Yesterday (May 16) was a notable day in the universe. It was the new moon and the mid-point between two May full moons. The first of them was on May 1, and the second will be on May 31. May 31st will be the Blue Moon.

May 16 is also notable for being the recording date of one of my favorite old LP records, fittingly of Claude Debussy’s “Suite bergamasque” which includes “Clair de lune.” The record also includes “Et la lune descend sur le temple qui fut” (And the moon descends on the temple that was) as well as a number of other pieces by Debussy. The pianist is George Copeland, and the recording year was 1963. The record I have belonged to my grandmother. It’s in a plain orange-yellow jacket with no writing. I found it on her record shelf after she died. I’ve listened to the record hundreds of times in the past 55 years, probably more than any other record I own. Copeland was a renowned Debussy interpreter, and his “versions” are fantastic. I don’t know much about the record and why it came in a plain, un-marked jacket. Maybe it was some sort of private recording. Fortunately the record label includes the titles of all the tunes, and there’s a cool photo of George Copeland and his cat tucked inside.

Thanks George, and here’s to the moon, ever-watching over the orchard with its energy, its power and its light.