STARRY EYED

Written By Barbara Worton

On February 2 in the UK and March 16 in the US, starry-eyed, Geoff and I were married. There’s a funny story about the dress—of course there is! Keep reading to get the details, click and smile, PLEASE.

Hi, Everybody!

As always, I have a few things to say. What else would you expect from a chatterbox?

Saturday in Boston

Saturday, March 15 will be more than “Prince Spaghetti Day” in Boston’s North End. (Remember that Clio-winning commercial that first aired in 1969, ran for almost thirteen years and made Anthony Martignetti a star?) Chatterbox: Stories from a Noisy Life makes its debut at I AM BOOKS at 124 Salem Street, Boston, MA at 6:00 p.m. I’ll be reading and signing books with Catherine Marenghi. Can’t wait! Big thank yous to Julia Lisella, Jennifer Martelli, IAWA-Boston and Nicola Orichuia and I AM Books. And if you’re wondering, we will be going out for pasta after.

One Small Step

Like every American kid who grew up in the 1950s and 1960s, I was fixated on what we called outer space. Science was king. We believed in it. We supported it. We made shoebox dioramas of the solar system out of aluminum foil, string, tempura paint and papier maché. We did oral reports on the space stories splashed across LIFE Magazine. We took to the streets where we lived and celebrated eclipses. We watched every NASA take-off and landing. We were glued to our televisions for the all-important landing and walk on the moon, and we knew all the astronauts’ names. 

Poor math scores and maybe nearly setting my chemistry teacher on fire with a small explosion in my glass beaker kept me from taking physics. Torn between relief and regret, I took geology instead. I became and still am a rock hound, so that teacher did something right. And despite my ignorance of calculus and string theory, I remain a space nerd and read “pop physics” like Neil deGrasse Tyson and Richard Feynman. One of the proudest moments of my life was when my husband Geoff was working at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and met a Cosmonaut. Man, was I jealous.  

“When Jupiter Aligns With Mars…”

It has been a big and busy couple of months for rare celestial spectaculars. A planetary alignment that won’t occur again until 2040 began on January 25. By its finale, The Great Parade of Planets, on February 28, seven planets were in perfect alignment, known as the ecliptic. Five were clearly visible to the naked eye. Two by telescope or high-powered binoculars. With the right equipment, you could see the moons around Jupiter. Geoff and I were out staring up to the heavens almost every night. Cricking our necks, freezing, pointing and counting celestial bodies. When it wasn’t overcast, the sky was sparkling with planets in a sweeping arc and more constellations than I can remember ever seeing at one time. Betelgeuse, one of the brightest stars ever discovered and seen at the left shoulder of Orion the Hunter was dazzling. Well, so was the entire Orion constellation.

Seven Planets

You can read how astronomical photographer Josh Dury (aka Starman) captured this photo of the alignment from the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England at https://www.ndtv.com/science/planetary-parade-2025-rare-photo-captures-all-8-planets-for-the-first-time-ever-7808219.

You can follow Josh on Instagram @josh_dury_photomedia. 

“When The Moon Hits Your Eye…” 

Overnight on March 13-14, there will be a full lunar eclipse visible in North America. As a Cancerian, I am intrigued by my governing astronomical body going into hiding and then putting on a pretty zippy light show to pop out again as “The Blood Moon.” Such drama. Here’s what the people at space.com have to say about this event: https://www.space.com/total-lunar-eclipse-one-week-away-march-2025-everything-you-need-to-know 

I Have A Favorite Nebula

No kidding. It’s the Crab Nebula. Here’s its picture taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. 

And why is that news or any of my chatter about space important? All is revealed in “We Are One Person—Barbara Goes All Oh Wow.” https://adventuresofthebakersdaughter.com/as-of-now/we-are-one-person-barbara-goes-all-oh-wow. Thanks for reading and don’t forget to look up at night. It’s humbling and awe-inspiring, and we can all use a hefty dose of that right now.

Say Yes To The Dress

Three weeks before our wedding, I was dress-less. Two weeks, still no dress. I have scoured Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Liberty, etc. etc. I have considered and rejected a traditional Chinese Qipao Wedding Dress. Then a bop on the head and two rides in two London taxis changed all that. Here’s the whole story: https://adventuresofthebakersdaughter.com/as-of-now/say-yes-to-the-dress-barbara-worton-hopes-to-make-you-smile

Come Together

Humans are social animals, particularly this human. When things get tough, I do not go into hiding. I have something to do almost every night. In the company of others, in community, I find connection, and I learn things I didn’t know before and I get home too late and fall asleep too exhausted to worry, yet full of hope knowing there are many people out in the world who are good and fun and kind. This past week, Thursday was dinner and Rufus Wainwright with Rochelle and Doug. Friday was a birthday dinner with Paula and Dee. Saturday was the Passaic County Arts Center and an Artist Talk with photographer Ron Wyatt. Sunday was The Spotlight at Arts By The People and dinner with Dom and Jan at a local watering hole. After that, I fell asleep reading.  

Coretta Scott King

"The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members." —Coretta Scott King

Women’s History Month

March 8 was International Women’s Day. March from start-to-finish is Women’s History Month. Who should celebrate? Everyone who has a mother, wife, significant other, sisters, aunts, nieces, girl children and grandchildren and female friends. Everyone. And how can you celebrate, read all about International Women’s Day here: https://www.internationalwomensday.com and https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens-day. Read about the women pioneers in reproductive medicine and Dr. Rosalind Franklin who worked to discover the double helix of DNA. And do your best, this March and always, to show and ensure all the women you know and love are included and have the rights, equity, respect and freedoms they deserve. Thank you. 

Mark Your Calendars, Please!

Watch out reading public, here I come. Here are events I’ve booked for March and April. 

Want To Bring Chatterbox To A Bookstore, Library, Italian Restaurant, Coffee Shop, School, Book Club, Etc., Near You? Please get in touch. Email me at barbara@barbaraworton.com. And let’s talk date, time, and place. Thanks!

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Chatterbox: Stories From a Noisy Life

Chatterbox: Stories from a Noisy Life by Barbara Worton is a heartwarming, laugh-out-loud collection of mini-memoirs celebrating life's joyful chaos. From a lively Italian American childhood to the adventures of adulthood, Worton shares vivid stories filled with humor, nostalgia, and relatable moments. Perfect for anyone who loves heartfelt storytelling and finds magic in everyday life. Releasing soon, in just under a month, on March 18th, 2025.

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A Little More Love for Chatterbox

“Barbara Worton’s collection of stories is as satisfying and rich as her grandmother’s Sunday Sauce. Her prose is bubbling over with sensitivity, with and humor. It will satiate you. Expect to leave her world feeling more connected to our own.” —Joyce Markovics, children’s book author

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Barbara Worton https://barbaraworton.com
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