Winter Solstice

Oh my gosh. What a beautiful night to go skiing - fresh snow, no wind, 15 degrees F, and a nearly full moon shining in a clearing sky. My skis were newly waxed and moved so smoothly - with the exception of a couple thin spots underneath bridges where no snow had accumulated. Dante was super happy to run all over. Oops, I just looked and the windchill is minus 5. I guess the route I took along Bassett Creek was pretty sheltered - now I remember my hair was blowing as I headed back.

AP and I are supposed to go skiing tomorrow - who knows though, it's supposed to get colder. December has been nice for us. We had drinks and saw Juno on the 5th. On the 7th we dined on beet ravioli and lamb stew at Spoonriver (it's been on my list of places to go for a year) and then saw Dan Wilson at the Guthrie (and found a very private spot during the intermission). The next week I called him on my commute to work just to share how exquisite the hoarfrost and sun dogs looked. That Friday I took off work and we spent the morning sleeping in. This week we had a good talk about how we each look at the future. I'm so looking forward to the dinner date we have planned for New Years Eve.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

We just returned from our Thanksgiving trip to Chicago. All my sisters were together and we spent time providing support for our sister who recently has had difficulties thrown into her path. It was a perfect mix of eight cousins who ranged in age from six to eighteen. It got a bit rambunctious at times, but there were always smiles.

We attended the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on Saturday. John Williams conducted. It was very interesting to see the musicians play familiar pieces from several of his filmscores (Star Wars, ET, Witches of Eastwick and Memoirs of a Geisha), but the cello and bassoon pieces were completely amazing. I especially liked two sections of Five Sacred Trees.

My personal life feels good. In the past two weeks AP and I spent a couple nights enjoying each other's company - one night we stayed in, and the other we went out and saw No Country for Old Men at the Uptown.

Day of the Dead

I'm finally catching up after a busy weekend. Last Friday afternoon, I joined educators at the Frida Kahlo exhibit. Gracias to JJ for sharing the context for many of the pieces. It was already dark by the time we sped over to the Day of the Dead procession. The newlyweds pictured are Gustavo and Julie. The amazing ofrendas at El Colegio, a student performance, musica, food, and lots of people made it a great celebration. Saturday night I met up with artists who were dining at the Midtown Exchange, before serving as chaperone at a costume party. Sunday was more somber remembering those who crossed over this past year at the Memorial for the Dead at the MAIC.

Sewing project

I had to set it aside for a bit, but I've finished the dance shawl that a friend asked me to make. Now I need to get it in the mail.

Into the woods

Yesterday I woke up around 4:30 am when a neighbor's garage caught fire. And although some damage was done to the house, fortunately everyone got out o.k. Lots of emergency vehicles, fire trucks from 3 stations plus a salvage crew, ambulances, and an electric company vehicle since the fire started when a transformer exploded.

I came home and had computer problems, now that I think about maybe this was related to the electrical stuff but I had power. I didn't have luck getting online until today.

My mom and I went to a native health fair, got our blood sugar tested, had tamales and chili, watched dancers and listened to Red Pony. Then we went to the nearby thrift and dollar stores.

I checked out some books from the library and then went over to Urban Earth's one year anniversary celebration. I volunteered there last mother's day, and think I will try to become a more active member.

Today Laura and I went out to the sugar bush to cut wood with Deb and Jimmy. While we were roasting hot dogs, two young deer walked past. Dante rolled in something that smelled terrible. Very disappointing since one thing I like a lot is the smell of wood smoke, and that was all gone after I gave him a bath.

Teachers Rock!

I rode the bus today. I met a woman who rode an airport shuttle from St. Cloud and then caught a bus from the airport to the Excel Center in downtown St. Paul. We both were going to the Education Minnesota conference. i admire her choice to spend two hours (each way) doing something besides driving alone. For me riding the bus was a way to avoid the $10 event parking fee - and I got drenched.

Quite a few people I know came by the DNR booth. I met Lisa (and later Stanley from Anishinabe Academy). Lisa Bellanger (if I recall correctly) is working at South High. Eric Lindberg is a middle school teacher in north Minneapolis who was a forestry student with me years ago - guess which job he says is tougher. Claire Hypolite, chemistry and biology teacher at Edison High, updated me on changes in her life since our paths last crossed. And I nearly didn't recognize Regan Fox as she passed by.

This South Park representation of me was created at this website. My daughter thinks my fascination with South Park is hilarious.

Wabun'inini

Monday night at the wake for this great leader it was so crowded that we could only stand out in the hall and listen through the open doors. It was nice to see Bear Cronick and get a hug from this unassuming soul who can be depended to help wherever he is needed. Talked with Dick Bancroft and enjoyed seeing the warmth of the everyone's response to the film of Vernon and Dick discussing his photographic chronology of AIM history. Caught glimpses of many others before we made our way out to the sacred fire where we offered asemaa and had a deep conversation about adoption with ishkode'inini Jason Spears. Later we saw Faye and Sasha Brown and heard about Sasha's studies at Carlton.

The Mide women had been working since Saturday. Yesterday morning, Charlene Day told Jose and me a funny story of trying to get to the bathroom Monday night when the Mide people had a short time for a break. Janet Stately was proficient as always in making certain everything went perfectly preparing for Vernon's journey to White Earth. Becky Stately told me it felt good to sing the AIM song, and she was absolutely right. Annette Whitener, who had been up all night, sent food with me as I left for work. Today Vernon will be buried on what would have been his 76th birthday.

bare bones

I'm looking forward to the Barebones Halloween show. Where else can you intermingle incognito outside in the cold and dark and watch shadow puppets and perilous feats with fire (at last spring's show "Infiammato" I am convinced I saw a performer who needed to extinguish herself).

comfort food

Yesterday we slow cooked a roast in a cast iron dutch oven with onion, potatoes, celeriac and golden beets from LaFinca and homegrown carrots. Yum.

Stop and smell the flowers

Dante and I walked over to a friend's house this morning to take a look at the art she is gathering for an upcoming show. When I mentioned that Dante had been unusually interested in smelling a flower, my friend's husband speculated that the flower may have smelled like pee. I don't know because we walked home a different way.

Rice Street Art Scene

The temp was a bit chilly tonight at the Rice Street Art Scoop, but the atmosphere was warm with lots of local artists and performers. Hanging around with Damon Cuccia, Linda Escher, Mary the educator, and Jan Elftmann who were there with art cars was fun. Phil Cruces (?) and I talked about brain tanning and moccasins. Mica was there with an amazing photography project that she developed: When you are given a race/ethnicity form that asks you to Please Mark Only One, what do you do?

The art of motorcycle maintenance

After two short rides, the battery in my new-to-me motorcycle was dead. Mark stepped up to help me learn how to do some basics. The water level in the battery was really low & the brake fluid reservoir was completely empty. I added lots of distilled water and charged the battery. Next I will need to bleed the brakes and change the oil. After I dropped the bike while trying to put it on its center stand, Mark called another Mark for advice. Note to self: it's better to wear boots not flip flops when working around a motorcycle.

Ricing

September 6th - We loaded the canoe and headed north with a list of lakes, a book of maps, a cooler of lunch and Laura's expertise. Riced in Willow River until the wind picked up. Then we visited Marianna and her dogs near Woodland.

Chi miigwetch to Waawaasegamiing for a great day!

Getting started

Late last year I discovered that blogging is peaking. Now that the trend is on it's down side, it seems to finally be the time for me to create a blog. Of course, more data is always needed.