To Walk In The Forest With Awareness

 

            I’m thinking of how to approach the wild lands, the forest, now that my mind has changed on the matter of who is there. Questions arise which didn’t exist before.
            As a child I never gave that question a thought. I grew up near a forest comprised mostly of alder, it’s what grows after the first growth firs are gone. And they were long gone. We had maples, a few small cedars, and one mystical white birch, ghostlike, deep in the forest where I alone, of us kids, walked.
            If I had thought about it, I think I might have considered the forest a kind of a no man’s land, random, unclaimed, open. It wasn’t really all that wild, but to a child’s eyes it looked like total wilderness. There were other times when I was older. I don’t know exactly what I thought I was doing.
            I remember threading my way through underbrush. There were huckleberries, the red kind, and salmon berry bushes too. Where there was sunlight reaching the ground, such as in a bit of clearing, there would be those low-growing blackberry vines. I received many scratches on my ankles from those vines, but the berries were worth it.
            I was familiar with salal bushes, and Oregon grape shrubs. Then there were ferns, at least two varieties. Tall grasses grew too, up to my should sometimes.
            There were four of us. As I have said, I was the oldest. I don’t remember the younger ones walking into the far parts of the forest as I did. I would be several miles from home, and no one knew where I was.
            I never felt alone. I don’t remember being afraid. If I had been afraid, I wouldn’t have gone out there. I was never told not to go.
            I knew there were some animals in the forest. And of course there were birds. There was one with a call that sounded like trickling water to me. I never learned who it was
            I liked to find a place to sit and then be silent and as still as a part of the forest until the creatures forgot I was there. I met something like a fisher or a weasel once. He was sleek, small, brown, and slithery. The birds would forget me too, and I would see them near. I feel as if I must have been still enough to meet a forest person.                    Perhaps I was seen. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised. Maybe she had pity on my youthful blindness, or maybe he watched over me. I wouldn’t be surprised at all.
            Oh, there were many times of visiting other forests later in life, but not with the intimacy of childhood years. My visits were unfailingly pleasant, though. Usually I was accompanied by a daughter, or my son.
            Things are different now. Now, I know that someone could be there. Is there a shadow of apprehension? Or just a nervousness about meeting someone who is not supposed, by the common mind, to exist. Maybe so.
            It may be that preparation is a process.
            I never documented a moment of my time there, as Ms. Ash suggests, unless my memories serve as a kind of documentation.
            When the weather improves, I can foresee some visits being made, but with awareness.
            If any of you were near me, you could come too!

🍁

From Out Of The Blue

 

            One day when Ranger Rick was sitting in his office poking at his laptop with one forefinger, his phone buzzed at him. It was a text. He grunted and pulled the thing out of his pocket to see if it was anything at all.

“Hi Rick. I thought I better write and tell you early that I guess I won’t be back to work at            the campground in the spring. It was a great experience, and thank you for giving me the opportunity! Marge”

