Star Light, Star Bright

[nightdog_barks]

So this morning -- early morning, around 5:45 -- Layla was acting like she needed to go out (in reality, she was awake and just wanted to play), so I got up to let her out. While I was standing at the back door, I noticed what for all the world looked like an airplane (we live right on one of the flight paths for DFW Airport). I watched and watched, but it didn't move, and after a bit I realized it must be the planet Venus. And so it was. :D

I mean, I've seen Venus before, and Mars and Jupiter, and I can i.d. the big three of super-basic constellations, like the Big Dipper, Little Dipper, and Orion's belt. But holy shit, this morning it was so bright and so close. It was amazing.