A short distance into the woods from the main byway,
a hand-hewn log lodge stands nestled in the trees,
barely visible to passers-by.
Nearby a rushing waterfall fills the area
with a wonderful, healing energy.



A fortress against a hectic world,
the sprawling, hidden lodge welcomes
the lonely and the tired,
afterward sending most on their way,
refreshed and fortified.
Sometimes deserted,
the lodge is the perfect place to retreat
from the world and be alone.
Other times it’s bustling with friends
sharing stories and laughter over a mug of hot cocoa.
Always, it’s exactly whatever a visitor needs to regain balance.
It’s presided over by an older caretaker couple,
Seth and Gwen,
who do it just because they love the company.


Seth and Gwen on their Wedding Day

Seth's fiercely proud of the lodge’s jewel –
the tall stone hearth that he built
to dominate the Great Room,
where everyone gathers.



And Gwen is everyone’s ideal mother,
whose main pleasure it is to dispense
stews and soups, breads and cookies
from the kitchen’s big brick oven and wood stove.
… comfort food at its best.
And magical – all sweets have no calories!! *lol*



Come on in and rest.
Stay an hour or a few days.
Meet friends here and chit chat –
Or stroll to the waterfall and visit with the wood folk.
Seth and Gwen’s only request?
Before entering their enchanted haven,
a visitor should share
one positive from his/her life today.
That’s what that book on the entry hall table is for,
to write that day’s positive thought in.
(But even when you can’t,
Seth and Gwen graciously understand
and invite you inside just the same,
knowing that when you leave,
you’ll be better for the visit -
although do be warned:
they’ve been known
to happily ask for two positives
the next time you visit. *lol*)

NHT
host
=]