As you know, I’m not so much into the holidays, but Solstice always resonates with our seasonally driven, migratory life. So it was a special treat to start today with one of Lynn Schooler’s stunning Alaskan photographs, captioned with his own appreciative acknowledgement of Winter Solstice. My thanks to Lynn for his permission to share his photo and sentiments with you.
Lynn wrote, “There was the fading winter light, with alpenglow on the mountains, and suddenly a fully grown humpback whale burst from the sea toward the sky
Happy solstice, everyone. Let’s celebrate. We made it around the corner and we’re heading back toward spring.
(Of course, you’re always welcome to click ‘share’ on my photos if you like, or if we are not already friends, shoot me a friend request and I will be happy to accept.)”
If you’re not familiar with author/photographer Lynn Schooler’s work, you can start with this review of one of my favorite books. Happy Solstice, friends – my best wishes to you and yours.Â
Hooked 
Dear Tille, I am enjoying your blog, thanks for writing. Maybe you &/or someone(s) you know can use this. It is inspiration for the dark time of the year, and for anytime of the year. Know there is light in so many hearts in so many places. Instruments from trash: www.vimeo.com/52711779
Enjoy.
I’ve searched but am unable to find a web, or address, where people can contribute. Please lt me know if you find such.
Best and love, Sue
________________________________
Sue, lovely to see you here! Thank you for stopping by and leaving such an amazing link – what a gorgeous story. Best wishes to you and yours.
Friends, the link is http://vimeo.com/52711779, to watch a trailer for Landfill Harmonic, an upcoming documentary about a musical orchestra in Paraguay, “where young musicians play instruments made from trash.” Inspiring, indeed, and well worth the four minute watch.
Sue and anyone else who’d like to support this project, visit the Creative Visions Foundation at
http://www.creativevisions.org/get-involved/cap/landfill-harmonic
Thank you for sharing those amazing links. Is there another way to say “inspiring”? Happy Solstice to you too, Tele and Cap’n J and Bear! Lynne’s photo filled me with hope and optimism for the coming year … it really did!
p.s. I would love to repost the video and support information and will send you the link when I do.
That’s a great idea, Patricia – wouldn’t your readers enjoy these young people and their music? I’ll look forward to seeing it! And if you’re on the Facebooks, friend requesting Lynn is definitely worthwhile; his morning photos always brighten my day. Happiest thoughts and cheer to you and yours, too, my friend.
The light on the wintry mountains is wonderful. When the winter line was farther west (14440 for you old timers who remember LORAN) you could see the Fairweather range from Cape Edgecumbe on a clear day. It was going to be cold if it is clear in Sitka in the winter, and it might be blowing 50 out of Krestof Sound, but you can fish the corner.
To see the Fairweathers you had to be way out northwest on the tack, as far as you could legally get, in the cod end as Chevalier and Ralph Guthrie called it. The sun is low, of course, so the mountains had that side lit, hollywood/ national geographic/ look all day. Being able to see the mountains made you think about summer and fishing alongside of them, of bites long passed, and maybe success to come.
The nights that were clear frequently had light shows (another national geographic photo). Did you ever notice you can hear the lights as you gaze at them?
You leave the BEST comments, Joel. Whenever you find yourself needing a new project, let me know if you want to fill in for a few posts here!
I remember every night that seen the auroras from the boat – there haven’t been very many. Unfortunately, I was always either too exhausted to stay up and marvel at them as long as I wanted, or still had a big pile of fish to clean and couldn’t take the time.
One of the best memories from my Wasilla years is that my dad would walk me out the long driveway in the mornings to catch the school bus. Of course it was always still dark, and the auroras frequently danced overhead. I remember him pointing them out, and my little person self not understanding what was going on above. One of those life experiences that I wish for a do-over…
Hope you and the kitties have had a good few days. Hugs and best wishes, until we cross paths.
Tele,
Hearing you read a expo was an amazing juxtaposition for my day. Making huge business decisions and sitting down for a moment of listening was jarring. Fishing business and fishing life see like strangers some days.
I was in Dutch Harbor this week listening to drunken local tales. One old coot expounded on, “Every boat is sinking from the day it is launched. When, not if.” It made me grin about the rocks with out names on it. It has been an active week of changes in the world of boats for our family. The new one is purchased, it comes with a very long drive home.
I wish you a winter free of boat events. Beth and I are thankful to hear your words floating out there in the aether.
slr
f/v Magia
Wait – what? New boat! From Dutch?! Good grief – are you making that trip? When? Be careful! Is it you that’s already listed up on Permit Master? Nice cover-deck!
Wow. Big changes, friend. Looks like a handsome rig – and one I guess will move you to a bigger stall, no longer our neighbor.
Thanks to my sweetheart being a remarkably generous writer’s patron, I’ve gotten to steer clear of the boat projects thus far this winter. Joel’s spent most of his time in Port Townsend, cutting giant holes in the boat, preparing to take out the main for a rebuild, and all kinds of other fun stuff. I’m feeling very thankful… and a serious obligation to be writing, since I’m getting a pass on those jobs!
Congrats on the adventures ahead, and best new year’s wishes for you, Beth, and K. (It was a treat to see you guys in the audience at Expo!)