Earth Hour

Yesterday was Earth Day and we took part by turning off all our lights from 8:30 to 9:30. It was sooo easy that I'm surprised that more people don't do it. After all, it's only an hour.

So what did we do for that hour? Well for part of it we took a walk around our neighborhood. And I was quite surprised by the number of people who are apparently afraid of the dark. Some of the houses are lit up like a prison. But, I guess for some people that's what their house has turned into. A prison that must be kept lit on the outside, locked up tight, and their "owners" ensconced inside avoiding the outside world.

Other houses looked as though they were participating. Even entire streets looked dark, which added to the serenity of walking around at night watching the thin moon on the western horizon.

Since our walk took only 40 minutes, we spent a bit of time in our backyard looking at the stars. The Big Dipper shown brightly with its familiar pattern. Since we took out binoculars, we found the double star in the dipper's handle. That was a first for both of us -- surprising really since we both have been out looking at the stars many, many times. Orion was up, too, holding his club high overhead. And Cassiopeia, looking like a sideways 'W.' It is always such a treat to see the star shining in the night sky.

With our walk being such a success, we've decide that we'll take more nighttime strolls. Once summer hits, it'll be cooler at night, and who knows what creatures we might see out at that hour. And to avoid stepping on one of them we'll bring flashlights.