Rainbow or Sun Dog? Notice the solar glory between St. Mary’s Catholic Church on the left at the Nebraska State Capitol on the right.
Many of us noticed today that God gave us a rare, special treat for the polar vortex blast we shoveled and drove through this morning. At first, I thought it was a strange rainbow because it was large, brilliantly colorful and circular. Then I remembered: sun dogs! Have you heard of sun dogs? (I keep wanting to call them snow dogs, I don’t know why.) It’s an atmospheric phenomenon caused by the refraction of sunlight through ice crystals, a(n angelic) solar halo. Just so you know, no filters were required for these photos.
I’ve been running hard in pursuit of my goal of running 2,014 miles this year in #RunThisYear. Ran more than 218 miles last month. My current run streak is at 79 days (pursuing at least 100, or if I am extremely fortunate, 365 days). Really wanted to run outside today but temperature was 2 degrees and -20 wind chill (a little too brisk!) so I hopped on the treadmill for a virtual run in the Badlands. Listened to New York Philharmonic free concert for Chinese New Year while running! Great music (e.g., Rachmaninoff) really helps musical people like me!
Lately I’ve been working on boosting my VO2 capacity as measured by my Garmin watch. I’ve revved my VO2 from the “green” zone (average) up to 48 in the blue zone (above-average). Hoping to get into the purple (excellent) zone, the top level, need to reach 50 for that. (These are just the colors that Garmin Connect uses for coding the VO2 max zones.) It matters to us asthmatics.
On the way to work, I’ve been praying the Rosary for my family and friends and today was the Glorious Mysteries. So I look up in the sky after finishing the Rosary and see this!
Definitely a Sun Dog!
Snowy Sun Dog, love the solar circle! St. Mary’s Catholic Church on the left
WOW! I instantly started hearing “And the Glory of the Lord” from Handel’s Messiah. It was a powerful God moment and I strongly felt God’s presence. In the Very first photo at the top above, you can see the sun and “Snow Dog” between the State Capitol and St. Mary’s Catholic Church, our downtown Catholic Church in Lincoln. This is meaningful to me as a lobbyist who works for the Catholic Church, trying to balance our Catholic values with good public policies.
Sunny Snow Dog and the Nebraska State Capitol building
Be strong! Be bold! (And if you can avoid it, stay out of the cold!)
Later friends, Running Groove Shark
One last Sunny Snow Dog for the road!
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