Tribute & Pow Wow -Day #2

 

How I Created A Safe Place In A Harsh World

LINK 16:23 minutes

My Saturday evening viewing. She often touches on something I've been considering...and just as often talks about things that I have absolutely 0 interest in (shopping, make-up etc.). But, there is usually something that I enjoy and I embrace the ritual of it, the beautiful photography and her dog often 'sings' with her at the very end, which cracks us up.

This week she touched on the passing of Jane Goodall (@5:23 timestamp), and put a quote of hers in the description box and inspired many comments from her followers...all honoring and remembering Jane Goodall. From her description box:

Above all we must realize that each of us makes a difference with our life. Each of us impacts the world around us every single day. We have a choice to use the gift of our life to make the world a better place - or not to bother Jane Goodall

She talked about connections fading (the ones from her past) and current connections...with the world, friends & family now, nature and animals...purpose, peace...

"Life can be a struggle and lately it feels like the world is spinning out of control. But, I remind myself, I'm not out of control. My world is what I make it..."

~Susan of Little Poet

On our way into the Pow Wow today, we paused to appreciate these 3 amazing large rocks. Funny how we've passed by these rocks for years (even yesterday), but today was the day we took a closer look. The top rock reminded me of the rocks used used in the Walker Ranch Fireplace, near Placerita Nature Center. They have that same melty look. J. noticed the "wishing rock" (middle photo) before I did! Ha.

Large silvery rock was labeled: Muscovite Aquamarine. There were many rock, stone, crystal  vendors this year. Lots of jewelry to be bought. Today we also noticed many knives to be had. An elder with a large wagon stopped us to offer his wares of handmade knives. His work was beautiful.

We walked over to Heritage Junction to have a look. The Train Station has finally re-opened after an extended closure, but they are only open on Saturdays. They have been closed ever since I returned the "Indian Rock" back to the tribe. That feels like eons ago! We'll go take a look another day. It felt like they have done work on some of the other buildings as well. Today I noticed the small 1:12 Scale Model in the window of the Mitchell Adobe. I thought of Grace as I snapped a photo. 🙂

There is a lot more to explore here, but it was time for Day #2's fry bread!

 Today J. enjoyed an "Indian Taco" and I had my usual: powdered sugar fry bread. The past few years...since before the pandemic I guess, there have been different vendors for the fry bread. They are good, but not as good as the Begay Family fry bread from years ago. I kinda miss that group, but happily eat away anyway! 

The friendly folks of Wildhorse Native Foods served us well this year.

We arrived earlier today...but they still start a bit later.  It is always slated to open at 10 am, but the Grand Entrance was not until just after noon.  This gentleman on the advertisement for this year has been attending as long as we have. You can see him above as one of the 'flag bearers' in the opening ceremony. His family is standing off to the right. We've seen the family for years too. In fact, his son (on the left of their group, next to the seated camera man) was just a small boy when we started going to Pow Wow. There is something about the long, shared (if distantly) experience...that familiarity (even from afar), that warms my heart. Anyway, all of the different tribes stand with their group around the circle for this part. there is always a blessing to open the circle, blessings for the elders and Veterans...there are many somber moments included in the burst of colorful joy of the dancers.

The group drumming for the opening is called Blue Star and they've attended for years too. You can see the gentleman in the dark glasses hitting those high notes! Generally, I don't like real high pitched sounds, as it hurts my ears...but the with the deep sound of the collective drum beating in my heart...I'm taken far away and I embrace it wholly. In this photo you can see some of the women standing behind the drum circle, singing with the men. This article explains about the drumming/singing. I'm sure there there is variety based on tribe or location, but it gives you a general idea.

As I said, I got 25 cents X 4 worth of polished rocks over the two days of Pow Wow. I will send out a few and put the rest in planted CMBs. I wore my own blues Medicine Bag today and my eagle necklace (the one I've had since I was 17), which felt nice.

Here is more info and videos, if you'd like to look some more. 

KHITS 

The Signal

SCV NEWS

To remember the weekend by, a few stickers and a handful of rocks and a full tummy! 

What do you want to do next?

 

May you get out and do stuff

May you learn things

May you come by and share now and then

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2025

A Day in the City with Elephants - Part #3

 

The fancy part of town!

Money and cacti and elephants - oh my!

Even the art and fire hydrants have bling!

Tree loving me, reminded of an old favorite in Santa Barbara...but I refrained from climbing this one!

Sculptures sprinkled throughout the park. Some made more sense than others, at least to me. 

A beautiful, greenish pond, complete with lily pads and seagulls and a nice edge for sitting.

Here are the sculptures seen above, from top to bottom:

Takeaway, 2018

Endless V, 2012

Erratic, 2007

Peace and Love, 2019

The Drummer, 1989-1990

We checked out the "merch", which was in front of a very cool 'post office' building...while  one young one checks out another. Meanwhile, we seem to be the only ones amazed by the driverless cars! I did not feel safe crossing the road, as one sat waiting to turn right. How does it know not to hit me?!! Yikes. Not my world. I can't explain how odd it looked to see - not a soul - in the front seats of those cars. I was much more comfortable among the elephants.

August brought in an elephant...how could it not?! Along side of the elephant, August brought in a lion's head - as in the many similar door knockers we see in the British 'murder shows' we watch. As a child, I had my mom's old nightstand that had a lion's head drawer pull. 🦁 These days, I've been known to say that I want a lion's head door knocker! haha A needless bit of silly fun. Plus, August is for Leo the Lion - my mama's birth month.

