Tonight! On the Last Night of 2025:

Tonight! On the Last Night of 2025: The Moon & The Seven Sisters- A Celestial Farewell

As we bid farewell to 2025, tonight promises to be a night of breathtaking beauty and cosmic wonder. The Moon and the Seven Sisters (Pleiades) will align in a stunning celestial display, creating a moment to remember as the final moments of the year unfold.

The glowing full moon will shine brightly in the night sky, casting its soft light on the landscape below, while the Pleiades cluster will sparkle like a necklace of stars above. This rare alignment is a perfect reminder of the vast, unchanging beauty of the universe, marking the end of one year and the beginning of another with awe and wonder.

As we witness this celestial event, let it be a time for reflection and gratitude, embracing the beauty of the moment and looking forward to the endless possibilities of the new year.

December 31, 2025, offers us a chance to witness this mesmerizing connection between the moon and the Seven Sisters, making this night an unforgettable farewell to 2025.

Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime spectacle, look up, take a moment, and connect with the cosmos as the year closes.

Meanwhile, here's the AI Overview on the above Topic:

Tonight, on the last night of 2025 (December 31), skywatchers can enjoy 

a magnificent natural light show featuring the waxing gibbous moon, the planets Jupiter and Saturn, and several twinkling constellations and star clusters.

Celestial Highlights

• The Moon: The moon will be a bright, 95%-lit waxing gibbous, visible halfway up the eastern horizon after sunset. The last full moon (the "Cold Moon" supermoon) occurred earlier in December.
• Star Clusters and Constellations:
  • The delicate light of the Pleiades open star cluster can be found to the upper right of the moon.
  • The constellation Orion will be visible twinkling low on the eastern horizon, directly below the moon.
• Planets:
  • Jupiter, the brightest point of light to the left of Orion, shines in the constellation Gemini, near its bright stars Castor and Pollux.
  • Saturn's steady light can also be spotted shining halfway up the southern horizon around this time.

Other Happenings

• Lottery Jackpots: The Mega Millions jackpot was not won on December 30. The next jackpot, for Friday, January 2, 2026, is estimated at $157 million. The Powerball jackpot also grew after no winner was announced for the December 29 drawing.
• Reflection and Renewal: The period around the winter solstice (which occurred on December 21, 2025) often symbolizes a time for pause, reflection, and renewal as daylight slowly begins to return in the Northern Hemisphere.

• Finally, the top five news of the Day 

  1. Global New Year’s Eve celebrations and reflections
  World communities welcomed 2026 with fireworks, ceremonies, and moments of remembrance, including commemorations in Sydney, Seoul, Rio, and New York, despite recent tragedies in some regions. Reuters

  2. Zelenskyy urges Trump to visit Ukraine to help end the war
  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested U.S. President Trump should travel to Ukraine as part of diplomatic efforts amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. ABC News

  3. Search mission resumes for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370
  A renewed marine robotics search expedition has been launched to locate the long-missing MH370 wreckage, reigniting global interest in one of aviation’s enduring mysteries. AP News

  4. Russia orders continued military push in Ukraine
  Russia’s top general instructed forces to expand “buffer zones” in Ukraine’s Sumy and Kharkiv regions, signaling sustained conflict dynamics. Reuters

  5. Xi Jinping emphasizes reunification with Taiwan in New Year address
  Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a New Year’s Eve speech affirming China’s aim to “reunify” with Taiwan, underscoring rising cross-Taiwan Strait tensions. The Guardian

  My Photo of the Day-Northern Light on November 11, 2025

  
  
  Yes, there were spectacular Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) displays on and around November 11, 2025, caused by a powerful solar storm (a G4 "severe" geomagnetic storm) pushing the aurora far south, visible even in states like Florida, Alabama, and Indiana, with reports from people across the US and Northern Ireland. This rare event happened as a solar flare interacted with Earth's atmosphere, creating vibrant colors, and more activity was expected the following nights due to continuing coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the sun. 

• New Year Eve in the Philippines, Manila  
• https://www.facebook.com/reel/1557550558623677

Reflections At The Close Of 2025

Earlier this spring, I wrote, almost in passing that three of my blogs had crossed a milestone I never imagined when I began writing years ago: over one million page views. Numbers can feel abstract, but that figure represented something deeply personal to me. It meant that stories shaped by memory, faith, family, public service, and quiet reflection had found their way into the lives of others. At my age, that kind of connection feels like a blessing, not an achievement.

