E Gale Buck

The Woodsmen of Saint Nicholas have been ordinary people who answered an extraordinary call, to help people find the True Spirit of Christmas year round. They shared their lives without expectation. Arthur Thorpe was the fifth in this unusual lineage. His story begins in Norway, son of the fourth Woodsman. As a young man he read about problems in America, following the first world war. Believing he could make a difference, he came to the United States of America. This journal chronicles not only his efforts to help a weary land but also his hunger to explore the vast reaches of a remarkable country. During an age when selfless service was sorely needed, yet not easily found, Arthur found adventure, romance, heartache, and opportunity beyond his expectations.

Matthew and Barbara Harper had planned this camping trip for months. They both needed a relaxing vacation, however departure was delayed when Matt was called to an emergency at work. Leaving hours late, they got caught in evening traffic, then suffered a flat tire as the sun set. Determined to make it to their campsite, they got through the gate as the campground host walked up to lock it. The host then told them they had to change sites, something wrong with the electrical on the site they had reserved. Exhausted, they parked, unhooked the camper, and went to bed. Waking the next morning they found the roads and bathhouse were gone. Well-established trees were growing between the camper and truck and in front of the truck. Exploring what appeared to be a familiar woodland, similar to where they had camped before, they soon realized they were in the wrong forest.

Awakened in a rolling boxcar by something tugging at his boot, a man snatches a name from thin air. Stan Winthrop. He finds two clues to his identity hidden in his boot, a business card and a pocket menu for a restaurant in Oliver Springs, Tennessee. The card has two sets of letters and numbers written on the back. The menu has a woman's name written across it. Jumping from the train, he is pursued by gunmen and quickly discovers he has specialized survival skills and a talent for finding things. But will these talents be enough to keep him alive until he can find what he has lost. His search carries him across multiple states and involves organized crime, including human trafficking and murder. A mystery from the creative mind behind Treasured Adversaries and The Thirstday Cognizance Brigade, involving twists and turns, intrigue, and romance.

Watching Jesh's staff return to his hand, its crystal glowing as though an unbridled star, Seunadair dared to hope for an end to his imprisonment. For the first time, he saw a wizard reach across not only two realms but all seven, pulling energy from each to accomplish the retrieval of his stolen treasure. The disembodied wizard held a dream spanning hundreds of years. He had tied realization of this dream to an infant bathed in dragon's blood. Now, it appeared the enchanter's dream, his ultimate freedom, was within Jesh's abilities.

Eleven are chosen from the entire community. Eleven souls willing to enter an unknown world in search of the secret that defines who they are. The youngest is only 12 years old. The oldest, his father, is 35 years. Two are parents. Three are women and eight are men. They have known each other as neighbors. Now they will share an adventure filled with dangers and unknown challenges in a new and unknown world. None knows if they will complete their mission, but all have dreams of reaching its end. They are not everyday folk, they are Turquins and discovery of their secret could change your life.

Jonathon Syzmoor was the first, in 1831. His legacy of working with Saint Nicholas continues to this day, around the world. Men and women have answered the call from Nicholas to do more and expect nothing in return, to share their lives without expectation. Each of these servants has a story. "Reaching beyond tomorrow" contains the stories of the four most recent members of this lineage, serving from 1972 to today and beyond tomorrow. These final chapters of the Lineage of Santa's Woodsmen also includes Natasaha's story (Missus Claus), and Alapouella Pohjant hti ("The North Pole").

In a land where Christmas was essentially a social holiday, a man who had turned his back on his neighbors was awakened to the importance of "sharing your life without expectation." Jonathon Syzmoor began a partnership with the man known as Saint Nicholas, who frequently made requests on behalf of those in need. Because these services were provided anonymously, Jonathon became known through legend as "The Woodsman." When Jonathon grew too old to continue to serve these requests, his grandson accepted the Woodsman's Staff, thereby continuing the work Jonathon started. Andrew's son, Abram, continued the family legacy, however his service was different, often traveling beyond the boundaries of Scandinavia. When Abram died, while in service to Saint Nicholas, the staff passed to a new Woodsman and a new family, Jameson Thorpe in Namsskogan, Norway. Each of these men shared their lives without expectation, but not always without question.

Since beginning his partnership with Jonathan Syzmoor in 1831, Nicholas has sought people who demonstrated a passion for others by sharing their hearts, time, and talents. He needed men and women who would help him share the True Magic of Christmas in Every Day. In 1932 Maxwell Kartar, the sixth Woodsman of Saint Nicholas, served only one day, yet his wife, Edith, continued to serve on her own as the seventh in this proud lineage. Merging Max's passions into her own and later adopting those of Nicholas, she became a formidable force within her community. Jimmy Norfleet, the eighth Woodsman, lost his wife at an early age, yet their passion took root within their daughter. Bethany succeeded her father, becoming Nicholas' ninth partner in service to Christmas. Filled with troubles and successes, love and loss, sunshine and rain, their stories are uncommon. Their passion for each day helped them rise above misfortunes, lifting others as well. You could find your own story within theirs. These are the stories of four of Santa's Woodsmen, quiet service in response to the year-round requests of Saint Nicholas.

