Dear friends,

Today we remember the news about the ice-free Arctic.

Here a webpage with more information:

https://universemagazine.com/en/arctic-to-lose-ice-cover-in-2027/#:~:text=Arctic%20sea%20ice%20is%20melting,is%2C%20between%202027%20and%202030.

Additionally, we share a poem by Thomas Hardy, about Christmas and fantasy.

The Oxen

Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock.
“Now they are all on their knees,”
An elder said as we sat in a flock
By the embers in hearthside ease.

We pictured the meek mild creatures where
They dwelt in their strawy pen,
Nor did it occur to one of us there
To doubt they were kneeling then.

So fair a fancy few would weave
In these years! Yet, I feel,
If someone said on Christmas Eve,
“Come; see the oxen kneel,

“In the lonely barton by yonder coomb
Our childhood used to know,”
I should go with him in the gloom,
Hoping it might be so.

Source: Poetry Foundation. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/53215/the-oxen-56d232503c32d

Enjoy.

Dear Authors,

Here more information about the 500 Years of Luís de Camões.

https://www.cps.pt/en/noticias/2024/08/03/500-anos-de-luis-de-camoes/

https://portuguese-american-journal.com/today-in-history-luis-de-camoes-was-born-500-years-ago-portugal/

https://www.uc.pt/en/uc-news/articles/official-launch-of-the-celebrations-for-the-500th-anniversary-of-the-birth-of-luis-de-camoes/

Enjoy.

The world continues to revolve, on itself and somewhere in the universe. However, together with the summer heat, floods, fires and some tragedies resulting from these events, remind us of the importance of preserving this house we call Planet Earth.

Today here is an image of the poetry of nature. A piece of beauty that we don't know how to explain. A heart that flies, between us and our voice.

Enjoy.

Enjoy.