June....The First of Many Birthdays!

June is a big month for Birthdays in our family.  It starts with my Daughter In Law's sister, Shandra on June 2.  This is followed by my Daughter In Law, Kerry's on the 10th and then mine on June 13th.  Then comes Granddaughter Sydney's on June 17 and son, Scott's on June 25.

We celebrated the first three last Friday night with a family dinner at Round The Bend Steak House.  Round The Bend Steak House is a casual steak house owned by my Daughter In Law's Aunt Vickie and Uncle Ron.  It is a fun environment and the food is terrific.  The steak and shrimp combo is a favorite with all of us! 

Owners: Vickie and Ron



Round The Bend is famous in our area for their Annual Testicle Festival.  It will be held June 17, 18, 2011.  They always have a huge crowd, live music, contests, and of course beef fries as well as other delectable menu items.  If you are in the area and looking for a unique experience....Go to the Testicle Festival.  And then you will be able to say "I had a ball at Around The Bend"!

After our dinner, there was a flurry of gift and card opening.  I received a wonderful Ulinawi (turtle in Cherokee) scupted from ironwood.  I haven't photographed it as yet.  I will save that for another blog feature at a later date.

But I do want to share the funniest card to date with you.  Here is the front:

I bet you do...................So take a look!

Yes, that is "Dog House" Warren as he is known on our Native American Forum Group.  Our Daughter In Law, Kerry, is a Senior Graphic Designer for Mutual of Omaha...and did a little graphic design on this card.  It received belly laughs from all of us...except maybe Warren....he just smiled.

The Olson's not only provided the venue for our wonderful evening, they also provided us with an array of delicious cup cakes.  There were so many and we were so stuffed after our steak and shrimp that we had to get carry out boxes, divide them, and put on hold for another day.  Thank you Vicki.

Sherry, Kerry's mother picked up the tab for evening.  Thank you Sherry....you shouldn't have done that, but it was appreciated.

So now we have 3 June birthdays down and 2 more to go!  June is a marathon of birthday fun for us even without half naked men and 6 pack abs!  Good food, great people and a few chuckles...what is better than that?



Wow! It's All Mine

This is a first for me!  I never had an entire Collection devoted to only my work!   Last week, I was honored to be the Seller of the Week by the AJDJS (Artfire Jewelry Design & Jewelry Supply) Guild on Artfire.  The Guild Master,  Bead Lady 5 Design did a wonderful blog on the AJDJSS site about me and my work.  You can read the blog in its entirety here:
http://ajdjss.blogspot.com/2011/04/featured-jstinson.html

Gems By Jerri made this wonderful Collection of my work.  I just had to share it here!  Sorry for the SSP (Shameless Self Promotion)!

Ghi-Goo-ie Design...

Curated By: gemsbyjerri

ArtFire.com

Gems By Jerri's store features wonderful and very affordable hand made jewelry. Here is just one example:

To purchase these, or to see more of her work, please go to:

http://www.gemsbyjerri.artfire.com/

Bead Lady 5 Design also has a wonderful store on Artfire and devotes much of her time to her Guild Master role. 

Here is an example her work.

She also has a store for vintage jewelry findings and beads.  Here is an example that I love. 

To purchase this piece or to see more of her items, please go to:

http://www.vintagebeadlady5.artfire.com/

Beadlady 5 and Gems By Jerri, I was both surprised and honored by your tributes.  Thank you so very much for this kindness and for all you do for our Guild!

I AM

I AM lucky!  Once in a while as one travels through life, you are afforded a priviledge that makes you know you are truly blessed.  That is how I feel about the good fortune of my path crossing that of my dear friend Van Bevil.  On Etsy and Artfire, Van is known as Kicking Bear and/or his nemesis, Coastal Artist. 

He is a renaissance man.  A man for all seasons. 

He is one of a dying breed that speaks fluent Tsalagi (Cherokee) as well as many other languages.

He is an accomplished wild life artist.  I am posting one of my favorites from his work here.  It is entitled, "Going Home".  More of his fine art wild life pieces can be viewed at www.coastalartist.etsy.com

He is a Cherokee Elder who is vastly respected.  He grows many of our sacred plants in the "old way" and creates many forms of Native American arts and crafts.  I have selected one of his Ulinawi Tsola Pouches (Turtle Tobacco) to share with you.

His Native Art can also be viewed in his Etsy store.  www.etsy.kickingbear.com

Van is in the process of writing a book.  He sent this passage to me yesterday and I asked for permission to share these beautiful words with you.  He graciously gave me permission to do so.