            “Well, shoot!” Rick said aloud into the empty room.
            “Thanks for letting me know in a timely manner,” he wrote back. At the same time he was thinking that some things about the modern ways of communicating were oddly mysterious. He had no idea where his message was going. Could be flying to outer space, and he laughed. All he knew for sure was that it was going to Marge.
            Rick was feeling a little sad for Dexter. “Well, onward,” he said aloud, again.
            Outside the office window, the snow was fairly deep on the ground except where the parking lot had been cleared. His service truck was already parked in its usual spot. He expected Dexter to show up soon. It was 7:50 AM, a Tuesday. More snow would fall today, but the season’s best snowfalls were still to come.
            At 7:55AM, but who’s watching, Dexter pulled in and parked. He was bundled up like he was in Antarctica. Maybe there was no heat in his beater? He wore a dayglo orange earflap hat, pretty dorky Rick thought. A heavy coat, gloves and boots, naturally, completed the look.
            Stomping his feet, Dexter came through the door. He looked frozen. Skinny guy.
            “Isn’t there any heat in that thing?” said Rick, eyebrows up.
            “I don’t know what’s wrong with it,” said Dexter. His teeth were actually chattering.
            “Coffee’s made,” said Rick, like he was proud of his Safeway coffee.
            Dexter jammed his hat and gloves in the pockets of the black coat and hung it up in the back room. He went to get a mug of coffee, thinking that at least it was hot. It had that going for it. Not much else. There was a box of doughnuts in the kitchen nook too.
            “Score!” said Dexter, with his mouth full of doughnut, coming out to take a seat on the office spare chair.
            “We have a little situation here,” said Rick. “Marge isn’t coming back this spring. I just got a text. She didn’t explain.” He tried to judge Dexter’s reaction, noting maybe a little droop.
            “Lots of time to get a new host, I guess. How do you go about it?” said Dexter.
            “Ralph introduced Marge last time. I guess I’ll have to look through some applicants and talk to them,” said Rick. He was already looking at applications as they spoke.     
            When it came down to cases, there were three applicants. Two guys and a young woman. Rick thought having a female camp host was a nice touch. It was homey, he thought. He thought campers felt better about asking a girl silly questions.
            The young woman’s name was Hannah Tucker. She lived in Arlington, so Rick called her. He told her that they would come to her for a chat.
            They would meet her somewhere.
            “How about the Bluebird Café?” answered Hannah. “It’s on main street, right in the middle of town.”
            “Yup. I know the spot,” said Rick. “How about tomorrow for lunch? Let’s do it at 11:00 and beat the rush.”
            “Wednesday, 11:00AM, the Bluebird. Got it,” said Hannah.
            “You want to come along?” Rick asked Dexter.
            “Sure,” he agreed.
            She was easily spotted at the Bluebird. Hannah had chosen a booth right up front by the windows. A noisy choice, but thoughtful. She was a bit birdlike herself. She was one of those tiny true blonds that pop up in the population once in a while.
            “Hannah?” said Rick once he and Dexter were indoors.
            “Yes. That’s me,” she said.
            The men got seated on the other side of the booth, and a waitress brought menus.
            “I’m buying, by the way,” said Rick. Then, “so, Hannah, what makes you yearn to be a National Forest campground host?”
            “Looking for a change. I’d like to be out in the woods for a while. I’m tougher than I look,” and she laughed, because she could see what Rick was thinking. “I’m good with people and I like talking to strangers!”
            “What special skills do you have?” said Rick. Dexter wasn’t saying anything at all It was as if he had lost the facility of speech.
            “My hobby is target shooting. I also develop recipes for my blog,” she said.
            And so the questioning went on in a casual friendly manner. Hannah had chili and milk for lunch. Rick had fish and chips. Dexter was hungry so he ordered a Reuben sandwich and fries. Both of those two had coffee.
            “Well, Hannah, unless you change your mind, we can use you up in the campground I think. Thanks for meeting us. I’ll send details and contact you when I’m about to open the campground for spring. It won’t be for a while yet. Snow is coming!” said Rick.
            As they were settling back into Rick’s service truck for the return trip to the Ranger Station, Rick turned to Dexter and said, “Well. What do you think? Will she do as fine a job of hosting the campground as Marge did?”
            “Marge? Oh, yeah, Marge did a good job, didn’t she?” said Dexter. But he was grinning like a goof, a goof who had gotten another look into that far warm golden country.
            Rick just shook his head, started up the engine, and smiled.
            The date was February 14.

💘

The Wedding Gift

 

Mak's hand, if you will allow it.