While cleaning out photos, I found these old art shots, printed in wallet size. The beaded driftwood was made for a friend. The drum belonged to a teacher I once worked with. She had a beautiful tradition with the preschool children during a particular time of year, where the sun could be seen getting lower and lower and lower towards the sea (the school was near the bluffs above the ocean). As the sun began to sink, she would get out her drum and they would "Drum the Sun Down" together. She drummed and they all chanted. This was the rock they sat upon during this ritual. I have always felt that these are some of the unique gifts teachers can give the children in their care...things that sing of magic and ring deep and true, for they come from the heart of a teacher.

Lastly, the circle of wishing rocks pics were taken on laminated 12X12 craft paper.  The paper was used in my Pre-K classes at the table where 'manipulative or dramatic play toys' were set up. The paper's background served as an inspiration for play by providing a complimentary setting for whatever additional materials were at hand. It was great fun coming up with these curriculum prompts. Anyway, I'd decided to take some of these 'circle' pics with my Wishing Rocks collection. I printed out lots in those days and used them for many purposes. Creative fun for me! 

You can see more old posts with the circle of rocks HERE and HERE. 

Anyway, I made my teacher friend a lil bookmark with the drum on one side and the circle of rocks on the other, with some 'magic' yarn to top it off. I have not written on it, but my thoughts were something about "traditions" on the drum side and "May the Circle Be Unbroken" on the rocks side. For now I am leaving the words off, so perhaps she can add ones that have meaning to her.

How do you take in future technology? 

 

May you step out of your comfort zone, but embrace deeply your return 'home' 

May you spend time in the moments

May you create gifts in all kinds of ways

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2025

A Series of Walks - We Walk In...

 

I looked up  what one would call 'several walks'...is there a Collective Noun for this. I couldn't find one, but I do think there Should be one! "Series" was the best I could do this time around.

Thursday June 26, 2025

A city park day...no photos needed...a place so familiar, but still new things seen - or not seen as the case may be. The week before, we noticed the swallows were gone...we did not spot a one! This week, there was a large group of them, flying higher than we'd seen them before. Why? Did we merely miss them last time?

Recently at each place we walk, we see birds that fly like, appear like swallows...but never spot a nest. Are they swallows or something else? It's a puzzle.

We stroll the path, marveling in how much the cattails grow each week...and trying to track the dragonflies and birds, who's shadows fall at our feet, but their bodies stay hidden in the bright blue sky.

We walk in mystery. 

Friday June 27, 2025

Thistles as far as the eye can see...they rustle loudly in the stiff breeze.

Off a major highway, nature abounds and if walk far enough into the hills, birdsong remains the only sound...

Crows clack and call, leaves rustle and the silent pool of water holds the promise of frogs/toads...who will one days soon sing in unison.

We walk in sound...

Saturday June, 28, 2025

We return to the bridge with more gifts to leave behind. 

Rocks small and large, shiny and interesting and made for wishing.

Another soul has left rocks behind on an entrance bench...lined up and waiting.

We walk with an open heart...

Sunday June 29, 2025

The big hill leads down into the narrow valley. It mocks me, laughing at my current skills...but we walk on and I remain carefully fearless. The golden spread of summer winks at me...it is coming on Fire Season, as they say and these fields know running is not an option. The lazy bumble bee shifts my mindset.

We (I) walk in bravery...

So, today, was a big hill, grand views and lots of rocks kind of day. Another giant Wishing Rock and a Half & Half rock, similar to the one I'd discovered while cleaning at home this week. A cairin and evidence of others who collect and leave treasures trailside (again). It made me smile to be on the receiving end of rock offerings.

We walk in gratitude...

We've discovered this geology channel: Shawn Willsey and have really been enjoying it. All the videos we've seen have been good, but we especially refer back to his Random Roadcuts series. We've learned so much and have been noticing many related learnings while on our walks. *If I said this already, please grant grace for my forgetfulness*

Anyway, we look a little more closely at the rocks, the earth, the history of place these days. This Walker Ranch fireplace was first seen in March 2021 (more info at that link). We spend time with it again today. They raised 12 children in this little valley. Can you imagine that?

We walk in learning...

We walk in beauty...

Each month we choose an old postcard from the collections of us and my parents. We write stories and messages and mail them off to the two little grandchildren. For July, the 5 year old will get the San Francisco homes, which I think look like his magnet tile buildings and the 1 year old will get the Santa Barbara hotel scene, which came from my first childhood vacation. 

I did my 'artists impression' drawings of each one. Gosh it was fun. This is quite a different choice for drawing for me. I made bold decisions as I went. My drawing does not  have to be an exact replica. I can draw more stylized and rather than true to life. I can choose colors as I wish. I can add or subtract items as I like (no people or cars or chairs for me!) The top one is not quite done, as I have yet to figure out how to draw the long view of the city below the houses (space on the right) or what I'd like to add of my own on that side of the page.

PS After going back and forth, I've placed my blog back on public. It is easier and more available to those of you I call friends. I am grateful for your readership and friendship and I am so glad you keep coming here to wander and wonder with me.

What do you walk with? 

 

May you travel well with those you love 

May you make the connections between places

May you try something new

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2025