Lunar or lunatic?

By Nancy Black

I’m blaming it on the full moon. Or maybe it is because my youngest child is getting ready to graduate from high school. Then again, it could be because I live in a state that now allows anyone and everyone to carry a gun, whether or not they know how to use it. The bottom line is, I’m sad.

Research has shown that the lunar cycle affects human behavior. According to an article by Michał Zimecki, published in the National Institute of Health’s Library of Medicine, humans and animals are subject to “seasonal, lunar and circadian rhythms.” Basically, the lunar cycle affects human (and animal) reproduction systems, and even other events associated with human behavior, such as traffic accidents, crimes and suicides. They have all been linked with the phases of the moon. 

“The release of neurohormones may be triggered by the electromagnetic radiation and/or the gravitational pull of the moon,” Zimecki stated.  Bottom line? I blame the full moon we had this week for my feeling blue.

I am going to be an empty nester in a couple of months, though. Could that be causing my melancholy state of mind? Damn straight, it is. What’s a single mother to do once all her baby birds have flown the coop? My senior-soon-to-be-an-out-of-state college freshman suggested I get a hobby. I guess taking care of all the rescued animals my children have found throughout the years won’t keep me busy enough. It would not be a “hobby,” but maybe I’ll apply to become a CASA volunteer. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. Courts appoint trained volunteers to gather information and make recommendations to help judges decide what is best for each child during court hearings. Currently, Dallas CASA is able to serve only half of the children who need volunteers. If my children don’t need me anymore, then maybe I can help some who do.

But there’s that sadness again. Could my utter disappointment with the legislative branch of our state’s government be another reason I’m so blue? Yes! 

Raising my children, we had a few words that were never allowed to be spoken in our house: hate, stupid and idiot were in the top five. It’s a good thing they are old enough now to realize that when mommy does say those words, she really means them. So, they can quote me on this one, “I hate those stupid idiots in Austin who decided it would be a novel idea to allow any and every Texan, regardless of training or, in some cases, even background checks, to ‘constitutionally carry’ a firearm in public.”

The old law required fingerprinting, four to six hours of training, a written exam and a shooting proficiency test. Now, all you have to do is buy a gun — period. It’s our right to “keep and bear arms” the Senate sponsor, Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, said. I shouldn’t worry, though, because the Texas Department of Public Safety is going to offer a free online course on gun safety. Gun owners won’t be forced to take it. But, gosh, knowing it’s there on that website makes me feel so much safer.

Now is the time I head back to my gratitude list to pull me out of my funk. I love the moon, even if it makes me moody, and the sun and all our other planets and stars. And I think it is way cool that the United States government is finally admitting to the presence of UFOs. ET, phone home!

I am so fortunate my children are healthy, smart and incredibly independent. I hope they phone home often!

And, I’m glad we have a government “of the people, by the people and for the people.” That means my voice will be heard the next time I vote. Instead of “constitutional carry” candidates, I’ll be voting for common sense candidates who vote down loony ideas, full moon or not.