🌙 There’s a New Moon Over My Shoulder… and It Won’t Leave Me Alone

It all started the night I was humming There’s a New Moon Over My Shoulder by Ernest Tubb and minding my own business in Irving.

Now, I’ve sung that song before—mostly off-key and with deep emotional confusion—but this time something… unusual happened.

There really was a new moon over my shoulder.

And it was way too close for comfort.

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🤠 The Moon Gets Personal

At first, I thought it was just a trick of the light. Maybe I’d had too much sweet tea.

But when I turned my head…

…the moon turned with me.

“Evenin’,” it said.

Now I don’t know about you, but when a celestial object greets me politely, I get suspicious.

“Uh… howdy?” I replied, because I was raised right.

The moon sighed. “You’ve been singing that song all day. I figured I’d come see what the fuss was about.”

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🪕 Things Escalate Quickly

6

Before I could object, the moon pulled out a guitar.

A GUITAR.

“I’ve been working on harmony,” it said, strumming like it had a record deal in Nashville.

Now I was in trouble.

Because the moon could sing.

And I could not.

People started gathering. Neighbors peeked out their windows.

One lady whispered, “That fella’s finally lost it… he’s duetting with astronomy.”

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🏃‍♂️ Attempted Escape (Failed)

Naturally, I tried to get away.

I walked fast.
The moon floated faster.

I ran.
The moon glided.

I hid behind a tree.

The moon peeked around it like a nosy neighbor.

“Where you goin’?” it asked.

“I need some space!” I shouted.

The moon paused. “Oh… the irony.”

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🙏 A Slightly Spiritual Solution

Finally, I did the only thing left to do.

I sat down, looked up, and said, “Lord, I think Your creation is getting a little too friendly.”

The moon softened.

“Maybe I got carried away,” it said. “It’s just… nobody sings about me anymore like they used to.”

Well, that hit me right in the heart.

So I tipped my hat, cleared my throat, and sang that old tune one more time—badly, but sincerely.

The moon smiled… backed up into the sky… and returned to a respectful, non-conversational distance.

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🌙 Moral of the Story

If you’re ever in Irving, late at night, and you feel like something’s watching you over your shoulder…

Don’t panic.

It might just be the moon.

And if it starts singing—

Well…

You better know the words.

Tell me what you think and share with others.

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com

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