38: the Raven sings

Dear Friend,

If you summed up the last seven days in a 6-word sentence, maybe it would be something like:

I needed a lot more tape.

I have never spent this much!

I thought I had more time.

Please, can we get a puppy?

(I hope that you will write your own 6-word summary and share it with us)!

Did you have a lot to do, on top of your regular routine, this week? Holidays or not, this time of year can press and whelm, we hope that you have been taking good care of yourself!

Has the weather been a factor in your comfort? I know that keeping warm has become incredibly expensive, but it’s an investment in your health. Do you live where you are able to burn firewood or do you use a natural gas, propane or electric heater? Maybe you bundle up, wear layers, and barely need a heater, or maybe it’s hot where you live and you are running fans and an air conditioner?

If the upper-end of the Earth is tilting away from the sun like it should, and if the sun is shining happily-on as usual, we Northern hemisphere folks are celebrating the first day of Winter today, and our friends in the Southern hemisphere are welcoming Summer solstice!

It will be the longest night in the North and the shortest night in the South, and then days and weeks will fly by and things will continue to shift like they always have, and the North will enjoy longer days, as the Southern days grow shorter.

“And on and on!” the Raven sings, as she welcomes the warmth of morning.

Earlier this week, Frank created a sundial with stones and rocks he found near our campsite.

He captured the movement of shadows as the Earth turned that day, and I wrote a poem for the first day of winter with the help of several Raven friends.

Here is the video of our collaboration: (Click on the VIDEO BELOW to view).

The Sundial

On the other side of the world…

Cold and hot the Earth does turn.

The bite of frost as fires burn

and all the while when mornings dawn,

the shadow hours creep along,

the crow will call for fellowship

in cloud, in smoke, in quenching mist.

What side of earth? It matters not,

the crow greets all in every plot,

and if by chance you’re wandering through,

the crow might call for you.

The earth turns constant while you sleep

spinning through your slumber deep.

Your evening, when my morning dawns,

my noon, your daylight has but gone.

And each, the crow and you and me

celebrate what time will be

‘til sunset glows its last adieu,

‘Good night,’ to me, ‘Good morn,’ to you.  

More about Sundials, Crows, and Ravens in a future blog/letter.

How have you been? How is your family? How are your friends? We have been thinking of the people and creatures impacted by recent floods and wind and snow events. (Not to mention fires, earthquakes, volcanos and wars - so much suffering)! We join you in sending caring prayers for comfort and healing, a year ‘round convention. Goodness is powerful.

I also believe that when hopes and dreams are carried by motivation, initiative, and plenty of elbow grease, lots of wishes can come true and all kinds of (figurative) mountains can be moved.

In case you wish to move a real mountain, we met these friends this past week who have indicated that moving a real mountain is way over-rated.

They’ve been there, done that. These days, they tend to wander about, snacking on grasses.

Last week, our campground was on the shores of Lake Mead, where water is aplenty.

Then, as of Friday, we said farewell (for now) to the Wild Burros of Nevada.

And we traveled a few miles into Arizona, and are currently at a campground, off of Old Route 66.

Late Friday night, new moon, very dark… lots of noises, not just imagination… turns out wild burros had come to see us and were startled away after knocking over an empty water jug.

We’ll be visiting these wild burros of Arizona for a couple more days before heading to the Mojave Desert in California for most of the week.

In case you didn’t know already, you are a magical beam of light in our lives. It means a lot to us that you care to check in and read Tracks by the Post. Thank you!

Please write to us, (and maybe share at least one, 6-word summary of your week)? An email from you? Whatever you have to say, Yay! We always enjoy hearing from you!

Wishing you and yours a Happy Change of the Season! With heartfelt hopes that you and yours are of Good Health and Cheer, Merry Christmas!

Gently Be,

Leslie and Frank