by Joyce M. George-Knight

Created on: August 15, 2009

Scene: Two teenage girls stop in the shade on their walk through park. Lisa lays on the grass, then Amy does likewise. It's a summer vacation day, so they've plenty of time.

Lisa: (Staring at clouds in the sky.) Isn't the sky fascinating? God must have tons of fun using it as His canvas. Both early morning and evening He paints spectacular shades of color that can let us know in advance what the next day's weather should be. During the day, He paints blue sky and gorgeous fluffy clouds that take various shapes and get my imagination get revved up.

Amy: (Also staring skyward.) It's not just the daytime sky that's miraculous. The evening sky is as well. I wonder about the stars and what makes them twinkle? Why do they sparkle on some days and not on others? And, the moon's like a giant flashlight that can help lead the way on dark nights.

Lisa: I never thought of the moon as being like a flashlight, but now I will. That's smart thinking, Amy.

Amy: Likewise, Lisa, I never thought of God as using the sky as His canvas. He, or she, is magnanimous.

(An airplane can be heard in the distance but it's not yet visible. Only birds can be seen flying about.)

Lisa: Such fascination in songs began decades before the Space Program. I remember my grandparents saying that "Fly Me to the Moon" became a hit after Peggy Lee sang it on The Ed Sullivan Show http://www.boston.com/news/globe/obituaries/articles /2004/02/24/bart_howard_wrote_fly_me_to_the_moon/

My parents have a VHS tape of old Ed Sullivan Shows. Watching them is like a history lesson. So many people began their careers on that show, but that's a whole different topic.

Amy: Back to moon songs, my grandmother sings "Blue Moon" fairly often. It, too, was written pre-Space Program and she said it was originally sung by The Boswell Sisters, whoever they are, in 1935 http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_sang_the_original_song _Blue_Moon, but her favorite was Frank Sinatra's rendition. He was popular for decades. Even my mother mentions some of his songs.

Lisa: (Pointing upward.) Amy, here comes that plane we've been hearing. Wow, look how high it's soaring. Pretty amazing how man created airplanes and rocket ships. They most like were a product of their fascinations, too. I love to fly.

Amy: I remember studying that in 1043 the Chinese attempted to build a rocket http://www.telescope.org/nuffield/pas/moon/moon7.htm l. It failed, but just imagine that many years ago, the moon captured the minds of people.

Lisa: How about "Moon River" that was sung by Andy Williams in the 1960's. Sting wrote "Moon Over Bourbon Street" and in the 1980's Paul Simon wrote and sang, "Song About the Moon." So even closer to our time, it's as strong topic for songs. My mom still sings those songs as she's puttering about the house.

Amy: (Looking over at Lisa.) Did I tell you that I hope to work in the Space Program when I grow up?

Lisa: (Returns look.) No, but I'm not surprised. From the time we first met, you've tried numerous ways to make telescopes and made up games for us to play using the stars.

Amy: I wonder why we can't see the man in the moon when on some days we can still see the moon in daylight. One more thing for me to investigate.

(Both girls giggle.)

Lisa: (Stands up.) We'd best get going or we'll be late for dinner. Plus, I have my chores to complete first.

Amy: (Stands and brushes off clothes.) Oh, Lisa, thanks for reminding me. I haven't done my chores yet either. Yikes, we'd better get moving or I'll hear my dad say, "I'm going to fly you to the moon," his favorite Jackie Gleason saying.

(Both girls laugh and walk arms locked around each other's shoulder.)

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