I am humbled, touched, surprised and in awe of this poem written by a friend, a confidant and a true leader. You have always been filled with surprises and amazing talents, who knew you could write poetry as well? I will treasure this poem forever. Thank you Trish. 

THE RIVER FAIRY

While walking through a forest grove down beside the river,

I saw the ferns along the canopy's edge suddenly begin to quiver.

But there was no breeze or other force causing them to wiggle.

And as I paused to ponder that, I thought I heard a giggle.

Then a small figure appeared out from behind an old fir tree.

And a voice whispered in my ear; 'Rejoice, for it is she.'

Black hair flowed over her shoulders, wisps framed her lovely face,

Around each delicate wrist were silver ribbons of spiderweb lace.

Her flowing blue robe rippled at her feet, like waves upon the shore,

Woven petals with sparkling dew drops formed the necklace that she wore.

A kaleidoscope encircling her head made a delightful spinning crown,

The forest birds singing in harmony was the most enchanting sound.

I watched as the beauty, the butterflies and birds of a feather,

Danced in joy and celebration of this joining together.

To give loving thanks to the river for its gifts never-ending,

And embrace the peaceful vibrations the river was sending.

By now the sun had reached the very west edge of the sky,

Pink light let them know that it was time to say good-bye.

But before the birds and the butterflies would set off to go,

Each presented before her and bowed their head low.

As she returned to her tree home, she faded from sight,

And the forest became still as it welcomed the night.

Who invites winged treasures to galas so merry?

Emmanuelle, the River Fairy.

By Trish Curtin

Needing an Umbrella

"Raindrops and like Fairy Whispers."

Author: Unknown

luna never lies

~~~ from the moon ~~~

the sun shines beyond the sky 

          the dark coats beyond the sky

the foliage blankets the floor

       the snow freezes the floor

the breeze puffs the chimney

          the current chills the chimney

the crystals float the heavens

          the shadow masks the heavens

the rebirth masquerades the song

          the death shrouds the song

~~~ the view of today ~~~

The Tradition, The Dance, The Celebration

A special world wide celebration known as the Winter Solstice is observed for the shortest day of the year occurs on Sunday, December 21, 2014 at approximately 4:30 pm (MDT) or 11:30 pm (UTC) but this is the time that Inuvik, NT (Northwest Territories), Canada marks this date.

But Inuvik does not really pay homage for the Winter Solstice as it has been in complete darkness since December 6th and the sun will not appear again until January 6, 2015 and even on this date it will be just a sliver above the horizon and only for less than an hour. This is when Inuvik celebrates the shortest day of the year. With a massive bonfire lit, dressed in their parkas and fur and standing on the permafrost, the people watch as the skies are once again filled with light.

Situated just above the 68 parallel which is 2 degrees above the Arctic Circle, Inuvik is approximately 100 km (120 miles) from the Beaufort Sea and then another 100 km (120 miles) to reach the Arctic Ocean but these bodies of water can only when travelling on the ice road during the darkest days and nights of the year (or of course through air travel).

There is a long standing tradition from the Inuit people that whistling to the Aurora Boreralis (Northern Lights) is when you can make them dance and come closer to the ground. Mind you, there are many beliefs that the lights are actually walrus' playing soccer with a human head and then all the way to the ghosts of the dead reaching down to take small children away. Which is the truth, only the one with story from their ancestors and then passed onto down to the next generation knows the truth.

So even though the Winter Solstice has passed, Inuvik will continue to stay in the dark for another few weeks but still the days are getting longer and the dark skies are slowly fading away to make room for the sun.

p.s. ~ I lived in Inuvik for just under 7 years and I have on many nights spent time outside in the -30 (-22F) to -40C (-40F) whistling to the lights and watching them dance.