38th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Don't we look terribly young and innocent?
(And what was I thinking with
that long shag haircut?)

I've been spending the past week in a fantasy land, but I'm back to real life today, on the occasion of Dan's and my 38th anniversary.

I've been listening a lot to Daughtry's song, "Life After You", because of its beautiful melody, but recently I've been paying attention to one special part of it. Most of the song is about a guy regretting that he ever walked out on his girl, and Dan never walked out on me, but I do think that the following verse speaks about our marriage:

"All that I'm after is a life full of laughter
As long as I'm laughin' with you

I'm thinkin' that all that still matters is love ever after

After the life we've been through

'Cause I know there's no life after you."

The line that strikes me most is "After the life we've been through." What haven't we been through in the past 38 years? Here's a partial list:

All four parents dying.

My brother being killed in a car accident.

Multiple career changes, some not by choice.

Between us, the loss of four jobs.

Almost constant financial hardship.
Three  miscarriages and one stillborn son.

Our daughter being hit by a car.

Dan having a heart attack.

Our daughter nearly dying of a serious disease.

Our home burning down.

Dan being diagnosed with colon cancer in 2011 (it eventually

turned out that the polyp was pre-cancerous. Whew!)

I could go on and on, but I find it too depressing.

Thirty years ago, I took a mental stress test that scored us off the top of the charts, and that, as I say, was a long time ago, with plenty of grief yet to come. Stressors tested were not limited only to negative events, so even the wonderful things in our lives, like the birth of our daughter and the purchase of a new home, added to our stress levels.

And then last December came the worst blow of all. Dan was told he had cancer again - not a pre-cancerous polyp this time, but a full-blown, Stage IV cancer of the esophagus. So began the bleak winter of 2011-2012, with 6 trips to Fargo for chemo treatments followed by truly wretched symptoms that only began to let up just before the next treatment was due. He lost weight, he lost his hair, he lost his physical strength. He didn't lose his will power, though.

Finally, he was told that his tumor was shrinking and the lymph node involvement was receding. And then in April, just before his sixth treatment, came the best news, that he was in remission.

So now we are putting our faith in a long remission, and enjoying our summer. Dan has gained some weight and strength back, his appetite is slowly recovering, and his mustache, if not his hair, is starting to grow. He may take several days to mow all the lawn, but it gets mown. He went golfing once and really enjoyed a four-day fishing trip.

When I was a reporter at the Bismarck Tribune, part of my job (my least favorite) was to be the Hometown Editor. We did not publish free wedding anniversary stories until the 40th, which miffed a lot of people, but I understood the reasoning completely. We would have had to publish a gazillion 25th anniversary stories, not so many 40th, and fewer and fewer for each major milestone passed.

But now, I feel that MY 38th anniversary should be celebrated with rockets' red glare and bombs bursting in air. This is going to be one of those significant anniversaries, milestone number or not. Thirty-eight years of love and laughter with this man. (More, actually, since I met him in 1970.) Amazing.

I truly know that "All that still matters is love ever after/After the life we've been through/"Cause I know there's no life after you."

GIFTS

"Hawthorn Fairy", Cicely Mary Barker

Today I speak of gifts given with love to celebrate a birthday - mine. I already have printed the two poems I received from Joanne and Mary, and have shown you the fabulous dragon statue from Britt Headley.

The next gift is from Leanne, of "Tales of Simple Days", one of my dearest friends, born at the autumn equinox. She had to fly to the Enchanted Forest all the way from her home in Dorset County (shire), England. She was afraid she would miss the party entirely, as it was so difficult "to fly over the oceans between us, gossamer wings battered by the storms and winds of change."

"Viviane", artist unknown

Leanne was only a bit late and was able to join in the festivities after all. She gifted me with a copy of her very favorite poem about King Arthur and Vivien, the Lady of the Fountain. Her name is also spelled Viviane, and she is better known as The Lady of the Lake.

THE THORN TREE

~

The night is sad with silver and the day is glad with gold,

And the woodland silence listens to a legend never old,

Of the Lady of the Fountain, whom the faerie people know,

With her limbs of samite whiteness and her hair of golden glow,

Whom the boyish South Wind seeks for and the girlish-stepping Rain;

Whom the sleepy leaves still whisper men shall never see again:

She whose Vivien charms were mistress of the magic Merlin knew,

That could change the dew to glow-worms and the glow-worms into dew.

~

There's a thorn tree in the forest, and the faeries know the tree,

With its branches gnarled and wrinkled as a face with sorcery;

But the May-time brings it clusters of a rainy fragrant white,

Like the bloom-bright brows of beauty or a hand of lifted light.

And all day the silence whispers to the sun-ray of the morn

How the bloom is lovely Vivien and how Merlin is the thorn:

~

How she won the doting wizard with her naked loveliness

Till he told her daemon secrets that must make his magic less.

