Stories told to me by Alaskans.
I was driving down the highway, 45 miles an hour, the speed limit, on International Airport Road in Anchorage. I saw a moose running from the woods and there was no way I was going to get stopped. The vectors were going to intersect. I braced for the crash, the moose stopped right at the edge of the road, looked both ways and waited for me to pass. Only then did that moose cross the road. Urban moose we call that kind.
I was getting ready to stop at a yellow light in Anchorage with a buddy from the village. A moose came up to the edge of the sidewalk, stopped, waited for the crosswalk light to turn to walk, and then crossed the street staying between the lines to the other side. Another urban moose.
I saw a picture of a moose laying down in a little kiddie swimming pool on a hot summer day.
I saw a picture of a moose looking puzzled at a Christmas lighted reindeer.
Buzzwinkle was the name of the moose that got into the fermented crab apples at the bar, staggered into some Christmas lights that strung across his antlers and walked around town both lit and lit up. Really, there's pictures of Buzzwinkle; I'll show them to you.
I was on an excursion and training class out on the University of Alaska Anchorage campus. All day we had this moose hanging around and we didn't crowd her. She had gone into a corner on the campus square, some guy walked in and she must have felt crowded because she ran over and stomped him right to death. Someone else chimed in, I remember that guy. Terrible tradegy. A moose has about six circuits: eat, sleep, go to the bathroom, stomp, run and rut. It's all over it the moose lights the stomp circuit. All over.
A moose can kick straight out with his front legs, straight out and nail you with her 1200 pound self. Yup, I'm much more afraid of moose than I am bear. At least the bear is a scenient being that you can reason with. Not the moose, brain the size of a walnut. Real small for that size of body, don't you think?
I like the moose stories. Urban moose. That caused me to snort laugh.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Mountain Snow
When I woke and looked out this morning, the mountain tops were bare. Now, I'm sitting close enough to watch out my office window the snow falling on the mountain top. It is spectacular. My office is situated about 100 yards from the bay and on the other side of the bay the mountains rise up from the water's edge. I can see the individual trees to about half way up the mountain.
My office mates exclaimed that we should all look out the window. And they sit and stare in reverie and awe as though they have never seen this before. The moods of Mother Earth, the season changes, the natural movement of the air, winds, rain, snow and all creatures around us, create the essence here.
One Native was explaining this morning that she was so glad she had hugged a friend recently even though he said he was dirty, probably from smoking fish or something. She had told him that dirt washes off and grabbed that hug. The next day he crossed over and she's so thankful she had that hug. The culture struggle, she explained, lies between the youth who have left the village to live in the city and the folks who live the village life. She said she's afraid they would have missed that hug because it would get their dress clothes dirty. She said her smell, her scent, any dirt on her, her clothes do not define who she is and we need to hug and hug and hug.
I just know I'm having a peaceful moment in my office watching the snow fall on the mountains, over the top of the monitor as I write to you. I wish all of you all the hugs and love you can possibly gobble up today.
My office mates exclaimed that we should all look out the window. And they sit and stare in reverie and awe as though they have never seen this before. The moods of Mother Earth, the season changes, the natural movement of the air, winds, rain, snow and all creatures around us, create the essence here.
One Native was explaining this morning that she was so glad she had hugged a friend recently even though he said he was dirty, probably from smoking fish or something. She had told him that dirt washes off and grabbed that hug. The next day he crossed over and she's so thankful she had that hug. The culture struggle, she explained, lies between the youth who have left the village to live in the city and the folks who live the village life. She said she's afraid they would have missed that hug because it would get their dress clothes dirty. She said her smell, her scent, any dirt on her, her clothes do not define who she is and we need to hug and hug and hug.
I just know I'm having a peaceful moment in my office watching the snow fall on the mountains, over the top of the monitor as I write to you. I wish all of you all the hugs and love you can possibly gobble up today.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Terms
Alaska Speak
(How to talk the talk in the 49th state)DUGDOPE — mosquito repellent
THE BUSH — any place not connected to the rest of Alaska by road or state ferry
CACHE — a place to store food where bears, shrews and everything in between can’t get at it. Usually a small log cabin raised 10 feet off the ground on four log poles.
CHEECHAKO — a newcomer to Alaska, usually one who hasn’t survived a winter here
ESKIMO ICE CREAM — whipped berries, seal oil, sugar and snow
MOSE GOOSER — the Alaskan term for the "cow-catcher" on a train
MOSQUITO — in Alaska, it’s a bird of prey
SOURDOUGH — an Alaskan old-timer; the term applies to the yeasty mixture that gold miners used to carry to make bread and pancakes
TERMINATION DUST — the first snow after summer, which signals winter is on its way, and the tourists will be leaving
Winds
I have lived near major Great Lakes most of my life and am familiar with wind. Last night, I heard those kinds of winds as the power went off and came back on after gusts large enough to wake me. My day started at 4:30 am when I could no longer return to sleep after the beeping equipment in the medical clinic, where I'm sleeping, could no longer contain itself.
That wind shook and rattled everything outside. It was like a huge blowing away of energy, by energy. A cleansing of sorts. My one running thought in the night was this: thank God I'm not flying in that right now. I bet the pilots hearing that wind thought the same thing.
When I spoke to folks about my flight in each one of them said that this village is the very worst in and out due to winds and weather effects. Nice, when I interviewed I was flown in and out of the other village to see if I could handle the flight and landing on that short runway. No problem. I flew into this village on a clear day during my interview week. Hmmm. I have way more respect for this village's flying challenges.
Today, is another day full of challenges, all nestled in this beauty, provided by our Higher Power, of the water and mountains surrounding us.
That wind shook and rattled everything outside. It was like a huge blowing away of energy, by energy. A cleansing of sorts. My one running thought in the night was this: thank God I'm not flying in that right now. I bet the pilots hearing that wind thought the same thing.
When I spoke to folks about my flight in each one of them said that this village is the very worst in and out due to winds and weather effects. Nice, when I interviewed I was flown in and out of the other village to see if I could handle the flight and landing on that short runway. No problem. I flew into this village on a clear day during my interview week. Hmmm. I have way more respect for this village's flying challenges.
Today, is another day full of challenges, all nestled in this beauty, provided by our Higher Power, of the water and mountains surrounding us.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
There are Days
There are days that go so well they are like having all the fruit low on the tree for picking. And then there are days when one is a witness to tragedy so profound that all the fruit is out of reach. In the midst of that kind of pain, one thing becomes clear, people can feel both deep compassion and no feelings at all, moment by moment.
I reminded people often today to remember to take care of themselves. I took the rest of the evening off myself, went to the house of a colleague in the village, ate soup and fry bread and watched Miami sadly unable to pull out the game against the Jets. I was starting to get too tired to help after hours of crisis work and I listened to my body, jumped on the back of a four runner, headed for the soup and the football. I feel much better for taking care of myself in that way.
