No Stars

On Friday night, the community college scheduled a special viewing at the telescope located on campus. Sandra and I decided to make it an evening and picnic before the presentation started.

Clouds patterned the sky as we parked and headed to the observatory deck. I wasn't quite sure which way led to the telescope, but I picked what look like a trail and stepped forward into the the school's nature area. Tall grasses, wildflowers, a pond, and birds which I have never seen elsewhere surrounded us. The footing was a squishy damp in places, but we made progress along the water to the path which led to the observation deck.

A sign announced that that viewing was canceled due to cloudy skies. Yes, it was mostly cloudy, but I figured we could see something. After all, the night promised a full moon. Undettered, we decided, since we had food, that we should go ahead and picnic. So we spread things out along a seating bench on the observatory deck.

A little pepperoni, some drink, aged Irish cheddar, and asiago-peppercorn bread. It was simple and satisfying as a big fat reddish moon appeared above a line of clouds to the far east. Melodies filled the air as numerous birds scored the scene of the setting sun.

Then deer captured attention's light. First, a single deer to the north ventured from the tree and brush line. Sandra and I both stared. The deer stared back, almost as if the deer was expecting us to invite it over for dinner. Minutes later, more deer, including a few yearlings, appeared. They watched us and nibbled on spring vegetation. The young ones pranced across the open grass.

The moment unfolded at the edge of the woods on a night when the focus was tossed aside due to cloudy skies. Yet little tinkling diamonds needed to be seen, even if they weren't the stars.