July. I think he's worried about his job, especially after this interview.




Comment by livingonli on 07/27/2021 19:50:23
Meet the Press has been bumped for the Olympics and I don't think anyone is missing it. Reruns of 3rd Rock From the Sun replaces the reair on Cozi TV.

Comment by Raine on 07/27/2021 20:13:43
DAMN. Every friend of mine who is a federal employee is vaccinated.

I hope Biden does what Newsome and DeBlasio are proposing:

Proof of vaccine or weekly/biweekly testing for those with no proof.