Solstice Greetings

Sitka in Winter
by Mark Kelly
Prints available here

Everyday Prayer

By the break of day

And the eyelids of morning

By the wayfaring moon

And the night as it ends

I swear

I will not tarnish my soul with hatred

But will offer myself humbly

As a protecter of nature

As a healer of misery

As a messenger of wonder

As an architect of peace

In the name of the sun and its minors

And the embracing day

And the veiling clouds

And uttermost night

I will honor all life

Wherever and in whatever form I find it

On Earth my home

And in the mansions of the stars

-- School Prayer by Dianne Ackerman

(As remembered... follow link for original)

Solstice Greetings

Today is winter Solstice, the low tide and slack of the year.

It's blowing and snowing: bare trees are limned with it while it lies heavy on the conifered slopes. The day has been an opalescent progression of ominous purples, golden eruptions, cerulean blues, scarlet flames and the pure white of gulls dancing with the fulgent black of corvidae. Surrounding peaks shimmer in and out of existence; sometimes rooted to the earth, and at others, floating impossibly high above it all. Toward the low light of day, the wind-tumbled Sound reaches for the sea.

The fire's warm, coffee strong and rich, and the wine is mulled; company good.

We've pulled into Sitka for the winter... our new masts are up but we have been gently reminded by the playful wind that winter is no time for the first steps of sea-trials (had to slip an anchor and run for shelter on our way in). So time to renew long languishing friendships and enjoy such urban delights as libraries, hardware stores, cafes and second hand.

We hope the holidays find you safe, warm and well!

Love,

Dave and Anke