How she charmed him and enchanted in the thorn-tree's thorns to lie

Forever with his passion that should never dim or die:

And with wicked laughter looking on this thing which she had done,

Like a visible aroma lingered sparkling in the sun:

~

How she stooped to kiss the pathos of an elf-lock of his beard,

In a mockery of parting and mock pity of his wyrd:

But her magic had forgotten that "who bends to give a kiss

Will but bring the curse upon them of the person whose it is":

So the silence tells the secret.--And at night the faeries see

How the tossing bloom is Vivien, who is struggling to be free,

In the thorny arms of Merlin, who forever is the tree.

~Madison Julius Cawein

 Another gift is from a blogging friend I met through Leanne. Kath from "Hillside Cottage" hails from the neighboring county of Somerset, England. She has the privilege of living in the most magical of all cities in the world, Glastonbury. Leanne has actually visited Kath in Glastonbury a number of times to participate in the festivals of the Celtic year. Oh, how I wish I could join them.

Knowing that it is my great dream to one day travel to Glastonbury and visit the sacred Chalice Well and climb its deeply spiritual hill, or Tor, Kath sent me the next best thing - A panoramic view from the top of the Tor. Here is the link: http://www.glastonburytor.org.uk/panorama.html

 

From  Morgaine came the gift of a website blog called "The Hermitage" to explore. She explains that it is "A little more folklore oriented, than fairy, but if you start back at the beginning of the blog, an extraordinary tale unfolds...". Here is the link:

http://www.intothehermitage.blogspot.com/

And finally, last certainly but not least, a gorgeous gift from WOL in Texas.

"Wind Moon" necklace by Nene Thomas

(Click to enlarge)

Remember, before you gasp at the extravagant gesture, that this is a virtual present!

Thanks so much to everyone for participating in this virtual party and gift giving. I hope you had as much fun as I did. Until next year . . .

PARTY REVELS

"Emerald Forest" by Arwen's Grace

Yesterday I promised you I'd tell you about my Enchanted Souls/Birthday Eve party. As the participants gathered, we remarked on our beautiful enchantments and costumes. After we were all there, we entered the Enchanted Forest -or Emerald Forest, as it is also called - through this magical portal.

As we walked, fairy orbs led the way.



"Faeries' Path", Artist Unknown

The sight of fairy lanterns means we're almost there!



"Pan" by Michele Lee Phelan

The party begins! A faun played tunes on his pan flute.

Arthur Rackham illustration

And of course, there were fairies making music everywhere one looked.

Cicely Mary Barker?



"Rose Fairy Bunny" by Pamela Silin Palmer

And a bunny fairy played a flower trumpet.

We dined upon giant toadstools for chairs and tables, seated under more fairy lanterns.

Oh how we feasted! Fairies love sugar, of course, so I had baked dozens of fairy cakes (called cupcakes in the U.S.) For those who like their treats a little healthier, I served oat cakes with honey. Like fairies, the house and barn elves love milk and butter, so of course I had plenty of those items on hand. We had lots of fresh berries, mushrooms and acorns, too. However, we did not eat any meat - I wanted my forest friends as guests, not dinner!

Selkie Girl, artist unknown

I asked the selkie girl if I should provide some fish for her, but she said when she is in human form she eats human food! I did not need to bring any food for the unicorn, as he nibbled on the tiny violets that were underfoot.

The fairies sipped on dew or nectar from the flowers, and some of us had something a little stronger - mead, ale or elderberry wine.

When we were done feasting, the dancing began. A Cornish piskie came out of the woods to join in the dancing. We let him stay on the condition that he perform no mischief!

 

Later, we had a huge bonfire. This baby dragon doesn't have much flame yet, but when it came time to light the fire, he had just the right amount.

"The Snow Princess" by Meredith Sanderson

If partygoers had stood too close to the fire, or became overheated from dancing, they went to stand by the Snow Princess, as she brought a refreshing breath of Arctic air with her.



"White Stag", Shauna Finn

Because there are so few of his kind, the magical White Stag was a very special guest. White Cloud, the North Dakota white buffalo, had to decline my invitation because in the summer he is too busy posing for tourists at the Buffalo Museum in Jamestown.

I counted at least three unicorns, and Pegasus flew through the trees to find our hideaway.



"Pegasus" by Shelly Grund

What a grand party it was. We celebrated all night long. And what about that visitor of  mysterious ways that I promised would join us for musings and revelations at the spellbound hour before dawn? Aah, that is only for us partygoers to know.

FAIRY DAY AND BIRTHDAY PARTY

Well, this has been an exciting few days, what with my Enchanted Souls/Birthday party. I am quite exhausted, but I wanted to show you the attendees who are also my blogging pals.