Beau David-one of my great grandson born July 7, 2025

Then summer arrived, carrying with it one of life’s rarest gifts. I became a great-grandfather, twice. Holding that truth still feels astonishing. Four generations alive at once is a humbling reminder that life does not end with us; it flows through us. In those moments, the future felt very close, wrapped in tiny hands and carried forward by names, stories, and love that will outlast my own days.

My 91st Birthday Lunch at FOB Kitchen in Oakland Temescal District with Family

And just last week, I celebrated my 91st birthday, not for a few quiet hours, but over two joyful days. Family, laughter, memories retold and newly made. I documented those moments in my blogs, not to mark time, but to honor it. At ninety-one, birthdays are no longer about candles or wishes. They are about presence. About being here. About still having stories worth telling and people who want to hear them.

If there is a lesson 2025 has gently reinforced for me, it is this: aging is not a narrowing of life, but a deepening of it. Faith, too, has deepened, not louder or more certain, but quieter and more trusting. I have come to believe that God is found as much in endurance as in celebration, as much in listening as in speaking. Success looks different now. It is measured in shared meals, growing families, faithful readers, and mornings when gratitude arrives before worry.

As this year closes, I do not look ahead with urgency. I look forward with trust. At this stage of life, time feels less like something to be spent and more like something to be received. Legacy, I am learning, is not built through grand gestures but through small faithfulness, showing up, telling the truth as we see it, loving those placed in our care, and leaving behind words that might steady or comfort someone we may never meet. Whatever days remain, may they be lived attentively, written honestly, and shared generously.

For now, that is enough- Semper gratus!

May the days ahead, few or may be held gently in God’s care. May gratitude rise with each morning light, and peace settle in the quiet of evening. May our words continue to serve, our love continue to widen, and our lives, even in their later chapters, bear witness to Grace and Gratitude. Amen.

Related Article:Twelve Reflections for 2025

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/12-reflections-2025-siobhan-lettice-viwke/

My Photos of the Day-Great Grandson-Beau David Joseph

Enjoying Our Pedicure-Sunday Afternoon(12-28-25) at Diva Nails-Me, Carenna and Ditas

Lastly,  Based on recent surveys for 2026, the top five most popular New Year's resolutions among Americans are generally related to health and finances.

 

1. Exercise More Nearly half of US adults commit to fitness goals.
2. Eat Healthier This is a consistently popular goal, often paired with exercise and weight loss.
3. Save More Money Many people aim to improve their financial health after holiday spending.
4. Improve Physical Health This general health goal often includes elements of diet and exercise.
5. Be Happy / Improve Mental Health A significant number of people focus on overall well-being and mental health in the new year.

 

New Year Greetings from My Home ( THD) to Yours, Wherever You Are! 

The Flaming Trees of the Philippines and Madagascar

1.The Salimbobog tree (Crateva religiosa) is a rare spectacle in summer—its branches explode into pinkish-white blooms, making it look like it's engulfed in flames the Philippines!

Also called the Spider Tree due to its unique, spindly flowers.

Used in traditional medicine and even considered sacred in some cultures.

A close relative of the Balai Lamok tree, known for its pest-repelling properties.

Despite its beauty, many Filipinos don’t even know this tree exists!

Another flaming tree is native to Madagascar: 💚* Delonix Regia

2. 💚Delonix regia is a species of flowering plant in the bean family Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae native to Madagascar. It is noted for its fern-like leaves and flamboyant display of orange-red flowers over summer. In many tropical parts of the world it is grown as an ornamental tree. It is a non-nodulating legume. Although its country of origin was unknown, it had been in widespread cultivation for centuries. Finally, in 1932, a natural colony was discovered on the west coast.

3. Moreover, Is this a tulip tree on the side of the Fairmont Building?  The flowers are small and whitish but not pinkish. 

The photo below is a tulip tree that I am familiar with. I have grown several of these trees in the Gardens of my previous residences here in the US.

4. And here's a magnolia flowering tree flower that I am familiar with:( similar in color)

5. Meanwhile, enjoy this photo of a cascading orchid inside a Greenhouse, I visited several years ago:

Also, Meanwhile Did you Know That....

—the Rainbow Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta) naturally sheds its bark, revealing stunning streaks of green, blue, purple, orange, and maroon! As the layers peel away, the colors shift, making it look like the tree paints itself over time. Native to the Philippines, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea, this tree isn't just beautiful—it grows incredibly fast and is used for paper production. But here’s the shocker: despite its natural masterpiece appearance, deforestation threatens its survival in the wild!