I watched huge eagles outside the office window today. They circled and circled. I experienced my roughest plane ride yet on the way in this morning. I was tossed about in that plane and finally landed with the pilot exclaiming, "There were turbulence up there." He went on to say, "Not as bad as Friday though when a seat I had not secured hit me in the back of the head, I hit my head on the plane and I fought really hard to keep the plane in the air." I'm so sorry I missed that flight. I love that Bonnie stomach medication.
Tomorrow is another day and folks are trying to make sense of things. We are surrounded by beauty and tradegy, hope and despair, lightness and darkness. I learned about termination dusting. Last night I stopped my car to stare at the beautiful mountains; the snow was really obvious on them. I sat there transfixed by the beauty of that snow, known to the locals as termination dusting. It signals that summer is over, snow is coming and studded tires are in order.
I send out my love to you and suggest that you turn to someone you love and tell them so. I'm doing that to each of you right now.
I reminded people often today to remember to take care of themselves. I took the rest of the evening off myself, went to the house of a colleague in the village, ate soup and fry bread and watched Miami sadly unable to pull out the game against the Jets. I was starting to get too tired to help after hours of crisis work and I listened to my body, jumped on the back of a four runner, headed for the soup and the football. I feel much better for taking care of myself in that way.
I watched huge eagles outside the office window today. They circled and circled. I experienced my roughest plane ride yet on the way in this morning. I was tossed about in that plane and finally landed with the pilot exclaiming, "There were turbulence up there." He went on to say, "Not as bad as Friday though when a seat I had not secured hit me in the back of the head, I hit my head on the plane and I fought really hard to keep the plane in the air." I'm so sorry I missed that flight. I love that Bonnie stomach medication.
Tomorrow is another day and folks are trying to make sense of things. We are surrounded by beauty and tradegy, hope and despair, lightness and darkness. I learned about termination dusting. Last night I stopped my car to stare at the beautiful mountains; the snow was really obvious on them. I sat there transfixed by the beauty of that snow, known to the locals as termination dusting. It signals that summer is over, snow is coming and studded tires are in order.
I send out my love to you and suggest that you turn to someone you love and tell them so. I'm doing that to each of you right now.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Things worth a mention
This blog is a place to keep you up on Alaskan adventures and teachings. However, it is not a place where I am sharing the deeply spiritual transformation, the struggles and richer journey I am on. That will be done in chapters, on my computer, in conversations with trusted confidantes and perhaps someday in the chapters of a book. Today, however, I know that some of my friends would like to know a bit more about what this experience truly means to me. I won't be able to catch everyone up because I have to fly out early tomorrow to "no cell phone" territory so here goes.
The shorthand version for me is that I get to do my work here combining both Western Therapeutic Practice and Native Traditional Healing. I get to feed my soul on the tremendous banquet of creative enterprises here. Artisitc expression is celebrated and knowing and rich conversation sought after. The acceptance of hippie behavior, spiritual knowing, flannel shirts, any hair, clothes, dancing and singing makes this truly cosmichamlet.net.
When focused on survival, food, protection from the elements and larger four leggeds, with traffic low and noise pollution down, I find I can hear my own thoughts. I don't feel so rushed. I don't see my focus being set on "being successful" in the dominant-culture way, but more so on being real, authentic in a way that gains me acceptance into three new communities. A Native colleague told me yesterday that we know if we're in the right place if the locals open their arms to us. She told me that she has seen arms opening to me everywhere we've been and she sees me held in the community's embrace. What a gift.
It is a matter of perception, spiritual acknowledgement where one town feels like home to someone and another does not. There's lots I love about here and lots I love about Salem, Oregon and lots I love about St. Ignace and lower Michigan. In Salem, I love the mountains, oceans, atmosphere, first Friday's downtown, the friends I have made there who have truly given me the benefit of the doubt, who keep a bag of licorice at the ready, the restaurants, easy shopping, the alternative movie theatre, rare soul connections, freedom to be a hippie, Country Fair (right on), baking bread with a friend, group meals, friends made with whom we can finally just stop by and announce a need for something and have it met, four leggeds I adore, acceptance of diversity, the stab at creating family, the music scene there and in Portland and stories of world travel. However, I would do Salem differently after this experience. I got caught up in defining my worth in a materialist way. My worth is not reflected in where I studied, where I live and how much money I have. I like the way I grew up in St. Ignace where I experienced people being valued for what they have in their heart. It's my own responsibility to remember who I am, where I come from and what makes me happy.
I love St. Ignace, Michigan. There are so many places there that feel right. I like Dan's reminder that Surf and Turf in St. Ignace means Perch and Venison. I like that growing up chopping wood, staying out of the ditch in the winter, knowing about great outdoor wear, fishing, (for some hunting), swimming, visiting, truly visiting, eating homemade pies made by aunties and great aunties who were so happy to have us come by, savoring a meal together, wrestling through the two seasons of mud and snow have all prepared me to be very successful in Alaska. I love that my first friend, with whom I romped in diapers, is still able to read my heart and support me so far away.
I love spending time in lower Michigan with people, whom through years of supporting me and loving me, have become family. I love the peach season and driving from farm stand to farm stand in search of squash, blueberries, apples, cherries and ending up sitting looking out over Lake Michigan in wonder. I love having the keys to so many loved one's homes with the invite to just stop by, even if they're not home to use the facilities.
The Course in Miracles teaches that we are home wherever we are because our own body is our home. So, I perceive myself as being home even when the loneliness sets in for my loved ones. I am never alone. I am finding out a great many things about being welcomed into so many houses and communities from here to St. Ignace, Michigan and just how rich that makes me. It's not about being able to talk to just about anyone, I believe, it's about being able to listen to just about anyone. And frankly, this is the first time I've listened to myself in years. What a journey!
The shorthand version for me is that I get to do my work here combining both Western Therapeutic Practice and Native Traditional Healing. I get to feed my soul on the tremendous banquet of creative enterprises here. Artisitc expression is celebrated and knowing and rich conversation sought after. The acceptance of hippie behavior, spiritual knowing, flannel shirts, any hair, clothes, dancing and singing makes this truly cosmichamlet.net.
When focused on survival, food, protection from the elements and larger four leggeds, with traffic low and noise pollution down, I find I can hear my own thoughts. I don't feel so rushed. I don't see my focus being set on "being successful" in the dominant-culture way, but more so on being real, authentic in a way that gains me acceptance into three new communities. A Native colleague told me yesterday that we know if we're in the right place if the locals open their arms to us. She told me that she has seen arms opening to me everywhere we've been and she sees me held in the community's embrace. What a gift.