 

            Leely, newly wedded, and clinging to Twigg’s hand, had seen some astounding things in her young life. But this shimmering glowing small object outshone them all. It was, to say the least, mesmerizing. She gazed upon it long enough that her silence was almost rude. But, then, everyone’s eye was on the Oro globe too.
            Mak smiled encouragingly.   
            Ralph, and Ramona holding Enid’s hand, stood close by.
            “What kind of an invitation?” said Leely at last.
            “We, some of the Confederation of the Stars, as you might say in human English, have noted your progress. The Maker of all smiles upon you, and we have seen this. Therefore, I have come to offer you a time in my kingdom, a time living in my home, a visit to my planet,” said Mak. He still held the Oro in his own hand. “A trip among the stars,” he said, smiling.
            “Mak,” said Ralph, “A visit we understand. But, what is this beautiful thing?”
            “I know the Oro must be a key somehow,” said Twigg.
            “Yes, and much more than that,” said Mak. “Exactly the right way to see it. Here, Twigg, take it in your hands. It will explain itself to you.”
            Twigg held out his right hand, since Leely held his left, and Mak settled the Oro in it. It looked very small in Twigg’s hand. As it shimmered, there was movement inside it.
            “Try holding it with both hands,” said Mak.
            So, Twigg let go of Leely and held the Oro in both of his hands.
            “Oh!” he said! “I see!”
            “In this case, it’s a map or a like a guidance device,” said Mak. “The house you see is my home. The planet you saw before that is my home planet. And you saw the way, which is only a twinkle of the eyes.”
            “It is truly beautiful. Here, Leely, hold it,” said Twigg and he handed the Oro to her.
            It took her breath away. “How can such a place exist? It’s beyond dreaming!” said Leely.
            “Your Oro was created for you two, it is also a means of communication. It works on wavelengths. I’m not a maker, I don’t entirely understand it, but they tell me that it will work through all time/space and will reach any communication device on Earth and also directly through the mind!” said Mak. “An interface.”
            “It’s too wonderful,” said Twigg, and he was smiling broadly.
            “Will you both come with me to my home?” asked Mak rather formally. “I hear it’s called a honeymoon here on Earth.”
            “What do you think, Leely?” said Twigg.
            “I think that your father and mother, whom I trust absolutely, trust Mak, and have long known him. I think that we must go. Not many people are handed a miracle such as this, a miracle to hold between their two hands. Of course, we must go!” Leely said carefully. “I sense the Maker’s hand in this. To turn it down would be foolish and very rash.”
            “I agree, dear one, said Twigg,” and he kissed his bride again.
            Enid wept. But she knew that her daughter was fearless, and so this was a farewell of sorts. Ramona had teary eyes too.
            “Yes, Mak, we accept your wedding gift. Thank you!” Twigg said simply.
            Then the cheering started up again. There were many tears, hugs and kisses. Even Ooog and Uncle Bob crowded in to embrace Twigg and Leely.
            “I will bring them home when summer comes,” said Mak. “Shall we go, then?”
            “Yes! Let’s do it!” said Twigg.

