The Solar year is approximately 365 and 1/4 days long. Approximately, Mr. Spock? Yes, approximately. There are four seasons, each beginning after (1) the Autumn Equinox, (2) the Winter Solstice, (3) the Vernal (Spring, duh) Equinox, and (4) the Summer Solstice. What others call Monday, 1 September 1997 is, in fact, the 73rd day of Summer, in the last weeks of the 40th Year of the Space Age.

The word "month" is in fact descended from the "Moon" and yes, Mrs. Spock, the Moons are approximately 29 and 1/2 days long. By coincidence, this year's Moon of Harvest begins on the day also known as September 1st, 1997. So, therefore, "September First, Nineteen Ninety-Seven" is actually the First Day of Harvest, Year Forty.

The days of the week are Sunday, Moonday, Marsday, Mercuday, Joveday, Venusday and Saturnday. Those who speak Anglais will recognize Sunday, Moonday and Saturnday. En francais et espagnol, Mardi/Martes, Miercoles/Mercredi, Jeudi/Jueves and Viernes/Vendredi are also remembered. Now you, too, can name the planets, the Sun, and the Moon in one breath, just when you wanted to know what day it was....(?!) Heh heh heh, little Miss Spock!

As for the age, the era, the epoch et cetera? Well, only one event can mark the beginning of the new age where we live. No, not Madonna, the Atom , or Princess Di. It was Sputnik. Some say it was launched on October 4, 1957. I, yes I, the Sun Moon Calendar, tell you now: That was the beginning of a new age. The Space Age. By delightful coincidence, that day was a double 12 day. It was the Twelfth Day of Autumn and the Twelfth Day of Hunter. It was also the first day of Year One of the Space Age (aka Sputnik Age).

HOW Some EVER.... Since the autumn equinox of this year (40) occurs four minutes before midnight (in London) on "September 22" we must remember that the Twelfth Day of Autumn will NOT be October 4th, no, but rather, the 3rd. The Gregorian calendar is Slipping!!!!! Time to shlep back to the true SUN and Moooooooon. Bye...............