I AM

by Kicking Bear

I am the stillness of the receding night, I am the touch of the morning dew on the green corn. I am the sound of the Katydid singing to the rising sun, I am the buzz of the Honey Bee dancing across the face of the Sun Flower. I am the warmth of the early morning rays of Grandfather Sun warming the People’s lodges.

I am the breeze that makes the leaves of the Standing People sing, I am the breath of the grass as it dances to and fro. I am the heart beat of Mother Earth as she gives the rythum to life. I am the quiet murmer of the People as they awake. I am the soft voices of the women at work. I am the laughter of children at play.

I am the snap of a bowstring as young men hone their skills, I am the silence of the Elders as they meditate, speaking with the Ancestors. I am the smoke from the Sacred Fire carrying prayers up to the Creator. I am the soft song sung by a Grandmother as she weaves a reed basket.

I am the rythmic sound of women grinding corn, I am the gentle rocking of a Grandmother as she comforts a child. I am the Anisahoni clan making medicines to keep the children well. I am the swishing sound of the Anigilohi clan as they strut through the camp with their long hair flowing.

I am the Anitsiskwa clan repairing their bird snares and practicing with their blowguns. I am the Eagle catcher as he prepares to hunt the mighty Eagle. I am the Aniwodi clan as they sit making medicine for the People. I am the Anikawi clan as they stalk through the woods hunting the deer.

I am the Anigatogewi clan as the walk the swamps and streams seeking wild potatoes and roots for the People. I am the Aniwayah clan as they prepare to track the Wolf. I am the War Chiefs and the Peace Chiefs that defend and keep order in the village. I am the crackling of the fire as meals are prepared.

I am the flash of lightening followed by the distant voice of Thunder. I am the freshness of a shower and the smell of fresh moist dirt. I am the Sunset as Grandfather Sun begins to give up his light and warmth.. I am the “In Between Time” that sacred time between light and dark when the Ancestors return to sing and dance.

I am the brightness of Grandmother moon as she shares her healing energy as she searches the Great Sky Vault for her lost love. I am the voice of the story teller as he tells of the joys and sadnesses of the People. I am the stories told around the campfire, a living history of the Peoples. I am that which never dies ….. I am the spirit of the People.

© 2011 from the unpublished works of KickingBear

 

Kicking Bear is the Spirit of His People.

 

I AM..... lucky that our paths on the Red Road crossed.  I admire his many talents, laugh at his humerous jokes, reflect on his words of wisdom, and share his love of fry bread.  He is a true Native Renaissance Man.

 

I AM...... pleased to call him my brother!

 

Kicking Bear....Witsatologi nihi,aisv gvdodi utiyvhi ale nvwatohiyadv

(Many prayers and blessings to you,Walk with balance and harmony)

Saquu

Nuclear Power: Past, Present, Future

The headlines regarding the radiation leaks at the Japanese nuclear power plant have brought back memories as well as reminders of the tragedy that can occur if nuclear power isn’t properly controlled.


Here is the front page from the Riverhead paper on June 3, 1979.  The protest was against the Long Island, NY Shoreham nuclear power station. 

My sister, brother-in-law and neice were among the protestors and here are the photos to prove it.

Sister and Niece

Brother in Law and Niece

Niece's First Protest

If my sister were alive today, she would probably still be protesting. My brother in law and I discussed the event this morning and he agrees that he would do it again. My niece, the baby in those photographs, is a happily married lady living in Connecticut now. I have no idea what her position is on nuclear power and then her interest seeming was mainly on her bottle!

It is obvious that great care should be given to where nuclear power plants should be located. Placing them near high-density population locals is in my opinion pure stupidity. But then, where do they belong? In your back yard?

My Son, "Sam" (One Day Each Year)

Sam, One Day A Year; Patrick 364 Days A Year

Many of you may have read this post on St. Patrick's day last year.  But I am moving it forward to today's date for those who have not seen it.  Today is an extra special day at our house!

As many of you know, I have a son named Patrick. He is four years younger than his older brother, Scott. When Patrick was four, I was the Cub Scout Den Mother for Scott's Den.

The Cubs met weekly at my house. We engaged in the usual scouting arts,crafts, lessons and snacks. In late February, 1972, we began working on things for Saint Patrick's Day. During our meetings, Patrick would lurk in the background, unwilling to directly participate.

Whether he was too shy at the time or felt intimidated by this group of older and bigger boys I never knew. When the boys left for the day, one could frequently find Patrick, all alone, in the family room. He would be going through the motions of doing whatever we had just done at the meeting.

