Light is everywhere. Where in the world would we be without it?

The sun, of course, is our greatest source of light, though we’ve created so many variations of artificial light for when we are in the shade.

Pluto was demoted to “dwarf planet status” during August of 2006, but I still consider it the farthest planet from the sun at an average of 3.7 billion miles away. Traveling on the fastest jetliner flying at 600 mph, around-the-clock, it would take humans about 680 years to arrive at Pluto.

The sun is life; without it, we would be cooked. Pluto’s average temperature runs minus 387 degrees F, which is too cold to sustain life.  The temperature warms as the sun rises and decreases as it sinks to the west.

When at Ocean City and Rehoboth, we don globs of lotion. The higher the SPF, the better. Remember the Coppertone girl’s tan lines?

Of course, the only real prevention for sun burn is to stay out of the sun.

We look cool in shades—we are all movie stars. I love those transition lenses on my prescription glasses.

Squinting is no good. I’m careful when shooting photos to not have my subjects smile directly into the sun. When at all possible, I try not to include my shadow holding a camera in published photos.

Amazingly, with little light, I was able to hold my cell camera relatively still after dark when shooting the West Chester Christmas tree lighting ceremony last week.

And of course, every American older than 7 knows that phrase, “By the dawn’s early light.”

It’s easy to understand why when we “See the light,” we’ve had a sudden realization.

Those freakishly large pumpkins often grow with the long days in Alaska and short nights.

Twinkling Christmas lights are now everywhere. Jerry Corrado of Nobb Hill Drive told me he spends an extra $600 a month for electricity when he plugs in those 650 extension cords.

Are those seasonal Christmas lights a tip of the hat to the North Star that guided the Wise Men?

It’s a joy to spot that first “star” of the evening, and yes, it’s often a planet.  Twinkle, twinkle little star—oh my!

We are unable to fathom time and space when viewing the Milky Way and all those pinpricks of light. There’s just too much going on up there.

And why is Heaven up above in the clouds and stars and Hell below us?

Once we learn that what we see of the moon is merely a reflection, an eclipse becomes magical.

Down by the Colorado River, we watched the full moon rise and illuminate the Grand Canyon. Shadows stretched great distances, crept and moved as they fell on those glorious walls, while the moon rose. It was almost as bright as daylight in the bottom of the canyon.

Thomas Edison invented the light bulb in New Jersey. Consider how much he changed the world. No longer were we prisoners to the night, using candles and gas lamps.

Several state capitols burned and “fireproof” buildings have replaced them because of how they were originally lit.

But fire isn’t all bad. Sitting by the fireplace with a mug of hot chocolate or toasting marsh mellows is a joy. Who can’t help but stare into a blazing, flickering fire?  And who doesn’t enjoy a roaring bonfire?

LED lights are cheaper to use and last longer, but they just don’t seem to be as warm, soft and comfy as the old-style bulbs.

Neon is synonymous with Las Vegas. You can see that gaudy but lovable light from space. I wonder what the average casino’s electricity bill is. It’s probably a bit more than Jerry Corrado’s.

Although the bank is gone, the PSFS sign remains in Center City.  It’s preserved, but that didn’t keep the current hotel owners from switching from neon to a cheaper way of lighting that iconic sign.

Light can be an irritant. Those lit signs advertising bangles and beads that now circle many sport arenas catch the eye and take away from the game or concert. We are subjected to squinting like a flash bulb just lit up in our faces.

The sun sets off the Northern Lights. It sounds spectacular and it’s on the bucket list.

The fractured light of a sunrise or sunset is glorious. Nuff said.

We grew up sailing Sunfish boats and fishing for sunfish. Both are colorful and aptly named. It was fun almost tipping the boat—and sometimes even tipping it over—on breezy days.

The sun often lit the tips of the white caps and the whole lake would sparkle like a field of diamonds on a sunny day.

As winter rolls in, the days get shorter. There’s so much less natural light. I’d forgotten how it’s now nearly dark at just 5 p.m.

So get that Vitamin D at lunchtime or step out for a couple of minutes mid-afternoon.

Just don’t forget your shades!

Bill Rettew is a weekly columnist and Chester County resident. He prefers to hide in the shade. The best way to reach him is at brettew@dailylocal.com

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