Sunday, November 22, 2009

As If He Were Human

The long-expected detachment of Sioux, on their way to the Oklahoma Indian Territory, arrived in Omaha yesterday afternoon... American Horse had his squaw and papoose with him and there were eleven other squaws in the party. One or two were quite pleasing in the face, but the majority looked as though they were natural-born mothers-in-law. Perhaps this is too severe —they all had the appearance of being amiable at times, and the Herald does not wish to say anything really bad about them. American Horse’s papoose was a chubby, sturdy little beggar, and when one of the ladies spoke to him, he set up a tremendous wail, just as natural and lifelike as if he were human.

 I read this little historical tidbit several years ago. I can not explain the pain or bewilderment at that last phrase. 

The writer took a whole paragraph describing the humanness of these people and then makes this totally insane statement.

Truth us, this is how our Ancestors were looked at, not human. As savage animals. Not even as feral humans.

The REAL truth is that by de-humanizing the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (I am starting the like the new word that has been put forth autochthonous (this last term is derived from Greek, meaning "sprung from the earth". Very accurate to many belief systems.)it made it okay to treat us like animals. 


See, it was obvious we were not plants or rocks, but no good "Christian" could slaughter Old People, women and babies-- therefore we had to be some type of animals. 


There was a problem with that thought process beyond the obvious one many of you are thinking right now. See the Bible has a certain verse in it that says,"A righteous man regardth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." Proverbs 12:10 KJV


Now the writer was obviously educated. Commenting that a baby cried ". . .as if it were human. . .", and being able to publish that in a public media source, in a "Christian Country" only goes to prove that it was the general opinion of the day of the larger part of the populace. 


It also goes to show that the truly righteous were unwilling to speak up or may be the fact they did not speak up brings into question their righteousness?


This attitude has not disappeared totally yet, and may never. There are still people in this world that think the only skin color God accepts is white. 

"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Genesis 2:7 

How many colors of dirt are there? Sand is whiteish in color, fertile soil is dark, browns to blacks, Clay comes in yellows and reds. 


I'll leave this topic for now, the more I write the more I can think of to write. 


Please, do leave comments. Let's turn this into a discussion. 









Friday, November 20, 2009

Cranberry Salad That is absolutley DIVINE!!

With all the holidays coming up and so many never having eaten a good cranberry salad, I thought I'd share this tradition from my childhood family.

Cranberry Salad--Easy and Sweet


My mother and I used to do this twice a year, Thanksgiving and Christmas, in an old hand grinder. We clamped it to the table and one of us would feed the cranberries in and the other would turn it.

I now make this all year long. If you leave the pecans off, it is great on turkey and chicken sandwiches. It goes over well at most potlucks, too.

1 bag cranberries
1 large box gelatin (any flavor)
1 whole orange
2 cups boiling water
1/2 to 1 cup sugar
nice Pecan halves

Puree cranberries and entire orange(peeling and all) in blender. Stir gelatin and sugar into boiling water until dissolved. Stir in pureed fruits. Pour in to a square pan or casserole. Chill just until set. Remove from fridge and gently place one whole Pecan half in center of each serving sized square. (Do not cut the squares until firmly set.)

Thursday, October 29, 2009

I AM Worth It

In a brief conversation, a man asked a woman he was pursuing the question ... ... "What kind of man are you looking for?" 

She sat quietly for a moment before looking him in the eye and asking. "Do you really want to know?" 

Reluctantly, he said, "Yes." She began to expound ... As a woman in this day and age, I am in a position to ask a man what he can do for me that I can't do for myself. I pay my own bills. I take care of my household without the help of any man. I am in the position to ask, "What can you bring to the table?" 

The man looked at her. Clearly he thought that she was referring to money. 

She quickly corrected his thought and stated, " I am not referring to money. I need something more." I need a man who is striving for perfection in every aspect of life." 

He sat back in his chair, folded his arms, and asked her to explain. 