Well, on about March 1, 1972 after Scott had gone to school and my husband, Warren, had gone to work, Patrick said, "I need to talk to you in my office!".

Now you see, Patrick's office was in fact the kid's bathroom. He had learned that if he had an important, private issue that we could go there and close the door. Only here we would not be interrupted by others, including the many pets in the household.

We went to his "office" and shut the door. At this point, Patrick declared that he had changed his name. I said, "Oh, and just what did you change it to?". He informed me that his new name was Sam! He further elaborated that when his Dad and Scott returned home for the day, he wanted me to tell them that he was now "Sam". I agreed. We left Patrick's office and went about our day.

At the dinner table that night, I made the big announcement. I informed all present that from now on Patrick was to be called "Sam." Warren looked at me strangely from across the table. I smiled back. At that point, Warren said, "Sam, will you please pass the potatoes."

For the next week, we tried to figure out what was going on with this name change. We explored the possibility of a new fascination with characters such as Yosemite Sam, Sam I Am, Uncle Sam, etc. Nothing seemed to fit with Patrick's name change. Occasionally, we would slip up and call him Patrick....a big mistake as he would promptly corrected us.

On about March 10th, "Sam" informed me that he needed to talk to me again in his office. We took our usual positions, Patrick sitting on the toilet and me on the side of the tub. This time he asked, "When is that dumb holiday?" I was at a loss. I inquired as to which holiday he was talking about. He responded, "You know, that dumb holiday that grown ups celebrate!" At that point, it dawned on me that he was meaning Saint Patrick's Day.

I said, "Sam, are you talking about Saint Patrick's Day?" His response was, "Yes. I don't think it is fair!" I asked what could be unfair about Saint Patrick's Day.

Now, you have to understand that we are not Catholic. So the word "Saint" was not commonly used in our household. Patrick's answer to my question was that it wasn't fair because they don't have a Spank Scott's Day so why did we have a Spank Patrick's Day?

And then I knew, bless his heart, for two weeks he had been agonizing over the thought of being spanked because someone had come up with a "dumb holiday". He heard "Saint" as "Spank". Since he couldn't change the holiday, he figured out an alternate solution, he changed his name!

I felt very badly that he had been living in fear and wasn't sure that his plan would work. I took him in my arms and explained that he had misunderstood and assured him that he would not be spanked on March 17th!

That March 17th and every one since has been declared "Spank Patrick's Day" at our house. Patrick is the Man of The Hour. We call him Sam all day. He, of course, receives gentle "spanks" on the behind, funny gifts, and his favorite foods. Patrick has had a special day 37 times now to make up for 10 days of terror when he was 4! This year will be no different.

While the rest of the world celebrates Saint Patrick's Day, We will pay tribute to "Sam" and once again, are reminded that great pain can come from simple misunderstandings. And how quickly it could be erased by communicating it timely!

"Sam" learned to bead brick stitched earrings this year.  Is it surprising that his first pair were Shamrocks?  I added him to my Etsy "Collective" and listed his earrings in my store.  They sold within the first two hours.  Since he made two pairs, I re-listed them.  They were featured in a Treasury within the day.  Way to go "Sam!"

Faith and Begorrah! Have a Happy Spank Patrick's Day!

The Apache 8

Apache 8, a heart-felt documentary about the first all-women firefighting crew, comes to public television in March 2011.

Native American Public Telecommunications, Inc.(NAPT) proudly announces the release of a new documentary that shares stories from the Apache 8 all-women wildland firefighter crew. The Apache 8 firefighter crew was not only the first of its kind, but it is also the longest lasting all-women firefighting crew in the United States.

Produced by Apache 8, LLC and NAPT, Apache 8 tells the story of the all-women wildland firefighter crew that fought fires in Arizona, and throughout the United States, for over thirty years. The film delves into the heroic lives of these firefighters from the White Mountain Apache Tribe and considers the challenges of being a firefighter on the Reservation.

Four extraordinary women from different generations of the Apache 8 crew share their personal narratives with humor and tenderness. They speak of hardship and loss, family and community, and pride in being a firefighter from Fort Apache.

Marjorie Grimes, crew leader of the predecessor Apache 6, recalled the crew's early days, "The public was not open to women firefighters. We had to fight for the right to fight fires."

Katy Aday also experienced the struggle for acceptance immediately upon signing up. As the then director of forestry told her, "Once you get all that [firefighting] equipment on you, that equipment is going to weigh more than you. You're too small, you're too thin, you can't do it. You won't be able to handle the job." Aday recalls that on that day when he said that to her, she was more determined than ever to go work for Apache 8.