It is a matter of perception, spiritual acknowledgement where one town feels like home to someone and another does not. There's lots I love about here and lots I love about Salem, Oregon and lots I love about St. Ignace and lower Michigan. In Salem, I love the mountains, oceans, atmosphere, first Friday's downtown, the friends I have made there who have truly given me the benefit of the doubt, who keep a bag of licorice at the ready, the restaurants, easy shopping, the alternative movie theatre, rare soul connections, freedom to be a hippie, Country Fair (right on), baking bread with a friend, group meals, friends made with whom we can finally just stop by and announce a need for something and have it met, four leggeds I adore, acceptance of diversity, the stab at creating family, the music scene there and in Portland and stories of world travel. However, I would do Salem differently after this experience. I got caught up in defining my worth in a materialist way. My worth is not reflected in where I studied, where I live and how much money I have. I like the way I grew up in St. Ignace where I experienced people being valued for what they have in their heart. It's my own responsibility to remember who I am, where I come from and what makes me happy.
I love St. Ignace, Michigan. There are so many places there that feel right. I like Dan's reminder that Surf and Turf in St. Ignace means Perch and Venison. I like that growing up chopping wood, staying out of the ditch in the winter, knowing about great outdoor wear, fishing, (for some hunting), swimming, visiting, truly visiting, eating homemade pies made by aunties and great aunties who were so happy to have us come by, savoring a meal together, wrestling through the two seasons of mud and snow have all prepared me to be very successful in Alaska. I love that my first friend, with whom I romped in diapers, is still able to read my heart and support me so far away.
I love spending time in lower Michigan with people, whom through years of supporting me and loving me, have become family. I love the peach season and driving from farm stand to farm stand in search of squash, blueberries, apples, cherries and ending up sitting looking out over Lake Michigan in wonder. I love having the keys to so many loved one's homes with the invite to just stop by, even if they're not home to use the facilities.
The Course in Miracles teaches that we are home wherever we are because our own body is our home. So, I perceive myself as being home even when the loneliness sets in for my loved ones. I am never alone. I am finding out a great many things about being welcomed into so many houses and communities from here to St. Ignace, Michigan and just how rich that makes me. It's not about being able to talk to just about anyone, I believe, it's about being able to listen to just about anyone. And frankly, this is the first time I've listened to myself in years. What a journey!
Anchorage and Homer
I just spent the week in Anchorage where the store options range from Best Buy to Fred Meyer. While there, I found myself in search of things such as printer cartridges since I've had a hard time finding them in Homer. I needed a warmer comforter which I found at JC Penney's downtown two blocks from my hotel. I had brought a list with me, a list I have been compiling since I arrived in Homer. I believe in shopping locally, it's just that I needed items from a Subaru dealer and stuff I just couldn't find in Homer.
Anchorage is over a four-hour drive from Homer. Therefore, planning is important. I have lived in cities for so long now and have grown used to running to a large store at any hour when I've needed something. This is different. The part I like about it is that choices are limited, times to shop are limited and visiting is a prime reason for shopping in Homer. I think it makes life easier to have fewer choices. I think it forces me to be organized to have shorter shopping hours. I like the friendly, visiting, small town part.
My colleague, a Native from one of the villages, had her list too. She rode back with me today and said that I might want to get familiar with stores that ship to the bush. She said that rural areas are called the bush and not the boonies. I laughed at that. Apparently, Alaskan merchants take orders by fax, phone and in person and have arrangements to send items out to Bethel, Nome and villages even more remote in location. It's a different way of life. People accept the cost of shipping, the prices and the hassle involved in getting stuff out to the bush. It's like stocking up on provisions before you head back out.
The villages I serve fax their grocery lists to the Safeway in Homer on Wednesday. The stock is pulled and then sent by barge on Thursday to the villages. If they request an item the store is out of the store just substitutes something close to the product requested. Villagers just go with the flow of not always getting exactly what they want. I found this so interesting. Further, they grab groceries when they are on the Homer side, grab a taxi if they don't have a car parked in Homer, unload the groceries from the taxi, load them into the bush plane, have family meet them at the runway in the village, unload the bags from the plane, load them onto a four runner, drive them to the house and unload them there. I am never going to complain about going to Fred Meyer in Salem and driving home to unload groceries. Good grief.
Teachings from my colleague today regarding Alaska. Alaska is a harsh state, she said. The weather is dangerous, the winding roads, earthquakes, wild animals, all dangerous. (There have been two earthquakes since I moved here in the beginning of September; the one on Monday of this week shook people up. I didn't feel it because I was driving). Don't drive on the sides of the roads in Alaska because there is more debris to give you a flat tires. I had this explained today, like there's more in the way of nails and such on the side of the road. Every 20 miles I saw a dead porcupine either in or on the side of the road. My colleague explained that there are lots and lots of porcupines in Alaska. I saw a dog pulling one off the road with its nose full of quills. The dog seemed unaware of the quills. Don't stop to help a dog hit by a car because they attack when they're hurt. Do not swerve to miss a bunny, dog, cat, small animal because the chances of getting hit by a car are great on these winding roads. She told me that I must try food if someone offers it or I will cause hard feelings. I gulped at the thought of the things I might taste.
I crawled in my bed tonight and wanted to share these teachings before I forget them. She gave me the up side as well. She said that Homer is wonderful, the people creative, accepting, loving and interesting. She said that my wearing long underwear shirts that show, singing out loud when the spirit moves me and having wild hair guarantees that I'll fit right in. So far that really has been the case.
Anchorage is over a four-hour drive from Homer. Therefore, planning is important. I have lived in cities for so long now and have grown used to running to a large store at any hour when I've needed something. This is different. The part I like about it is that choices are limited, times to shop are limited and visiting is a prime reason for shopping in Homer. I think it makes life easier to have fewer choices. I think it forces me to be organized to have shorter shopping hours. I like the friendly, visiting, small town part.
My colleague, a Native from one of the villages, had her list too. She rode back with me today and said that I might want to get familiar with stores that ship to the bush. She said that rural areas are called the bush and not the boonies. I laughed at that. Apparently, Alaskan merchants take orders by fax, phone and in person and have arrangements to send items out to Bethel, Nome and villages even more remote in location. It's a different way of life. People accept the cost of shipping, the prices and the hassle involved in getting stuff out to the bush. It's like stocking up on provisions before you head back out.
The villages I serve fax their grocery lists to the Safeway in Homer on Wednesday. The stock is pulled and then sent by barge on Thursday to the villages. If they request an item the store is out of the store just substitutes something close to the product requested. Villagers just go with the flow of not always getting exactly what they want. I found this so interesting. Further, they grab groceries when they are on the Homer side, grab a taxi if they don't have a car parked in Homer, unload the groceries from the taxi, load them into the bush plane, have family meet them at the runway in the village, unload the bags from the plane, load them onto a four runner, drive them to the house and unload them there. I am never going to complain about going to Fred Meyer in Salem and driving home to unload groceries. Good grief.
