This is what happens on a clear night when I cannot sleep, and the moon is full. I prowl through my house in the dark with a camera. No tripod. Just my own unsteady hand.
It’s playtime.
I prop myself against a wall and shoot, trying to capture the lamp-lit windows of my neighbors’ houses. The shutter stays open for an eternity. My camera weighs a ton. I am not steady enough. The lights look like flames. The reflection from the window throws itself across the room to where I am standing; the moon is a big white puddle on my floor.
The den has a pair of windows and an atrium door – a little more shimmering light. A patch of green appears beyond the balcony. Proof of spring. A tiny voice that whispers, I’m here.
In this room a window placed too high; a mistake I regret making now, but too late to change. A cabala of lights beyond the trees seems to agree. What WERE you thinking they ask.
My studio is a room with four windows and no curtains. I used to paint here. Now I write. The room has been overrun by books. And words.
I love this skulking around the house in the dark, while my husband sleeps, completely unaware that I am up. I feel like a child guarding a secret that no one knows but me.
You must promise not to tell.
A Wilderness of Words 
My dear, what sheer wonderful fun you are, and what a pleasure to see with mine own eyes yr delightful perception/narrative, how totally amazing, you and your home…
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Why, thank you Cissy! I’m so glad you like my nighttime cavorting.
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What a great way to deal with sleeplessness, and these images are so fun. I love moonlight – its gentle, silvery, magical quality. Enjoyed this very much. Oh – and sure, I promise not to tell:-)
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You know what’s better than keeping a secret? Sharing the secret with wonderful people who feel the same way. Thanks, Harula. 🙂
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I promise.
What beautiful pictures.
I am rarely up at night. Not that I’m not awake, but that I can’t move or I’ll wake someone up. Trapped in bed. Need a bigger house.
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Oh wow, your pictures are a beautiful showcase of the hours of the night! I find the pic of the moonlight dance so eye.catchin I do my writings mostly in the mornings. Sometimes I imagine myself as a night creature. The silence, the buildings with only a few lights on, air that has chosen to arrive at the hours.
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Need to try this at home. Great!
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I won’t tell. Promise. I love that you do that. Love to read about the creative things my friends do and the fact that you’re tip toeing around the darkness when the house is still and dark is inspiring. The photos are gorgeous. I love the blue, I love the feeling they evoke; the mood. Really really lovely.
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Fantastic, creative shots! I hope you write fantasy! If you do, you could create terrific illustrations or cover art!
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Ghostly indeed. And I will tell, I will. 🙂
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Love it! Especially love the photos.
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I won’t tell, it will be our little secret. All 1,000+ of us, haha!
So odd, my insomnia has been in force lately, and I call it my demon play-time. Those witching hours when all is dark, except for the light of the moon and stars, are when my demons come to play “knock-knock.” They even inspired a 4 AM poem in today’s post. At least we channel them toward creativity and fun (or try to!)
Beautiful, haunting photos.
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I won’t tell, I promise. Love these shots. Beautiful!
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Love the photos–especially the one with moon shimmies!
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I love your photos–especially the one with the moon shimmies!! 🙂
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Other-worldly, hypnotic – I can’t find the right words – beautiful. Keep doing this, please…
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I can picture you wandering your house in the wee hours, My Dear. So like you. Lovely post, lovely photos. Lovely comments.
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Bless you, my friend. You, too, could be roaming and shooting (photos). Try it the next time you can’t sleep!!
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thought i was the only child roaming the house at night, gazing at the mysterious moon and thinking poetic thoughts…it will be our secret, yes. i like the flickering flames through your too-high window…lovely
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Thank you, Lynn! I’m happy to know there is someone else roaming their house at night. I think it is the best time for poetic thoughts, don’t you?!
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Oh, these are wonderful, Mary – words and pictures both! You make me think I need to do a little night-roaming of my own.
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Oh, night-roaming (a great compound word!) is fun. It will bring out the child in you.
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This is awesome! I’m going to do it. I do wander around (inside and out) looking at the moonshadows, but I never thought of trying to photograph it. I love these.
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Thank you! This was the first time I’ve tried to photograph the moonlight inside the house. Funny how inspiration creeps up on us at odd times. I almost didn’t bother because my son has my tripod. I’m glad I went ahead and gave it a go.
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I have tried to capture similar images and when they didn’t work out, I deleted them. You’ve made me see things in a whole new light (pardon the pun!). Nice shots!!!
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Just keep trying. You never know what you’ll end up with, and digital makes it easy to delete and re-shoot. No expensive film. Unless you still use film? (I have a few friends who still prefer it.)
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Nice…. 🙂
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Thank you! 🙂
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🙂 i am new here.. hey you use facebook so plz joine my group 🙂 http://www.facebook.com/groups/imran.saif03122998892/
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How fun, Mary! I love these shots.
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Playing catch up on replies, as I’ve here and there. But I wanted to say THANK YOU! Coming from you, that’s a big compliment.
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Spooky cool!
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