Grab your lawn chairs, bug spray and something to munch on… tonight’s The Night of the Shooting Stars.

I look forward to this night every year, when stars rain down from dark summer skies during the Perseid meteor shower. You know Mama always goes overboard on everything she loves, so I started scanning the heavens two nights ago. I finally convinced the fam to join me last night.

Guess what? Without even realizing it, while I was trying to take a pic of GP, Sis and Drew, I actually photographed a star falling. Look in the upper left hand corner… it’s very hard to see, but it’s there. Too bad we didn’t see it at the time so we could make a wish.

According to the McDonald Observatory, viewing the Perseid meteor shower is at its best tonight. But before you get too excited, you’re going to have to wrestle with the obnoxious light from a full moon. Make it easier on yourself by finding someplace away from the street lights and aura of the city. Hopefully it won’t be raining where you are, so you can still enjoy a beautiful summer evening, even if falling stars aren’t in abundance.

Don’t forget to bring something to snack on. We kept it simple and popped some corn. Of course, everyone just had to customize their individual paper bag filled with popcorn by adding their favorite ingredients: Parmesan cheese, candy, chocolate and butterscotch chips, broken candy bars, salt and/or mini marshmallows.

After you apply the bug spray, sit back and relax (but wash your hands before you start in on the popcorn!). It takes a bit of patience, but it’s so nice to just be in the moment with the family… talking, laughing and waiting for the stars to make their spectacular, albeit brief, surprise appearance.

And don’t forget to make a wish.

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