Teachings from my colleague today regarding Alaska. Alaska is a harsh state, she said. The weather is dangerous, the winding roads, earthquakes, wild animals, all dangerous. (There have been two earthquakes since I moved here in the beginning of September; the one on Monday of this week shook people up. I didn't feel it because I was driving). Don't drive on the sides of the roads in Alaska because there is more debris to give you a flat tires. I had this explained today, like there's more in the way of nails and such on the side of the road. Every 20 miles I saw a dead porcupine either in or on the side of the road. My colleague explained that there are lots and lots of porcupines in Alaska. I saw a dog pulling one off the road with its nose full of quills. The dog seemed unaware of the quills. Don't stop to help a dog hit by a car because they attack when they're hurt. Do not swerve to miss a bunny, dog, cat, small animal because the chances of getting hit by a car are great on these winding roads. She told me that I must try food if someone offers it or I will cause hard feelings. I gulped at the thought of the things I might taste.
I crawled in my bed tonight and wanted to share these teachings before I forget them. She gave me the up side as well. She said that Homer is wonderful, the people creative, accepting, loving and interesting. She said that my wearing long underwear shirts that show, singing out loud when the spirit moves me and having wild hair guarantees that I'll fit right in. So far that really has been the case.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Russian Talk
My colleague explained some differences between his homeland of Russia with the United States. These are his opinions/observations. I found them interesting.
He explained that he walks into behavioral health offices in America and sees signs that suggest ending domestic violence. He sees them in government-type offices and leadership offices. He thinks these signs indicates that domestic violence might be a problem in America. And yet, he continued when he walks down a street, especially in a small town, people smile and wave at him. His observation was that Americans wave and smile in public and beat their own at home.
In Russia, if he smiled at a stranger in a village in Russia, he could get hurt because he might not belong there. He said that people smile more at home and at people they know and not at strangers, like Americans do. He said that it is not uncommon to see two men throwing down/fighting at a bus stop or someplace in public in Russia. There is no assault and battery and therefore men settle their disputes and move on. They are not allowed to hurt each other severely. He believes that men in Russia handle their problems with each other and have no need to beat their loved ones at home.
He reports that that elders are very respected in Russia and that parents are treated respectfully. He said that even if you don't understand your mother or father's behavior, you still take care of them and do things for them. He said that in America, he hears more that people don't take care of parents they don't like them. He could not imagine not taking care of your elders or treating them disrespectfully.
He said that the people in Moscow think that people in Russian Villages to the north are very rural. He said the city people in Moscow believe that rural Russians open their front door, shoot a moose and then leave the moose in the snow bank for the winter. He said the real truth is that they have to go far outside the village to find a moose. When he first moved to Anchorage, he heard a noise outside his second story apartment balcony. He looked out to see three moose standing close enough for him to touch. He called his friends in the Russian Village where he grew up and told them about the moose. They told him to save that story for the people in Moscow. It was not until he took a picture of the moose and emailed it them them that they believed him.
He said his Russian female friends who moved to America report that it is very hard to date. Russian men walk up and announce their intention and desire to go out on a date. Then, there is no word for girlfriend in Russia. People are introduced as a friend because the relationship is their personal business. Russain women tell my colleague that American men are afraid to approach women because they don't want to get accused of anything.
I thought it interesting the perceptions that Americans smile at strangers and then beat their family members. American men are afraid to ask a woman out on a date and that moose are right outside the door of some places in America. I guess those things would be very interesting to my colleague.
He explained that he walks into behavioral health offices in America and sees signs that suggest ending domestic violence. He sees them in government-type offices and leadership offices. He thinks these signs indicates that domestic violence might be a problem in America. And yet, he continued when he walks down a street, especially in a small town, people smile and wave at him. His observation was that Americans wave and smile in public and beat their own at home.
In Russia, if he smiled at a stranger in a village in Russia, he could get hurt because he might not belong there. He said that people smile more at home and at people they know and not at strangers, like Americans do. He said that it is not uncommon to see two men throwing down/fighting at a bus stop or someplace in public in Russia. There is no assault and battery and therefore men settle their disputes and move on. They are not allowed to hurt each other severely. He believes that men in Russia handle their problems with each other and have no need to beat their loved ones at home.
He reports that that elders are very respected in Russia and that parents are treated respectfully. He said that even if you don't understand your mother or father's behavior, you still take care of them and do things for them. He said that in America, he hears more that people don't take care of parents they don't like them. He could not imagine not taking care of your elders or treating them disrespectfully.
He said that the people in Moscow think that people in Russian Villages to the north are very rural. He said the city people in Moscow believe that rural Russians open their front door, shoot a moose and then leave the moose in the snow bank for the winter. He said the real truth is that they have to go far outside the village to find a moose. When he first moved to Anchorage, he heard a noise outside his second story apartment balcony. He looked out to see three moose standing close enough for him to touch. He called his friends in the Russian Village where he grew up and told them about the moose. They told him to save that story for the people in Moscow. It was not until he took a picture of the moose and emailed it them them that they believed him.
He said his Russian female friends who moved to America report that it is very hard to date. Russian men walk up and announce their intention and desire to go out on a date. Then, there is no word for girlfriend in Russia. People are introduced as a friend because the relationship is their personal business. Russain women tell my colleague that American men are afraid to approach women because they don't want to get accused of anything.
I thought it interesting the perceptions that Americans smile at strangers and then beat their family members. American men are afraid to ask a woman out on a date and that moose are right outside the door of some places in America. I guess those things would be very interesting to my colleague.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Burning Basket Tonight
The evening starts with a potluck and someone brings the best curry halibut, someone else homemade grape leaves and yet another peanut m&m's, oh yes, that was me. They were a hit!
Three hundred people gather for the annual Burning Basket ceremony, on the beach, where the community works on this large basket, under the direction of the artist, Mavis. The purpose is to weave the community together like the basket, place all worries, concerns, prayers, gratitude statements, whatever, in the basket. All of our burdens and prayers are lifted with the sparks.
As it dusk sets in, there is drumming around the fire circle, people hitting the 5000 pound gong and lots of visiting is going on. There are three pieces of interactive art. The gong, named Gong But Not Forgotten, the Labyrinth and the Basket. The mood builds as the drummers get more intense in their playing and the gong sounds out.
Torch bearers enter the circle in the dark, the drums pick up and the basket is lit. As the basket is burning, fire dancers appear and spin around the basket. It is mesmerizing, the drum beats, the dancing and the fire.
The night was made more special by the presence of two kidney donors. My friend Sue donated a kidney to a singer, and a man John donated his kidney to the singer's brother. The brother passed three weeks ago and the town was mourning him. He had walked 28,000 miles of back roads.
I saw all sorts of clothing, met lots of people and thought this ceremony summed up cosmichamlet.net. I think the story is best told with the photos. Enjoy.
Fun art around the walk.
