There is nothing more spectacular than being able to observe the night sky without light pollution and buildings corrupting the view.  I think I was maybe seven or eight years old and I woke up in the middle of the night, having heard a sound that interrupted my sleep.  My eyes were drawn to the sky outside my window - the night was bright with millions of stars, the Milky Way and dancing Northern Lights.  The scene is burned into my memory because I remember thinking, “There really IS a God.”  Not even humans can fabricate such a scene or manipulate computer technology to create a similar real life experience.  Since then, I’ve been quite spell bound by the night sky.  Phenomenons such as Hailey’s Comet, moon eclipse, harvest moon rise and meteor showers keep my eyes focused on the heavens and what I’ll see next.  But it’s not just the sky at night that holds my attention.  The daytime sky can be equally as awe inspiring and unpredictable.  

Over the past month we’ve been able to experience some very dramatic cloud formations as storm fronts move into our area and threaten massive damage as the wind, rain, lightning and hail roll through.  We’ve been fortunate to not have experienced tornado or plow winds this year thus far however, we’ve seen enough in the past to know what the experience is like. Early in July my telephone emitted the warning for a Saskatchewan weather alert.  Basically the whole province was under an extreme weather warning including a tornado watch.  I peaked out my big front picture window and saw the iridescent green sky and clouds building in angry, dark layers.  I expected a huge lightning storm at the very least.  We ended up hearing a lot of thunder and had some intense rain but that was the extent of the damage.  Regina and area had tornado sightings and at least one touched down.  South of Regina a farmer lost several cattle when they were struck by lightening and in Saskatoon flooding closed streets and damaged homes.  Since then, the city has applied for disaster relief following June storms that caused flooding.  In July there was another flash flood with rain falling in the period of an hour that created even more damage than the June storms had.  And in-between the storms… heat waves.  The humidity in the air can be as suffocating as the intense heat.  And even inside, out of the intense elements of the sun and wind, it’s still important to hydrate, to stay cool and to rest.  In our house we have been going through bags of ice every couple of days as my children eat the cubes as if they’ve not had a drink of water to quench their thirst since last July.  I don’t mind.  At least they’re cool and happy.  I even slip ice into the dog’s water so she can cool down.  I can’t imagine wearing a fur coat in this heat - even if it does provide protection.

Remember earlier I’d said I’d been woken up by a sound when I saw the sky full of stars? That sound was a bat that had landed on my window.  When I turned the light on to investigate the sound, I was able to take a look at it before it flew away.  It was small and wasn’t scary to me.  Whereas moths are quite the opposite.

I don’t like moths and I prefer seeing them on the other side of the window rather than inside.  Part of my dislike is they enjoy dive bombing my face, becoming stuck in my hair and then fluttering against my head as they try to break free.  I have never been a person who screams or shrieks when a foreign object is trapped in my hair or flies at my face.  I swat at the creature, try to get it away from myself and, for the most part, remain fairly level headed and calm until after the fact.  The trauma happens for me as I recover from the experience of whatever I had to get rid of.  And usually, I find it much easier to make my way outside and remove the vermin so that, the moment it’s gone from my person, I can put as much distance between me and my assailant as possible.

Several years ago, I accompanied a group of people to the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education.  That year it was held in Hilo, Hawaii.  One evening we sat outside in the socializing area, a big fifty cup coffee pot on the side table and a few of us enjoying an after dinner cup of Java before going our separate ways for the night.  Suddenly the ladies across from me were screaming and running from the table in terror.  I remember feeling something hit the side of my head, just above my ear.  The man sitting next to me looked at me with big eyes but I could see he was more fascinated by what my reaction would be once I realized there was a cockroach in my hair.  My vocal chords seized up and I deftly flicked the roach from my head.  I think it was ready to jump anyway but it landed on the outside of the coffee urn.  I don’t remember the pot being hot to the touch so maybe it slid to the ground because of the smooth surface with nothing for the insect to grip and hang onto. Needless to say, the proprietor’s pet mongoose took care of the cockroach and I sipped my coffee, impressed with myself that my hand didn’t shake the way my insides were at that moment.  Not long after, I retired to my sleeping quarters, a book in hand and a safety check to ensure I wouldn’t have any other surprises jarring me that night.

I dislike outdoor creatures inside my home.  I don’t mind them when they have their space and they respect mine.  The other night one of the boys came and told me there was a moth outside his bedroom window.  That isn’t an unusual occurrence.   The way he announced this news drew my attention and I went to take a look.  It was quite large and it posed while I took several photographs. I had hoped to see it open its wings but I think it was settled for the night and it was long past everyone’s bedtime.  The following day we took a quick trip to Candle Lake.  The Mayflies are out in abundance and, at Sandy Bay camp ground at least, Dragonflies are working to keep the Mayfly population down.  We arrived just after a storm so there was a beautiful rainbow in the sky.  Clouds still hung heavily on the skyline creating drama as they threatened more rain but also causing a premature nightfall as the sun, and heat, both bid an early adieu for the rest of the day.  As we drove back to Prince Albert, we were able to enjoy the sun and watch the storm build and follow us.  We didn’t receive rain until the next day.  By then, my joints were stiff and swollen from the wonky weather system over the past 24 hours and I was wrapped in a blanket, using painkillers to soothe my screaming aches and pains.  As I shivered under my blanket, my son said he’d cuddle with me to get me warm.  He barely settled beside me before he declared I was “too hot” for him to be near.  I protested it was impossible for me to be hot as my teeth chattered from cold.  And then I understood - my joints and muscles are enflamed and swollen so it creates a body environment where I am fevered and chilled.  It’s an oxymoron at its best, yet, it’s my reality.  I took the opportunity to explain why to the touch I’m hot but I’m also cold.  His response was to grab his star quilt and cover me with it, tucking it up under my chin.  It took at least an hour but I finally got warm.  I used that time to go through the pictures on my phone and edit/delete what I chose to.  

As I browsed the photos I felt both humbled and awestruck.  Creation is an amazing and inspiring experience that we are so fortunate to witness every day.  Life is a science lesson just waiting to be discovered and explored.  And I feel even more blessed because I get to experience these moments of discovery and curiosity through the eyes of my children - some of whom are discovering these incredible aspects of life for the very first time.  It’s amazing!

Whether it’s a sunset, a moon rise or an insect on the other side of window take a moment to sit still and observe what’s going on around you.  We are never alone and there’s so much life has to show us and to teach us.  We don’t need to have a science lab and an experiment on the go to experience some truly phenomenal moments that will stay with us for a lifetime after.  I hope you’re able to capture some moments that inspire you to appreciate the science that is a part of your every day life.  Then take a moment to reflect on and appreciate what you’ve seen.  And, even if you don’t have a camera, take pictures with your heart, so those moments can be life long learning lessons forever.

Take care and have a great week, everyone.