What are the Lights?

 

 On November 23, 2025 I went out into the back yard (7:27 pm) and immediately saw that there were three bright objects in the sky to my west. I've hesitated posting them but have now decided to show the picture and briefly describe what I saw.

 Technically they were UFO's (now UAP's). I watched them for some minutes and never saw the slightest movement.  I also did not see any aircraft lights nor hear any sound.  I do not think they were particularly close. That tree just left of center is about a third of a mile away and each of the lights was farther away. In fact I walked north at the western edge of my property to get the tree out of the  way of this shot.

 I posted the picture on Dayton Weather Spot and others mentioned seeing the same thing. A few suggested drones. One said he watched as planes passed overhead. Dan suggested Chinese lanterns.

 I watched them for some minutes (I was shooting the Andromeda Galaxy to my east). The lights were there the whole time I set up the tripod, aimed the cell phone and made a few settings. They were not there when I returned after the eleven minute time exposure.

 The picture at the lead of this blog is a crop from the whole frame.  Here is the uncropped shot:

 The cell phone tower (right bottom) is located in Farmersville. My neighbor's house is on the bottom left, about four-tenths of a mile away. A few stars show in this image as well as one streak (a satellite?). I've  watched plenty of planes and satellites as I photographed  the stars and planets (which I am fairly familiar with) and these three lights seem quite different.

  Here's a Stellarium view of what should have been in the sky at about that time:

 So, I have no idea what I saw but it was certainly not what I expected.

First Substantial Snow of the Season

  They've been predicting "2 to 4 inches" for several days and yet yesterday looked to be a miss. I didn't even see the first snowflake till well after dark and radar to the west looked fairly clear. But still the predictions continued: two to four inches with isolated amounts near five inches.

 Give them all credit for a "hit".

 I woke this morning to a muted atmosphere. Few cars passed. When I got up at 6:45 am I could see that the road had been little-traveled and everything was white. I measured 3.6" but some stations got the 5" upper limit. I first had to shovel a path to the rain gauge and clear a path across the porch. And, of course, make Parker a small patch for her bathroom (she used it quickly and was glad to get back inside).

 Here's what Pinehaven looks like this morning:

 That's the path I shoveled to the rain gauge. It's the mostly important project I do whenever there is precipitation. I like to get my readings posted as soon after 7 am as is possible. But this morning I hate to wait for the snow to melt before reading it. I was closer to 8 am.

 The wisteria (left) didn't lose its leaves until late and there's still enough stubble on the plant to hold snow. The clouds seem lighter to the west.

 The back porch was deep with snow. The picnic table provides a good measuring platform, like a "snow board". It cools with the ambient temperature and holds the snow until I can get it measured. That's where I check first but I also take  ground measurements to make sure my number is correct.

 Across the north side of the porch, the kitchen maple's branches are all covered with the wet snow. It's 28° and the snow is heavy and dense. A single shovelful is hefty.

 A look northwest across the garden  area. It's truly a wonderland come overnight.

 Pinehaven is snug in the snow. It's not cold enough for the heat pump  to run continuously and thankfully there isn't a breath of wind at all. Maybe we can save a nickel? But there's cold weather ahead now. Thursday morning may dip into the signal digits.

 It's winter in the country. This is what we must expect.

 A few  extra pictures ...

South Security Cam View

North Security Cam View

Security Cam Driveway Apron View

 That's me taking the rain gauge back to its holder after the daily read.