            The young ones didn't forget to bid their parents and friends goodbye, saying that they would surely return with Mak in the upcoming summer.
            The impossibly small hatch on the side of his silver ship rolled open again. Twigg picked Leely up in his arms, where she looked as small as a child, Carhartts and all. She had Twigg’s basket in her arms. Ramona had remembered to give it back to her at the last moment.
            Once again, it didn’t seem possible for someone of Twigg’s size to enter Mak’s ship, but when he put his foot into the opening, as Mak had instructed, somehow it worked and in they went together.
            Mak spoke privately with Enid and Ramona. Only they knew the words that passed between them.
            Ralph laid his hand in silent blessing on the resting hull of the ship. Mak entered the hatch. Then it slid closed.
            The ship drifted silently out of the Home Clearing, through the area of the path to the river where there was an unobstructed opening to the sky.
            Maeve followed along and watched it enter the upper air. Nodding to herself, she said, “Evermore!” and flew back to join the party.
            Ramona served coffee to Enid and Ralph. Aunt Suzy accepted a cup too, but most people were still quite full of the wedding feast to accept anything else, which would be discussed many times in the future and remembered well. No one wanted her oatcakes yet, but they would later.
            The small lights continued their song, suspended in the atmosphere of the Home Clearing. The sun was straight up in the blue sky. The wind came by to see how things were going and to toss a little snow down off of the branches of the ancient firs.
            Maeve returned from the river, and took her place by Ralph’s ear. She whispered a few words for him alone.
            Ralph said, “Well, Ooog,  how about it? Would you like to help me make the Basket House Twigg wants out in the meadow where the alder saplings grow?”
            “Yes, we should do that. When they come home a house should be waiting for them,” said Ooog firmly. “I’m seeing designs come together right now, as we speak, Ralph!”
            “I want to help too, Ralphie,” said Uncle Bob suddenly, even though he hadn't been known to build anything.  
            “You may help, of course, Bob,” said Ralph. “As soon as the snow melts we will begin work!”
            Ooog and Thaga walked home to light their lanterns, and stoke up the fire. They had gotten a little chilled during the wedding.
            Uncle Bob and Suzy decided to go home then, walking north to the meadow, holding hands like kids.

            Enid, the last of the guests, walked back out of the forest and through the snowy meadow and up to her door, to join Arthur. She had rather a lot to tell him, and wondered how he would take it.
            Ramona and Ralph sat by their fire. She leaned on his shoulder.
            Cherry sat next to Ramona and Blue the white wolf, laid her head on Ramona’s feet and slept there.
            The two great tawny cats stationed themselves to either side of Ralph’s feet, and gazed into the fire with shining yellow eyes.

🤍

Beneath The Ears

 

            So, Suzy hopped up on the arm of my chair, looking pointedly at the pull-out cat perch. Of course I pulled it out so she could get a word in edgewise while I was typing away.
            “M’keow,” she said, rusty like she was out of practice.
            “What’s up, Narrow Cat,” I said.
            “Oh, nothing. What are you doing?” asked she.
            “Well, I’m compiling a bunch of stories about you cats,” I said. “It’s to be called Beneath The Ears. Isn’t that cute?” I said. “Anyone would immediately think of those pointy little ears sticking up.”
            “Doesn’t sound like a best seller to me. Who wants to read about cats?” remarked Ms. Suzy.
            “You might be surprised, Suzy. Sometimes I think the internet is about 34% cat photos and stories. Then there are print books and magazines. Maybe you should learn to read!” I suggested.
            “Well, Plady, don’t forget what’s actually under my ears. My processor is different from yours. I have a lot of really fine instincts, visual skills, very fancy muscles and stuff. I am highly emotional. I am half love, and half comforter seeker, with some pouncing thrown in.
            “Deciphering print isn’t there,” asserted herself.
            “You speak English pretty well, Suzy Q!” I said right back.
            “That’s because you are writing fiction,” said Suzy. “You put words in my mouth all the time!”
            “Oh, p’shaw! How else are you going to communicate with the world outside?” I queried.
            “That’s deep, real deep, and weird, Lady. Are you going to tell all the stinky things Willie and Mr. Baby Fluffbag get up to?” said Suzy.
            “Oh, come on!” I said. “Willie’s a great brother, full of helpful wisdom! And you know you love Mr. Baby. That’s why you bop him on the nose when he passes. I know love when I see it!” I chortled.
            “Not true!” she squeaked.
            “Is so!” I said.
            “Found out! Found out!” she said and bolted off of the desk.
            I wouldn’t get another word out of her now!
            There was a dry little cough behind me.
            “Did you see that?” I asked Willie, who was hanging around nearby, as usual.
            He winked!  

😻

💛

A Tale Of Two Worlds

 

On location, but more snow!

