I lucked onto the Word Bank blog — that’s Word Bank, not World Bank — and WOW whatta resource! Check it out for posts on reading, writing, editing, and just about anything word-related.
What led me there was an interview there with my online writer friend JT Twissel. She isn’t really mean to cows, insofar as I know.
No, it’s Dairy Carrie who’s mean to her cows. Sometimes. When she needs to be. You know how, when your toddler gets overtired and really needs a nap but really doesn’t want one and you put the toddler to bed and he/she tells you what a mean mommy you are? She’s that kind of mean. Otherwise, not.
You know what used to be fabulous but isn’t anymore and it sucks that it isn’t? The night sky. [Update: I meant to say that Holly Jahangiri (the real one) has a great article about this problem.]Β I live in the freakin’ country, and I can’t see a fraction of the stars I used to see when I was a kid. Yeah, okay, I can’t see as much of anything as I could when I was a kid, but still. Even out here in the sticks, there’s so much light pollution I can’t even see the Milky Way. The International Dark-Sky Association is working to remedy that. Turns out there are lots of ways — ways that are not only cost-neutral but cost-effective — to keep what needs to be lit lighted and to radically limit the light lost to light pollution.
A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: What does your main character miss most from childhood, not counting people/pets?
MA
Jane
February 5, 2016 at 7:57amThat’s easy. We used to leave our doors unlocked.
Not just when we were all in the backyard, but when we all had LEFT THE HOUSE!
Weird, huh?
Youngsters, I am serious.
Occasionally, when we’d leave for a weekend visit to Grannie’s farm, we might go, “Say, did we lock the doors?” “I don’t think so!” “Oh well (shrugging) it’ll be ok.”
I literally can not imagine that anymore. Perhaps it was a dream.
Marian Allen
February 5, 2016 at 8:27amI heered that’s how you down-home folks done things. π We locked our doors even if we were home, and you and I are the same age. I think it may have had to do with WHERE you lived more than WHEN you lived. That’s a good answer, Jane — thanks!
Jane
February 6, 2016 at 7:41amAt least none of us ever got left home alone!
Marian Allen
February 6, 2016 at 8:19amWow. We got left home alone all the time. On purpose. “Lock the door, and don’t let anybody in until I get back.” When we were little, too. I mean, we could reach the lock and all, but pretty young.
Holly
February 5, 2016 at 9:27amALL credit for that post goes to the author, Kent Biggs – he’s a friend and colleague (I can honestly say that I know a person who owns his own observatory! How cool is THAT?) I found his article gathering dust and loved it, and he graciously allowed me to use it on my blog. I’m just glad I could share it with you there! You really need to click through to his site for more photos.
Marian Allen
February 5, 2016 at 10:59amThat is WAY cool, Holly! Going over to click on some star shots now!
Shelly
February 6, 2016 at 1:08amBelieve it or not, the stars are still very bright where I live in rural Northern Calfornia. My kids are always pointing out the constellations.
A few years back we traveled a lot between our home and Beaver Utah visiting my husband on a job site. The kids and I would drive down through Las Vegas. Wow, that city just lights up the night sky and you can see the city glow long before you get close.
Marian Allen
February 6, 2016 at 8:14amAs a city gal born and bred, I find city glow comforting, but I’d give it up in trade for the stars. I’m glad your kids appreciate what they have. π
Holly Jahangiri
February 7, 2016 at 9:49amI love seeing big city lights from an airplane. But then there, they just look like stars, upside-down, don’t they? The rest of the time, I hate it. I have decent night vision, but it’s hampered by too many bright lights. In Paris – at least years ago, this was true – you had to turn off your headlights and use your running lights only if you were in the city. The city lights are more than enough. Headlights don’t add anything to the view or usability of the roads.
I have windows in my home that need blackout curtains (not the wood blinds I currently have) to block out light from the Kroger parking lot across two streets from me. My next door neighbor’s bathroom light wakes me up during the night. Their security light flashes on in the wee hours if two cats are caught mating within 50 yards of it. Our lights are ugly, and they have robbed us of the stars. I resent that a little.
Marian Allen
February 7, 2016 at 2:23pmPreach it, sister!
I agree: electric lights are ugly and pollution is a good way to characterize the illumination that’s wasted and that — as you say — robs us of the stars. π