Tsa La Gi (Cherokee) Times

Farewell, for now.

2006-11-22T08:29:00.000-08:00

I started this blog a little over a year ago to stimulate my writing skills. At the time, I was employed by the Cherokee Nation, and not challenged daily in an intellectual way. Since that time I have switched jobs, moved to Portland, and posted many, many times on everything from Cherokee affairs to life in Portland. Alas, my new life here is much busier than my old one in Oklahoma. Without my in-laws nearby, I have more time to spend with my kids than before, and less time for me. There is no Granny or Poppa to take them to dance, piano, or flute practice. Girl Scouts still comes along, as does the laundry, dishes, and other chores. My job keeps me on the road frequently, so I have less time at home. At work, I now write all day, so the thrill of writing is gone.

It is interesting to see what search terms brought people to this web site. Of all my posts, the one that generated the most traffic was the one on flip flops and bare feet. It seems if you enter the words bare feet, fetish, and flip flops, people from all over the world visit your blog. Here I was writing on things like DNA, Oklahoma coaching controversies, and Cherokee Politics, when if I had just inserted some obscure reference to a weird porn addiction, and my traffic would have doubled.

I will leave the blog up for a bit more, but I just don't have the time to post that I used to. Thanks for visiting, and I'll see you around.

DNA and tracing your Indian ancestry.

2006-10-19T12:40:00.000-07:00

There are many people who claim they can trace your Indian heritage through your DNA. Send them a sample and $250.00 (or whatever they offer it for) and they claim they can tell you what tribe you come from. Many times they imply you can use this information to get a Tribal membership. You can’t get a membership this way and they know it. You also can’t identify your tribe this way, and they know that too. Now there is evidence to back this up.

A company called African Ancestry claims by tracing mitochondrial DNA (that passed from the mother) it can match you to a database it has of DNA samples from Africans. Using this method, they say they point you to the tribe you came from. Unfortunately, the data doesn’t match the claim. According to the Washington Post, a study in Britain shows fewer than 10% of African Americans have a perfect match, and some 40% have no match. At best, they can point to a region you come from.

So how does this relate to searching for your American Indian ancestry? It uses the same methods and has a smaller database to sort from. Also, it does not reveal any paternal link. Let’s use my daughter as an example. Her DNA shows no mitochondrial DNA representing her Cherokee ethnicity. It will show her mother’s Indian heritage, but not mine. Of course, she is enrolled as a Cherokee citizen because of the link through me, not her mother. My mitochondrial DNA shows German and English heritage, not Indian. I suspect this is common, and so is one flaw in tracing your heritage this way.

Another flaw is specific tribe. While you may be able to show Indian traits genetically (such as shovel shaped incisors, see Non-Metric Variation in Tooth Form ) you cannot distinguish between tribes. Why? Look at the Southeastern Indian tribes to see examples of similarities. Cherokees, Choctaws, Chickasaws, and Creeks came from the same general part of the country. They had similar cultures, but separate identities. Even so, there was intermarriage between the groups. So how could you tell if your ancestor was a Cherokee purely, or one who came from a creek or Choctaw women many centuries ago? You can’t. It gets very complex sorting out lineage when you realize that most tribes adopted others into their tribe, or captured members, or kept slaves. There are no pure blood lines in Indian groups, just as there are no pure blood lines in European groups.

So is DNA testing a complete waste of money? No, as long as you understand what you are getting. The tests can show Indian traits, and possibly show a general area your ancestors came from, but they cannot guarantee with 100% accuracy the results you get. If you go to the expense to see if you are Indian by a DNA tests, odds are you know your family history, and are looking for proof because you cannot meet tribal membership standards. If this is so, keep your money. You cannot be dissuaded from what you believe, and the results will not stand for membership, so you really don’t gain anything. If you can afford it, and think it will be fun, go ahead. You may be surprised by what you find.

In the News

2006-10-19T09:59:00.000-07:00

It is no secret that I love AM radio and have a few favorite broadcasters from years gone by. Sometimes they cross over into television, but at their heart, they are radio guys first. One of the all time greats just died, Christopher Glenn. Most people my age know him as the voice of CBS's Saturday morning show, "In the News" which popped up between cartoons. It may not have been as fun as "Schoolhouse Rock" on ABC, but it was excellent, clever, and for many, their first introduction to broadcast journalism. Christopher Glenn had a deep resonant voice that was made for radio. His delivery was sharp and inviting. On his CBS radio work, where I heard him as an adult, he was always a reassuringly professional voice. When you grow up with a voice on radio, it just seems that it will always be there. At 68, Christopher Glenn left us far to early. Like others I listened to when I was younger, Lowell Thomas, E.G. Marshall, and Ray Scott, I will remember him fondly for his great work.

For a good article on Christopher Glenn and his career, go to here (CBS Image)

Disappointment

2006-10-18T21:06:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been greatly disappointed in someone's actions that really changed your view of them? I recently was. My wife and I bought a feather fan for our daughter's regalia. A man I knew, who also was Indian and within the Cherokee Nation said he could bead it for us. My wife got the beads, and we gave it to him to bead. This was over two summers ago. He said he would need a while, but that was okay. We didn't need it right away.

Now, what you must realize, is much work done by Indians is done without contract. Your word is your bond. It is a tradition, and your reputation depends upon your keeping your word. If you say you will do it, you better do so. There is also the concept of Indian Time. Indian time means when you are ready, and it might be a week, or a month, you will do it. Two summers plus is a long time.

Well, we needed the fan. We asked my mother in law to go see him. He wasn't done with the beading. Now, we had asked about it off and on for some time, but never pressured him. In fact, even though we moved out of state, we did not pressure him. When my mother in law saw it wasn't done, she said she could pick it up in a couple of weeks, since we needed it for a performance. He was almost done. When she returned to get it, he had unbeaded the fan, because he felt rushed and pressured.

If you feel rushed and pressured, and can't deliver on your word in a year and a half, you have bigger problems than you think. I have lost respect for this man. He has shown my family disrespect, and in so doing, me also. He has not lived up to his core values, and is a lesser man for it. He may think he is a great example of what an Indian man is, but not so. I can have the fan beaded within a week by someone else. The beadwork is not the issue. Not keeping your word, and showing disrespect to my family is. I am greatly disappointed.

Katie's Revenge

2006-09-29T08:01:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the world lines up just right. Convicted child rapist and murderer Anthony Stockelman, who murdered 10 year old Katie Collman of Crothersville, Indiana, was assaulted in prison. Now this happens to child molestors a lot. What makes this interesting is another inmate tattooed the words Katie's Revenge across his forehead (see picture). Since as a society we cannot do what many would like, it is gratifying to see inmates, many of whom are fathers, can administer a dose of justice in their own way. For more info, go to the Lost in Lima blog here: http://lostinlimaohio.blogspot.com/

On feet and flip flops

2006-09-28T10:37:00.000-07:00

I wasn’t going to do it, but then, there it was. Sally Field looking up at me from the current issue of AARP, The Magazine. She was barefoot. I’ve had enough. Why do we suddenly have a national foot fetish?

There are many examples: Rosario Dawson barefoot on Esquire’s April issue, Jennifer Anniston,Martina Mcbride, Faith Hill, or most any picture of Britney Spears. Seldom do you find pictures of barefoot men. Kenny Chesney being an exception. Hill and Chesney even work bare feet into songs they sing. In Hill’s Sunshine and Summertime, she sings “We’ve got bare foot ladies and tricked out Mercedes . . .” and Chesney sings in Summertime “And it's two bare feet on the dashboard Young love in an old Ford . . .” As a matter of fact, it is usually country music that celebrates bare feet.

What I don’t understand is why feet are so celebrated out here in the Pacific Northwest. Keep in mind I came from the Muskogee, Oklahoma area, where Merle Haggard sang “Leather boots are still in style for manly footwear; Beads and Roman sandals won't be seen.” You may not see Roman sandals here, but Birkenstocks and their ilk are everywhere. In my building at work, I see grown men wearing sandals and shorts to work. Not only when it is hot, but on 62 degree days. I have always looked at sandals as an odd choice for men, unless on the beach. To me, it is never appropriate for the office.

For women and girls, the exposed foot is the norm. I understand women have worn shoes with open toed shoes, or even nice sandals for many years, but it is out of hand these days. When did flip flops become appropriate office wear? So often you see a woman or girl wearing nice clothes but ugly flip flops. Truly, how can a flip flop be anything other than ugly? By its nature, all you see is the sole when it is raised, and the thin material that pops up and than disappears from between the big toe and what ever you call the one next to it. Often, the flip flops are dirty, or the feet hang off the sides. When the Northwestern Lacrosse team visited the White House, a team member wearing flip flops ignited a mini firestorm over inappropriate footwear, so there must be limits to where they are appropriate. For me, it is most anywhere in public.

