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It sounds like Panther was not only a loving person, but had a great sense of humour. It is sad when a loved one passes. I still miss my Father who passed over many years ago, and my brother who walked on just two years ago. But, the memories a loved one leaves us with is a treasure. I will miss my dear brother-in-law who just left us on Saturday. We are at the stage where we can sit around, gather in love and talk about the memories.

Thank you for sharing about Panther.

I love the stories that you all share here at the Campfire.

When I did an article on pottery some time ago, I fell in love with the "Storytellers", pottery statues. Here is a really cute one:

Phyllis,
Is it Zuni? Dine? Who traditionally makes the storyteller statues?

We were finally blessed with a rain shower this evening. Just a light to medium steady rain. David says when it rains like this it sounds like the trees are applauding. It really does. It rained for about an hour when we began hearing slow, low, rolling thunder. Cecil said that the Grandfathers were visiting. That you can always tell it's the Grandfathers by the gentle thunder. He said that when the Warriors visit the thunder is loud and booms! I can almost hear it from memory.

I love to go to the garage and just sit with Cecil. If I sit long enough and don't initiate a conversation, he'll start talking about his childhood, his parents...things they did. And he'll talk about his journey to his current 'position' (for lack of a WAY better word).

He'll be leaving Thursday. We're all having a difficult time dealing with it. I'm pretending he ISN'T leaving. I'm so good at sticking my head in the sand. Anyway.....he's considering coming back here before Sundance so he can share the driving with David. My fingers are crossed. I really can't voice an opinion because it is very difficult for him to decide what to do. So many people want a little piece of him and we've been so blessed that he's been here for as long as he has been. I can't say anything that will influence his decision.

Panther was always very connected to the Thunder Beings. She respected them verrrry much. Once though, during kids camp, the Thunders came and she was disappointed that it was storming and the kids couldn't do the activity that was planned. She went outside and faced them - she scolded them and told them to come another time; I believe she even raised her fist at them. She learned real quick that was the wrong thing to do. She was pelted with a wind and rain that nearly knocked her down. She said she'd never seen such a storm. After the storm she went back out and offered tobacco and prayed an apology. She'd been struck 2 or 3 times by lightening over the years. The lightening strikes happened before this incident, not because of it. After the kids camp incident, she'd just shake her head when she'd tell the story and say "I don't know what I was thinking. They reminded me that their power and strength is awesome and demands respect".

Well, I guess that's all I have to share this evening.
Good evening to you all and may you all have a blessed evening and sweet dreams.

It is the southwest pueblo tribes, which would include the Zuni and the Dine', who make these lovely statues. I wrote a book review on the beautiful pottery made by women in these areas. You can read the review at:

Pottery By Native American Women

Here is another link to Storytellers:

Storytellers

Pueblo Storytellers

Here is another pottery storyteller, in a Pueblo:



from:

First People

I like this peice better than the first. This one looks functional. Is it a candle holder or a bowl?

I am not sure. It does kind of look like a candle holder. That would be very appropriate - to have a flame in the center, like a campfire. I would love to have one like that.

Do not forget - Father's Day is this Sunday. Remember to honor your Father and any fathers you know - brothers, uncles, cousins, nephews, friends, etc. Here is a message I wrote to my father:

Message To My Father

Native American Prayer

Oh our Mother the Earth, Oh our Father the Sky,
Your children are we, and with tired backs
We bring you the gifts you love.
Then weave for us a garment of brightness;

May the Warp be the white light of the morning,
May the weft be the red light of the evening,
May the fringes be the falling rain,
May the border be the standing rainbow.

Thus weave for us a garment of brightness,
That we may walk fittingly where birds sing,
That we may walk fittingly where grass is green,
Oh our Mother Earth, Oh our Father Sky.

Early today I saw two large Eagles soaring up, up, into the bright blue sky, with huge, fluffy white clouds drifting across the sky. It inspired me to write a song.

Ancient Cloud People,
Drifting across Grandfather Sky.
Grandfather Sun sending His light
To Grandmother Earth,
To Grandmother Earth.
Eagle soaring up to Grandfather Sun,
Soaring up to Grandfather Sun,
Taking prayers to Great Spirit.
Taking our prayers to Great Spirit