She said, " I am looking for someone who is striving for perfection mentally because I need conversation and mental stimulation. I don't need a simple-minded man. I am looking for someone who is striving for perfection spiritually because I don't need to be unequally yoked ... believers mixed with unbelievers is a recipe for disaster. I need a man who is striving for perfection financially because I don't need a financial burden. I am looking for someone who is sensitive enough to understand what I go through as a woman, but strong enough to keep me grounded. I am looking for someone who I can respect. In order to be submissive, I must respect him. I cannot be submissive to a man who isn't taking care of his business. I have no problem being submissive ... he just has to be worthy. God made woman to be a helpmate for man. I can't help a man if he can't help himself ."

When she finished her spiel, she looked at him. 

He sat there with a puzzled look on his face. He said, "You're asking a lot." 

She replied, " I'm worth a lot."

Friday, October 23, 2009

Kimberlee Came to See Unci




Okay, Unci is the Lakhota word for grandmother-go here to hear the proper pronunciation.

Through the efforts of the American government, Christians and other well-doers, the Waccamaw (and many if not most Nations and Tribes) lost their original languages over the years. We do know that our language was Siouan based.

I'll not go into a history/language/culture lesson here, as that is not what this post is about. Suffice it to say that I choose Lakhota to learn and teach the grandchildren for a reason.

Kimberlee's parents, my Virgillia and her husband Ivy (also father to all 3 children), are divorcing. As usual, it is hard on the children.

IJ, the three year old boy, came to stay with me a week, two weeks ago. Now, its Kimberlee's turn.

We made my camping cot (which never gets used anyways) out in the living room. She usually sleeps on the couch but I decided that making it a bit more special this time would be nice under the circumstances.

We got it out and went and found a foam bed overlay that had been brought out for Mr. Bob, but never used. She helped me get that on it and then we folded a comforter in half and put on it. Then a set of new sheets and a comforter to cover up with. All nice and fluffy now.

She really did not want to go to sleep, which is actually unusual for her--bedtime is bedtime and Unchi does not believe in "spoiling" the grandchildren. Loving re-enforcement of the home rules is the way to go.

Kimberlee said she missed her Mama and would she come get her tonight? I reminded her she brought her clothes to stay and we read a Bible story. I did sit on the couch and crochet until she fell asleep. Which did not take long since she had been yawning for an hour!

She insisted on having her doggie pillow, a little stuffed doggie and the blanket her Mama made for her.

Today we are trying on clothes a friend sent over for all the grands. All she is really interested in is the shoes--she has always loved shoes!

We may bake a cake in little bit. Poor Man's cake with chocolate and cake spice. Yum-Yum!


Thursday, October 22, 2009

Dakota Dream's Baby Blanket





Here is Dakota's baby blanket!

The main color is a yarn I found nine skeins of at Goodwill. The Coffee was some I had for an afghan my husband wants and the pink on the edges is one I received in an exchange I was involved in once.

Latest Sewing Project



Sat up last night and cut out this pattern for my granddaughter Dakota Dream.

Making view "A"- the one in the center. It's a dark yellow what a lot of sports teams use and call gold.

She is a true Indian baby with a round face and pretty dark skin. She will look very cute in this (and no Unchee does NOT have a biased opinion! LOL)

This will be her Christmas present.

Pictures coming when it is done. Right now I have the hardest job of all-finding a zipper and bias binding that will match the cloth color.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Brother Goes Home After Hip Replacement


Don had his surgery last Monday, 12 October, 2009. The doctors got him opened up and they had to remove a lot of hardware that was put in place earlier-screws, plates, a rod, etc. Then completely replace the left hip. The bone had grew back after the accident, curling at the ends where the new growth was. This had to be trimmed. Extension plates had to be put in.

On Tuesday he was up walking some in the morning and he walked " a lot" Tuesday afternoon.

On Wednesday he was in extreme pain. He could not do any physical therapy. Of course the hospital staff just thought that maybe he was not wanting to do the therapy and took him down anyway. Once the tears started, they took him back to his room, but the nurses just treated him as though he was not really in that much pain. The pain was coming from his back in the area of his kidneys.

Eventually one of his home health physical therapists came by to see him and saw the pain and went and talked to someone. His pain medications were adjusted and his doctor called.

