Notes from Fairy Land

The deep freeze has given way to milder weather and every slope, every frozen creek and pond, is merry with the sound of young voices.

"Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone", wrote Christina Rosetti. The older ones have been busy with snow clearance, making smooth places for skating on the ice and preparing snow jumps on the hills.

"Up and down, up and down, I will lead them up and down"
(Puck, quoted Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream, but isn't it always true)

When the short afternoon turns to dusk the younger ones go home to warm up and enjoy hot chocolate in a mug, but the boys always stay out for longer, playing the age-old game.

I must spend the coming beautiful weekend indoors, armed with paints, brushes and determination, with the merry voices outside for inspiration.

Robbie Burns day is coming up, an occasion for some singing and dancing. To quote,
"O wad some Power
the giftie gie us,
To see oursels
as others see us",

and here is just such a glimpse, a few words from the Green Man Review .