It would seem, however, that another meaning emerged as recently as 50-some years ago, when someone linked the term

"blue moon" with the uncommon event of a single month having two full moons. One folklorist, searching extensively for when it

was first used in that way, was referred to a 1943 Maine almanac. But he was unable to find a copy in print.

A 1946 edition of "Sky & Telescope" magazine is supposed to have contained a note about it, and a radio broadcast

about astronomy may have revived the double full-moon meaning of the term in the 1970s. With no certain mention earlier than that,

the researcher pronounced this application of "blue moon" "a truly modern piece of folklore."

And then you suddenly appeared before me, The only one my arms will ever hold.

I heard you whisper, "Please adore me," And when I looked, the moon had turned to gold.

So how does a month get two full moons? Simple enough. Even though our word "month" derives from "moon," we've

divided the year roughly into twelfths, and a month is really a twelfth of a year based on a solar calendar.

The moon's actual cycle runs from extremes of 29 days, six hours, to 29 days, 20 hours say 29 and a half days, on average.

It's easy to see how, if a full moon falls on the first or second day of a 31-day month, there'll be another on the 30th or 31st, the

so-called "blue moon."

This doesn't happen often in fact, only once every 2.7 years, thus becoming a worthy metaphor for an infrequent event.

But here's where it gets interesting. Two blue moons occur in one calendar year only once in about 19 years, and even less

often back to back. That's what's happening today. Step outside this very evening and take a look at the second blue moon of 1999.

On New Year's Day, the moon was full, so the first blue moon fell on Jan. 31. Then, skipping February, the moon was full

on March 2 and again tonight.

While there are 12 calendar months in a year, there are actually about 12 and one-third lunar cycles in a year, so you can see

why the date of the full moon slides around from one month to the next. February's having no more than 29 days makes it the only

month short enough to be skipped by a full moon altogether.

Don't miss it. The last time two blue moons occurred in one calendar year was in 1980, and before that, in 1961. You'll have

to wait until 2018 for it to happen again, and then 2037.

Blue Moon, now I'm no longer alone, Without a song in my heart, Without a love of my own...

When was "Blue Moon" on the Top 10 list? In 1935, along with "Stardust," "Red Sails in the Sunset," and "When I Grow

Too Old to Dream."

No wonder I heard it at Kroger last week on Senior Discount Day.

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