In a message dated 12/24/2007 10:19:46 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes: The rain ended, the skies cleared, and it was incredible to see so bright a planet so close to one of the most brilliant full moons in recent memory. I watched it off and on much of the night as Mars moved closer, or as I described it to my daughter's delight "Mars dancing with the moon." Missed the whole darned thing. Driving the 163 miles up the Hudson to the Twybil Hut in the worst rain I have ever, ever, experienced, Mr. Twybil spent five hours terrified of possibly being responsible for the untimely demise of Mrs. Twybil and Miss Teen Twybil, not to mention first love, four-legged Sparky Twybil. Outdone only by the addition of can't see my arse in front of my face fog patches as we wound our way up into the Helderbergs, the rain turned to Indian snow at that height and the only stars I saw were those induced by rapid ingestion of Bowmores 15 Yr old Single Malt Port Cask upon safe arrival. Nary a star in the actual sky. Whew. best to you all. **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) -- To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to: <http://listserv.icors.org/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>