Gift of the Northwind

Northwind's gift to the land has arrived...the package neat, the contents safe:

The very first issues of RFD...
...artifacts from the past...treasures of time.

We eagerly open the box...and see RFD #1: Autumn 1974, price 50 cents...A blast from the past.
This is what we find first:

A Rejection
from The Mother Earth News
June 25, 1974

We here at Mother have agonized, soul-searched and aruged with each other regarding the running of P & S listings for gay people. The outcome of all this was a decision--very much against our personal beliefs--to make it an editorial policy not to run such listings. We consider our message to be the most important aspect of the magazine and--unfortunately--many of our readers are not young, hip, open-minded folks, but are little old ladies in tennis shoes.

Have a happy day,
Nancy Bishop
for THE MOTHER EARTH NEWS

How far we've come...how much things have changed...and how much they've stayed the same...

Thanks for the memories, Northwind.

News from the land

Light snow fell at Amber Fox yesterday. It's early spring in eastern Ontario, and the weather reminds us that Mr. Freeze and Dr. Chill still inhabit the land.

Still, the crocus are up. The crab apple and lilacs are setting their buds. The robins spend the day searching for food in the soft earth of the laneway. There is a flurry of winged activity at the feeders near the Erection...

Soon men will gather here to celebrate the gift of spring. We see it written across the sky: the moon is now half, and when it is full the time will be here.

Today the sun is bright, the freeze of the night becoming a memory...

Live and almost live ...

Live and almost live at aka Amber Fox

Yesterday was another good day. The land was alive most of the day and then not so alive.

I am sure it was a cozy place to land for this lil bat guy, but turned out not to be so good for him. This fella was found as we put kerosene lamps away for the summer.

Oddly enough I did not think of this lil guy until we sat down to dinner at the Erection. I am sure that is egg plant, right? Yuck!

Then we had the chainsaw, a Craftsman, those ole reliable folks at Sears supply this one.

Now I have never had 18 inches before, looks impressive, eh? Now if it only worked. Ok it did, just lost our chain. Once fitted again, it was ready to go.

Now the Poulan needed alot of Pullin to get it on.
I never did get it turned on. Seems I was using the wrong faerie dust.

And it appears this guy was back looking for some ancestors, very carefully broaching the surface, seeing us, hearing the click from the camera, he dove head first deep into the land. I was about to suggest other more suitible living quarters, like the non-faerie land near by.

I suspect a fire in his ancestor's honour will be held by the Eastre(er) bunny during the EASTRE Gathering.

Stay tuned for more "Live and almost live" in the days ahead...

News from the land

Spring Cleaning

Preparations for the Eastre Gatherette ritual fire began at the fire pit yesterday. The sound of the chain saw...the smell of smoke...the dancing flames...

It was a great day!

We cleared lots of underbrush near the tower. It has been many, many years since the land has had a fire, and the duff on the forest floor is thick. Spring cleaning helps keep the fire danger low, but the grass already seems dry.

Ricky manned the chain saw, Chip wielded the rake, and between the two a large area was cleared. The fire burned all day, and then into the night...
And dinner was served cowboy style under the stars. Nothing tastes quite so good as something cooked over an open flame.



Hey, Ricky! That is a tofu hot dog, isn't it?

Chocolate Rules!

YOUR AGE BY CHOCOLATE MATH!

1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to have chocolate (more than once but less than 10)

2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)

3. Add 5

4. Multiply it by 50 -- get the calculator!

5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1756 .... If you haven't, add 1755.

6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.
-------------------------------------
You should have a three digit number

The first digit of this was your original number
(i.e., how many times you want to have chocolate each week).

The next two numbers are

YOUR AGE! (Oh YES, it is!!!!!)

2006 is the only year this will work! But you can eat chocolate every year....and every day....and every hour....

Enjoy your chocolate day!

-- Cockelf

Rhubarb Root Hair Tonic

The picture of the budding rhubarb reminds me of a recipe for

Rhubarb Hair Tonic

Boil 1 cup of chopped rhubarb root in 4 cups of water for about 20 minutes, stirring and mashing the root.

Strain out the fiber, and when the liquid is cool apply it to your hair. Let it dry and wash it out with plain water an hour later.

This will add brilliant blonde highlights. The leftover hair tonic can be kept in the fridge for repeated uses.

The rhubarb plant is a hardy perennial that reaches a height and diameter of 2 to 3 feet.

Etymology: Middle English rubarbe, from Middle French reubarbe, from Medieval Latin reubarbarum, alteration of rha barbarum, literally, barbarian rhubarb.

Etymology from Merriam-Webster OnLine.





Queer, GLBT, Gay, faerie

It's Springtime!

Spring has officially sprung at Amber Fox with yesterday's sighting of the first robin of the season. The day was beautiful, with clear cloudless skies and warm temperatures. Today is cool, overcast, and light drizzle--a great day to be inside--Blogging!

Regular visitors to Bill's Archive of Amber Fox Images will remember this photo from last spring of a robin's nest near the Erection. The nest is still there. Will the robins return? Stay tuned!

Want to know more about robins and their nesting behaviour? Click HERE!

Wal-Mart - Amber Fox sign deal

With some degree of excitment, news comes from the land today. aka Amber Fox has successfully leased out the Erection to Wal-Mart. All signage has been screwed in place and a few Faeries feel more things need to be screwed as a result of the exciting news emanating out of nearby McDonald's Corners and at the same time out of Bentonville, Arkansas.

"I have always believed in Faeries," says Sam Walton, "Especially the tooth fairy which of course Wal-mart has recently entered into agreements for reduced offerings. Parents today know the tooth Fairy at Wal-Mart will deliver 25% less than we did 10 years ago."

"A local faerie, known for a penchant for red wine and aliens,

added, "This is great! I mean, now I can get wings for less." He later asked, "Do Faeries still have wings? Just a thought."

The deal allows for this year's Gatherings to roll out as planned. Wal-Mart will make the south end of the new parking lot next to the Erection avialible on a first cum basis.

Previous outings at aka Amber Fox permitted those Faeries wishing to go au naturale to do so. Wal-Mart has asked that this occur only within the confines of the new Wal-Erection's Faerie aisle, where prices are lower always.

Other Faeries are excited about new employment opportunities. "I just know I could be a great Wal-Mart Greeter!" exclaimed one.