The sunset
our burdens and prayers go up with the sparks
on the basket
Homer big hood sweaters
carving on the gong base
Imagine Tolerance Imagine That 
Fire dancer
Goodnight
Three hundred people gather for the annual Burning Basket ceremony, on the beach, where the community works on this large basket, under the direction of the artist, Mavis. The purpose is to weave the community together like the basket, place all worries, concerns, prayers, gratitude statements, whatever, in the basket. All of our burdens and prayers are lifted with the sparks.
As it dusk sets in, there is drumming around the fire circle, people hitting the 5000 pound gong and lots of visiting is going on. There are three pieces of interactive art. The gong, named Gong But Not Forgotten, the Labyrinth and the Basket. The mood builds as the drummers get more intense in their playing and the gong sounds out.
Torch bearers enter the circle in the dark, the drums pick up and the basket is lit. As the basket is burning, fire dancers appear and spin around the basket. It is mesmerizing, the drum beats, the dancing and the fire.
The night was made more special by the presence of two kidney donors. My friend Sue donated a kidney to a singer, and a man John donated his kidney to the singer's brother. The brother passed three weeks ago and the town was mourning him. He had walked 28,000 miles of back roads.
I saw all sorts of clothing, met lots of people and thought this ceremony summed up cosmichamlet.net. I think the story is best told with the photos. Enjoy.
The sunset
our burdens and prayers go up with the sparks
on the basket
Homer big hood sweaters
carving on the gong base
Imagine Tolerance Imagine That 
Fire dancer
GoodnightFriday, September 17, 2010
Grizzly Stories
I know I said I would write about Russia and I will. Just this great story telling time came to me yesterday and I need to write it down.
There are three of us who have offices in the Homer location. My colleague spent years as a professional downhill skiing instructor, river guide and hang glider instructor, all this long before extreme sports were categorized. He has broken many bones and thinks this helps qualify him for setting up of the safety programs in the villages. He does know a lot about emergency situations.
He said that as a river guide he brought thousands of people into the woods and has had 100's of bear encounters. Let's start with his mild story. He had to portage his kayak 3/4's of a mile and was very tired. He was by himself on a day trip. He heard crashing behind him and branches breaking. He stopped the story to tell me that in the fall smart people stay out of bear territory. The bears are preparing to hibernate for winter and if they did not store enough fat on their bodies, they'll be looking for slow food. Note to self on this one.
So, he saw the water up ahead and started running for it. He reports that he no longer felt tired. He said that usually he would position himself in his kayak, get settled in and then take off down the river. This time, however, he threw the boat in the water, his day pack into the boat and pushed the boat out as far as he could before scrambling in. He paddled out about 35 feet from shore. He looked back and saw standing on the shore a very angry, skinny bear. He said he judged the distance to shore and figured he'd better paddle out more and he saw the bear judging the distance to him.
Skip grabbed his camera and shot a picture and then started to row. Skip went to a photography school in California and felt he had his priorities straight. He paddled out to about 60 feet from shore and he and the bear stared each other down. He said that everyone who sees that photo comments about how angry the bear looks.
Finally, the bear turned and walked back into the woods. Skip said that the water was as smooth as glass and yet he saw ripples in the water flowing outward from his kayak. He realized that he was shaking so hard he was creating these ripples. He said he had a ton of energy after that encounter to paddle all the way back to camp. The end of this story.
Next story: Skip was working as a river guide and had a raft full of people back about 100 feet from the boat in front of them. The raft ahead rounded a corner that brought the raft very close to shore. Skip looked up and saw a bear standing on the cliff, 10 feet up above the raft of people. This was a grizzly bear who appeared surprised by the appearance of the folks below. He said the bear stood up and started yelling. The people in the raft below were just chatting away unable to hear the bear over the river.
Everyone in Skip's raft froze and Skip said he started pulling his boat toward the center of the river to avoid that swing over to the cliff. He said the bear reached over the cliff for the people in the raft and realized he was too far up to grab one of them. The bear became enraged and started throwing small spruce trees and chunks of dirt up into the air. He was destroying everything around him.
The folks in Skip's raft asked what Skip was going to do. He replied, "Well, by the time we get by the bear will still be working on the folks in that raft." He said people were horrified but then quickly responded with okay that works. He was their hero guide at that moment.
Skip went on to say that the bear was still destroying everything, all of this happening in a matter of seconds, and then started to run after the people in the raft along the shore. Skip said he almost could not watch. All of a sudden, the bear ran into a larger spruce tree, appeared stunned, calmed down and walked back into the woods. Skip said that he looked down and saw his legs shaking so hard he could see it.
Skip explained that a bear will let you know within the first few seconds of an encounter just how that encounter is going to go. That one was not going to go well.
I have more stories, lots more since I got up here. I just need to get back to work.
There are three of us who have offices in the Homer location. My colleague spent years as a professional downhill skiing instructor, river guide and hang glider instructor, all this long before extreme sports were categorized. He has broken many bones and thinks this helps qualify him for setting up of the safety programs in the villages. He does know a lot about emergency situations.
He said that as a river guide he brought thousands of people into the woods and has had 100's of bear encounters. Let's start with his mild story. He had to portage his kayak 3/4's of a mile and was very tired. He was by himself on a day trip. He heard crashing behind him and branches breaking. He stopped the story to tell me that in the fall smart people stay out of bear territory. The bears are preparing to hibernate for winter and if they did not store enough fat on their bodies, they'll be looking for slow food. Note to self on this one.
So, he saw the water up ahead and started running for it. He reports that he no longer felt tired. He said that usually he would position himself in his kayak, get settled in and then take off down the river. This time, however, he threw the boat in the water, his day pack into the boat and pushed the boat out as far as he could before scrambling in. He paddled out about 35 feet from shore. He looked back and saw standing on the shore a very angry, skinny bear. He said he judged the distance to shore and figured he'd better paddle out more and he saw the bear judging the distance to him.
Skip grabbed his camera and shot a picture and then started to row. Skip went to a photography school in California and felt he had his priorities straight. He paddled out to about 60 feet from shore and he and the bear stared each other down. He said that everyone who sees that photo comments about how angry the bear looks.
Finally, the bear turned and walked back into the woods. Skip said that the water was as smooth as glass and yet he saw ripples in the water flowing outward from his kayak. He realized that he was shaking so hard he was creating these ripples. He said he had a ton of energy after that encounter to paddle all the way back to camp. The end of this story.
Next story: Skip was working as a river guide and had a raft full of people back about 100 feet from the boat in front of them. The raft ahead rounded a corner that brought the raft very close to shore. Skip looked up and saw a bear standing on the cliff, 10 feet up above the raft of people. This was a grizzly bear who appeared surprised by the appearance of the folks below. He said the bear stood up and started yelling. The people in the raft below were just chatting away unable to hear the bear over the river.
Everyone in Skip's raft froze and Skip said he started pulling his boat toward the center of the river to avoid that swing over to the cliff. He said the bear reached over the cliff for the people in the raft and realized he was too far up to grab one of them. The bear became enraged and started throwing small spruce trees and chunks of dirt up into the air. He was destroying everything around him.