I have a proposal. Let’s cover up feet. They are not attractive in the first place, and the orgy of foot exposure needs to be cut back. Maybe women can migrate back to a decent open toed shoe and give up the flip flop. Maybe men can just get a good pair of Rockport’s for work. I had a room mate in the Army that lined up his shoes under his bed, as was required, with dress shoes, boots, P.T. shoes, and then civilian shoes. He had two rows of civilian shoes. I believe they were Stacy Adams. None of them were sandals. How I wish more men here had his taste now. If I never see another man’s foot at work again I will be happy. To tell you the truth, I am not too thrilled with women’s feet either.

I must be a in the minority. A Google search shows over 8.8 million pages when you look up foot fetish. That’s a lot of foot exposure. Even at home I lose this battle. My wife and daughters all wear and love flip flops. Sigh.

More Packer News

2006-09-13T15:23:00.000-07:00

Today the Packers traded Samkon Gado to the Houstan Texans for Vernand Morency. This after they released Vonta Leach. The theme here is if you are a hard working, respected community member who is a positive role model, popular in the community, you must go. Thompson must be fired.

Packers General Manager - Green Bay's Great Satan!

2006-09-12T21:02:00.000-07:00

Ok,
Maybe the Great Satan is a bit harsh, but the man has no clue about the history and community he serves. If the Packers were owned by Jerry Jones, or Dan Snyder, this would be a moot point. A rich man's team is his toy to do with as he pleases, but a community team is just that, a community's. Green Bay is an anomaly in sports, there is no owner, but it is a non-profit corporation. It has thousands of stockholdres, but issues no dividends, and the stock cannot be traded. The Packers exist to serve the community. Ted Thompson does not. How else can you explain his latest decision.

Thompson signed Koren Robinson as a wide reciever today. This is the same Robinson who was arrested for DUI and evading police while going in excess of 100mph in Minnesota this summer. The Vikings released him after that. This is the same Robinson who was picked up for a DUI while on a NFL 4 game suspension for alcohol offenses in Seattle. This is the same Robinson who had over 20 moving violations while in Washington, and whose Minnesota DUI might be a violation of the Washington probation agreement. This is the same Robinson who faces a possible (and likely) one year suspension for violating the NFL drug and Alcohol policy again. This is the same Robinson Thompson drafted in Seattle.

That's right, Thompson drafted him into the league. He cannot see any possible problems, because, as he said, "This is a good kid," Thompson said in a hastily-called, early-evening press conference at the Packers' offices. "I'm not making excuses. He's made some mistakes. But this is a good kid. He is a good-character guy for all intents and purposes. He's made some mistakes." (Green Bay Press Gazette online 9/122/06).

Thompson was asked by a reporter what he would do if Robinson killed someone in Wisconsin while driving drunk. Thompson said he didn't think that would happen. He just didn't think.

Thompson is not popular right now. He has fielded a terrible team that is expected to battle Oakland and Texas for the number one draft position in the spring. His job may be on the line. But placing his hopes on Robinson show he has o respect for Packer tradition. During the 1980s, there were so many off field problems and players arrested for sexual incidents, they were being called the Green Bay Peckers. It took Mike Holmgren t and Ron Wolf to not only get good players, but to instill the right attitude so the community forgave them. With this move, Thompson is throwing that good will out the window.

The clock is ticking on Thompson now. Let's hope it is not a ticking time bomb for Robinson to kill someone while driving drunk. Afterall, it is supposed to be three strikes you are out, not a two year contract with incentives.

Creepiest News Story in a Long Time

2006-09-08T11:47:00.000-07:00

Every now and then you run across something really creepy. The below is from the Smoking Gun about a trio from Wisconsin.

"When Nicholas Grunke last week spotted a newspaper photo of Laura Tennessen, the Wisconsin man apparently became so smitten that he plotted a rendezvous with the 20-year-old woman. But the photo Grunke saw accompanied an August 29 obituary of Tennessen, who died in a motorcycle accident. Undeterred, Grunke allegedly plotted with his twin brother Alex and a friend, 20-year-old Dustin Radke, to rob Tennessen's grave so that he could have sex with her corpse. Details of the trio's degenerate scheme are contained in a criminal complaint filed yesterday in Grant County Circuit Court. A copy of the document can be found here. In a police interview, Radke said that he and the Grunke brothers stopped at a Wal-Mart to buy condoms on their way to the cemetery. The necrophilia plot was disrupted Saturday night when police received a report of a suspicious vehicle near St. Charles Cemetery in Cassville, where Tennessen is buried. When confronted by a cop, an "very nervous" Alex Grunke admitted to the grave robbing scheme, noting that his cohorts were then digging up Tennessen's coffin. When police arrived at the gravesite, Nicholas Grunke and Radke were gone, though cops noticed that a hole had been dug down to the concrete vault encasing the woman's coffin, according to the complaint. Nicholas Grunke and Radke were later arrested while walking about eight miles from the cemetery. The men are each facing sexual assault and theft charges that could land them in prison for more than five years."

Wisconsin can be an odd place. I'd blame it on the winters, but this is still summer.

New School Year

2006-09-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

Today is the start of a new school years. My wife has new kids to teach, and my kids have new teachers to pester. It did not start out so smoothly. When I went to drop my youngest off, there was a traffic jam. I sat for 20 minutes without moving one block from the school. Finally, someone came out and directed traffic, and we got moving. This was not before I got an urgent call from my oldest, saying the bus did not come, and she needed a ride. I told her I would get there as soon as I could, and took the youngest in to meet her new 2nd grade teacher. Then I found out she could not have her asthma medicine. Grr. Back to get the oldest and off to school, then to fix the bus problem. Good thing I took the day off.

It seems it was easier for me, but I just probably remember it that way. I went to a lot of different schools as a kid, here's a list.
Kindergarten Ocean Knoll in Ranch Santa Fe, California
1st grade St John's Catholic in Encinitas, CA
2nd Grade pt 1 St Thomas in Escanaba, Michigan
2nd Grade pt 2 Lemmer Elementary, Escanaba, MI
3rd - 5th James T. Jones Elementary, Gladstone, MI
6th and 7th Gladstone Middle School, Gladstone, Mi
8th Grade Escanaba Juinior High, Escanaba
9-12 Escanaba Area High School

In 13 years (k-12) I went to 8 different schools, and 5 districts, one of them twice. I changed schools in 2nd grade after christmas, which was hard.

I hope my kids and wife have a great year, but I am glad it is not me.

Chuck Says

2006-08-30T11:51:00.000-07:00

Some of you will understand why these are here. If not, just enjoy the oddity of it.

Malheur National Forest

2006-08-17T18:51:00.000-07:00

Frazier Lookout, Malheur NF

This week has been spent in the Malheur National Forest. Part of the time I was based in John Day, and tonight am at Bend. For the past three weeks when I was on the road, I used a government vehicle, and never left pavement. This week I drove my own vehicle, and have been in the far beyond of the Forest. It is amazing where a Chrysler Cirrus can go if you are careful. I have traveled between desert and forest and grasslands, been in valleys and on mountains. All in all an incredible week. Here are a few pictures of where I spent my time.

The Top picture is of the Frazier Lookout. This structure is on the National Register of Historic Places. It's lookout is up a 100' climb, on top of an elevation of about 6500'. For comparison, I live at 60' in St. Helens, Oregon. Climbing this I felt all of my 44 years, but what a view.

This is the Fall Mountain Lookout tower near John Day, Oregon. You can actually rent this out by the night to stay in. Here is also a picture of the view from this mountain.

These three pictures are of the area north of the Warm Springs Reservation.
I can't imagine trying to eke out a living here.

This is the home of the Warms Springs, Wasco, and Paiute Tribes.

Finally, this is the Strawberry Mountains Wilderness area.

Tripod Fire

2006-08-08T12:29:00.000-07:00

This week I am working in Twisp and Winthrop Washington. Near here, about six miles away, is the Tripod fire. Now, I have never worked on forest fires, but this is impressive. As I drove north I saw what I thought were cumulus clouds. As I got closer, I saw it was smoke from the fire. The fire covers over 50,000 acres. I have been told it might take until winter to put the fire completely out. They have 1700 people working this fire. If you have never been around a forest fire of this size, it is amazing.

Multnomah Falls and Bonneville Dam

2006-07-17T09:53:00.000-07:00

I took my family for a day trip on Saturday to see Multnomah Falls. Now these falls are one of the signature features of the Portland area, but left my family unimpressed, As my youngest said “Compared to Yosemite, there not that great.” So Yosemite has ruined their appreciation for the local falls. After underwhelming them at the falls, I held out little hope for the Bonneville Dam to impress them, but there was a fish hatchery there too, so maybe it would be okay, I thought.
The fish hatchery blew them away. While the fingerlings were ok and the first pond with some fish and ducks alright, when we got to the end of the path, we were stunned. They had sturgeon. Not little bitty ones, but great big ones. The biggest was named Herman, and weighed around 450 pounds. These prehistoric looking fish impressed my family greatly.

