NO NORTHERN LIGHTS FOR US

 

Today at the Gilbert (Idaho) Cemetery

“Look at the lights. I see ‘em,” said little Silas during the Christmas season as he rode around with his parents. “I see them, too,” answered his mother.

But when it came to the recent northern lights display, it was totally lost on Mike and me. No, we didn’t see ‘em. Friends raved about the beautifully colored flickering lights, showing us spectacular photos on their phones, but we didn’t see a thing – at least, nothing that spectacular.

The original family at the farm – my grandparents and their brood – were students of the night sky. And I remember my dad pulling on a jacket and going outside before bedtime if he thought he might see northern lights. Viewing was not always successful from our valley home.

Well, seeing the northern lights was not to be for Mike and me, even though we were here at the farm where one might expect to see them. Or – maybe not. Maybe we should have driven out of this hole. I’d have to think about that. I like my sleep.

Research indicates that these geomagnetic storms will continue, peaking in July 2025. Onward to the next one, armed with better info.

It was 90 yesterday afternoon in town. Today it’s 50 here at the farm and windy. There’s talk of a fire in the fireplace tonight. It looks like this cold spell could continue through the end of the month.

“Not before Mother’s Day” is the age-old advice for planting your vegetable garden, and even that’s probably too soon for gardens at elevation, but I planted the day before Mother’s Day even so. I had no choice. My plant starts were getting leggy. And they were fine this past week, but I don’t know about now. Lows will be in the 30s the next four days, says the weatherman. Well, there’s always that “Plan B” – buy replacements. KW