The folks in Skip's raft asked what Skip was going to do. He replied, "Well, by the time we get by the bear will still be working on the folks in that raft." He said people were horrified but then quickly responded with okay that works. He was their hero guide at that moment.
Skip went on to say that the bear was still destroying everything, all of this happening in a matter of seconds, and then started to run after the people in the raft along the shore. Skip said he almost could not watch. All of a sudden, the bear ran into a larger spruce tree, appeared stunned, calmed down and walked back into the woods. Skip said that he looked down and saw his legs shaking so hard he could see it.
Skip explained that a bear will let you know within the first few seconds of an encounter just how that encounter is going to go. That one was not going to go well.
I have more stories, lots more since I got up here. I just need to get back to work.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Homer, Alaska Surfing
Now what makes this article so cool is that Pat and Barbe, my dear friends in Salem, Oregon found this article and sent it up to me in their care package. I had heard about the winter surfing here. The picture is neat and I can only imagine seeing it this winter.
I was told that since I now have experience being weathered into one of the villages that I might have gotten a taste of winter. This job is not for people who need maximum control over their lives or schedules. Flexible is not a strong enough word to describe what is required of the staff. Maybe laid back and nearly in a coma might explain it. Make a plan for Tuesday night in town, get weathered in until Wednesday morning in the village. Get weathered in and weathered out. Pack up food, clothes and catch a flight that might leave on time. That depends on many things. Plan your return trip, which might leave on time, that depends on many things. Don't bring enough food and figure out how to remedy that. Anticipate not so clean clothes at times.
I have made a shocking, I say shocking discovery. It is absolutely freeing to give up control. It is such an illusion anyway and just makes everyone around the controller miserable. Feelings of disappointment still surface, however, this way of life really pushes forward the concept of things are happening just the way they are supposed to. In Al-Anon they write that saying something three times is controlling to get your own way. (Example, just so we're clear, "I think we should take my car. I think we should take my car. I think we should take my car.") I can say 100 times that I want to go home and the fog does not listen, the pilots do not come and the villagers point out that I'm not going anywhere.
Interesting concept, this, going with the flow. Oh, back to the waves around Homer. I am told that boats run to Seldovia all winter. They can handle the 3-6 foot waves. However, nobody wants to round the point to Nanwalek where it's more ocean. They say the waves there are 12 to 15 feet. If the planes aren't flying, well there's no crossing that water for me.
So there you have it.
I'm in a New York State of Mind
Okay. In my past life, like a few months ago, if I traveled for work, I took a shuttle bus from the airport to the hotel and then back again. The hotel was nice, the pool inviting and the amenties many. Yesterday morning I was humming I'm in a New York State of Mind.
I realized I was humming this after this series of events. First, I was given the Council van on Monday night to drive myself up to the Mush Center, the place that houses visitors. Almost every single idiot light was lit in the van from door ajar to check engine. I rattled up the dirt road full of potholes waving at everyone who passed. They initiate waving when they see the Council van. Friendly, I like it. Except if I look to wave I hit a pothole and send the entire vehicle into a rattle, bouncing state.
I arrived in the outback to find that my door key did not work so I drove back down the pothole roads until I saw a person. They directed me to the right person's house who followed me back to my place on a four runner. Once in my room, though it's very nice it has not been cleaned and I draw the line at stranger sheets and towels. I find the clorox bleach cleaning stuff and scrub everything, I mean everything, find clean sheets and towels and then settle in to watch a DVD. Jennifer calls me and I have contact with a buddy.
So, this morning, when I had the bagged up sheets and towels in my hand carrying them to the van, I find myself singing I'm in New York State of Mind. And the weird news, I would not trade this. It is real, I feel real and I am reminded minute by minute that I am no more important than anyone else around here. We talk about being a Child of the Creator, first and foremost, no more or no less important that the stars in the skies, the trees or each other.
I spent the afternoon at an Elder's house who discussed the old ways and she first met her husband. He was in the Army, they met in Anchorage and she loved him the minute she saw him. They have been married 52 years. He is from Iowa where they lived for only 11 years of their marriage. He owned the variety store that he sold to his daughter here in the village. I shopped there last night for dinner since I was fog weathered in.
I spent my evening last night watching Russian animated cartoons with Nikolai. He laughted heartily and explained the cartoons to me. He is our IT guy and he's spending the week in the villages fixing computer issues. He shared Russian Salad with me and told me how our countries differ. One phrase of his stood out for me while he was telling me the pros and cons of something. He said, "And the but side to it is..." I think I'll write about Russian and the United States in my next post.
I realized I was humming this after this series of events. First, I was given the Council van on Monday night to drive myself up to the Mush Center, the place that houses visitors. Almost every single idiot light was lit in the van from door ajar to check engine. I rattled up the dirt road full of potholes waving at everyone who passed. They initiate waving when they see the Council van. Friendly, I like it. Except if I look to wave I hit a pothole and send the entire vehicle into a rattle, bouncing state.
I arrived in the outback to find that my door key did not work so I drove back down the pothole roads until I saw a person. They directed me to the right person's house who followed me back to my place on a four runner. Once in my room, though it's very nice it has not been cleaned and I draw the line at stranger sheets and towels. I find the clorox bleach cleaning stuff and scrub everything, I mean everything, find clean sheets and towels and then settle in to watch a DVD. Jennifer calls me and I have contact with a buddy.
So, this morning, when I had the bagged up sheets and towels in my hand carrying them to the van, I find myself singing I'm in New York State of Mind. And the weird news, I would not trade this. It is real, I feel real and I am reminded minute by minute that I am no more important than anyone else around here. We talk about being a Child of the Creator, first and foremost, no more or no less important that the stars in the skies, the trees or each other.
I spent the afternoon at an Elder's house who discussed the old ways and she first met her husband. He was in the Army, they met in Anchorage and she loved him the minute she saw him. They have been married 52 years. He is from Iowa where they lived for only 11 years of their marriage. He owned the variety store that he sold to his daughter here in the village. I shopped there last night for dinner since I was fog weathered in.
I spent my evening last night watching Russian animated cartoons with Nikolai. He laughted heartily and explained the cartoons to me. He is our IT guy and he's spending the week in the villages fixing computer issues. He shared Russian Salad with me and told me how our countries differ. One phrase of his stood out for me while he was telling me the pros and cons of something. He said, "And the but side to it is..." I think I'll write about Russian and the United States in my next post.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Native Teaching/Alaska Thinking/Not So Much Lower 48 Places I've Been
Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 8
"Keep your life simple because the more you get, the more complicated it becomes."
