"When you talked about your break from creating and your tramping outside I thought how lucky I was. We went out to gather some horses. The sky was filled with Canada geese that were feeding in our corn field and resting on our pond. We came over a hill and there were over 20 horses spread out feeding. Alerted, their heads came up, then they gathered and came toward us. What a wonderful feeling to have these beautiful creatures want to be with us! Then we pointed them toward home. Off they went at a canter over the hill and down the trail. Poetry in motion. Wish you could share in that sight."
Gail Wurtele


"Virginia - I don't know why, but ever since I had this experience I have wanted to tell you about it. Perhaps it is the connection I make between your canoe trips and all of Nature!
Something less than two miles from my house are several manmade lakes, known as Anaheim Lakes, which are stocked with fish for local fishermen (I've never seen a woman fishing there!). At least a dozen years ago there was a project to provide habitat and nesting platforms for ospreys, which are very, very rare in this part of California. Recently my osprey sightings have increased and I am always looking when I drive through this very industrial area (part of the City of Anaheim). Last week I stopped at a signal and looked up to see an osprey with a fish clasped in his talons, fish pointing forward (instinctive aerodynamics?), flying west to who knows where. I wanted to shout at all the drivers, "Look up! You can see a miracle of wild creatures' ability to adapt and survive." But they would not understand, or care! It is an image I shall treasure and retrieve for my own pleasure whenever I relax into my memories. Another image I cherish is the sight of about fifty white pelicans soaring over rush hour traffic in the early morning light - off for breakfast, no doubt."
Del Thomas


"Hi Virginia: thought I share this with you.....
Two butterflies from Bali came home with us. Suddenly, there were 2 delicate white and green butterflies in my kitchen. They were the same type as we'd seen in Bali which was teeming with butterflies. I think they came in the mask Roan brought home. A startling ritual mask, it's dragon face meant to scare away demons in the temple. It has long hair made out of coconut fibre. I think they must have travelled back to Canada as chrysalis in the hair. One is still flitting in the house. I hope it will be satisfied the the bunches of flaming, orangy-yellow roses I have in the house (I can't bear to be without flowers after being in Bali). The other flew out into the softly falling snow. I caught my breath, watching it slowly fly up as the snow swirled around it, wanting to scoop it back into my warm house."
Val Hearder


"Thank you Virginia. This is wonderful. Your elegy was moving. Just three days ago I found a delicate chickadee on my porch succombed to the same fate--I vowed to get some curtains up soon (we don't have any curtains on any of our windows!).

Once in a different home, I was home and heard a thud at the window. It was winter as now and the chickadee was only stunned, but if left in the below zero temps it would quickly freeze. I cupped it in my hands and after nearly a half hour (a long half hour in those temps) it slowy emerged from its concussion. It's little eyes flickered, it shivered, and thankfully did not have heart failure upon opening its eyes to find itself in the clutches of a giant, but flew without hesitation to the nearest branch. Ahh, such a rare sweetness.

I will look forward to your newsletters. Thank you for sharing."
Rebecca Buchanan


Virginia, In need of R & R and inspiration, we went (among other places) to Howe Caverns near Albany, NY. What a natural wonder! The colors & textures of the deep cavern were astounding - the natural rock formations (stalagtites & stalagmites) just blew us away! Here's a picture of one of the most interesting! Enjoy!
Linda Esterley