Star light, star bright

I have always loved the sky full of stars. Looking up at night always gave my heart a lift with its grandeur, one of the most beautiful sights in this world. This is one of the reasons I prefer to live in the mountains without light pollution of cities or towns that dim and obscure all but the largest, brightest stars.

When I was young, my parents let me take an army cot outdoors and make my bed under the stars from May into September. Our ranch in Trinity County was across the river from all traffic, and our shepherd dog warned of all wild critters, so I felt perfectly safe. My only concern was for the possibility of an occasional thunder shower. It was wonderful falling asleep under that canopy of stars and in the moonlight.

I once heard an “expert” questioned whether there was any light at night. I disagreed strongly when he replied there was absolutely no light.

For years I walked around the ranch in the dark. We often walked the trail for two miles between the ranch and my father’s mine with only natural light.

Out hunting or camping with George, we often carried no light, finding our way by starlight. A white dog on the trail ahead was a beacon to follow back to camp. In the winter, on snowy trails, a black dog or a black spot served the same function.

Once, walking in the lower garden, a dark spot moved in front of me and made a slight rustling sound. I followed it a short way but couldn’t tell what it was so I went to the house for a light.. A huge old porcupine had been enjoying the garden.

One frosty January morning between 5 and 6 a.m., a truly brilliant morning star shone through my window, flashing so brightly that it lit up the room (probably Venus).I stood in the window in the frosty chill. It was so beautiful. As I turned back to the bed, I saw my own shadow on the bed. The light on my white pajama top actually seemed to flicker and scintillate. My hand cast a strongly distinct shadow. Climbing back into my warm bed, I lay cozily watching the sparkling brilliance of that star move upward until it disappeared behind the window frame. Later, as dawn came, the star still shone brightly even as the sun came up.

Beautiful!