Carol Kroll

The universe

Photograph by Martin Popek

Well, fall is now upon us and the night sky is becoming more and more prevalent. Which means I start concerning myself with a certain subject more often than not. I know I have been told over and over again by various friends and family that what I’m about to discuss is none of my business, and stop worrying about it, and who cares, but the truth of the matter is I do care, I will worry about it, and I think it is very much my business.

So here is the pressing matter at hand.

What does the end or edges of the universe look like? And if the universe is infinite, how is it expanding? What does infinite expand—-to? How do we KNOW it is expanding? What’s out there? Who’s out there?

I guess the logical answer would be “heaven” but….really? Maybe. And if that is (which I’m not ruling out mind you) I think it isn’t the country club in the sky like everyone is envisioning. Maybe it’s just light. Or maybe we’re all light like Andy Partridge of XTC wrote. Or, maybe you get to the end and its a large blanket of green faux fur. Or, well, I don’t know what else. I’m freaking out about all the possibilities though. And this is what gets me into trouble. Cause then I start wondering how come the sun doesn’t decide to lose its center of gravity and float away. A very real concern when you dont see it for nine months out of the year.

I purposely didn’t see Horton Hears a Who for this very reason. Sometimes I think about it so much that I need “a lie down” to shake the vastness of it all.

I think its the long winters here. And the fact that we get more night than day nine months out of the year here in Wisconsin that I focus on this.

Speaking of the universe though, I highly recommend this site for those seeking to have daily inspirational emails sent to them everyday free of charge. I know the ones I have received have really helped me when I really needed it. Thank you Mike Dooley.