A Thousand Points of LockIt is somewhat unfortunate that a friend of mine both took up and put down a small hobby in astronomy within a single season. It is cloudy here a lot, and when it isn't, there is often a smudge of haze above. The evenings of clear skies are rare, and even then there is the light from all the lamps in this place, pouring up into the sky and battling the stars. Amateur astronomy around here takes a professional's patience, and for that coin one is better served moving to the good end of a professional telescope in a professional place.
The lights have other uses, though. Back before the lights, night snow must not have been nearly so impressive, if seen at all. With the coming of the gaslights, townspeople were treated to soft globes of lit flakes suspended, dancing patterns to stroll through on the way upon the avenue. It must have been quite something, the first winter after they lit those streets.
The lights we have now do similar, but they are at remove from the level of the pavement, and cast broad cones instead of the close pools. They track the swirl of snow just as well, though, particularly the fat wet stuff that sometimes falls this time of year.
I would recommend a large, brightly lit parking lot, empty and late in the evening. It is the only thing I can think of that they are good for.
All content under copyright by the author. Dancing is permitted. The strange deltic glyphs in the sand under tidal flow are a pleasure to watch in their deepening. Offer not valid in Kansas. We put it down and then we lost it. It all happens in the corner of the eye. Commentary accepted at pen@goob.com, although the traps are agressive and the pointy bits simply drip with dark liquour. We have a dog, but we do not own it. Thank you.