After the sturgeon, the kids were able to feed trout in two ponds, which they enjoyed greatly. They also got a kick out of the ducks. When this got old, we went over to the Bonneville Lock and Dam. Surprisingly to me, they enjoyed this too. I had visited in April, and there were no fish moving through the fish ladder, but on this visit, it was quite active. The biggest surprise for me was the Sea Lamprey. Having grown up in Michigan, Lamprey were the enemy. From its entry into the Great Lakes through the Saint Lawrence Seaway, the Lamprey have almost single handedly destroyed the fisheries of the great lakes. Lake Trout have all but disappeared except for hatchery programs, and Salmon, which can stand up to Lamprey have been introduced in their place.

At the viewing station, the lamprey were attaching to the glass like sea monsters from a 1950s movie. It was creepy and disgusting to me, but my daughters thought they were pretty cool. They also liked watching the salmon swim by from the below the water view, but when we went outside and saw the fish climbing the ladder, that was more exciting. By the end of the day they were worn out, which was an indicator of success.

My Family Arrived!

2006-07-14T13:17:00.000-07:00

The past two weeks I have been very busy. After four months to the day of being alone in Portland, my family has arrived. I found us a place to live in St. Helens, Or, and so now it is on with life.

My wife is incredible in meeting people. She was in town one day before we were invited to a BBQ. She also has found a Cherokee flute maker, and been to his house. In four months I have been to no ones house. She amazes me.

My oldest daughter has already made a friend, and had her spend two nights at our house. She is a bit sad for leaving Oklahoma and leaving her friends, but I don’t think it will be a problem.

So once I get my internet service up again, I will update more frequently, until then, I will be reconnecting with my family. Oh, the image is Mount Saint Helens last Sunday. Notice she is smoking.

Stereotypical Marketing Again

2006-06-29T22:11:00.000-07:00

There is a company called Costume Wear House out of Michigan. They seem to sell costumes for kids dance recitals and such. I am sure they think they are doing a fine job of spreading culture. I found out about them when searching for an image online. This image came up.

It is offensive to me. Besides sexualizing our children, it denigrates Cherokee culture with stereotypes. If it's an Indian, gotta have a war bonnet, check. Girl, make her look like an Indian princess. I am sure that when my ancestors were collecting berries in the homeland of the southeast, they all dressed like this. Why the fringe probably helped attract a fine young Cherokee buck for this Princess, especially since she spent time out on the plains and earned her bonnet. What a gal.

Images like this sicken me, and I have great difficulty with companies that promote this image. Please don't buy costumes like this.

http://www.costumewearhouse.com/

Rush and Viagra

2006-06-27T19:30:00.000-07:00

Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh was detained in Florida for having two bottles of Viagra in his possession without a prescription. He was released after three hours. Forgetting it was Rush, you have to feel bad for any man in this situation. But it does beg the question, why two bottles? The reports indicate he could be forced to do jail time because of the conditions of his problems with painkillers. With that, let's consider the following.

If he has to do time, will it be a stiff sentence?
Will he do hard time?
If it lasts more than four hours, will he have to seek medical attention?

Just how much action is the divorced Mr. Limbaugh getting that he needs two bottles of Viagra for a vacation get away, and who is he getting it from?

I need an Ambian and Zoloft.

The power to move people.

2006-06-26T07:40:00.000-07:00

Today I saw with great affect the ability of one man to move people. A man who reached down into his gut and put it all out there for others. I saw with my own eyes as hundreds of people responded to this man, people felt moved to action. If I ever doubted the possible effect one man could have on so many others, so quickly, so definitively, today I had those doubts removed. Because today on the Blue Line Max train, between Gresham and Hollywood, it happened.

This man projectile vomited on one of the two train cars, three times. He got off on the next stop. Someone let the engineer know, and at Hollywood, two Trimet police came on saying “we are looking for vomit!” They got off, and then people got on from the other car, telling us what happened. “Man, he cleared out a whole area, people really moved!” The police came back on, and told us we all had to get off for a biohazard. The train pulled away empty. The next one would come in six minutes we were told. I looked around and said to the woman next to me, “who says one man can’t make a difference in people’s daily lives.”

Drownings

2006-06-25T23:21:00.000-07:00

In the area around Portland - Salem Oregon this weekend there were four drownings in three days. This amazed me. I grew up around water, and there drownings, but not that often. Four in a weekend, especially four unrelated drownings, was rare. In Oklahoma there were more drownings, but usually involved boating and alcohol. People don't associate Oklahoma with water, but it really has quite a bit of water. But back to Oregon. Here there is a lot of water. Rivers like the Columbia and Willamette run fast and are big, but are not really swimming rivers. Most of the recreation is in smaller rivers and lakes. Rafting accounts for some of the deaths, and I believe people either underestimate the rivers or over estimate their skills. In the lakes, it is at spots without guards that invite death. Oddly, it is not the ocean that claims so many. People seem to be aware of its danger, and that combined with it being cold, keeps them safe. Suprisingly (to me) Oregon rates as one of the states with the highest drowning rates. Let's hope that the rate slows down a bit. Four in three days is to many.

for info on illustration see http://dvnc.tripod.com/art/

DA@#*D homeless Thugs!

2006-06-23T13:03:00.000-07:00

The waterfront near my office. I work in the orange brick building behind the trees.

The Max light rail.

Today I am not feeling compassionate, or loving, or understanding. I am felling ticked. It started this morning as I rode the light rail into work. I got on the Max at about 620, and got a seat up front, alone. Within five minutes a beggar laid his hand on my shoulder and asked for fifty cents. Now a few points here. First, I don't like to be touched. My parents didn't touch me growing up, and I like it that way. Heck, I don't get touched by my wife and kids that much, but a stranger doing it makes me mad. You could say I am tactile averse. So this bum irritated me before I got to work.

At lunch I walked to the park to get some sun and read for a few minutes. A group of aggressive young homeless guys came around. When they raise money for the homeless shelters, these are not the poster boys. They show you broken middle aged or older men, mentally ill men, sad women, sometimes with small children. What they never show you in the fundraising literature is the large, athletic drug using homeless who choose the life over work and responsibility. That's who these guys were. They were all around 20 to 24, and in good physical shape, smoking cigarettes, cursing, and indifferent to the needs of others.

One of them went in front of my bench and urinated. When a woman complained, he berated her and chased her off. He laughed. He wasn't mentally ill, he was a thug. These are the types that beg for money to do drugs, and will steal from you in a heartbeat. There were no police around.

So I now have a choice. I can stay in my office which is guarded by four armed guards, or I can go out and be hassled for money, and intimidated, and watch young men pee openly in the streets. Let's here it for the rights of the homeless now. They get free reign while we have to change our ways and give up our rights for safety.

The police need to lock them up and run them off. It is disgusting they are allowed the run of the downtown. The older homeless do not act like this, just the younger thugs. Perhaps they will die of exposure. Truthfully, today I just don't care.

The day draws near

2006-06-22T19:52:00.000-07:00

Livin' on Tulsa time
Livin' on Tulsa time
Well you know I've been through it
When I set my watch back to it
Livin' on Tulsa time

Chorus from Don Williams Tulsa Time

In five days, my family will experience great change. On that day, they pack up the moving van and hit the road. I left Oklahoma driving in a Chrysler (sorry Don) on February 28th. Since then I have been back only for one long weekend in April as part of a business trip. That means out of 114 possible days, I have been with my family four. That leaves 110 nights alone, 110 days with kissing my wife or children, 110 days of eating alone. Needless to say, I am anxious for them to get here. That should happen on July 3rd. Not in time for my Birthday, but before the fourth of July. Let's call it the Loss of Independence Day. Once again I will have to consider what others want to watch on TV, what they want to eat, and what they want to do. I will have to remember to put the seat down, knock before I enter the bathroom, and ask if anyone wants anything from the store.

I will have never been happier. I won't be living on Tulsa time, it's coming here.

This and That

2006-06-21T18:34:00.000-07:00

Sort of a slow time now, so here are a few tid bits.

In suburban Oregon, police observed a man on a motorcycle speeding at over 100 mph. When they finally arrested him, they said he must have been going 150mph. He corrected them. He had been going 180. The police kindly wrote the ticket for that amount based on his word.

In Marquette, Michigan, a local man has published a book claiming early European explorers mined tons of copper in Northern Michigan. Ten to fifty million pounds in his estimate. Somehow I don't think there was large scale mining by Europeans before 1492 that left no record, no manuscripts, artifacts, or genetic evidence among local indians.