Lastly, Did you Know That....

The first settlers of Malaysia were Austronesians from the Philippines, making Filipinos and Malays distant relatives!

Shared Ancestry – Thousands of years ago, Austronesians migrated from the Philippines to Malaysia, spreading their language and culture.

Similar Languages – Malay and Filipino languages share many words, like anak (child) and bahay (house), proving their common roots.

Cultural Ties – From weaving patterns to boat-building techniques, Filipino and Malay traditions still reflect their ancient connection.

Palawan is the Oldest Landmass in the Philippines

Palawan is the oldest landmass in the Philippines, with fossils dating back to 22 million years ago!

This makes it the richest province in terms of prehistoric discoveries.

Tabon Caves hold the oldest human remains. The Tabon Man, estimated to be 16,500 years old, was discovered in Palawan.

Ancient marine fossils prove its age. Fossils of prehistoric clams, corals, and even sharks have been found in Palawan’s limestone formations.

A living time capsule. Due to its isolation, Palawan has rare flora and fauna that have survived since ancient times. Palawan isn’t just a paradise — it’s a window into the deep past of the Philippines!

For Details visit:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palawan_(island)

Meanwhile, Did you Know That.....

In 1942, the Japanese saw Artemio Ricarte as the perfect figurehead for their puppet government. However, despite living in exile in Japan for decades, Ricarte refused to become their president, showing his unwavering principles.

Unlike other exiles, he didn’t come back by choice. Japan forced him to return in 1942 to convince Filipinos to support the occupation, but he struggled with his divided loyalties.

Ricarte never swore allegiance to either the U.S. or Japan. He only recognized an independent Philippines, even if it meant exile, imprisonment, or war.

Lastly, Did You Know That.....

The Kulintang isn’t just an instrument—it was a symbol of prestige and power among Mindanao’s indigenous groups!

Its origins trace back over a thousand years, making it one of Southeast Asia’s oldest musical traditions. Played in royal courts and community gatherings, its rhythmic beats once echoed through the villages, signaling celebrations, warnings, or even battles!

Eight UNESCO Sites in Danger of Disappearing from Discover

The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization works tirelessly to 

preserve the heritages of cultures both past and present, as they oversee 1,154

 World Heritage Sitesthroughout 167 countries. From Ecuador’s majestic Galápagos

 Islands to India’s awe-inspiring Taj Mahal, these UNESCO landmarks are renowned

 for their history and beauty. Tragically, however, there are several whose status is at risk.

Whether because of natural disasters, armed conflict, or rapid urbanization, the future 

of 52 World Heritage Sites is far from certain. While UNESCO will undoubtedly do 

everything to ensure these places remain for future generations, there’s no time like 

the present to witness them for yourself. We’ve rounded up a mix of deeply important 

and stunning UNESCO sites to visit before they potentially disappear for good.

1. Everglades National Park, Florida, US

Credit: SimonSkafar/ iStock

From its crystalline beaches to nonstop nightlife, Florida is an undeniable tourist Mecca.

 But throughout the entire Sunshine State, nothing is more alluring than its unparalleled

 biodiversity, best exemplified by the Florida Everglades. These 1.5 million acres of lush 

wetlands are truly unlike anywhere else in the world, serving as the largest subtropical 

wilderness in North America and combining a vast array of nine distinct ecosystems, 

from coastal lowlands to broadleaf forests. On top of its geographic beauty, the

 Everglades are the only place on Earth where crocodiles and alligators coexist, 

alongside the national park’s 39 endangered or threatened species, which famously 

includes the elusive Florida panther.

2. Historic Centre of Vienna, Austria

Credit: CHUNYIP WONG/ iStock

The idea of taking a trip to the Historic Centre of Vienna is music to anyone’s ears. 

The Austrian capital city has long served as the center of classical music , earning it 

the nickname “City of Music” and once being where both Beethoven and Mozart called

 home. Vienna’s cultural significance extends into the world of architecture as well,

 as the downtown boasts breathtaking palatial examples of the Baroque style — 

highlighted by marble, stucco, and gilded decor as well as countless frescoes 

— including sites like Belvedere Palace and State Hall of the National Library.

