Snowflakes, dancing, and poetry

The first dance of the night - with Sir Adso, ORR.

January 10th - the Third Annual Snowflake Ball - hosted by Loch Avie, Her Grace, Eva Bellambi.

It is with great pleasure that I was once again able to host the Snowflake Ball, which has become a Caledonian winter tradition (this being the third of the lovely events) and certainly has sentimental meaning for me as one of the first formal dances in our collective history and a time and place to be with - and make - very good friends.

The first Duchess Loch Avie, Shenlei Flasheart, started this tradition in January 2007, and I look forward to continuing it - even as I move to my new home in Winterfell Anodyne.

This year, Her Excellency, Kamilah Hauptmann graciously allowed me to host the event on her land in Port Caledon. We entertained guests from Winterfell, Steelhead, Caledon, and other sims. We shared 11 dance sets with formal dance cards and had a wonderful time.

The Setting in Port Caledon

The Snow Fairy by Claude McKay

I

Throughout the afternoon I watched them there,
Snow-fairies falling, falling from the sky,
Whirling fantastic in the misty air,
Contending fierce for space supremacy.
And they flew down a mightier force at night,
As though in heaven there was revolt and riot,
And they, frail things had taken panic flight
Down to the calm earth seeking peace and quiet.
I went to bed and rose at early dawn
To see them huddled together in a heap,
Each merged into the other upon the lawn,
Worn out by the sharp struggle, fast asleep.
The sun shone brightly on them half the day,
By night they stealthily had stol'n away.



II

And suddenly my thoughts then turned to you
Who came to me upon a winter's night,
When snow-sprites round my attic window flew,
Your hair disheveled, eyes aglow with light.
My heart was like the weather when you came,
The wanton winds were blowing loud and long;
But you, with joy and passion all aflame,
You danced and sang a lilting summer song.
I made room for you in my little bed,
Took covers from the closet fresh and warm,
A downful pillow for your scented head,
And lay down with you resting in my arm.
You went with Dawn. You left me ere the day,
The lonely actor of a dreamy play.

Sir Adso and Lady Kate Nicholas in the foreground.

Dancing with Lord Lunar of Steelhead

Snow flakes. by Emily Dickinson

Snow flakes.

I counted till they danced so
Their slippers leaped the town,
And then I took a pencil
To note the rebels down.
And then they grew so jolly
I did resign the prig,
And ten of my once stately toes
Are marshalled for a jig!

Here I am enjoying watching my friends and neighbors dancing and enjoying each others' company

Kamilah and I share a dance toward the end of the evening.