BLACK BIRD SINGING...

The Story of the 1904 Fort Shaw Indian Girls, Basketball's First World Champions. In 1903, over 300 Indian children from across America lived at the Fort Shaw Indian Boarding School in a remote, isolated valley in Montana. Among the children were a handful of teenage girls, many who had only lived in tepees. They quickly learned to play basketball and resoundingly crushed all opponents, including men's and women's university teams. In less than one year after first seeing a basketball, they were crowned the first world champions of basketball at St. Louis' 1904 World's Fair. Millions saw them and some gained a deeper understanding and love for Indians and yet still far too many people of the United States did not. The 1904 World’s Fair used this unique opportunity to display the Fort Shaw Indian Girls Basketball team. They were not forced to go to the fair…they went for their own reasons. But at the fair, they were viewed less as human beings in their own right than as exotic specimens. Yes, they were aware of being on display and chose to fully participate. They loved the game and they knew that their families would be proud of them…For when they returned to Montana 5 1/2 months later, they carried the title of 1904 world champion basketball players.

In their basketball uniforms…

In their “traditional” dress

In respect of The People…

History of Tin Can Beach, CA.

Huntington Beach, one of the fastest growing cites in the nation during the 1960s, has slowed down quite a bit since it was transformed from a rough and tumble oil town into the third largest city in Orange County.
The city's first boom occurred after Standard Oil Co. began drilling for oil in 1920, and a forest of derricks lining the beaches led to the nickname "Oil City."
It gained the unflattering nickname of "Tin Can Beach" early on from the debris found in the sand.

In 1961, the state cleaned up the tin cans and created Bolsa Chica State Beach. This is where I came in. During the 60’s, my Dad, Mom and I camped at Tin Can Beach. It was not uncommon for people to go and stay for a week or two at a time. Families with 20-30 members would go during the summer, when it was so hot in the inland valley, and pitch army tents and stay for a couple of weeks at a time. Though it was renamed Bolsa Chica, the locals still called it Tin Can Beach. Oh how I loved sleeping under the stars with the sound of the waves as my lullaby.

During these camping trips, I was introduced to surf fishing…and I loved it! The pole was huge to this young girl and matter of fact for the adults also. Many a fish was caught, cleaned and cooked over the nightly bonfires. After all these years I can still remember those camping trips, the smell of the ocean and the warmth of the bonfires.

Best yet it was ALL FREE.

MEMORIES ARE SO PRECIOUS!

Well how do I begin? mmm…well….this time of the year has always been my favorite, but not this time, for it brings back some bad memories. This time last year, my world as I knew it, exploded into a million pieces. While I’ve been away from the blogging world, I took some time for myself to “work” through my emotions of what had occurred during this time. As I thought about of all that had happened, I realized that it truly left a deep wound that I have never known or had experienced before. Though I knew what was happening with my emotions, I thought I could get “over” it ASAP! Well, just like a kid I kept “picking” at the scab and the wound would bleed and flare up then I had to start the “healing” process all over again. I’ve been doing this on and off for a year now, but I’ve finally “GOT IT,” and learned to leave the “scab” alone and to allow the wound to heal. Yep, I know that this wound will leave a scar and yet it will be a positive reminder to me that in due time all wounds do heal and I survived!

I’ve learned so much from this experience and I also have learned to take one day at a time. Like the song goes…

Some days are diamonds some days are stones
Sometimes the hard times won't leave me alone
Sometimes a cold wind blows a chill in my bones
Some days are diamonds some days are stones.

Now that I have been enjoying some awesome “Diamond Days”, today you all are invited to join me in my VICTORY CELEBRATION!

I'LL BE BACK....

Just been like, super busy lately. I do check in here and read your posts. I just can't find the time to comment OR post right now.
Just wanted ya all to know I haven't forgotten any of you!

Catch Ya all Later...have a good one!

The Native Flute…

I have been away from blogging and doing the catch up thing.

Hey OGT yes I did check out your post on your native flute. Yes you are 100% correct on just how this unique instrument can soothe the weary soul. If you have not read his post you must check it out…. OFF GRID TERLINGUA BOUND

I purchase my first flute years ago at a Pow-Pow in CA and I fell in love with it’s magic. I have also been involved in a flute circle with others who share this same view.

My flute…

Tradition has it that the Native American flute was primarily a courting instrument. A young man would make a flute, set himself off from the group he was with and play a song that he and his beloved knew. She would hear this and understand his intentions. Once he and his beloved were joined together, he would throw away the flute never to play one again.

Other traditions among the Plains nations held that a tribe could be identified from a distance by the sound and songs that a member of the tribe played as they traveled. There are many other traditions, some of which are very contradictory.

The lack of verified history can be traced to the early twentieth century when Native American children where taken from their homes and placed in "Indian Schools". Once there, they were prohibited from speaking their native language, performing rituals and wearing their traditional clothes. This forced abandonment stopped the flow of Native American oral history with its traditions, rituals and culture.

But I believe with the turmoil of this world and trying times of this nation…people are finding ways to bring peace into their lives, so therefore the Native Flute has gained in popularity because of it’s soothing, spiritual sound.

It just goes to show you that the simple things in one’s life is all you need to get by. Enjoy these beautiful pics of this peaceful instrument.

Thank you OGT for bringing this honor to a sacred instrument.

JUBILATION DAY

TODAY I HAVE FINALLY MADE IT TO THE MOUNTAIN TOP!!!

OLD THINGS HAVE PAST AWAY…BEHOLD ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW.

SMALL HOUSES AND ME

l have a love affair with small and unusual houses. I enjoy looking at them be it in person or in pictures. Come take a look at some of the houses that I would love to make any of them my home.