3. Okapi Wildlife Reserve, Democratic 

Republic of the Congo

Credit: Nick Greaves/ Shutterstock

Once mistaken for being some sort of mythical “African unicorn,” the okapi is a legendary

 animal and key part of the continent’s culture. Sadly, only 30,000 remain in the wild. 

Of the remaining population, 5,000 wander the wilderness at the Okapi Wildlife Reserve,

 located within the Ituri forest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Along with okapi,

 keen nature lovers can witness countless additional threatened species of primate and

 birds that exist within the refuge's borders.

4. Old Towns of Djenné, Mali

Credit: oversnap/ iStock

Steel and concrete are but figments of the imagination in the Old Towns of Djenné, Mali,

 as the region is revered for its traditional mud houses — of which nearly 2,000 remain

 — that date back to 250 BCE when Djenné was first inhabited. Though Djenné is now 

far removed from its prime as a bustling economic hub during the 15th and 16th century 

trans-Saharan gold trade, the city’s mud villages make it seem as if visitors have been 

transformed back to that historic era. The people of Djenné are so invested in 

maintaining their heritage that every April, residents gather during an event called

 Crépissage (which translates to plastering) in which they work to reconstruct the city’s

 Grand Mosque — the largest mud-brick structure anywhere in the world. Due to 

political instability and insecurity, however, Malian cities like Djenné and the nearby

 Timbuktu have found themselves at risk because of the lack of governmental

 protections. But given these towns have survived for millennia thus far, they’ll

 hopefully stand for many more.

5. Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra, Indonesia

Credit: Pav-Pro Photography Ltd/ Shutterstock

A common theme within this roundup are sites that showcase stunning biodiversity,

 but such natural beauty often falls victim to various agricultural industries. The

 tropical rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia, are no different, and have been susceptible

 to extensive harmful logging practices in recent decades. Despite such concerns, 

the Sumatran rainforests can still proudly claim to be the only place on earth where

 tigers, rhinos, orangutans, and elephants coexist, with those animals surrounded 

by an estimated 10,000 plant species that offer researchers insight into how the 

island evolved bio-geographically. Some pessimistic estimates believe the 

rainforests could disappear by the 2030s, so don’t miss out on the opportunity

 to visit and immerse yourself in the unique natural landscape of Indonesia 

before they’re gone.

7. Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi,

 Uganda

Credit: FrankvandenBergh/ iStock

Some endangered UNESCO sites are at risk due to freak events which simply could 

not have been prevented. Among those sites are the Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi,

 Uganda, which were partially destroyed by fire in 2010. The original domed structure 

dates back to 1882, and the area holds extreme religious and spiritual significance for

 locals given it serves as the burial place of four Ugandan kings. The original dome also

 represented a stunning architectural achievement that utilized organic elements to craft

 a revolutionary structure that stood for over a century. Despite the tragedy that befell 

the site, the tomb’s inner sanctum remained largely intact, and ongoing preservation 

efforts worked to finally restore the dome in 2022. The risk of fire still remains, but

 despite these concerns, the tombs remain a holy site within Ugandan culture and

 can hopefully offer a moment of spiritual enlightenment to any who choose to come 

and pay their respects.

8. Medieval Monuments in Kosovo

Credit: Denis Kabanov/ Shutterstock

The Kosovo region has been torn apart by war and instability, but through it all, 

centuries-old monasteries and churches have withstood the test of time to help preserve

 the country’s Serbian heritage. Throughout Kosovo exist four Medieval monuments 

which reflect unique artistic and spiritual elements from a combination of Orthodox 

Byzantine culture and Western Romanesque traditions. From the 14th-century era 

Church of the Holy Virgin of Ljevisa to the Dečani Monastery, these buildings showcase

 many religious frescoes as well as well-maintained surrounding gardens, offering

 a peaceful experience in an often chaotic and uncertain area.

About the author: Bennett Kleinman | Staff Writer

Bennett Kleinman is a New York City-based staff writer for Optimism Digital. He is also a freelance comedy writer, devoted New York Yankees and New Jersey Devils fan, and thinks plain seltzer is the best drink ever invented.

Meanwhile, Did You Know that.....

 

In pre-colonial Philippine society, women enjoyed equal status with men — they could own property, lead communities, become warriors, and serve as spiritual leaders (like the babaylan).

Modern scholars say this egalitarian heritage is one reason why the Philippines consistently ranks high in gender equality, even compared to wealthier Asian nations.

Colonization introduced patriarchal systems, but traces of this early equality still shape Filipino gender dynamics today.