As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the morality of AP Refractors as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 42 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 82. It looked uncannily like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to NGC 1984. It seemed just like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). With that checked off my list, I sketched NGC 2870 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It looked a bit like lumpy darkness. After that, I jumped to NGC 3102 in Canes Venatici. It was easy, just like the invisible man. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon IC 1970. It appeared in the eyepiece like a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed Abell 74. It was not quite as bright as a smoke ring. Then, I stumbled upon NGC 2908. It was easy, just like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests B 236. It reminded me of dancing elephants. Then, I found by accident B 122 in that confusing part of Virgo. It would be easy to confuse with a glimmer of the Big Bang.
Finally, it was time to pack up and leave. As I drove home, I contemplated the events of the night, and realized that any night out under the sky with good friends is better than being ravaged by savage wild wombats.