Introduction

Since October 2004, I have maintained the Belt of Venus website where I have been able to share my enjoyment of amateur astronomy. The treasures that lie deep in the vast cosmos aren't the only things that capture my fascination. Although we lie enmeshed in an enthralling universe, this thin, beautiful bubble of life is pretty hard to ignore. If you enjoy meteorology, geology, botany, zoology--all of those -ologies, -ographies, and -anies--well, so do I. I am easily distracted. I want this to be a place where I can share some of those interests. The Belt of Venus has taken on a life of its own, and I want to keep it strongly focused, so this is where I will try to explore these other natural wonders as the opportunity arises.