            Enid woke suddenly; her eyes flew open. Maybe she had heard something. Maybe not, but she was wide awake. Over on the other side of the bed, Arthur snored peacefully. But he wasn’t anyone’s mother, and she was.
            She flew to Marge’s room, and found that weird basket thing missing and in its place a note. The note expressed love and thanks, and also that Marge would see her soon.
            Enid’s heart sank and she stood there holding the note and breathing hard for a few seconds. Then she ran to the front door and unlocked it and pulled it open regardless of the cold. Outside, dawn was just beginning. The sky was lightening and leading from her door were fresh footprints in the last night’s snow. Obviously they were Marge’s tracks.
            “Oh! I don’t think so, Margie my dear. It’s not going to be that easy!” expounded Enid.
            Though Enid almost always wore skirts and hosiery, she wasn’t stupid and knew that she had better bundle up. So she did. Long underwear, ski pants, puffer jacket, heavy socks and boots, gloves and a knit sock hat. She hardly looked like herself. She didn’t bother with makeup either.
            She put a note on the kitchen table for Arthur. “Going for a walk with Marge. Back later. I have my phone. Enid.” She figured Arthur would sleep for two or three more hours. Who knows? She could be back by then.
            She left the door unlocked just in case.
            She noted that the Honda had not been moved. A relief. Now to track her daughter. Enid had a pretty good idea where this trail ended.
            Once on the trail, her mood lightened a bit. It was incredibly beautiful to be out crunching through the snow at this early hour. She’d taken this path before, on the same mission, looking for Marge years before.
            She noticed that the eccentric old couple’s stone and wood cabin was dark, but that smoke rose from the chimney. Covered in snow it looked like a Christmas card illustration to Enid. Then into the meadow where she had met Marge’s friend, Twigg so long ago when they were both kids. Their meeting place, the big stump, looked massive, dark, and empty except for a snow cap. She went on toward the deep forest. It was hard going for her. She wasn't an athlete or very young.
            There must have been some magic or blessing afoot, because Enid didn’t even give a single thought to the fact that she was entering the Great Forest without a by-your-leave, or an accompaniment. She was following her child’s tracks. That’s all she was doing.
            Just inside of the tree line, a very large raven regarded Enid from a high branch. Enid never noticed, however, her nose was pointed earthward.
            Once among those ancient firs, the weather changed. It was a little warmer. Enid shook her head, because she felt like she heard distant singing, but she couldn’t discern the words or the language. Marge’s tracks continued on, so Enid followed.
            Having been there once before, Enid remembered that there was a central cleared area with a fire that burned night and day. She could just begin to see that fire. Of course, that’s where Marge would have been going, but why at this hour and on this day?
            There was a hubbub of voices around the fire! And there was prolonged cheering too! There seemed to be a lot of characters at the fire this morning. Small lights swarmed and danced over the crowd. Who were these people? Most were Forest Keepers, but not all. She saw the old couple too. No wonder their house was dark, they were here! But why?
            Suddenly the cheering stopped. Enid’s heart beat madly! What could this be?
            Rushing into the clearing, still following the tracks of her daughter, her eyes fell on Twigg holding Marge, her Marge, in his arms and they were kissing like they would never stop. Tears flooded her eyes, but she wasn’t sure they were tears of sorrow!
            At that moment she turned her eyes to the others and saw Ralph standing among the people with his huge hands outstretched above them.
            “Oh, my beloved people!” said Ralph!
            Enid took in a great long breath and her mouth dropped open. She was no idiot. She knew a wedding when she saw one!
            Ramona came to her then and put an arm around her and drew her to her side. Enid allowed herself to be drawn and she took comfort from the gesture. It was just perfect.
            “Now that you are here, Enid, everything is in order,” whispered Ramona with tears in her eyes too.
            Ralph began to speak and all eyes were upon him.
            “The Maker of All has brought us all here today to celebrate a miracle of love,” he said and the crowd erupted in cheers again.
            “Much has been revealed,” Ralph said. “Those whom the Maker has created for each other must be joined on earth according to Heaven.” There was more cheering, then a hush.
            The mothers clung to each other. The lights soared and sang their mysterious song. Cherry drifted down to her mother.  Maeve sat on a high branch where she could keep an eye on the scene and commit it to memory.
            Ralph spoke in both Saslingua and English so that everyone, Enid especially, would understand him well.
            Twigg set Leely down on her feet and she clung to his hand. Both listened to Ralph.
            “Son,” he said, “Will you be joined to Leely, and love her faithfully, as long as you both live?”
            “Yes,” said Twigg. “I have loved her since I first saw her and that love has only grown stronger. Yes I will be joined to her forever.”
            “Leely, will you be joined to my son, Twigg, forever, helping him, and giving him all your love forever?” said Ralph, turning his gaze to Leely.
            Leely, standing there at her wedding without a gown or flowers, looked around the open space between the trees of the Great Forest. She saw that Enid had come. She saw that Ramona and Enid clung together. She even looked upon the Pumas and the white wolf, Blue, waiting by the fire. She looked at Ralph.
            “Yes, yes, I will. I have always loved Twigg since I met him, but I was blind and now I see. Yes, I will have him, and I will help him and love him as long as I live,” said Leely.
            “No vow could be better than that,” said Ralph. “Therefore before the Maker, the One and his own Son, I pronounce Twigg and Leely to be one together!”
            There was more cheering and the kids started kissing again. But they kept getting interrupted by people who wanted to hug them and all that.
             