--Joe Coyhis, STOCKBRIDGE-MUNSEE
The old ones say, lead a simple life. The society we live in is all about getting more houses, cars, luxury and credit cards. The law of worry says, the more you have, the more you need to worry. You get a house, then you need insurance, then you need to take care of the yard and the list goes on. Next, you may want a bigger house with a bigger yard which costs more in insurance. Along with the accumulation of materialism, are other "gifts." Soon you become a slave and the materialism owns you. Lead a simple life and have peace of mind. Lead a simple life and be spiritual.
Creator, let my foundation be spiritual and simple
"Keep your life simple because the more you get, the more complicated it becomes."
--Joe Coyhis, STOCKBRIDGE-MUNSEE
The old ones say, lead a simple life. The society we live in is all about getting more houses, cars, luxury and credit cards. The law of worry says, the more you have, the more you need to worry. You get a house, then you need insurance, then you need to take care of the yard and the list goes on. Next, you may want a bigger house with a bigger yard which costs more in insurance. Along with the accumulation of materialism, are other "gifts." Soon you become a slave and the materialism owns you. Lead a simple life and have peace of mind. Lead a simple life and be spiritual.
Creator, let my foundation be spiritual and simple
Sunday, September 12, 2010
cosmichamlet.net
Hello. The website for Homer is cosmichamlet.net. Often called the cosmic hamlet by the sea. I felt drawn to the spit today. The sun was shining and although only 61 degrees it was warm enough in the sun for short sleeves today. I parked in a new place and looked up to see this sign: Energy Enhancement.
The placed looked closed, the open sign was dark and yet I felt drawn toward it. I walked down to the Marina and followed a path and ended up walking back to that place. The door was closed and I could hear people inside. It occurred to me to just stand there and if the door opened I was meant to go in.
The door opened and a woman beckoned me to come in. A Chiropractor and another energy healer were in there along with some of their friends and family. I stood there and words fell out of my mouth, "Ah, I just moved here and my back hurts and my heart feels heavy and I have important work to do and I'm standing in my own way." The Chiropractor responded, "You're a healer and if you're standing here then you are supposed to be right here, right now." That was about it.
So, I received an adjustment, had my neck moved around and loosened up, had a hot stone massage and lots of gentle words of encouragement. They told me that the villages had been suffering for many, many lifetimes and that they did not know how to be loved right. They told me that when I enter a village I do so as a Medicine Woman, a Healer and they knew that upon meeting me. They said my words alone would help heal the people and that I would help the next seven generations and that my work would be easier if I remained open to the ancestors of these people who had invited me to help them heal.
I listened and told of my anguish at my human body storing painful feelings, thoughts and stories and that I wanted more than anything to be the healer who could be the vessel without taking on the sickness. They told me that since I wanted it so badly it would happen. They encouraged me to drink black tea, grape juice and lemon water. They encouraged me to sit in a whirlpool tub or jacuzzi, to call my family and friends and to remember every day to ground myself between Mother Earth and the night stars.
I left that building three hours after I entered it. Their family took me in, fed me and encouraged me to seek out the healers in town, the musicians and the artists. As I sit in my home typing this I wonder if this actually happened today. It seems surreal. I just know I have a glass of lemon water sitting next to me, no pain in my back or neck and a new found hope.
Blessings.
The placed looked closed, the open sign was dark and yet I felt drawn toward it. I walked down to the Marina and followed a path and ended up walking back to that place. The door was closed and I could hear people inside. It occurred to me to just stand there and if the door opened I was meant to go in.
The door opened and a woman beckoned me to come in. A Chiropractor and another energy healer were in there along with some of their friends and family. I stood there and words fell out of my mouth, "Ah, I just moved here and my back hurts and my heart feels heavy and I have important work to do and I'm standing in my own way." The Chiropractor responded, "You're a healer and if you're standing here then you are supposed to be right here, right now." That was about it.
So, I received an adjustment, had my neck moved around and loosened up, had a hot stone massage and lots of gentle words of encouragement. They told me that the villages had been suffering for many, many lifetimes and that they did not know how to be loved right. They told me that when I enter a village I do so as a Medicine Woman, a Healer and they knew that upon meeting me. They said my words alone would help heal the people and that I would help the next seven generations and that my work would be easier if I remained open to the ancestors of these people who had invited me to help them heal.
I listened and told of my anguish at my human body storing painful feelings, thoughts and stories and that I wanted more than anything to be the healer who could be the vessel without taking on the sickness. They told me that since I wanted it so badly it would happen. They encouraged me to drink black tea, grape juice and lemon water. They encouraged me to sit in a whirlpool tub or jacuzzi, to call my family and friends and to remember every day to ground myself between Mother Earth and the night stars.
I left that building three hours after I entered it. Their family took me in, fed me and encouraged me to seek out the healers in town, the musicians and the artists. As I sit in my home typing this I wonder if this actually happened today. It seems surreal. I just know I have a glass of lemon water sitting next to me, no pain in my back or neck and a new found hope.
Blessings.
Seeds
Hello. Last week I grew very tired, overstimulated, discouraged and fearful. By Friday night I was a mess. I had forgotten something, something very important. God did not bring me this far to leave me now.
I lost sight of my faith and felt alone with a huge assignment. My friends reminded me of the Daily Word subscription they gave me for a gift and I went in search of it, found the envelope, opened it and started reading. Here is the first page for the Sept/Oct issue:
Seed Ideas by Norman V. Olsson
The seeds of the harvest
produce next year's yield,
cultivated with faith
in their native field.
God ideas as well,
soon after their kind,
reap fruits of abundance
in a fertile mind.
We are the harvesters
of spirit and sod--
our season eternal
in the fields of God!
Now we can use Creator, Higher Power, no belief, whatever, however, not one of us lives in a vacuum and that which we do impacts other people. From that knowing, I can choose to believe that my Creator will help me finish the good works I have begun or pretend I'm really in this alone.
I got scared. I need to develop quickly my therapeutic expertise dealing with sexual molestation, extreme internalized oppression based in historical trauma and working in settings nearly null of boundaries.
I felt fearful surrounded by folks who place a great deal of pressure on me: keep the house spotless for the Realtor to show, the one place I need to relax felt stressful after last week; my boss left me with burned out staff members to help during my first week on the job; I feel lost a lot; I had my first nasty airsickness and thought I do not want to fly four times per week; I learned about just how many plane crashes happen in Alaska; I doubted my ability to handle this job, this move and this change. So I slept this weekend.
I woke to a few realizations. I have been placed in a fertile field, one where planted seeds may grow long after I'm around to see their fruit. I may have been sent here to touch just one life profoundly or many. I don't know.
I know these things: My healthy breakfast tasted good and I am grateful for the kitchen, roof over my head, stove, food and all items provided to me to nurture myself. I am grateful for the running water, a big deal here, the heat on demand, this computer, my ability to be mobile and my new-found ability to stop trying to gain approval from people who don't even have it for themselves. I am grateful for Pat and Barbe giving me the subscription that I find grounding.