Mine was one of the millions of veteran id's compromised by the V.A. Any thief who steals my identity will be sorely disappointed.

Today is the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. It's all downhill from here. All you druids have a good time. Being a good Michigan boy, I prefer Carhenge. Cold Michigan Steel marking the seasons, that's for me!

Integrated Neighborhoods in Portland

2006-06-19T18:07:00.000-07:00

In the Washington Post, there is an article entitled "In Parts of U.S. Northwest, a Changing Face." The gist of the article is how some community leaders in Portland are upset with the gentrification (read this as Whites moving in) of traditional Black neighborhoods, and the loss of Black Neighborhoods. Said one activist "It's destroying us, socially and politically," said Ford, the neighborhood activist from Portland. "It is just a total inconvenience and disrespect to black folks." Seattle writer Dan Savage said "Many of the white liberals who condemned white flight are just as angry at the white folks who are moving back into the cities."

What are we to make of this? When people complain that Blacks are attending White Churches?
"I have begged our people not to sell their properties but to no avail," said the Rev. Reggie Witherspoon, pastor of Mount Calvary Christian Center, a church in the Central District that is trying to open a second location in Seattle's southern suburbs, where many parishioners have moved. "A good majority of them have decided they cannot afford to drive into the city, so they have joined suburban white churches." Have we totally lost our minds? Should we not stand up and sing for joy? Where during WWII in Portland the government had to build a neighborhood (later swept away by a flood) for blacks because of segregation we now have whites and blacks living in harmony and attending the same churches, and people complain?

If you spend time in Portland, you see many differing peoples: Whites, Latinos, Blacks, Asians, all living and working in the same area. There is some division, but for the most part, there is harmony, not discourse. Let us remember what the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King said in his I Have A Dream speech:

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal." I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor's lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. This is our hope. This is the faith with which I return to the South. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

Let's not be upset that in Portland and Seattle's inner cities Black citizens can sell their homes and move to better neighborhoods and better schools. That they can sell their home and make a tremendous profit is a sign of success, not failure. In Detroit thousands of homes stand vacant. Reminders of the days when Whites fled rather than live with Blacks. To decry the integration of a community, one where Blacks and Whites pray together, work together, and live together, is wrong. Rejoice that we have reached a point where it is not a matter of race where you live, but rather of choice. Be glad that you can sit in church looking at a mixture of Blacks, Whites, and other peoples. We may lose a traditional Black neighborhood, but not a culture.

I sincerely doubt that a Black man or woman will forget their culture because they live in a mixed neighborhood, or attend a church that has more Whites than Blacks. Despite living most of my life away from the Cherokee Nation, I never forgot my heritage. Being part of American culture did not make me less Cherokee, it just made me a Cherokee who lived in America. Blacks having the economic advantage of home ownership, the ability to move to a better place is not a thing to be mourned, but celebrated. I think Dr. King would be proud.

Above image: Portland Police

Father's Day

2006-06-17T21:20:00.000-07:00

I am the youngest in my family, and my father is his, as was my mother. Growing up, I was not around younger children except at school. Once I got into Jr. High, I wasn't around little kids at all. Perhaps because of this, I didn't like kids. When I got older, this remained, until I was about 20, when I realized it wasn't that I disliked them, I didn't understand them. What I really didn't like was poor parenting, of which there was an abundance.

When I met my wife, I was in my 30s and had never been a father. I had been dating Terri for a while, and it was getting serious, so she wanted me to meet her daughter. So I went to her home and met her daughter. She was barely four, and seemed so small. We went swimming. I told her in the Army, my drill sergeant said privates didn't have names, they were all Freds. Then I called her Fred to tease her. She told Terri "Momma, I don't think he knows my name". Since then, I have called her Fred. Terri and I married, and I have always considered Fred my own. I have always told her, she was my first little girl.

Terri and I had a girl together. The night she went into labor, Terri wouldn't let me take her into the hospital until after I took her out for some Mexican food. Is it any wonder our daughter is a bit of a hot pepper? At the hospital, I stayed with her as they performed the C-section. The doctor said "Is this twins?" and I about passed out. It was just one, and she was as beautiful as any baby ever born. Terri wanted to know her score, to make sure she was healthy, but I knew she was ok. After what Terri had gone through before, she had to be perfect. I took my daughter to the nursery and bathed her while they finished with Terri.

Seven years plus have passed since then. When I was younger, I disliked children because I didn't understand them. Now I know better. There is no joy such as that a child can give you. When you see the world through the eyes of your child, you reawaken. Things that you have forgotten are brought back to you.

The innocence of childhood will end soon for Fred. She is 12 1/2, and boys already are calling. C.C. has grown right past Blue's Clues and Dragon Tails, and now watches more, if not sophisticated, at least more complex cartoons. She also loves Animal Planet. I watch them grow and am amazed what they have learned, and how they see the world.

For the past three and one-half months I have been living and working apart from my family. In less than two weeks they will finally be here. To me there is no greater gift. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. They lie. It tears your heart from your chest in a terrible pain. The phone can ease the pain, but just for a time. The only way to heal it to to be together as a family. My wife has endured much for me, and my children too. I cherish them and am proud to be called father. It is a title I wear only because my wife loved me, and my children do too. I hope I honor them in my actions.

It seems only yesterday that I swam with Fred on that day I met her, and first held my youngest. Too soon they will be grown and gone. I don't know how parents deal with the pain of when a child moves out. But until then, I will love my family all I can, and cherish the limited time I have with them.

Somebody's got to be unafraid to lead the freak parade

2006-06-07T18:39:00.000-07:00

Nope, not the leader!

As on many days, I was walking a downtown street in Portland on my lunch hour today. For the second time this week, I saw someone who was a bit different. It brought to mind the Big and Rich song Freak Parade, which seems to be on display more than usual lately here in Portland. This is the time of the Rose Festival, so there are more folks than usual downtown, and many of the homeless cannot hang out at their usual location, as it is filled now with arcades and rides for the carnival that accompanies the fest.

Going into Payless shoes the other day was a gal about six foot four with a five o'clock shadow. She probably went about 225 to 245, and had a large adams apple. She was dressed in open toed sandals, lime green dress, and had her hair tied back. I hadn't run into a Portland resident like this before, but outside of thinking "interesting" didn't give it another thought. Until today. At lunch today I ran into a smaller Portland gal with similar features, only smaller. This gal was wearing a white sleeveless top and a short black skirt. Her lacy bra was visible underneath, as was her adams apple.

Now here is the scary part. Neither of these gals were the freakiest person I saw downtown on each day. I see on a regular basis young homeless kids with colored hair and multiple piercings. Tattoos have got to be extreme and unusual to merit attention, but those that make patterns on the face and down the neck usually catch my eye. Today I saw a fellow with multiple seams tattooed on his face. Try and picture a baseball tattooed across the face and head, and you get the idea.

So between tattoos and piercings, cross dressers and aggressive begging, I only have one question for the gatherings of unusual folks. Who is going to lead the Freak Parade? It usually starts near Pioneer square, but it is desperate need of leadership. I would volunteer, but I am afraid minor eccenticities are not enough to gain a place, let alone leadership. So if you are willing, Pioneer Square is the place. And don't worry about the sun, today they were giving out free samples of Bert's Beeswax, so they are looking out for you.

Day of the beast

2006-06-05T23:01:00.000-07:00

Today all hell breaks loose, or at least if I believe the breathless reporters on television newscast. According to them, it is a once in a millennium event, the 6-6-6 day. Lock your children away and grab your bibles, because Satan will walk the earth. Well, maybe not, but you would have a hard time believing otherwise based on the news. In Hell, Michigan they are having a festival to take advantage of the day. After all, nothing sells like sin and evil. Let's market to the whole family!

In Beaverton, Oregon, some students are going to stay home because of threats to kill students on 6/6/6 that popped up on Myspace. The reporter in the story on Channel 6 KOIN in Portland even used the term "Mark of the Beast" in his report. So here we have two of the most evil things in America, Myspace and 6-6-6.

Hollywood will release a remake of "The Omen" on 6-6-6 to take advantage of the day. Afterall, they have your family entertainment need in mind. Trust them.

Here is the kicker. It is no 6-6-6, it is 06/06/06, or 06/06/2006. In a Julian date it is 2453892.75 at 6:00 am, and the commercial Julian date is 6157, meaning 6(for 2006) and 157th day. This calendar repeats every 10 years. A good explanation of calendars and Julian dates is found at http://www.hermetic.ch/cal_stud/jdn.htm

One thing to remember is the current calendar system was unknown at the time of the Bible, so the date of 6/6/06 means nothing. It didn't exist. So let's please ignore the news reports, forget the hype, and remember that 6/6/06 is nothing but the 62nd anniversary of D-Day in World War II. So instead of worrying about the Mark of the Beast, go read Stephen Ambrose's D-Day June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II and contemplate true evil. And while we are at it, let's cut Myspace a little slack.

