I love to POW WOW! The fellowship that can be found there cannot be replaced. I like to listen to music of all kinds, read books and magazines and watch sports.
I also like to disc golf. You can find me over in the woods a couple times a week. It's fun and quiet. I never take my cell phone with me there.
I have included some pix of my family. The first two slide shows have pix of my wife Theresa and my son Joey as well as some of my brothers and sisters. These people ar every special and we have a great time when we get together. Look for us at a Pow Wow and come by and say hello.
I'd like to meet:
Anyone with the same interests or can open my eyes to new interests. I am also a member of a Southern Style Drum Group named Shadow Hawk. I am always looking for new drum songs and Pow Wow dates and locations. If you know of any, please pass them on. I look at amyself as a sponge. I am willing to learn anything about our Native ancestors and traditional ways. I love looking at the old pictures and paintings of days gone by.
Native American Legends The Story of the Drum
An Abenaki Legend
It is said that when Creator was giving a place for all the spirits to dwell
who would be taking part in the inhabitance of Mother Earth, there came a
sound, a loud BOOM, from off in the distance.As Creator listened, the sound kept coming closer and closer until it
finally it was right in front of Creator. "Who are you?" asked Creator. "I
am the spirit of the drum" was the reply. I have come here to ask you to
allow me to take part in this wonderful thing." "How will you take part?"
Creator questioned." I would like to accompany the singing of the people.
When they sing from their hearts, I will to sing as though I was the
heartbeat of Mother Earth. In that way, all creation will sing in harmony.
"Creator granted the request, and from then on, the drum accompanied the
people's voices.Throughout all of the indigenous peoples of the world, the drum is the
center of all songs. It is the catalyst for the spirit of the songs to rise
up to the Creator so that the prayers in those songs reach where they were
meant to go. At all times, the sound of the drum brings completeness, awe,
excitement, solemnity, strength, courage, and the fulfillment to the songs.
It is Mother's heartbeat giving her approval to those living upon her. It
draws the eagle to it, who carries the message to Creator.
It changes people's lives!
Music:
Southern Style Native American Drums and flute. I am a beginning flute player. I have been on a Pow Wow drum for a little over 2 years. You can find us at most of the local Pow Wows. Come see us!
I am also a big fan of RUSH, Tab Benoit, Stevie Ray Vaughan among many others. You can see some of my favoites in my friends list.
I would guess that I have been listening to Pat Travers the longest. I picked up on hime somewhere around 1976.
I have also been listening to Jimmie Vaughan since the mid 80s. I love Rock and Roll and the Blues. When you put them together, it is even better. Like peanut butter and chocolate, it is a great combination.
I guess that I can't exclude my heavy metal side. I enjoy Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Anthrax and old Metallica.
Movies:
I always like to watch something funny. I enjoy movies like O' Brother Where Art Thou & Office Space. I have probably watched O' Brother over 40 times. It is very funny and has some great music. I also really enjoy the musical Spirit, The Seventh Fire. If you haven't seen it, you need to find a copy.
Television:
Again, I like to watch a lot of comedies. I really enjoy My Name is Earl. If you enjoy a good sitcom, you owe it to yourself to check out "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia". They manage to go where no sitcom has gone before. It is hilarious. We are also big fans of Heroes. I can't wait until it starts back in the fall. I work in television, so I enjoy anything that is not too drama filled. We watch several of the "reality' TV shows on also. Some of them are enjoyable. We are heartbroken that the Sopranos has ended. It looks like we no longer need HBO.
Books:
I finished"Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee" this summer. This is the kind of book that will break your heart and also make you very upset at how this counrty was won, or really stolen.
I just finished "Dance of the Thunder Dogs" by Kirk Mitchell. It was a good book with a lot of twists and turns. I like his writing style. It is a very easy reading style, but still gives plenty of detail to the characters. I also enjoy books by Joseph Marshall. His writing is very insiteful. Tony Hillerman is also a favorite of mine.
Heroes:
It is very difficult to find heroes these days. Morals are absent from many public figures. I have always looked up to anyone who is humble. Humilty is an admirable quality. With humility can come knowledge. A wise person is always humble and is a reluctant leader. This is the person to get behind. A great leader will become a hero. I wish that we had someone like Crazy Horse leading this country. He was brave, humble and never forgot about the people in need within his village.
Four Directions PrayerCreator, It is I.
Thank you for todayâs sunrise,
for the breath and life within me,
and for all of your creations.
Creator, Hear my prayer, and honour my prayer.As the day begins with the rising sun,
I ask, Spirit keeper of the East, Brother Eagle,
Be with me.
Fly high as you carry my prayers to the Creator.
May I have eyes as sharp as yours,so I am able to see truth and hope on the path I have chosen.
Guide my step and give me courage to walk
the circle of my life with honesty and dignity.Spirit keeper of the South, Wolf,
Be with me.
Help me to remember to love
and feel compassion for all mankind.
Help me to walk my path with joy and love
for myself, for others, for the four legged,
the winged ones, the plants and all creation
upon Mother Earth.
Show me it is right for me to make decisions
with my heart, even if at times, my heart becomes hurt.
Help me to grow and nurture my self worth in all ways.Spirit Keeper of the West, Brown Bear,
Be with me.
Bring healing to the people I love and to myself.
Bring into balance the physical, mental and spiritual,
so I am able to know my place on this earth,
in life and in death.
Heal my body, heal my mind and
bring light, joy and awareness to my spirit.Spirit Keeper of the North, White Buffalo,
Be with me.
As each day passes, help me to surrender,
with grace, the things of my youth.
Help me to listen to the quiet, and find serenity and comfort
in the silences as they become longer.
Give me wisdom so I am able to make wise choices
in all things which are put in front of me,
And when time for my change of worlds has come,
Let me go peacefully, without regrets, for the things
I neglected to do as I walked along my path.Mother Earth,
Thank you for your beauty,
And for all you have given me.
Remind me never to take from you
more then I need, and
remind me to always give back more than I take._______________________________________________________
___
I was going around the world with the clouds when God spoke to my thought and told me to...be at peace with all.
-Cochise
I believe much trouble would be saved if we opened our hearts more. I will tell you in my way how the Indian sees things. The white man has more words to tell you how they look to him, but it does not require many words to speak the truth.
-Chief Joseph
Grandfather, Great Spirit, once more behold me on earth and lean to hear my feeble voice. You lived first, and you are older than all need, older than all prayer. All things belong to you-the two-legged, the four-legged, the wings of the air, and all green things that live.
You have set the powers of the four quarters of the earth to cross each other. You have made me cross the good road, and the road of difficulties, and where they cross, the place is holy. Day in, day out, forevermore, you are the life of things.
-Black Elk
What is man without the beasts? If all beasts were gone, men would die from great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to man. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the earth.
-Chief Seattle
A powwow was originally an event held during springtime to celebrate the upcoming season of life, birth, fruition and renewal. Communities would gather together to sing, conduct religious ceremonies, dance and connect with friends and family. Today, Pow Wows are an important part of tribal unity, perseverance and renewal and are held at all times of the year. Some Pow Wows include singing and competitive dancing and have food and artwork for sale.