Just like anyone else I am doing the best I can. I heard a man tell his child the other day, "Do your best, forget the rest." I heard a man tell a person, "There's falling down and then there's falling down and rolling around in it." "There's dying and then there's dying in a good way." One of the Course in Miracles teachings tells us that God will heal us as He/She is teaching us how to heal someone else. Already I heard myself asking a trauma survivor if she feels ruled by the two words, "if only" and she said yes. In that moment I felt myself let go of a really big if only.
I lost sight of my faith and felt alone with a huge assignment. My friends reminded me of the Daily Word subscription they gave me for a gift and I went in search of it, found the envelope, opened it and started reading. Here is the first page for the Sept/Oct issue:
Seed Ideas by Norman V. Olsson
The seeds of the harvest
produce next year's yield,
cultivated with faith
in their native field.
God ideas as well,
soon after their kind,
reap fruits of abundance
in a fertile mind.
We are the harvesters
of spirit and sod--
our season eternal
in the fields of God!
Now we can use Creator, Higher Power, no belief, whatever, however, not one of us lives in a vacuum and that which we do impacts other people. From that knowing, I can choose to believe that my Creator will help me finish the good works I have begun or pretend I'm really in this alone.
I got scared. I need to develop quickly my therapeutic expertise dealing with sexual molestation, extreme internalized oppression based in historical trauma and working in settings nearly null of boundaries.
I felt fearful surrounded by folks who place a great deal of pressure on me: keep the house spotless for the Realtor to show, the one place I need to relax felt stressful after last week; my boss left me with burned out staff members to help during my first week on the job; I feel lost a lot; I had my first nasty airsickness and thought I do not want to fly four times per week; I learned about just how many plane crashes happen in Alaska; I doubted my ability to handle this job, this move and this change. So I slept this weekend.
I woke to a few realizations. I have been placed in a fertile field, one where planted seeds may grow long after I'm around to see their fruit. I may have been sent here to touch just one life profoundly or many. I don't know.
I know these things: My healthy breakfast tasted good and I am grateful for the kitchen, roof over my head, stove, food and all items provided to me to nurture myself. I am grateful for the running water, a big deal here, the heat on demand, this computer, my ability to be mobile and my new-found ability to stop trying to gain approval from people who don't even have it for themselves. I am grateful for Pat and Barbe giving me the subscription that I find grounding.
Just like anyone else I am doing the best I can. I heard a man tell his child the other day, "Do your best, forget the rest." I heard a man tell a person, "There's falling down and then there's falling down and rolling around in it." "There's dying and then there's dying in a good way." One of the Course in Miracles teachings tells us that God will heal us as He/She is teaching us how to heal someone else. Already I heard myself asking a trauma survivor if she feels ruled by the two words, "if only" and she said yes. In that moment I felt myself let go of a really big if only.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Nice Things About Alaska
I was pretty crabby in my last post. So here's things I like about Alaska. People welcome and take others in. I was invited to join someone I had just met for dinner. My new friends, Sue and Jim, took me out for my birthday dinner. There is not much traffic where I am. The views are beautiful. My new Landlord did urge me to refuse to fly in bad weather and to trust my gut. I have tried some interesting foods. I think that even in my state of overwhelm I do enjoy many things about being here.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Second Post: Things I Don't Want to Eat Again
Hello. First, I am so excited my friend from Michigan is following my blog. Thank you. Here's the scoop today. My friend Barbara said I might try paragraphs and good grammar. I informed the professional editor that this will be a free-flow blog. I believe she will need to read for content, not style, lest I offend her grammar sensibilities.
Since my arrival in Alaska I have been asked to try seal meat, smoked halibut spine, red salmon, kipper salmon spread, smoked salmon, fish eggs, chocolate chip cookies with pistachios, sourdough Alaskan style and coffee from several places. I will not be eating soon the fish eggs or seal meat. I think those items require an acquired taste.
I want to think about my next blog some tonight. I am having thoughts about my teachings regarding the treatment of elders. An elder told me, and the people we were with, that I am her new daughter. Her niece told me that she has never made anyone her daughter outside of her own children. She told me this is a huge honor and I asked what is required of me. She replied, "I don't know cousin, you'll have to ask your new mother."
I know in my tribe it means that I provide care and listen patiently to teachings. I can do that. It doesn't mean I give up my own mother, just that I've been given someone else to help me along. Things I know so far: Elders eat first here too and their food is brought to them. People quiet down around Elders and show respect. They do make jokes about Elders vs. Olders, meaning one earns the right to be called an Elder. In my tribe that distinction is Elders vs. Seniors. And, people stand when an Elder arrives at a table and when they leave the table.
I fit right in here.
Since my arrival in Alaska I have been asked to try seal meat, smoked halibut spine, red salmon, kipper salmon spread, smoked salmon, fish eggs, chocolate chip cookies with pistachios, sourdough Alaskan style and coffee from several places. I will not be eating soon the fish eggs or seal meat. I think those items require an acquired taste.
I want to think about my next blog some tonight. I am having thoughts about my teachings regarding the treatment of elders. An elder told me, and the people we were with, that I am her new daughter. Her niece told me that she has never made anyone her daughter outside of her own children. She told me this is a huge honor and I asked what is required of me. She replied, "I don't know cousin, you'll have to ask your new mother."
I know in my tribe it means that I provide care and listen patiently to teachings. I can do that. It doesn't mean I give up my own mother, just that I've been given someone else to help me along. Things I know so far: Elders eat first here too and their food is brought to them. People quiet down around Elders and show respect. They do make jokes about Elders vs. Olders, meaning one earns the right to be called an Elder. In my tribe that distinction is Elders vs. Seniors. And, people stand when an Elder arrives at a table and when they leave the table.
I fit right in here.
This is my first blog
Hello. I am a Native American woman from an Ojibwa Tribe in Michigan. I recently started a new leg of my journey by driving the Alcan Highway to accept a new challenge. I will be flying by bush planes weekly into two villages to bring therapy, healing to these villages. Thus far, my friends and family have followed my drive and beginnings in Alaska and have asked me to write more. Perhaps this forum makes more sense over the mass emails I have been sending. It seems there is interest in this adventure.
The name seven directions comes from our tribal ways of acknowledging East, South, West, North, Above, Below and Within as the seven directions. We believe that every decision we make impacts the next seven generations.
Let me start by saying that I mean no disrespect or insults to anyone reading this blog. I am only sharing my teachings, thoughts and interesting things that I hear. That is all and my hope is that we are brought closer together, if only a little by what we share here.
Bomapee, see you later,
Akki
The name seven directions comes from our tribal ways of acknowledging East, South, West, North, Above, Below and Within as the seven directions. We believe that every decision we make impacts the next seven generations.
Let me start by saying that I mean no disrespect or insults to anyone reading this blog. I am only sharing my teachings, thoughts and interesting things that I hear. That is all and my hope is that we are brought closer together, if only a little by what we share here.
Bomapee, see you later,
Akki
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