Just a sample of Miranda Lambert Playing in the fires of hell on 6/6/06

Note: I don't know if it was the subject matter, but it took me 1 1/2 hours to upload Satan's picture!

Pictures on the desk

2006-06-02T15:30:00.000-07:00

I am sitting at my office desk, well cubicle really, looking at the pictures of my family. I have five pictures here, one of my wife, one each of my daughters singularly, and two of my daughters jointly. The pictures cover a seven year period. What makes them unusual is in only one of them are they dressed normally.

I have a picture of my daughters in their Easter dresses. This is my all time favorite picture of them, and it is old. My youngest, who is now seven, was still just a baby. The girls are sitting in a field of blossoming Redbud Clover which appears to go on forever. This is as close to normal as it gets. The rest of the pictures are of them in Cherokee Tear dresses. These dresses are long and full, and very modest. The collars surround the neck, while the sleeves go to the wrist. The dresses are full length. Three of the four dresses are blue, but there is no significance to this other than my wife picked out the material and liked it. One dress is sort of a cross of lavender and pink, at least to me. But since I am a male, what women and I call specific colors are seldom the same. For instance, I still can never pick out what fuscia is.

The last picture is of my wife. She stands with a beautiful smile in a formal dress. When I say formal, most people think of an evening gown, but that is not this dress. This is a period dress from the 1860s or so. She has full length gloves with lace, has a type of headpiece that is lacy, and there must be fifty seven yards of material involved. Okay, that is an exaggeration, but there is an awful lot of material. Underneath the dress she has a hoop and full multi layered petticoat. The dress was custom made for her by Betty Bradley, and the picture was taken, I believe, by Tom Harris. Tom was a great guy who has since passed on, and Betty is the wife of a charming Englishman I supervised. So the picture is filled with memories, not just of Terri, but of friends not forgotten, and a previous place in our life together. But it is on my desk because it is one of my favorite pictures of her.

It says something that all of the pictures relate to stops in my professional life. They were either related to the historic site I worked at, or to Cherokee culture, which was the basis of what I used to try and preserve in my day to day life in Oklahoma. Soon I hope I can add to the pictures. Perhaps of my family on Mount Hood, or at the Beach of the Pacific Ocean. I hope I can include the dog this time too. He is family too you know.

Spam

2006-06-01T23:03:00.000-07:00

I counted my spam today. I had 438 junk e-mails in my yahoo account. I have had this account for over 6 years, and have used it on several discussion list and groups. It is also the one I use when I have to give an address when I sign up for something. That is 174,470 junk messages to that one account each year. Out of those, I open 0, none, zip nada. Those are pretty poor odds for a junk marketer. I never click to get my free dinner at Applebees, or a cheap mortgage. I don't care that Staci is `8 and bored so she wants to show me something on her web cam. I don't want a deal on a car, or to invest in Nigeria. I never open them. Some emails do get through to my regular account past the filter, but I delete those too. The worst now a jpg images offering me stock tips for overseas companies. I don't but stocks on Wall Street, I sure am not going to buy them unsolicited from a spam email.

Some one must open them and respond, but I don't know whom. I hate to think how many I would have if I opened them.

Another Day in the Field

2006-05-24T19:32:00.000-07:00

I have passed this site each of the past three days, so I had to stop. There are a few things you need to know about me to understand this photo. First, I love windmills. I have told my wife we need to get one some day. I think they are phenomenal, and haunting. Second, I love abandoned farmsteads. I see them as mysteries. Who lived there? What were their dreams? Did the farm make it? I just love the old farms. Finally, I find this area very peaceful. So that explains this picture.

Here are a few more pictures, first Spring break up. Back home we have Spring break up. It is when the ice breaks, and pushes up on shore before it goes out into the lake. It is pretty wild and magnificent. Here in eastern Oregon, the break up is a bit different. As you can see the hill breaks up instead, and tumbles down the road.

Finally, here are a few pictures of the river I am working near.

Friendly Pendleton

2006-05-23T20:17:00.000-07:00

As I returned from Dale today I needed gas. The station I stopped at was full, so I had to circle around to get into line. Since I was stiff from work and driving for an hour, I got out of the car to stretch, even though It is against the rules to pump your own gas in Oregon. As I stood there, a fellow in another car called over to me.

"Your a long way from home aren't you!" A friendly Oregon resident, this was new.

"Yeah, just working on a project near Dale," I replied.

"I saw your plates when you pulled around. Where is that?"

Now it made sense. I forget about my License plates. I work in Oregon, but my home and my family still are in Oklahoma. I have Cherokee Nation License plates. The fellow who called to me was also an Indian. The Pendleton area is home to the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla Tribes, all on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. He had seen my plates, and was asking about the Cherokee Nation. Now it made sense. I am not used to friendly residents from Oregon (I am sure they are here, I just haven't met one at a gas station before), but I am used to other Indians being friendly.

He had done his Army time at Fort Sill, and so knew a bit about Oklahoma. He asked if I had been to his cultural center, which I had, and we chatted. My tank was full now, and so was his so we parted ways. It was nice to talk to another Indian. In Oklahoma it was so common, I never gave it a thought. Since I came to Portland, it is rare indeed.

South of Pendleton

2006-05-23T19:19:00.000-07:00

This week I am working in Dale, Oregon, about 70 miles south of Pendleton. The population of Dale is about 50. For the first fifty miles or so, the view is like this above. It is magnificent emptiness. As I get closer to Dale, I drop into a valley along a river, and there are many trees.

While I was working, there were no people near me. I am at a abandoned Forest Service complex. It is very quiet and erie. I did make a few friends though, their pictures are below.

Driving and Enlisting

2006-05-10T21:25:00.002-07:00

I was having trouble coming up with something to write about today. Although I had read the paper, visited my standard web sites, and driven about 800 miles in the past two days with trips to Darrington, Washington and Eugene, Oregon, I was blank. Then I skimmed the news headlines again.

On sunday along route 26 up near Mount Hood, there was a collision that killed four people. (I use collision because they are seldom accidents but instead the direct result of a drivers action, or failure to upkeep a vehicle). A 23 year old man crossed the centerline at a high rate of speed in his 1999 BMW and hit another car head on. His three passengers (his sister 23, cousin 16, and family friend 19) were killed, as well as the wife of the driver of the other vehicle. Both drivers were hospitalized. Traffic was shut down for four hours, and the BMW was essentially torn in half. The other car was a Dodge Intrepid. Now here is the infuriating part.

The driver had recieved seven 30 day license suspensions between 2001 and 2004. Officials are still examining his driving record. Despite these seven suspensions, he never had his license revoked. He went on to kill four people. A very effective drivers's license program here in Oregon. the "Drive untill you kill too many people then we will consider revoking your license" program.

The second story out of Portland involved the U.S. Army Recruitment office in Portland. Recruiters there signed up an 18 year old from the area. His parents were not happy, and tried to get the enlistment canceled. No story there untill you learn the following. The young man has autism. The parents told the recruiters, and asked them to check school records. The recruiters told the young man he didn't need Momma making his decisions for him. They enlisted him as a cavalry scout.

Cooler and wiser heads in the Army prevailed, and the enlistment was canceled. The recruiters are being investigated. As an Army veteran, that they would behave this way sickens me.

Carrie Underwood Graduates

2006-05-06T23:02:00.000-07:00

According to an article on the Muskogee Phoenix website, Carrie Underwood got her degree. Good for her. So many in her position would have not finished. She seeems like a nice person, and I wish her well. Now for Northeastern State University, I have a burr under my saddle. Last year my wife got her Master's Degree. This was a big event in our life, and for the other families who sat outside and watched their family members graduate, it was also a big deal. So what did the university president talk about? Carrie Underwood. Granted, she had just won American Idol, but he held her up as an example of what NSU can do for you. Only three problems there: She got her talent from God, not NSU, She had to quit school to participate, and the attention should have been on the graduates, and the sacrifices they made.

When a president of a university focuses on a student who had to quit that school to succeed, it makes no sense. What he said to the crowd came off as "you wasted your time. Carrie didn't need our education, look how well she did!"

I am glad Carrie Underwood is doing so well. I am also glad she got her degree. She seems like a young woman I can use as an example for my daughter. She declined interviews at graduation to put the focus on the other students. Would that he had done so last year.

Native American Flute and my Daughter

2006-05-06T19:52:00.000-07:00

(image from Fretwell Flutes)

First a caveat, I am a proud father. That said, I think I have a good reason to be one. Today my daughter performed at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo. She was there to represent the Girl Scouts, and did a very good job. She began playing about three years ago, and progressed very rapidly. Now, at 12 1/2 she has recorded an album of Native American style flute music, which is selling well. So I am very proud.

