 const int upPin = 4;
 const int pingPin = 3;
 const int downPin = 5;
+// how long the on operiod should be
+const int onTime = 300;
 
 
 

  //****************************************************

  // if the counter > 0 the startup sequence has been initiated
  if ((counter > 0) && (counter < 100)) {
    on();
  }


  // if counter > 99 it is time to shut down
  if (counter > 99) {
    turnoff();
  }


  // 0 is the lowest counter number, 100 is the highest number
  // 255 is where the output number should start (because it is on when counter = 0
  // 0 is where the output ends when the counter  hits 100
  redVal = map(counter, 0, onTime, 255, 0); 
  // turns up the green as the red fades out
  greenVal = map(counter, 0, onTime, 0, 255);  
  //sets the color
  strip.setPixelColor(0, redVal, greenVal, 0); //pixel number, r,g,b
  //pushes change to neopixels