            “Where will they live, Ramona?” whispered Enid. “And why did he call her Leely?”
            “Don’t worry. I think more miracles are on the way. Let’s wait and see,” said Ramona. “I’ll explain about the name when things quiet down.”
            Thaga came over to be introduced to Enid. She was crying too.
            “It’s like Twigg is my own son,” said Thaga.
            Both the mothers put their arms around her and held her. It was a happily tear strained group.
            But, just as everyone was taking a breath and looking at each other and wondering what to do next, Ralph’s friend Mak began to speak. He was small but very audible. The crowd hushed again to listen to him. Most remembered him from Constance and Ferdie’s wedding, and the vanquishing of the Not Thing that had crashed the party at Thaga’s once.
            “Greetings, it’s good to see you all again,” said Mak.
Enid goggled a bit. She didn’t know him. Who was this very small man in his odd clothing, and where was he from?
            “May I be among the first to congratulate Twigg and Leely?” said Mak, smiling. “I come as a sort of emissary from beyond Earth. “I have been appointed to bring gifts. The first is the wedding feast. If you will all allow it, my sons will carry all from my ship which waits beside your river!”
            But what really happened is that Erl, one of Mak’s four sons decided to bring the ship to the wedding party, to general amazement and admiration. It came to rest silently a bit outside the group, long and silver, a bit cigar shaped and shiny like chrome.             Then Erl and his three brothers, Lim, Renny, and Jasc, popped out of the hatch. Just like their father they were small people, clothed in loose white two piece outfits.
            First they set up a long table, unfolding it from a very small square of material. Then they set out just the right number of plates and glasses!
            There were exotic meats from outside Earth, and fruits, and sweets, and nuts and cheeses, all delicious and unknown to Earthlings. There was a thin sparking wine, tasting somewhat like oranges.
            “Please, enjoy,” said Mak and his sons stood beside him, ready to help if needed, smiling broadly.
            Ralph thanked Mak in the name of the wedding party. Twigg and Leely were first in line, then Ramona and Enid, and then everyone else. Ralph saw that everyone was served and then he came last of all.
            Everyone had a great time ,and  had never seen anything like it, of course, and it was a delight to all.
            When everyone had eaten and had some of the sparkling wine, even though it was still early in the day, Mak asked for everyone’s attention again.
            “Now, I would like to present a gift. It comes from the People of the Stars. Twigg and Leely will you come here?” asked Mak, smiling a bit mysteriously.
            From inside his loose white top garment he drew a small blue iridescent orb about the size of an orange. It glowed in his hands. He held it up, so that it was visible to all. Voices ceased.
            “Twigg, Leely, may I present to you this Oro? It is a gift from the Stars,” said Mak.
            “It is beyond beautiful,” said Twigg, “And we accept it! But, dear Mak, what is it?”
            “It is an invitation,” said Mak.