The doctor called in a Urologist and many blood tests were run. His creatinine levels were elevated. Don was told to make sure the test results were given to his primary care physician and urologist.

The Orthopedist asked for Don to be transferred to a Rehabilitation Hospital/Physical Rehab Center but the one in Greenwood, SC does not have a standing contract to accept Medicaid (Don is receiving SSI) and Medicare denied to pay for it.

He will however, continue to receive Home Health Services. They are even coming out today, Sunday, to check on him and get him set-up.

He can put as much weight on his leg as he can stand, he can walk with the aid of a walker.

This hospital stay has lead Don and the medical staff to realize he is allergic to regular tape and must use paper tape.

I could hear the pain in his voice over the phone yesterday. He told me his goal is to do everything the therapists tell him do and a little bit more.

The Pastor at our church (Hodges Church of God will always be my home church no matter where I am at) is stepping down after many, many years of Pastoring. His last Sunday is the 25th of October 2009--Don wants to be there for that.

He has set himself a lofty goal all things considered.

With many prayers and a lot of dedication and determination he will make it.

Again, many thanks to all my loyal readers for their thoughts and prayers.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

16th Annual Waccamaw Indian Pau Wau

PAU WAU TIME AGAIN!!!!

It is time once again for the annual Waccamaw Indian Pau Wau!!!!

I can not wait to get there. I'll go down on the Thursday before to set up and get relaxed and just have a some time to myself.

School Day is Friday and then Pau Wau on Saturday and Sunday!

Looks like Giorgianna and her family and maybe Virgillia and her children, will get to go. Not real sure yet about their job's and getting off-- also their Pa is getting re-married soon and that means another trip to South Carolina--frankly, I'd rather see them go to the wedding and attend Pau Wau next year as oppossed to miss their Pa's wedding.

I plan on having a jolly good time.

Lots of Indians.
Music.
Camp fires.
Fry Bread.
Bog.
Salt Air to breath and salt sand to walk my bare feet in!!!

Brother Has Hip Replacement

As many of you will remember, my brother, Don, was in a bad car wreck April of 2008 and pretty much crushed from the waist down.

He has spent many long hours of rehabilitation/physical therapy and had several surgeries.

Grady Hospital doctors in Atlanta, Georgia had him on the table for hours a week before sending him home to our elderly Mother in South Carolina.

He fought and finally got SSI and since then has been able to get the medical attention he has needed.

The doctor's went in Monday, 12 October 2009 to replace his left hip. It ended up being a good bit more extensive.

They had to remove all the hardware previously placed in there. Pins, rods, screws, etc. Bone that had not grown back properly.

Then they had to put more hardware in--the new hip joint that ended up being that plus bone extentions.

Don is in a lot of pain. He lost a lot of blood. His blood pressure keeps dropping.

It has not been a full 48 hours yet, but he's doing well.

Now we pray for a fast recovery, pain relief, and approval for his rehab/therapy.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

The Crossing Over


The weeks leading up to 21 July 2009 were tiring to say the least.

Bob had been more restless than usual. He kept wanting to get up and walk around--forgetting he only had one leg and needed his wheelchair.

For several months he had bouts of not remembering how to eat or what was appropriate to eat. He would dump food off his plate and try to eat the plate. At first this was only with the paper or styrofoam plates so I stopped using them.

Then one day, as I was in the kitchen cleaning up, and he and Robbie were eating supper I heard a funny noise. I turned to see him trying to eat the china plate.

This did not happen every meal.

He had taken to calling for his Mama at night sometimes. Other times it was a friend of his work.

On the night of the 20th of July he was restless and I had a feeling something was wrong.

He told me he did not have any pain and could not express what it was he wanted.

I got him tucked into bed and Robbie went to bed also.

I camped out on the sofa so I could hear better.

Around midnight I heard the two of them talking and went to see what was up. Robbie would get up in the night and mess with Bob--thinking she was helping him, she only caused him to get agitated. She was smoothing his bed covers.

After getting her back to her bed and settled back in, I once camped out on the sofa.

