Northern Lights

 I just walked in after having spent the last hour out with a herd of children. I had been Skyping my family from my office, and as I opened the door to head outside several kids spooked and screamed. They were pointing to the north, and of course, the Northern Lights were out dancing their magic. Several loud whistles were daring them to come down to visit.

 Since I can't photograph them, I put in a few gorgeous cloud/sunset/water pictures that can just fill up my camera.

I ran home to dress warmer (now in the 20's) and came back to about 20 children ages five to 15. Several came with me to run closer to the water away from the overhead lights. Greens and yellows were floating across in bands with spires shooting up occasionally.

 Some of the kids came yelling that a lot of the little ones were crying up on the porch crowded into the corners, terrified. Stories tell of moving lights shooting down and grabbing up those that are unprepared, out in the open. Some of us "biggers" went to the little ones and picked them up to hold them tight.

I told of magical stories of the lights, blending with science, of solar flares and mirror images in the south. When we got everyone calmed down we went out from the protection of the porch, hands held, to watch the glow.

Since curfew was about 20 minutes away we all decided to walk the village boardwalk to drop everyone off safely. We all oohed and ahhed over lights, shooting stars, the Big Dipper, and satellites. By the time we rounded the last corner we were down to three. They headed off together and I came inside, face frozen earlobes about ready to drop off.....