My cold being at its peak today, I was no more active than is required to finish reading ‘Dark Skies’ by Tiffany Francis.
Jackie is a day ahead of me with the cold and therefore feeling more alive.
Continuing with the book from where I left off yesterday, I will just highlight the author’s enlightening paragraphs on light pollution. Ms Francis clarifies that this is not simply the effect of artificial illuminations aimed into the skies; but also the confusion and changes of routine imposed on nocturnal wildlife by lighting at all levels.
The first three months of Dark Skies journeys were clearly written whilst grappling with emotional loss. As the year went on the skies lightened after a reconciliation occurred, and on the penultimate page a proposal was offered and delightfully accepted.
Here are the last six drawings.
PS. Note the exchange between Linda at shoreacres and me on light pollution.
I shan’t be joining Jackie and Becky for dinner tonight, as a late lunch of scrambled egg on toast has filled me up.
Wow those drawings are amazing
Thank you very much, More.
You’re welcome derrick
At least you have an amazing book to keep you company as you mend! The illustrations by Ms. Francis are stunning. Glad Jackie is over the worst parts of her cold. Feel better soon! 🦋🌸🌺
Thanks very much, Rose.
Get some soup into yourself!!
🙂 Thanks a lot, GP
Hope you both are better soon and the drawings are wonderful.
Thanks very much, Cindy – for the reading and the good wishes
More beautiful illustrations. I’m glad Jackie is feeling better, and I hope you are feeling better tomorrow.
Thanks very much, Merril. I am improving.
Good news!
Beautiful illustrations! Oh get better soon, that was a heartwarming post, I cant say exactly why. It felt like a visit:) to care dear friend.
Thank you very much, Rayla
Plenty of soup, hot tea, rest, water, Vit C, sleep, and no work of any kind for at least the next month! (HA! Do you like the “no work” advice?!?!?)
Hope you get well soon!
Glad Jackie is feeling better!
Love the illustrations! Love all the beautiful wildlife and nature!
HUGS!!! No Bugs!!! (Bugs, as in illness, insects, or pesty-bothersome-people!!!) Send all the bugs far-far-away! 😀
Thank you very much, Carolyn. You are such a card 🙂 X
The illustrations are most fascinating. I particularly like the way she has gone from the constellation in the sky to a little bird hiding in a clump of grass and it all ties so well together . Thank you Derrick
On the previous post I didn’t detect how each illustration mimics the constellation’s shape, but it is obvious to me now in this series.
Very well spotted, Paol. Thank you very much.
Keep being a model patient and let others do all the work.
🙂 Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
Wonderful illustrations, Derrick. I’m happy to hear Jackie is doing better. I hope you follow her lead.
Thanks very much, Jill. I am doing so.
Thank you for sharing the additional illustrations. I was particularly taken with the birds. I hope you and Jackie are soon over your colds.
Feel better. Quite the artist. Happy new year.
Thanks very much, Diana. I have tried several times to follow your own interesting blog, but by e-mail address keeps being rejected.
I hope you feel better soon. I’ve been using elderberry syrup for me and my children and that seems to help some.
Thanks very much, Lisa. May we all bet well soon 🙂
A worthy topic and beautiful, haunting images. I hope you feel better soon!
Thank you very much, JoAnna
The book is so right about the light pollution. No wonder, those who depend on the night sky for navigation and other matters seem woefully lost.
Indeed, Uma. We have, on many fronts, become far too clever for our own good. Thanks very much.
I love the illustrations. Yes, light pollution is a real problem on many fronts.
Hope that you and Jackie feel better tomorrow. Rest up!
Thanks very much, Lavinia. We are improving.
This might interest you — a relatively short but quite interesting article about Dripping Springs, Texas, and their efforts to combat light pollution — on behalf of the animals as well as people.
One of my favorite quotations from Annie Dillard is, “You do not have to sit outside in the dark. If, however, you want to look at the stars, you will find that darkness is necessary.”
Many thanks, Linda. The article was definitely fascinating, concentrating on the American skyline as it it does. Farm animals are also mentioned; Tiffany Francis also describes the effect on woodland wildlife and its ecology. I am adding a PS to alert readers to this exchange.
Get well soon, Derrick and Jackie. I’ve been less than my normal self over the festive period 😕 too
I hope you are improving, as we are, Helen. Thanks very much.
Thank you in turn, Derrick.
Feel better, Derrick, and the same to Jackie, of course. Best wishes to both of you and the entire family for the upcoming New Year!
Thank you very much, Dolly.
My pleasure, Derrick.
The drawings are wonderful. Really hope your feeling better tomorrow. Take care.
Thanks very much, Gary. I am improving.
Hope the improvement continues. Scrambled egg is always good.
Thanks a lot, Quercus.
🙂