Darkness crushed.
It’s just a few more steps. Oh, an odd, damp lump…Please let it be a mousie…(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
“Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.” (Edgar Allan Poe) The barefooted shadow wavers. Hesitant in the inky darkness.
Yes, bets anyone?
Will Staff make it past the sleeping dog lump and strewn shoes We, RC Cat of the Realm, scattered earlier to raise level of obstacle difficulty?
One cannot allow Staff to become complacent or lazy.
Things that go bump in the night provide such amusement.
Night bumbling is humans’ own fault.
How many times did We smirk behind clever paws warn that without training and practice marginal skills will fade?
Yet with arrogance unsurpassed, they shrug and say “Of no importance. Electric lights are less strenuous than night ninja exercises.”
Foolishly found other things to do when We offered to let Staff to join Us for challenging rapid eye-paw games of Bat the Bugs on windows at night.
Sigh. Their loss. We do not wish to hear any complains about bruises or broken toes.
What? Not thunder. Please assure Us that Our mousie who had the poor sense to nap in the hall has not been crushed beyond recognition. Staff will mend, but mousies…(© Image)
Night, of course is undervalued by most humans. Their eyes so blinded by things artificial.
We feel there is more to their uneasy feelings about darkness than they wish to admit.
An interesting observation by Marianne Williamson: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us.” She grew up when the sky was still a comforting dark umbrella over the night sky. And probably had a cat mentor.
It is time to reclaim the night as nurturing. To turn off the lights in order to see. The natural night sky is already unknown to some of the youngest generations.
This is International Dark Sky Week.
- Light pollution matters: for inspiration in science. philosophy, religion, art and literature. Artificial light negatively affects the life and health of both animals and humans. Poorly chosen outdoor lighting doesn’t always prevent crime and it does waste energy. (Read more here)
- “10 Dark-Sky Parks in the U.S. You Need to Visit” (Sky and Telescope)
- “Outdoor Lighting Basics” (IDA. International Dark-Sky Association)
- A dozen easy things you can do to save the night sky. (Listen to the Cat. Give some kids a gift: take them to experience the dark sky – to learn who they are.)
Now off with you. Assignment given.
We request reports this time….
Especially as We expect most of you missed National Day of Solitude.
Sigh. You weren’t alone.
Now depart quietly as if on little cat paws.
No one but Ourselves needs to witness the witlessness of Staff.
What? Oh, yes, yes. Good suggestion: A one time offer of deferred adjudication concerning Our regular tribute of an open can of cat food upon exiting for all who celebrate Dark Sky Week.
There.
We are pleased with your enthusiasm for this option.
Do not think this is permanent. We are not totally moonstruck silly.
Audience is now at an end.
We must greet the night. Bugs on the window must not be left waiting.
I am RC Cat and I approve this message.
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“So the darkness shall be the light, and the stillness the dancing.” (T. S. Eliot)
“The winners and notable photos of the 8th International Earth and Sky Photo Contest, (twanight.org/contest), a program by The World at Night (TWAN) in collaboration with the Global Astronomy Month (astrowb.org) and the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO). Similar to TWAN itself, the contest also aims to reclaim the natural beauty of starry sky and to help preserving the dark skies which are not yet dominated by artificial lights.” (source)
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Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge 
RC is gorgeous and obviously has some “torti-tude.” Two of my cats have the equivalent of “binkies.” One has a fleece piece and the other a stuffed rabbit. Somehow they both end up in the bedroom every night. The fleece isn’t too bad but stepping on the rabbit can disturb the already delicate balance of the resident staff. However, both are preferable to a wet hairball that requires turning on lights to clean the feet!
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RC Cat: We greatly appreciate your kind words. Seem Staff of all realms face similar problems. We were not amused when Staff muttered she was going to have to put a box of baby wipes next to the bed if We didn’t allow some staff assisted hair clump removal with a “brush” – otherwise known as the the Rake of Torment. Purrhaps people would be less stressed and upset if they were allowed to carry their binkies into adulthood. They can wash. No excuse. We reward your graciousness with a soft cheek pat – a brief one only – so your cats do not get concerned. Adieu!”
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But does Light Pollution fall into the same category as Global Warming: as in, fake news? After all, it is not expedient, and no large companies with deep pockets are behind it.
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RC Cat: “Fake Mews! We detest fake mews: munchkins, Scottish Folds, Sphynx, Ukranian Levkoy, – Hemingway’s. Distorted by creators who only want to please themselves.