🌎

A Bit of Summer On A Chilly Old January Day

 

Indigenous roses.

Native to the backyard.

Spicy and subtly scented!

"Lovely spring coming soon," says Robin W.

I'm ready!

A little snow first would be nice.

A Wyeth landscape to rest the eyes,

from the grey sky and dim light.

A wonderful peaceful morning to you all!

🤍

A King Went Walking One Morning

 

A king went walking in a wood.

He chanced to meet a traveler.

“Ho, there, traveler! Shall we talk?”

" Oh, yes, I think we should!”

 
            The morning woke Ralph early. He had slept fitfully all during the night. He finally realized that he was awake, so, quietly, he arose and left the cave where Ramona, Cherry, Twigg, and the animals slept on. He placed his palm flat on the door, for a moment. His mark.
            It was still dark. A winter morning. The sky was clear and the stars burned overhead in the opening in the canopy of firs. He took a deep chill breath and then exhaling, watched the cloud of steam fly out and disappear. There were drifts of frozen snow all around.
            Maeve, who always sensed him, silently drifted down out of the sky, black as night.
            “Where to, Liege,” said she.
            “Greetings, Lady,” murmured Ralph. “Something calls me and I would go walking.”
            “Aye! A fine morning for a walk!” said Maeve, low of voice.
            “First, I will build up the fire,” said Ralph. He laid some heavier pieces in the coals, so that when Ramona arose she would know that he thought of her and that all was well. He saw that some dim coals began to notice the fuel.
            She took her place and they set out up the well worn trail past his log, which lay under a blanket of snow. Continuing to the north they passed into the meadow where Uncle Bob and Aunt Suzy slept, snug in their Stump House. A thready column of smoke rose from their fireplace outside the door.
            Frozen snow on top of tall dead grass is hard to walk through for we Hairless, but not for Ralph. His stride never faltered or slowed.
            When the sun began to rise above the trees, and the stars slept, Maeve lifted off of Ralph’s shoulder, rising into the morning light high into the air, where she flashed, shining. Ralph watched her flight, remembering his own.
            There was something else in the sky besides Maeve.
            It was indistinct, but shiny, like some sort of chrome object, far away and small. It seemed to hover over the area of the river.
            “Bingo!” said Ralph and he headed for the river.

 🍀

            Leely woke early in Marge’s girlhood bed. It was still dark, but something had roused her. Her opened eyes fell on the basket on her desk. Now she knew why she wept. The basket held, and was everything and she had been blind to it. Oh, Twigg!
            As fast as ever a maiden dressed, Leely dressed in Marge’s clothes. It was obviously frozen cold outside, so she layered up. T-shirt, sweater, Carhartts, two pair of socks, boots, mittens, beanie of blue wool, the whole bit.
            Leely had a meeting to attend, and she knew it.
            She wrote Enid a loving note, promising to see her soon, picked up Twigg’s basket, and slipped quietly out of the front door, leaving it locked.
            The sky was still full of stars when she set out. Her Honda sat covered in snow on the side of the road. She wondered if she would ever drive it again. It didn’t seem important.
            As she hurried along the path past the Ooog cottage, small lights came to her and seemed to attend her. They were as beautiful as the stars overhead, but warmer and closer. They seemed to whisper something indistinct as each flew by, which coalesced into song.
            It was merry! Celebratory! Compelling!
            “Hurry!” sang the little lights.
            “I’m hurrying, little lights!” sang Leely, as she burst into the meadow, heading for the Home Clearing.
 

