For tomorrow's Midsummer

Hail to Thor, strong-armed wielder of Mjollnir,
whose might is well-known to friend and to foe,
who guards the lands of gods and men alike.
Great Thor, mightiest of all the Aesir;
friend Thor, who we turn to in time of need;
Thor, who joys in feasting and fellowship!
Thor we honor! Thor we praise! Hail to Thor!

Hail to Sif, golden-haired bride of red Thor,
whose beauty and goodness are known to all,
whose touch brings life to our cold northern lands.
Fair Sif, whose tales are yet unknown to us;
gentle Sif, provider of fruitfulness;
Sif, who holds the heart of red-bearded Thor!
Sif we honor! Sif we praise! Hail to Sif!


We decided that this year we would have each of us prepare something in honor of those gods we are particularly fond of. I'm looking forward to seeing what the other folks have come up with!

Hamster tales

I now have the distinction of being the first person Elder Daughter's hamster has bitten. No, I wasn't swinging him by his little tail :). I was holding him, carefully and gently I thought, while she changed the litter in his cage. Two little pin-prick puncture marks in the palm of my hand. Then he tried climbing my shirt, obviously trying to obtain access to my neck--well, we weren't having any of that!

So I was calling him "Dracula" and she asked me if that meant he was a "hampire." Well, that did it, and now I have all sorts of fun annoying the kid with hampire jokes. Her uncle pronounced him one of the "hamsteratu." This could be a long weekend :).