She has over a dozen plains style flutes, and two cane flutes, one of which is played to the side like a metal flute. She also plays metal flute and piccolo in band at school, plus piano, which she has been playing for six years now. Since I play no musical instruments, I an not only proud, but envious.

I don't use my kids name on this blog, but I am more proud than you can imagine.

Most of the flutes she plays are made by Jerry Fretwell or Joyce Barnes, with flutes by Tommy Wildcat and Butch Hall also in her collection.

Fretwell Flutes: http://www.fretwellflutes.com/index.html
Morningstar Music and Art (Joyce Barnes): http://www.geocities.com/morningstarmusic/
Butch Hall Flutes: http://www.butchhallflutes.com/

Proof of survival of the fittest

2006-05-06T12:45:00.000-07:00

I was looking online, and found a funny site. When I saw these pictures, I thought I would share them. The site address is embedded in the pictures if you want to see more. Not all are suitable for families or work.

Here is the picture.

Texas Ranch House Reflections

2006-05-05T18:37:00.000-07:00

A special "Guest Posting" from my wife. The First Time ever!

I am a true fan of the PBS period-reality shows like the 1900 House,
Outback House, Colonial House to name a few. This season was Texas
Ranch House. Now, having lived on a cattle and horse ranch all my life in the
heat of Oklahoma, I couldn't wait to watch. Set in the 1860's after the
civil war in Texas the Cooke family starts a ranch. With the exception
of a few men and one very stuck up Yankee woman, everyone was a greenhorn.
The actual Cooke family is from San Francisco--that should explain it
all in its self. The first 2 episodes were filled with the usual: setting
up a ranch, figuring out the pecking order, and a few fights. Early on it
was clear that the "rancher's" wife was the one packing the balls. As a
re-enactor of the 1820-1860's periods, I was appalled at the behaviors
of the women through out this show. Their reasoning was the show really
wanted them as their 21st century selves in a 19th century setting.
However, the cowboys didn't get that memo. They jumped whole-heartedly
into the 19th century which began the split between the Cooke family
and their ranch hands. In the 3rd episode, the ranch hands discover the
Indians who had stolen their horses. One cowboy was "captured" and the
Indians wanted to trade for some cattle. As a Native American, when Mr.
Cooke stated that he wouldn't deal with "terrorists", I thought I could
have scalped his lily white ass my self. Using his 21st century self,
he totally missed the point of the encounter. In the 19th century, Mr.
Cooke would be dead as well as his wife because she was nagging and lazy, his
daughters would have been taken into the tribe, and all the cattle
would have been taken too. All because they were on Comanche Land. By the end
of the 4th episode, I was hoping the Indians would have just burned
them out. Mr. Cooke broke his word to his cowboys and in that time
period -- "Thems fightin' words". Their final grade was harsh and rightly
so. I'm hoping they do "Native American Tepee" for the next show.

Random Thoughts on Today's Commute

2006-05-05T16:41:00.000-07:00

Some random thoughts today.

On the Max (Trimet Light Rail) on the way home: The train was overfull, with people standing shoulder to shoulder.

If you smoke, be aware you smell really bad to those of us who don't. It may not be a problem usually, but when your body is pressed to mine, it is not pleasant.

At Skidmore Station (home of the homeless shelters) a man screaming at the top of his lungs - "Don't you respect the U.S. Constitution? Well, F*** You!" He was red faced and angry. Thankfully he didn't get on the train. Hey buddy, that is not freedom of expression, that is intimidation, and in some instances, against the law, but thank you for your scholarly opinion.

The gaggle of young women who refused to let three thuggish young homeless men, "Uh Uh, we ain't got no room for your dog, don't you get on here!" Thank you girls. I might disagree with you syntax, but applaud your effort.

If you feel the need to talk on your cell phone, do it quietly, or be prepared for the wrath of the gaggle of young girls.

To the young man who was explaining why gas is $3.00 per gallon: your economic model is flawed. Because Bush is an oilman does not explain it. You may want to consider the 2.5 billion Chinese and Indian who want to have a middle class life have a bit to do with it, as well as twisted environmental regulations. It is not all Bush's fault.

So as you see, public transportation is as exciting as always. After all, why drive alone when you can be one of the teeming masses!

Junk mail from Mrs.Kabir asking to help her in God's work.

2006-05-04T22:01:00.000-07:00

I received the following in my email:

Hello Friend,

My name is Mrs. Jennifer Kabir I am a dying woman who had decided to donate what I have to you.You may be wondering why I choose you. But someone has to be chosen. I am 59 years old and was diagnosed for cancer about 2 years ago,immediately after the death of my husband, who had left me everything he worked for.I have been touched by God to donate from what I have inherited from my late husband to you for the good work of God,rather than allow my relatives to use my husband's hard earned funds ungodly.I have asked God to forgive me all my sins and I believe he has, because He is a merciful God. I will be going in for an operation,and I pray that I survive the operation.

I have decided to WILL/Donate the sum of $6,500,000(six million five hundred thousand dollars) to you for the good work of the lord, and to help the motherless,less privileged and also for the assistance of the widows. . . .

It goes on, telling me to contact her lawyer at a Yahoo address, his name is Larry Barrister. In England, a Barrister is a lawyer, subtle huh? So I have a message for the dear, soon to be departed Mrs. Kabir.

Dear Mrs. Kabir,
I am pleased to hear that you are pursuing other opportunities in your lifestyle. I think you will find death a suitable option to what you currently practice. Invoking cancer, God, and your late (but ungodly) husband is pretty low. Was your thesaurus out of similes for starving orphans and abused children? Please ask your lawyer, Mr. Barrister, um, I mean Larry, since we are so close, to give your money to my friend in Nigeria, who is trying to remove his millions out of the country. All he will need is the account number and routing number of your bank. And please Mrs. Kabir, please die soon so my Nigerian friend can get on with your wishes to do God's work.

Sincerely, Rick.

Snowbank

2006-05-04T19:51:00.000-07:00

When I was in graduate school, I had to deal with a snow storm on May 5th, 1996, just before I graduated. It was the latest I ever had to shovel snow, until today. For work we visited several sites around Mt. Hood, Region, including the Zig Zag Summit complex. After asking about their papers, I looked at their buildings, and participated in an outdoor meeting. This location is on part of the old Barlow Road, which was part of the Oregon Trail. When we were getting ready to leave, one of the drivers vehicles was stuck in the snow, hence the shoveling. We actually had fun teasing him about this, and then we pushed him out after we removed some of the snow. The picture shows the snowbank along the drive. The snow is melting fast now, but you can see how they do get an awful lot during a winter here. 70 miles to the west in Portland, it was nearly 80 today. Where I was, it was in the upper 50s. This definitely is not like Oklahoma.

Tahlequah Daily Press Community Forum and hatred.

2006-05-03T19:05:00.000-07:00

On the Tahlequah Daily Press' web page, they have a community forum. On it, I have seen some of the most vitriolic, hateful things in political discussion. Unfortunately, they usually involve discussions of the Cherokee Nation, UKB, and Principal Chief Chad Smith.

There is one fellow who refers to Chief Smith as "Bigamist Chad Smith", or "Two wife Chad Smith." Now, if he disagrees with Chief Smith on policy, I have no problem, but when one starts out with a personal attack, it shows ignorance, hate, and destroys your credibility. I stop reading the articles usually. I skimmed several to write this, to get examples of what other tid bits there might be. He refers derogatorily to former congressman Brad Carson and current councilor Cara Cowan Watts as 1/1000th Cherokees.
Here, while claiming the Chief doesn't follow the rules, he attacks two who are fully within the rules, because he doesn't like the blood quantum. He also attacks the Cherokee Nation on the Freedman issue, even though those under this decision have no blood quantum. Which is it, you don't need a blood quantum, or you must have one, be consistent.

If you disagree with the Principal Chief, attack his policies with reasoned, educated arguments. If you believe strongly in the rights of the Freedman, use history, precedent, and the law as your basis. Don't make claims of racism you can't back up. If you don't agree with the blood quantum of council members, run for council or Principal Chief. If you just want to bellow like the ass by the barn, you will get the same result. You will be ignored.

Pick your career carefully

2006-05-01T17:26:00.000-07:00

My wife has worked as a Speech Language Pathologist for a year. As I looked for a new position, she would check to see if there was a job in the area for her. Most of the time, there was not a job for me (I am qualified as an Archaeologist, Historian, Museum Director, among other things). But for her, there were emails and phone calls begging her to come work. She gets unsolicited offers in the mail. According to government officials, the outlook for museum workers, historians and archaeologist is below average for job growth. For SLP's, it is above average. Pick your career carefully.