The fairy above is my longtime pal Joanne. She has several blogs, including Pieceful Afternoon

and Scene Through My Eyes.She brought along this poem as my gift: 

I'D LOVE TO BE A FAIRY'S CHILD
(Robert Graves)

Children born of fairy stock

ever need for shirt or frock,

Never want for food or fire,

Always get their hearts' desire:

Jingle pockets full of gold,

Marry when they're seven years old.

Every fairy child may keep

Two strong ponies and ten sheep;

All have houses, each his own,

Built of brick or granite stone;

They live on cherries, they run wild --

I'd love to be a fairy's child.

When Joanne is in her fairy guise she spends long hours and delightful days with friends who are fairies and birds - in the trees and fields with the flowers.

Above you see Mary Evans as the Moon Fairy. She is another long-time blogging pal of mine.

She wrote and brought the following poem:

"I see the moon and the moon sees me.

I am a moon Fairy. I live at the top of

the world where the moon is so close

you feel like you can touch it. I live in

a small ice cave where it is warmed by

the breath of my family. When the sun

goes down and the Moon comes high in

the night sky, we bath in the light. I am

a moon Fairy with a moon beam that

guides me in the dark of night. I see the

moon and the moon sees me."

by Mary Evans, "Back of the Moon"

"Reclining Mermaid" by Brittany Headley

Brittany is a new acquaintance of mine, and sure to become a friend! What a talented artist she is.

"Morgan Le Fay" by Amy Brown

Morgaine is another new friend, but she tells me that she has been following my blog a long time. Thanks for all your good wishes and welcome aboard!

And then you have my blogging friend WOL, from The Owl Underground. She came as a combination of a Moongazy Lady and an Owl. She told me there's a story behind these images, but  the story wasn't quite ready when she came to my party.

Sigh, I wish more of my blogging friends had come to my party, but I know they are busy with summer, and I haven't been good at staying in touch with them either.

Tomorrow I'll write about the party.

MY ENCHANTED SOUL

"Celtic Lady of the Lake" by Mary McAndrew

It's almost time for my Enchanted Souls party, but I still haven't decided which enchanted soul shape to take. Sometimes, I am the Celtic Lady of the Lake. But most of the time, I am The Green-Eyed Lady, Ocean Lady:

"Green-eyed lady, windswept lady, rules the night, the waves, the sand/Green-eyed lady, ocean lady, child of nature, friend of man/. . . Green-eyed lady, ocean lady, soothing every raging storm that comes."  (For the complete version, go to the bottom of this page.)

But since I am holding my party in the wildwood, or Enchanted Forest, I shall assume the guise of the Lady of the Forest. However, there is not one buy many incarnations of the Lady of the Forest.

"Lady of the Forest" by Michael Hague

I could appear as the lady above, but even though I have enough years to qualify as a crone, I do not wish to look like a crone.

"Lady of the Forest" by Ravensburger

I am a woman who runs with the wolves, but I do not wish to appear as a blonde, as that is so far from my true nature.

"Lady of the Forest" by Aurelia Isabella

This image is very close. Oh, that gorgeous green dress. But no, I shall keep looking.

"Lady of the Forest" by Amy Brown

This lady of the forest is so gorgeous, with her long-flowing hair, just the right color, and her leafy dress. But there will be many winged fairies at my party, and I do not wish to outshine their plumage.

 

"Lady of the Forest" by Jana Prosivirina

Hmm, she, too, is close, but the antlers may scare some party goers away, and besides, a lady should not wear a mask at her own party.

"Lady of the Forest" by Julie L. Hoddinott

Oh, no! This will not do. I am too shy to appear naked, even if my only audience is butterflies and foxes.

"Lady of the Forest" by Sally Omar

Oops, another blonde. But I do love the cape!

"Lady of the Greenwood" by Morgaine duMer

Her dress is great, but her hair is too red.

"Lady of the Forest" by Lauren Kelly Small

Now I'm down to the last two. I love this one's hair, her flowing skirt, her staff, the attentive fox and all the butterflies. Also, she is by water, so fitting for an ocean lady or lady of the lake.

"Lady of the Forest", by Ann Gates Fiser

Oh, it is so hard to decide. But this one's hair is just right, and the Lady of the Forest should wear a nature wreath at her own party, right? Perhaps I will appear as both - in the strapless gown in the early evening, while it is still quite warm, and then switch to the warmer costume as the evening cools.

At last, I am ready. Now I must complete the party preparations. It's not too late for you to come! See you there!

