15 Comments
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Ann Roth's avatar

So beautiful to read and contemplate your words.

Sharona Nelson's avatar

I had never heard of the Fermi paradox! Interesting conjectures and thoughts. Thank you.

Judi Purcell's avatar

Ooh! I recognized those words about the stars. Your characters in your brand new book, A Thousand Painted Hours, had similar musings while looking at the night sky. Terrific story!

Barbara ONeal's avatar

Judi!! Yes! ❤️❤️❤️ I’m am so happy you liked the book.

Susan Setteducato's avatar

I remember seeing the Milky Way for the first time in Buena Vista, Colorado., a city girl of fourteen on a church-sponsored bus trip to a ranch. I think we were supposed to get saved while there, but i got catapulted into a "place of wonder' that has never left me. Such vastness and beauty seemed way too big to fit in any book or dogma. That awe has only grown over the decades. I've never felt alone here on this green gem of a planet. So many suns. So many galaxies. Hoew many Universes?? The thought of being part of a vast brotherhood of sentient beings thrills me. Thank you for a beautiful post.

Barbara ONeal's avatar

I love this story, Susan! Many of my sightings were in the Colorado mountains, too.

Amy Hewitt's avatar

You've put into words what I often feel, too. I live near the shores of Lake Michigan and, although I've traveled to a dozen countries or more, there is still so much to see. To experience. To wonder.

I'm excited to read This Place of Wonder. Ready for it to open up my imagination and sense of aliveness. We need wonder in our lives. Thank you, Barbara!

Have you announced how we can receive a signed copy yet?

Barbara ONeal's avatar

I also feel there are so many more things to see (and see again!).

Barbara ONeal's avatar

The signed copies will be for A Thousand Painted Hours, and I have settled the plan with my bookseller. Will announce this week. Thanks for asking g.

Tina Redmond's avatar

LOVE this so much....

Yvonne Navarro's avatar

I don't agree with the Fermi paradox. Yes, it takes, well, a miracle for life to start and then grow into intelligent, communicating beings with opposable thumbs and a hunger for knowledge. But think again of those incomprehensible numbers, the billions, the trillions and upward, of solar systems, stars, and planets. How can we, mere human beings that we are-- alive and aware for only a blink in the history of our own planet-- truly believe we are the only intelligent lifeform in the ever expanding universe that surrounds us?

Barbara ONeal's avatar

I’m with you, Yvonne. How could there not be?

Veronica Wolff's avatar

Love this so much, Barbara!

Barbara ONeal's avatar

You like the stars, too. 🪐

Audra B.'s avatar

I love this!