Median Income Speech Language Pathologist: $46,060
Median Income Historian: $42,030
Median Income Archaeologist: $38,620
Median annual earnings of archivists, curators, and museum technicians: $35,270 (Source: College Grad.com, 2002 figures)

Unfortunate tattoo

2006-05-01T17:15:00.000-07:00

I stopped by the apartment office to see if they had a copy of a letter. When the young women who was filling in bent over to look in the file, I noticed she had a "Seahawks" tattoo across her lower back.
"You must really love football," I said.
No," she replied," my ex-fiance did."

And that my friends is why you need to be careful with tattoos. It could have been worse I suppose. After all, she could have put his name or a backwards roman numeral on her body!

Trip to Central Oregon

2006-04-30T17:48:00.000-07:00

I had to go to central Oregon for work this past week. I had never been there before, and was impressed by its beauty. "I could live here" I thought, which if you know me, is a dangerous thought. I have moved for less. The picture above is a farm near Sisters, Or. This is typical of how beautiful the Sisters - Bend area is.

On the second day, we went east, and while up in the mountains, we visited on old Cinnabar mine. If you are like me, you don't know what that is, and I am a mining historian. It turns out it is quicksilver, or mercury.

This mine had opened in the 1930s and operated into the 1960s. It has been cleaned up for environmental safety, and a plan is being developed for a little interpretive singage. I was in heaven here.

After a drive west, I found my self standing in a desert environment. It was stunning in its beauty, but brutal to those who tried to settle here. Many early settlers lost everything trying to live in an area with little water and brutal summer heat. Today, you would never guess how hard it must have been.

I drove north, back home to Gresham and my apartment. As the miles flew by I marveled at the beauty of this area, and different it was from where I now live.

News from Packerland

2006-04-26T20:31:00.000-07:00

Brett Favre Theme Song
Should I stay or Should I Go, The Clash 1982
Should I Stay or should I go?
Should I stay or should I go now?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go there will be trouble
An' if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know
This indecision's bugging me
If you don't want me, set me free
Exactly who'm I'm supposed to be
Don't you know which clothes even fit me?
Come on and let me know
Should I cool it or should I blow?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go there will be trouble
And if I stay it will be double
So you gotta let me know
Should I stay or should I go?

Brett Favre has announced he is returning for a fifteenth year. In related news, Charles Woodsen has signed a seven year, 52 million dollar contract. Hope spings eternal. Super Bowl here we come (or at least 6 and 10!)

Olympia Forest Pictures

2006-04-26T18:29:00.000-07:00

Last week I went to the Olympia National Forest for work. Here are three pictures. The picture to the left is taken In Forks, Washington. this was the view out of my Motel. I felt badly for the horse. Not because of the rain, but the mud. He had no way to get around it.

The picture to the right is typical on the Olympic Peninsula. Very pretty there.

The picture below is of old stumps from when there was a lot of logging. They are about four feet across.

The oddest commute ever?

2006-04-25T15:51:00.000-07:00

I had one of the most unusual trips ever on the Max (light rail) today. I sat on the bench seat, in the middle, with space on each side. A woman came up and asked if I could slide over so she and her friend could sit together. No problem, I slid over and returned to my book. As I sat there reading Michener she began to complain about her husband.

“He’s lazy, he won’t do anything. I am so $%#() tired of it!” she said to her friend. She went on for a bit, dropping curse words where she thought they were needed, but I thought were unnecessary. Then it happened. She asked me a question. I had followed the rules. I did not make eye contact, I was reading, minding my own business. I shouldn’t have been bothered.

“Hey” she said, “how do you have someone committed. Do you know how?”

I had a problem here. Every fiber of my body told me to ignore her, but I was raised in the Midwest. I could not help myself. I must be nice even if it costs me, so I answered her. “Yes, I do know.” So I told her about having someone being involuntarily committed, and that they usually must present a danger to themselves or others.

“Would threatening to kill me count?” she asked with great seriousness.

“Yes, that would fall under harming himself or others.” How I longed to move away.

She went on and told me he was bi-polar, a heroin addict, and completely dependant on her for everything. The conversation lasted from Gresham to Skidmore Fountain, a travel time of about 40 minutes. She was in school to get a degree in psychology, had mostly beaten heroin, but was still on methadone. She didn’t want him to drag her down, back into drugs.

“Do you ever want to have a house, or kids, or a career?” I asked her. She did, but was having trouble seeing how his holding her down affected those dreams. So I tried a different tact. “When you get off the train, look in a mirror, and ask yourself if you are a worthy person. Do you deserve to have better than this? The answer should be yes.” She pondered this, so I went on. “You said he is like a child, and irresponsible. You are tired of being his mother, right?” She agreed, and looked serious. “So you are like his mother, who meets all his needs, except he gets sex on the side. Basically, you are in an incestuous dependant relationship. He has no reason to change. He gets everything he wants from you, without having to try and clean up and be responsible.”

“Wow, that’s so deep” she said to me. I had to get off the train, so I wished her well, and left. All of the people near me watched me get off the train. They had all listened to the conversation, while trying to pretend not to. It was therapy in a public setting. I knew why she asked me, because she told me while we talked.

“I knew I could ask you, you looked smart.”

It was the strangest commute I have ever had. I think I will exchange James Michener for Dr Seuss.

The Fall of Miners Castle

2006-04-23T01:15:00.000-07:00

In my native Upper Peninsula there is a jewel called the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Located on the south shore of Lake Superior between Munising and Grand Marais, it is a remote, beautiful park. The crown jewel of the park has been Miners Castle (pictured above, left). I have visited this spot many times. When I was 19, my best friend Max and I decided to camp out at the park. We hiked in, and on the way saw Miners Castle. We climbed down to the shore and then back up to the rocks. Once there, we saw a viewing platform, but we got there the way early explorers did, hiking up the cliff side. Somewhere there is a picture of a long haired Max in a wife beater laying on the rock.

On April 13th, one of the two towers fell 90 feet into Superior below. Many Yoopers felt a sadness, for this was a part of our common upbringing. It fell victim to the regions weather. After too many frost freeze thaw cycles, the tower fell, leaving the results you see above on the right. If you look closely, you can see the crack in the before picture. The formation is now being called miners tower, but it is just not the same.

So if you go just east of Munising but west of Mosquito Beach, you will see the remains of Miners Castle. Here where Henry Alexander, Douglass Houghton, Max Hinkley and I all stood at different times, now there is a view into the lake of fallen rocks. Remember them as they were, and that we too are here but briefly. May our fall create such discussion and fond memories.

Effect of Rain in Portland

2006-04-21T21:23:00.000-07:00

I just spent two days on the Olypmic Peninsula in Washington. It was beautiful, historic, and wet. In a few days I will put a few pictures up of the trip. When I got back to Portland, this story was on the news. I think this shows the results of too much rain and not enought sun.

Updated: 10:46 p.m. ET April 21, 2006
PORTLAND, Ore. - An Oregon man who went to a hospital complaining of a headache was found to have 12 nails embedded in his skull from a suicide attempt with a nail gun, doctors say.

Surgeons removed the nails with needle-nosed pliers and a drill, and the man survived with no serious lasting effects, according to a report on the medical oddity in the current issue of the Journal of Neurosurgery.

The unidentified 33-year-old man was suicidal and high on methamphetamine last year when he fired the nails — up to 2 inches in length — into his head one by one.

For more see the link.

It will teach me to clean the bathroom

2006-04-18T22:31:00.000-07:00

I decided to clean up the bathroom. Not the main bathroom, but the secondary that hardly gets used at all. This was a mistake. As I was cleaning the stool, I knocked the lid off the tank, and broke the corner off. Crap, now I had to fix the lid. I know I will have to replace it down the road, but I could glue it. So off to Wal Mart to get some glue. I was looking for a good glue, but all they had handy was a six pack of super glue, for a dollar. That should have been a warning. So I went home with my six pack, and set it aside. After packing for a trip and getting ready for bed, I grabbed the glue and headed into the bathroom. This was my second big mistake. I was wearing jeans, but no shirt. When I opened the glue with the handy opener that came with the stick, it squirted everywhere. It dripped onto the lid, over my fingers, but worst of all, onto my stomach. Let me be clear here. At 43, I know longer have a stomach, I have a belly, a belly covered with some hair. I am not talking wolfman hair, but enough that having it coated with super glue was a very bad thing. Plus the tube was sticking to my fingers, as well as my third and fourth finger sticking together. I managed to get the tube loose, pry my fingers apart, and get the broken piece re-attached to the lid. The next hour has been spent peeling glue from my fingers, and I cannot describe what it was like peeling glue from my belly.

This stuff should come with a warning label.

