Someone turned the stars on
Yes, the goats got sheared two weeks ago, and yes it's horribly, unseasonably, unconscionably cold out this week. This is when the term "exotherm" is applied to livestock. Goats ruminate, which causes heat to be released. So long as goats have shelter, hay, and water, they are usually fine.
The neat thing about this week is that the crescent moon rises very late, so nighttime chores are under a blanket of stars (and one shining planet*). With the crisp, cold air, the sky is as deep as it ever gets. The faint, twinkly stars are flirting while the bright stars are boldly standing forward. In the morning, the moon hangs in the east and Orion hunts far to the south.
Living in the country has moments of grace. It just takes remembering to look up from the mundanity.
* There are three visible planets right now, but they almost don't overlap in timing. http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/visible-planets-tonight-mars-jupiter-venus-saturn-mercury
The neat thing about this week is that the crescent moon rises very late, so nighttime chores are under a blanket of stars (and one shining planet*). With the crisp, cold air, the sky is as deep as it ever gets. The faint, twinkly stars are flirting while the bright stars are boldly standing forward. In the morning, the moon hangs in the east and Orion hunts far to the south.
Living in the country has moments of grace. It just takes remembering to look up from the mundanity.
* There are three visible planets right now, but they almost don't overlap in timing. http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/visible-planets-tonight-mars-jupiter-venus-saturn-mercury