Sometime after that, I think around two in the morning, I heard her scolding him. I went in to check and he had had diarrhea. After directing her back to her bed, I got him cleaned up and his bed changed. Again, he said he was not in pain after being asked.

Later in the wee hours of the morning of the 21st, I heard them talking softly. I went to the bedroom door. She was standing by his bed, offering him another blanket, which he declined. They said their "I love you" to each other and she walked back to her bed.

At 8:00 a.m. I went in to get him cleaned up and sitting up for breakfast.

He had already crossed over, his last words a softly spoken "I love You" to his wife of nearly sixty years.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

What I'd take to jail with me

Diary
So I can write. I cannot live without writing.


Hair Brush
I have to have MY hairbrush.


My Prayer Things
Sage, tobacco, shell, cedar, sweet grass--They can lock my body up, but not my Spirit.


Lock of my Lover's Hair
It is self explanatory.


Saturday, June 20, 2009

Been Sewing Again!





Well, I have been at the sewing machine again. Here is what I have so far and there will be more from the Jayme Bodice - one for each of the Granddaughters.

The first is a Tear Skirt for Kimberlee.

The dress with the bunny skirt is for Dakota Dream.

The two denim dresses are for Kimberlee and her sister Di'Chariah.

Still have to make for Nikole and Makenzie.

More photos to come!







Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Giorgianna's Graduation Jewelry
















I made Giorgianna a jewelry set for her graduation from nursing school.
Bracelet, double tier necklace, earrings.










Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Astral Protection Test

Test for predisposition to Astral projections, lucid dreams and out of body experiences
Astral Projection:
47%
Out-of-Body-Experience:
22%
Lucid Dreams:
15%

Congratulations! You've been out of your body at will, and if it is not a result of special training, you have an in-born capacity to journey to the astral plane. With your capacities you won't find it difficult to master the methodologies of healing, operating bioenergetics, clairvoyance, etc. Develop them and you'll reach considerable results!



Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Valentine's Day Wedding Video

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Valentine's Day 2009


Friday, January 23, 2009

Invitation to Cultural Arts Festival in Tennessee

I met the former residents and descendants of former residents of Promise Land, Tennessee several years ago at the motel I work at. They are a group of of very sweet, beautiful People that are trying to keep their ancient culture alive, just as we Native Americans are.

Ms. Serina Gilbert, the main organizer of the annual events came by the motel yesterday. As always, it was wonderfully refreshing visit.

This coming June 6, 2009 they will be having African Tribal Dancing and Arts & Crafts displays and sales. This email is an invite from Ms. Gilbert, extended to you through me to come be a part of this cultural event. All artists can set up a booth for free and demonstrate their arts and sale their wares.

They wish to extend a special invite to Native American Dancers with the understanding that regrettably, they are unable to provide any funding to cover your expenses.

Personally, I see this as another wonderful opportunity to not only share our culture but to educate others as to the truth and remove the stereotypes society has towards the Indigenous Peoples of this land--our Ancestors.

I do plan to attend and demonstrate myself. My skills and talents are limited compared to most of yours.

I have made arrangements for a discounted rate for all Native Americans that will be demonstrating at this event. The discount will be based upon how many are willing to show up. If you are planning to attend or even think you might attend, please call Ms. Serina Gilbert at 61... and tell her you received a copy of this email.

Her email is gilbertsk@bellsouth.net. My contact information is WaccamawWoman@gmail.com, home phone is 615-952-2740 and if you are on Verizon cell you can me free at 864-99.... If you are planning to participate and will need lodging accommodations at a motel, please let me know ASAP. There are several groups coming into the motel that weekend of June 6, 2009. We do have more than one motel available to use with discounts.

For more information you may wish to check out these links:
Promise Land Tennessee http://www.promiselandtn.com/
Promise Land South Carolina http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promised_Land,_South_Carolina
The Motel I work at and the first choice for you all to stay at http://tinyurl.com/boysss

For those that travel in RVs, there is a KOA campground and a state Park: Dickson KOA Campground150 W Christi Dr., Dickson TN 37055, 615-446-9925
Tanbark Campground125 S Spradlin Rd, Dickson TN 37055, 615-441-1613 Montgomery Bell State Park
http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/parks/MontgomeryBell/index.shtml

Please, if you know any crafts person or dancer that may be interested, please pass this information on to them.

