Dawn

In Greek mythology Dawn or Eos (Ηως in Greek) is a Goddess that rises each morning from her home the Ocean (Οκεανος).  In the Homeric Hymn to Helios, we are told that Hyperion married  Eryphaesa, and begot tireless Helios (the Sun), rosy Eos (the Dawn) and fair tressed Selene (the Moon).  Dawn appears as many as twenty times in The Odyssey, and the poem repeats similar descriptions of her such as “But when early-born rosy-fingered Dawn appeared…”  Book Eight first lines read When young Dawn with her red-rose fingers shone once more, the royal Alcinous, hallowed island king, rose from bed and great Odysseus, raider of cities, rose too. A There are many similar expressions in Homeric verse, which suggest that different things will happen every day, but Dawn always appears early and always with her rosy fingers.

The Greek Goddess Eos in her Chariot ready for another day of travel.  Edifice found in Herculaneum

Sunrise in our little paradise on earth Porto Rafti: the Homeric expression “when newborn Dawn appeared with rosy fingers…” describes our feelings when we see Eos. At dawn the hue of the sea becomes pink.  The waves become placid and their phosphoresce reflects shades of a red carnation. Όλος ο γιαλός ροδίζει γύρω. Τα κύματα φρικιούν ήρεμα, και το φωσφόρισμά των ανταυγάζει αποχρώσεις ερυθρού γαροφάλλου..." Παπαδιαμαντης

Sunrise in Ukraine; the Homeric expression “when the early Dawn was born; her fingers bloomed” is most appropriate.

The golden throne of Dawn was riding up the sky… and brought a beautiful day… in frozen Lake Baikal.

Aurora, ceiling fresco by Guido Reni (1613) Picture from Encyclopedia Brittanica

The Hermit

Arch made of stones and a bell lead to the site where Louis Boucher came to the Canyon around 1889 to mine copper along the creek that bears his name. Boucher carved a trail into the canyon, and for years lived alone at nearby Dripping Springs and acquired the nickname, The Hermit.

Louis Boucher on his mule Calamity Jane.

Within short order, he built a trail from the rim to his dwelling.     

He erected some tents and a small corral for horses, mules, and sheep; planted a garden and an orchard.  Boucher never made a lot of money mining, but the reclusive eccentric tended to his claims in the Canyon for many years, and was a gracious host when tourists stopped by his canyon homes. 

Another hermit (me) on a trail guiding chosen guests (my brother and sister) with his favorite donkey, Aphrodite.....

....to our family’s ancestral home in the village of Zeria (upper).  Guests are always welcome as long as they can trek the mountain paths of northern Peloponnese where Zeria is located.