When did I first read this? Must be 2001. Maybe, maybe before 9/11? I suppose within a week of hearing who Ted Chiang was? So maybe after spring 2002?

I haven’t reread it tonight yet. I have vague memories of irritation with the dead child motif. Very pleased to learn that the just-opening film “Arrival” is an adaptation of this story. Here’s hopin’ Ted got paid and got points.

Incredibly, there are no clouds tonight, and the advertised brightness boost of the supermoon has cast the world in dappled silver fire. Glad I was up to see it. Makes me miss summer and autumn full moons thirty years ago at the quarry or in the woods at midnight, when the night’s terrors were safely an ocean or a county away.