🌟

 
            Ramona arose just about the time Ralph got to the Stump House. Her usual hour, if she had a clock, but she only had her knowing. She saw that the fire was burning well, and knew that Ralph had done that to speak to her. All was well, and there was something else! Something was afoot. Something was coming! A meeting! It was a meeting!
            Ramona began to prepare oatcakes because they keep well and are handy. She made a big pot of coffee and set it where it would stay warm. Then she sat while the oatcakes baked, thinking hard, questioning.
            “Twigg! My son must arise; something concerns him!” she said aloud into the cold air, with conviction.
            Running back into the family cave she called to him, “Twigg! You must wake up! Something is happening, I’m not sure what it is!”
            This notice was so exciting that not only did Twigg awaken, so did Cherry and Blue and the cats too! Everyone scrambled out, wondering what could be up.
           

🍒

 
            When Ralph got to the river, he saw that the shining object was suspended there over the water. He had seen this object before.
            “Mak! Is it you?” he called in his deep rumble of a voice into the morning air.
            The ship, for ship it was, drifted closer. It waited at the river’s edge for a few beats of a heart. Then the hatch in its side slid open.
            “Yes, Ralph,” said the man as small as child of eight years. “I’m here! I understand that there is to be a meeting of some kind.”
            “Yes, I think so too!” sang Ralph. He was beginning to understand it.
            “Will you come with me?” said Ralph.
            “That’s why I’m here,” said Mak. “We must hurry. Everyone is gathering!”
 

🚀

            For their part, Thaga and Ooog had also awakened early. Something was up at the Home Clearing. They could feel it in their bones, and it was exciting. They dressed warmly and in a hurry. They didn’t even stop to eat a bite of food.
            “I wonder what it could be,” said Thaga.
            “I figure we’ll find out when we get there!” said Ooog. “Hurry up, Thaga!”
            “I’m doing the best I can in this snow,” sang the short sturdy lady in her woolens and cap and clever little boots.
            Ooog wore his best leather britches and coat. His knitted cap sat firmly on his head and his long white braid hung down to his belt in back.
 

🌲

            Around the fire, Ramona and her children waited. Blue and Bob and Berry waited with them.
            Just then, Uncle Bob and his Suzy came down into the Clearing looking puzzled but excited. They looked from face to face, wonderingly.
            “Something woke us and told us to come here as fast as we could,” said Uncle Bob.
            Then there was music like thousands of tiny voices in harmony. Then crowds of tiny light blew into the Clearing. The eyes of everyone there were on them, in wonder and amazement. It was as if they were announcing something.
            At last, Leely hurried into the Clearing. She carried Twigg’s basket in her arms. She was thunderstruck to see everyone there!
            “Marge?” cried Twigg.
            “Leely!” said Ramona. “She is riverborn as Leely, Twigg!”
            Twigg walked slowly to Leely, overcome. There were tears in his sweet eyes, and an answer.
            She waited, basket in arms, and stars in her eyes.
            He gathered her up in his arms and kissed her. She kissed him back too, happily! She had to hand his basket to Ramona lest it get crushed between them.
            Everyone cheered loudly and long. The forest rang with it.
            Now, Ralph and Mak heard all the cheering as they were walking in from the river.
            “Ah, everyone is there already,” said Mak to Ralph. “Let’s hurry!”
            “I do believe all of the guests are there, yes!” said Ralph, and he did hurry.

👑

            When Ralph, and Mak beside him, strode into the Home Clearing, he smiled. Not much gets past Ralph, if anything. He held up his great hands, to shush the crowd. All eyes turned to him. He looked at each one separately and nodded to each one.
            He saw that Ramona had tears in her eyes.
            He saw Cherry aloft with the tiny singing lights.
            He saw Leely in Twigg’s arms.
            “Oh, my beloved people, Ralph began….”

🤍