Cha'kwaina
The Great Spirit is in all things, he is in the air we breathe. The Great Spirit is our Father, but the Earth is our Mother. She nourishes us, that which we put into the ground she returns to us....
Big Thunder (Bedagi) Wabanaki Algonquin

Friday, January 9, 2009

Days of Caring--Alzheimer's

As some of you that know me and/or follow me on other places on the web, already know, my fiance's sister has Alzheimer's as does her husband and we are caring for them.

This is not an easy task as it is only us. Let me introduce each of us to you, the blog reader:

Me--I am 41 with a birthday coming up soon. You can actually read my profile to learn more about me. I do want to note some medical conditions here as they have a bearing on this particular blog entry-hypertension, spondylosis, and rheumatism.

Dave-He is 65½. He has had open heart by-pass surgery and four heart attacks afterwards. He is now showing signs of congestive heart failure. He has also had four arteriograms.

Robbie-Dave's 79½ year old sister. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about 2½ years ago. She also has a low thyroid, and is B vitamin defienct, and suffers with hypertension. She has a dominant personality.

Bob- Robbie's 83 year old husband who will be 84 in a few weeks. He also has Alzheimer's and was diagnosed at the same time she was. He lost a kidney about six years ago to cancer. He has also been diagnosed with renal failure, hypertension, brain aneurysm, and two femoral aneurysms. The left femoral aneurysm was repaired in July 2008 when he underwent an above the knee leg amputation due to PAD. Bob is a docile person.

Some of Bob and Robbie's medical conditions, if not all of them, worsened as her Alzheimer's progressed. See she had it for many years before anyone noticed. They all just assumed it was her eccentric personality getting worse with age. As has been discovered, she was not allowing Bob to take his medications nor was she taking hers, this only made each condition worse.

About two and a half years ago, several family members had tried to call and for several days not gotten an answer. A sister sent her husband and niece down to check on them.

Robbie was in the floor half naked and Bob was just ignoring that fact and the phone and door.

Dave was called and he came down. The niece had dressed Robbie and placed her in a wheelchair she still had from breaking her leg several years previous due to osteoporosis.

At this time Robbie had ataxia and just could not remember how to walk. She went to a nursing home for what was supposed to be a twenty day stay for rehab--to teach her how to walk again.
At eighteen days they called us and told us to come get her immediately or they would be placing her in a mental health facility as she had obtained a nail file and tried to stab a member of the staff.

A few of Robbie's escapades at the nursing home:
  1. Going in other people's rooms and taking their clothes.
  2. Going in other people's rooms and putting her clothes in their closets.
  3. Locked herself in a gentleman's closet with a trash can. She was peeing in it.
  4. Trying to run away.
  5. Jerking the covers off of sleeping patients at night and yelling at them to get out of her house.

We have had to put double key deadbolts on all the outside doors. There are cam locks on all the cabinets in the house. We had to add a door to the utility room. The fridge and freezer have padlocks. All the clothes have been removed from her room and put behind lock and key. The bathroom has been emptied for her safety. The stove is not functional as she "cleaned" it to the point it will no longer work--she was taking the eyes out in the dark. (Yes, the electricity is off to the stove.)

There are no typical days. Robbie slide off into yesteryear a long time ago. She maybe in 1975, 1982 or 1946 and not on different days, sometimes all in the same hour.

Bob forgets he only has one leg now and will try to stand and walk.

They both have hallucinations and delusions and sometimes she has paranoia.

Sometimes Robbie is aggressive but not as much now with medications in her system for sometime at this point.

They both have sundowners at times.

Robbie also exhibits repetitious behaviors.

Please, learn the warning signs of Alzheimer's. Getting an early diagnosis can add productive years to your loved one's life.

Please, go here to sign a petition asking President elect Obama to make Alzheimer's a priority.