October 27, 2009
A report from Constance – Chemical Woman
(today’s illustrations are courtesy of Ursula Holly Nugent, daughter of Janna and granddaughter of Constance)
Armed as usual, the morning walk around the edges of Sanctorium begins before the sun arises, so as Alf, Wonderbeast and I go forth, we are just able to make out the denizens of our kingdom in shadowy forms. As we move toward the eastward side, there is a line of light on the horizon, and Sister Horned Owl suddenly appears in silhouette against that small illumination, flying in utter silence and carrying a rodent in her beak. “A vole” says Alf before I can ask. A Skyjay Patrol sees Sister Owl as soon as she is above the forest trees, and we hear it begin to call for troops, but before any gather, Owl has disappeared again, and silence returns.
We ask Tacama how things are in the west sector. He tells us that all is quiet around him and that the farewell parties are commencing in the Underground Kingdom. “Those that are coming back after winter are mostly tucked in” he informs us, “and those that are finished with their lives are returned to the soil.” “Don’t you ever wish you could move around and see other places?” I ask. I continue, “I have felt very sad about not having any armor – there are so many wonders in the world which would be so fine to see and smell and experience, but it is too dangerous to go to them”. “Ah, well,” Tacama says, “the winds tell me all the news, and since they come and go everywhere, I hear about everything that goes on”. Willow comments, “The winds sing to me. . . they like my branches”, and she tosses hers around a bit to demonstrate. We move on as we know the debate will now commence and we have much left to do. Sanctorium remains quiet until we get back to the bridge just south of Headquarters. Hundreds and hundreds of black birds come across the sky from the west, chattering and clattering. “When are you leaving?” I call, and several respond, “Soon, soon! When the north wind becomes stronger, we will be on our way”.
We return and Charles, Warrior of the Music Kingdom tells me that the Temple of Healing has already called – when I return the call, the Angel of Mercy whispers, “It’s come. A shipment of the H1N1 inoculations arrived overnight. Hurry.” Alf and I depart immediately and I receive the Virus Shield. Now I do feel somewhat less vulnerable to the hordes of the evil H1N1 that are encompassing the land.
Constance – Chemical Woman, reporting on life, living on the Edge.