Combining archival footage and present-day interviews, the film focuses primarily on four women--Cheryl Bones, Ericka Hinton, Katy Aday and Nina Quintero--who represent the different generations of Apache 8 crewmembers. Alongside the personal narratives of these women is an exploration of life in the contemporary Apache Nation. The cinematography of the film integrates a poetic stylization of firefighters at work and at Apache rituals like the Sunrise Dance--the initiation ritual for girls at puberty. Apache 8 showcases a music score from composer Wendy Blackstone and many contributing Native American artists such as Tony Duncan (Apache/Arikara/Hidatsa/Mandan), Joe Tohonnie, Jr. (Navajo/White Mountain Apache) and Phillip and Patsy Cassadore (Apache). Set against the backdrop of the White River, the documentary also recounts Apache history and culture in both English and Apache.

The women of Apache 8 have all excelled and been honored with national recognition for community and military service, including Cheryl Bones, the Apache 8 crew boss who was selected as the only woman model for the Wildland Firefighters Monument in Boise, Idaho, which pays homage to all firefighters with bronze statues. Despite the difficulties of life on the Apache Reservation, these women persevere as heroes and pillars of strength for their entire community. Katy Aday summed it up best, "You never knew what you were going to face. You were with a bunch of women that could handle anything."

To inquire about station carriage in your area, please visit www.pbs.org/stationfinder.

Max, Save Me A Good Place!

I had one remaining sibling, Max, until 1/11/11.  On that date, he left us to join my sister, Marilyn. 

Max had been in poor health for a long time.  He had to retire early from two very different careers due to his health status.  In November, 2010, his health began to deteriorate further.  And then, the dreaded phone call came that he had left this earth at 4:00 p.m.

Max was an unusual child!  We had a handsome Creek Indian father and an Irish mother with beautiful red hair and flashing green eyes.  I had dark hair, dark eyes and dark skin.  Marilyn had dark hair, dark eyes, and was fair.  Max on the other had ended up with the most gorgeous copper colored hair, big brown eyes and medium skin.  We were quite a mixed trio!  Max always stood out in a crowd!  He was such a sweet child who grew into an endearing man and was loved by all who met him.

After retirement, Max moved to Muskogee and was a loyal son.  He brought our mother lunch everyday, ran her errands and took her where she needed to go.  His generosity with his time and energy has enabled our mother to remain in her home.  

It is unfair that Mother has had to endure the death of two of her three children.  But I guess it is not for us to say when our time on earth has ended.  We are comforted by the words of Chief Seattle.  He said, "There is no death, only a change of place."

I know that Marilyn was there to meet him when he arrived at his new place and I am comforted by that.  I hope that they will save a good place for Mother and me when our time comes to join them.

Walker, Max Edward

February 1, 1947-January 11, 2011

Max Edward Walker of Muskogee, OK has passed away after an extended illness. Max was born in Holdenville, OK. He grew up in Checotah, OK and Colorado Springs, CO. He began his career as a draftsman at OG &E in Oklahoma City and later at Valdor in Fort Smith, AK. He changed careers to become a Law Enforcement Officer. He retired from law enforcement several years ago in Booneville, Arkansas. He is preceded in death by his father, Johnie H. Walker of Tahlequah, OK, his grandmother, Myrtle White of Checotah, OK, and his sister, Marilyn Ceraulo of Copaigue, NY and step daughter, Ashley Walker.

He is survived by his mother, Kathryn J. Lancaster of Muskogee, OK, his sister, Joni Kay Stinson and husband, Warren of Omaha, NE, brother in law, Paul Ceraulo of Copaigue,NY. sons Mark Walker and wife Grace of Oklahoma City, OK, Max Keith Walker of Yukon, OK, Michael David Walker of Yukon, OK, daughter, Jennifer J. Gibson of Luther, OK, step daughter Gaybrella Walker of Muskogee, OK. He is also survived by a neice, Amanda Zecchin of Stamford, CT., nephews Scott and Patrick Stinson of Omaha, NE and nine grandchildren.

A celebration of Max’s life will take place at a memorial ceremony on a bright sunny Oklahoma day this summer. Messages of condolences can be emailed to jstinson22@aol.com or mailed to Kathryn Lancaster, 124 S. 38th St, Muskogee, Ok 74401. The family requests that memorials be made to the Muscogee Creek Nation’s Education Fund.

Rest well little brother and save a good place for me!