We hiss at those who try to mimic cat eyes with make-up. “Make-ups” – it is for costuming and pretend. We were not fooled an instant, Mr opportunist Broadway producer with that Cats production. We know tales.
Not to mention We can spot fake nails across the room. While emulating cats shows enlightenment, superficial claws – so long, one could not possibly climb a tree – dunderheads! No wonder the temperature swings so wildly: those long nails prevent normal climate control thermostat action.
Sigh. Managing the lesser creatures is so tiresome. Yet it is Our duty to herd them as best We can. A cheery paw wave for your environmental concerns!”
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Ahhh, more clarity on placement from Her Royal Highness. Feeble chance of change here, as our hrh-es intently study the topic. Moths + window screens + interior lights= feline olympic games 🙂 For some beauty-full night sky images, go to Pied Type’s favorite photographer’s pages: Erik Stensland & Images of Rocky Mountain Nat’l Park. The camera catches what our human eyes cannot grasp, even alone in the darkness at high altitude. Appreciate the 1x deferment, btw!
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RC Cat: “Ah, like Pied Type, Our staff is sent on regular mountain refreshers. In between, We enjoy Our Denver realms’ links for webcams and artists. We keep suggesting to staff that We, Ourselves, could appreciate bundling up and standing once again under the magnificent of a dark mountain sky where the small in size or soul are reminded of what is true and the order of things….and then a nice ride back to a fireplace..indoors…reinforcement conversations are best done on a warm cozy couch….
A stella paw wave from Our Realm to yours!”
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Bumping into things (or animals…) during a trip to the bathroom at night can be a real hazard. I know I should turn on the light, but then the illumination wakes me up and I can’t get back to sleep. Such a conundrum.
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RC Cat: “Oh,yes, yes you’ve been rewarded as a Cat’s guest not long ago. It sounds like you see the wisdom of practicing the ancient art of dark walking. It is worth the effort. Artificial light is so disruptive to sleep patterns..and besides it’t seems rude to flash on a bright glare when not everyone is awake….small children never seen to get that concept down if they wake like normal little animals pre-dawn. Sooner of later the human sleepy slug-a-bed gene kicks in, though. A whisper of encouragement to get you on your way. That was not a shove. No. It was a firm encouraging paw pat….some sleepy humans are so suspicious… “
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😄
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Living in my city, it’s hard to appreciate a dark starry night since there’s too much light pollution. But leaving the city, it’s a joy to see a dark starry night. Thanks for sharing.
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RC Cat: “It worries Us that so much of the Dark Sky is going away. Not only do humans box up their young for 12 years, they lock them inside with bright lights at night. Not only unhealthy for biorhythms, also slowly causes loss of self confidence in the face of unseen obstacles or situations they do not control- and limits understanding/perspective of species role and importance in the universe. Leaving only fears and uncertainty. Dark skies are like the oceans – stress relief and sense of calm. A soft cheek pat in encouragement. Make time to dance in the dark. Adieu.”
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Couldn’t have said it better myself. (Even have this conversation with my insomniac patients. Not as eloquently put as this, but the same point.)
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Hope you’re not too banged up and bruised during your ninja night escapes!
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Well if I hadn’t have read it here I’d never have known it was “Dark Sky Week” Typical of our media these matters of great moment are beyond their comprehension,
and also mine 😈
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What an awesome video. The night sky captures me. One thing for sure – Milky Way images were my favorite … and I’ve yet to see it in person.
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Oh, the tribulations of cat and monkeys living in the same home…
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Night skies. What a loss it would be if we don’t address light pollution along with all the other ways we are ruining our one-of-a-kind planet. Those who’ve not seen our night skies from high in the mountains, away from city lights, should do so ASAP. They’ve no idea what they are missing.
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I think mt. night skies are a critical, formative piece of personality and character. The experience has such impact, it never is forgotten. Those who see the dark skies as children are the lucky ones.
Thanks for gazing along.
(PS I ran by quickly on the anniversary of OK City, but didn’t pause to chat. Sigh.)
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Reminds me of a situation just yesterday where I found myself in the garage with the lights off, trying to find the inside door (I had failed to leave the light on as it always is). Initial moments of panic, followed by the remembrance if I just stayed in place for a few moments, my eyes would adjust and I would regain control of the situation just enough to complete my journey. Darkness gets a bad rap. I will celebrate Dark Sky Week going forward…and push forward a can of cat food to RC regardless of the offered waiver to do so.
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