THE LADY OF THE FOREST

"When the sun goes down
In the forest so deep
Moss draped over her body
The Lady Of The Forest wakes from her sleep

Walking between the trees
With a breeze against her back
She knows the forest
And always keeps on track

Those who have seen her
Speak of her face
They say it is so beautiful
It looks like delicate lace

Her hair is golden brown
And floats around her shoulders
She walks through the grass
And over the large boulders

She is an amazing vision
An aura of peace and love
Oftentimes as she passes
There is the cooing of doves

Alone she walks each evening
No one to walk by her side
Walking slowly in the breeze
In the daytime she does hide

A spirit of nature
Alone is her destiny
She watches over the small animals
The birds and the trees

She dances for Mother Nature
In the sun and in the rain
Gently swaying back and forth
And back and forth again

From the forest there can be heard
A sweet melodious song
Almost as if a whisper
Through the trees all night long

The Lady of the Forest
As the sun does rise
Goes to her bed of leaves
And closes her beautiful hazel eyes."


By Sally Omar

(with one small alteration to the lady's hair color!)

SUMMER SOLSTICE

Happy Summer Solstice, which occurs in just a little over two hours in my time zone, at 6:09 p.m.

I do wish I had someone to build a fire with and honor this turning of the wheel at the solstice long into the night. Unfortunately, celebrating this occasion, observed since ancient times by all civilizations, including the Celts, will be at the bottom of the list for Bismarck residents to do tonight. They might fire up their fire pit, but that will be the extent of it.

Aware of the solstice or not, I hope they enjoy this nice evening by playing softball, boating on the river, letting the kids stay up late, barbecuing, mowing their lawns, puttering in their flower beds, talking a walk around the golf course, running the dogs.

I'll be sitting out on my deck, as I do most fine nights. The other evening I read until almost 10:00 p.m. (Eudora Welty's "The Optimist's Daughter." I recommend it). And after our long twilight finally fades, I will sit back under our giant, sheltering elm, take a sip of wine, and think about how lucky I am to experience North Dakota's long summer eves, and about the celebrations people all over the world - people who did not forget that this is the longest day of the year - will be holding on this special evening.

And tomorrow, do make it a point to savor the first full day of summer and to squeeze every single moment out of this sweet season.



THAT'S SOME DRAGON!

I just received my first VIRTUAL birthday present! As you may or may not know, my birthday is one week from today, June 25. And in celebration of  the BD and of Fairy Day, the day before, I am holding a Fairy Day/Birthday Eve Enchanted Souls party. (Scroll down a couple of entries for that post.

I shamelessly asked to be given lots of virtual birthday presents. And this action was truly shameless, as virtual presents cost the sender no money at all, as they are just a picture from a catalog or the Internet of something that I, a Celtic Lady, would really enjoy.

This virtual dragon is from Brittany, who was sorry I couldn't find my little seated dragon. This one is much, much bigger, believe me.

Brittany also sent me a drawing of how she will be appearing at my party. Now I am getting excited because it seems like I won't have to cancel my party at all - but I still need lots more attendees. If, like me, you are hopeless with pen or paints, you don't have to send a drawing. An image from the Internet or a magazine will do just fine.

(The actual, opposite-of-virtual dragon is available through Design Toscano. I have ordered from them before and they have good service and low shipping prices. Last summer I showed you the unicorn I ordered for my Celtic garden. Mr. Unicorn spent last winter in Kristen's old bedroom, as he is not cold-weather resistant. When Kristen was home for Christmas I asked her if she minded sharing her room with the unicorn. She replied, "He's fine. He doesn't say much.")

ON THE LOOKOUT

Hi, does anyone know where I can find this little cement (I think) dragon? I'd prefer a U.S. source, but would even order from a shop in the U.K. or Canada. I have become enamored of him and would like his brother to come live with me.

It is just nine days now until my Fairy Day/Birthday Eve "Gathering of Enchanted Souls" party. However, I have received only two RSVPs!! Sniff! I am feeling very unloved.

I know part of the reason is that I've been very remiss in corresponding with my blog friends lately, and they may not be reading me anymore. But you can be my guest even if you have just stumbled onto my blog after Googling Celtic, fairy, pixie, mermaid, selkie, dragon, goddess or other enchanted creature.

All you have to do is e-mail me a picture of how you will be appearing at my party. It can be a picture you found in a magazine or on the Internet, or even a photo of your dressed-up self. My two respondents so far will be appearing as fairies. Both also sent poems, but that is not a requirement. But it would be fun to have a sentence or two telling me about your enchanted self. My e-mail address is scottishlassnd@yahoo.com

Please don't make me cancel my party. Be fey, be whimsical. Let your freak flag fly and just go for it!!

The photos in this post are by Leanne from "Tales of Simple Days"  (on my sidebar) and used by her permission. It seems as if one of her six lovely kitties is having a conversation with the baby dragon. How fitting that this handsome boy is called Merlin. What cat would be more likely to converse with a dragon than one named Merlin!

The little guy thinks his joke is funny but Merlin does not appear amused!