Angus Gregor has been translating scrolls from ancient Highlanders for most of his life. Now, as he reaches the end of this journey, he gives the job to his grandson. Alex discovers how Vrenessbith, the Guardian of the Highlands, explored a magical realm few knew existed. This world encompasses memories of the Scottish Highlands back to the beginning of time, revealing secret mysteries many of today's best scientists have failed to understand. Scrolls also reveal a history of early settlers to these great mountains. Their struggles, their victories, their loves and how their interminable spirit kept them alive through a war with a society of powerful women, Comann Bana-Bhuidseach. These "hags" believed the mountains belonged to them and highlanders were unwelcome invaders. Modern struggles for Angus and their village seem to parallel those of ancient time, until auld memories reveal pathways to victory - to both sides.

"Vrenessbith" is a story woven from threads of different worlds. One thread follows ancient history of Scotland where Celtic and Gaelic, men and women, join together to battle an expanding Roman Empire. A new society of Highlanders emerges, interwoven with another strand from a world of Woodland Faeries. Not your childhood fairies, these creatures are powerful defenders from a time when the majestic mountains they protect were born. Highlanders and Faeries defeat the Romans but their celebration is short-lived because a society of mountain women weaves their own story into the tapestry. These hags, also from a time long past, are fast, powerful, devious, and utilize the power of the mountains in a different way - for their own gain. A golden thread emerges as one faerie, Vrenessbith, who was born of a love's dying tear, strives to assist Highlanders using her own special magic. This wee creature possesses a power beyond all others, but must learn how to use and control it. Years of Highland life, loves, and extraordinary endeavors weave together, taking on many different textures until these adventures reach their climax resulting in an image of the best-known legend of the Scottish Highlands, nestled in the depths of Loch Ness.Two other "characters" weave their threads into this intriguing tale of conflict, survival, and relationship with the natural world. One is a grey shroud manifestation of our daily struggle to survive. Each of us carries this weight which is felt but not seen and changes with each new turn. The second is a thread not from yesterday but of today, for this tale is woven by a modern guardian of the Highlands who has his own invaders to deal with, and grandchildren. Both of these threads weave through the story of Vrenessbith binding ancient legend and modern quests into the life of the reader.

How many of you have ever heard a cuckoo clock chine the hour and not counted the cuckoos? It is human nature. When we hear a clock chime the hour, whether dongs from a church steeple, elegant chimes from a grandfather clock, or cuckoos from an old world cuckoo clock, we count. We, whether by instinct or nature, want to stay in sync with time.Students and faculty at a small college discuss aspects of time while at a local pub. The puzzling group, known as the Thirstday Cognizance Brigade, or Thurston College's Best, are led by a Professor of Illogical Theory, a tenured professor known for inspiring students to think "outside the box." The tavern discussion turns into a workshop involving students from across the campus and members of the community. The one topic declared by their Provost as "off limits" is time travel, they they do discover how to manipulate time by altering memories. College life includes problems on the Board of Trustees, dormitory renovations, personal relationships of young couples and established members of the community. The study sets of a series of events that effect the day-to-day life of an entire community, yet only a few realize what is happening and they struggle with putting things right.

Santa Claus is known for bringing Hope, Joy, and Love around the world. But just as fabulous as his gifts is how he travels. He uses a miraculous sleigh pulled by incredible reindeer - FLYING REINDEER These magical creatures are small, powerful, and are born in only one place in the entire world - The North Pole. But where did they come from and how do they FLY? Welcome to The First to Fly, the story of Njord and Odin, and Magni, the man who cared for them.

Visiting churches and festivals, Saint Nicholas enjoyed telling stories. One of his favorite stories, written down by the fourth of his Woodsmen, was about the very first tree of Christmas. A tree which grew in Bethlehem in the years right after the birth of Jesus. Nicholas continues his story describing the significance of the shape of the evergreen, the tree so many of us enjoy decorating for Christmas.

Did you know that a long time ago, Santa's sleigh did not have bells and slipped quietly through the night? The beautiful bells you hear on Christmas morning came about because of a young boy, a cat, and a reindeer who did not yet have a name. The delightful story about how these three came together to create the most wondrous sound in the world - Santa's sleigh coming to your house.

When Gale Buck became the 13th in the Lineage of Santa's Woodsmen, in October 2008, Nicholas agreed that his task should be to help others find the True Magic of Christmas in Everyday. Nicholas made the letters, journals, logs and personal notes of the previous eleven Woodsmen available to Gale. While assembling the "Secrets of Santa revealed by the Woodsmen,", a new story unfolded, the story of Nicholas. Through these stories told by the Woodsmen the man behind the legend of Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, is revealed as never before.

When Gale Buck became the 13th in the Lineage of Santa's Woodsmen, in October 2008, Nicholas agreed that his task should be to help others find the True Magic of Christmas in Everyday. Nicholas made the letters, journals, logs and personal notes of the previous eleven Woodsmen available to Gale. While assembling the "Secrets of Santa revealed by his Woodsmen," a new story unfolded, the story of Nicholas. Through these stories told by the Woodsmen the man behind the legend of Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, is revealed as never before."In Finding Nicholas, readers will journey through space and time as Santa delivers gifts, merriment, and love. Every tale captures the magic of Christmas through spiritual and loving messages and can turn even the coldest souls into believers. All stories honor the traditions of Christmas from the birth of the Christ child to the lineage of Santa's reindeer. Pull a comfy chair near the fireplace, grab a steaming mug of hot chocolate, and enjoy the woodsman's messages, compiled by one of their very own." Leslie Creek