Baked German Apple Pancake

2006-04-02T20:01:00.000-07:00

Twenty-five years ago, I worked for a Village Inn pancake House in Columbus Ohio. This probably wasn't the best thing for me, since I started to hang out with the people who worked there instead of going to college. But the best thing of working there was the Baked German Apple Pancake. This was a rich, filling dish that I loved. When I left, I missed it. A couple of years later I once went on a date that consisted of a 150 mile drive to Green Bay, Wisconsin just to get a Baked German Apple, and then return home. Then Sadly, the chain stopped serving them. They take about 15 to 20 minutes to cook, which is a long time to keep a table from turning over in a busy period. I was crushed.

In 2004 I was in Portland, OR on business, and went to a Village Inn for breakfast. To my surprise, they still served the Baked German Apple at this one. I was in heaven. Now that I have moved to Portland, I had to go and see if they still served them. To my delight, they do. I am in heaven. The results of the visit are shown above. I may just gain 150 pounds, but it will be worth it!

What are you building?

2006-03-30T18:39:00.000-08:00

There was a beautiful house. It was built of stone and stood tall and proud. At first others admired the house. They thought their houses being near it made them more valuable. But eventually, they began to grow jealous of the house. Slowly but steadily, their resentments grew, until they could stand it no more. When they could get away with it, they would tear a brick or a stone away to build up their own. The big beautiful house would not miss it, and theirs would look so much better for the effort. More and more took a brick or stone, until the beautiful house didn't look so beautiful anymore. One would have thought that they would stop now that the brick was not so grand anymore, but they didn't. Now that the beautiful house was average, they felt entitled to take more, since the beautiful house didn't need it. After all, it wasn't beautiful, and they were building a beautiful house of their own. Finally, there was nothing left of the beautiful house. Where once it had stood tall and proud, was just left ruins. The others had completely destroyed it. Every brick and stone they took to build their house tore the beautiful house down until it was destroyed. The funny thing was, as you looked around, none of the improved houses were beautiful. In fact, they were quite ugly. But the owners were so pleased in their efforts, they didn't notice. They just looked for another beautiful house to get more bricks and stone until it too would be destroyed.

What kind of house are you building?

Gresham, OR: Stop me before I shop again!

2006-03-29T18:54:00.000-08:00

In Gresham, OR, Wal Mart is trying to build a store. The city has already refused a Super Center, saying there would be too much traffic. Wal Mart is now looking at putting in a smaller store. They local folks are going crazy to stop it. They say there will be too much traffic, that Wal Mart is an evil company that exploits workers, and there will be drug dealing in the parking lot. Wal Mart, they fear, will put local businesses out of business.

Now I am an unofficial expert on Wal Mart. I have lived in communities that had them come in, in communities where they seemed to have always been, and in communities where they have closed a store and opened another down the street. I even once lived only a few hundred feet from a Wal Mart that had hitching Posts for the Amish. So with this expertise I say most of the arguments against this Wal Mart are garbage.

I live about two blocks where the Wal Mart would be. There is a lot of traffic already. Because of local zoning and anti-growth laws, most of the Portland area, where Gresham is, is high density population. The site of the store is an out of business grocery. Adjacent to it is a new office complex and a McDonalds. Across the street from that is a SafeWay complete with other stores in a small Strip Mall. On the Third Corner is yet another small strip mall. On the fourth, is a Walgreen's drug store next to some housing. Within a few blocks are several large apartment complexes and housing complexes. We are not talking virgin countryside here.

While there may be more traffic, since it is already a developed business area, that shouldn't be a problem. I do not think they would be up in arms if a Kohls, Target, or other big box retailer wanted the property.

They say Wal Mart is evil, and not labor friendly. What can be more labor unfriendly than keeping jobs from people? They will counter that they are not full time jobs, but as one who once fought to get a 30 hour a week retail job at Sears, I counter that no job is worse than a part time job. They say it exploits its worker, doesn't keep them full time, and doesn't pay health care. Neither do most companies in retail, and I don't see protests outside the Gap or J.C. Penny's.

My favorite argument is there will be drug dealing in the parking lot. Keep in mind the current site has a vacant store that is not lit up at night. Go to any Wal Mart, and as you enter, look up at the roof line. Count the cameras, and then look at the parking lot lights and do it again. Wal Mart parking lots are not known for crime, especially drug dealing. I am sure the environment is worse now for drugs than it will be with a Wal Mart.

I have another theory. Some who are against Wal Mart are elitist or racist. They assume only hay seeds and illegal immigrants would shop there, and perhaps, meth fiends. They don't want these folks near them, so they fight against Wal Mart. Nothing drives down property values more than a few Mexicans you know, we don't need their kind. It must be hard for them to look down their nose at people when they have their heads up their asses.

The other argument, that it will force other businesses to close, is the "stop me before I shop again" defense. If evil Wal Mart opens, I will stop paying higher prices to Bob down the street, and then Bob (who pays retail wages, offers no health benefits, and contributes to local traffic) will go out of business. Stop Wal Mart from coming so I won't shop there. Please, if you worry about local merchants, continue to shop there. I won't stop you, but I would like the option to buy bread for under $2.00 a loaf, and a pair of Jeans for a reasonable price.

Anti Wal Mart activists remind me of Faux environmentalists. They drive to a rally in an SUV, wearing petroleum based products (plastics like rayon and in shoes) and then try to save the earth as they drink overpriced coffee in a Styrofoam cup. People, become educated about the global economy, basic economics, and then look in a mirror. Why are you really against Wal Mart? The answer might shame you.

Freedman

2006-03-24T21:09:00.000-08:00

Who determines a citizenry of a nation? For the Cherokee nation, until the Civil War, the Tribal Council did. You could be adopted into the tribe, or you could marry into it, or simply be born into it. Traditionally, if it one left the boundaries, you were still Cherokee, but not a citizen. That is why, during the Dawes roll, you had to live within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation.

A funny thing happened after the Civil War. The Cherokee Nation initially was forced to support the CSA. The Union forces had withdrawn, and if the CN did not support the CSA, Stand Waite was quite prepared to forcefully make it happen. The Majority of the CN supported, and fought on the Union side. Once Chief Ross could, he repudiated the CSA treaty, and swore Cherokee allegiance to the USA. Unfortunately two things happened at the end of the war. The first was the assassination of President Lincoln, who would have been more sympathetic to the South, and to the Cherokees, and secondly, the U.S. Congress wanted retribution, plus Indian lands. The Cherokees were forced to sign a harsh treaty, and part of this included giving citizenship to the Freedman.

Now back to the question. Who determines Citizenship? The US Government tried and failed to destroy the Cherokee Nation. When the government drew up a new confiscation, there was a decision to base citizenship on blood for those who descended from the Dawes roll. With the more recent, yet unapproved by BIA constitution, there was no provision for Freedman to be citizens. Cherokees were Cherokees, Freedman were not.

The Cherokee Nation's Supreme Court said that Freedman were entitled to citizenship. The muskogee Phoenix reports that a new citizen was denied service at Hastings hospital, which is operated by the Indian Health Service. So we get to the question, who determines citizenship. According to the Cherokee Supreme Court, they do, and Freedman are citizens. The IHS is trying to determine what to do with the Freedman now. They are not Indians, do they get service at the IHS?

This has nothing to do with mixed blood Cherokee who have Cherokee and African blood. There is no question there. They are Cherokee, and entitled to services. But to descendants of Freedman, whose ancestors received allotments under the Dawes roll, what do they get? It is an interesting question.

For me, I say you must have Cherokee blood to be Cherokee, and the Citizenship that goes along with it. The Cherokee Court says otherwise. Time will tell what happens. I have a feeling the UKB is laughing at this one. The opponets of Chief Smith who encouraged this suit, they may have unleashed a situation that is bigger than they thought.

So again, who decides who should have citizenship. The voters who vote on the Constitution? The Chief and Council, or the courts.

Dragging home

2006-03-23T19:29:00.000-08:00

I dragged my self home from work today with a headache. I was tired, and only had 90 cents in my pocket till the morning. Needless to say I was not in a very good mood. After I got off of the train, I stopped to check the mail, and there it was. Mail. I reached into the box, and pulled out not one, two, or even three, but four letters from my wife. I won't go into what she said, but my mood lightened greatly. When you work in one area, and your wife is in another, it is hard. When you get four letters that remind you why you work so hard, it is very pleasant. I love my wife, and it just little things like this that remind me why.

A girl in the park.

2006-03-20T13:05:00.000-08:00

I took a walk today at lunch along the Willamette River. Today it was about 55 and mostly sunny. Portland has done a wonderful job of converting its once polluted river into an attractive urban landscape. Where today there is a waterfront park, there used to be a four lane highway. Back in the 1960s they had the wise idea to remove the waterfront freeway and replace it with the park. It was a smart choice.

All along the riverfront people were out. I saw the intense hard-charging office types out for a brisk power-walk, as well as those out just enjoying the warmth of a spring day. There was even a contingent representing the permanency challenged segment of our society who were scattered on benches and the grass. One young unkempt cluster was even sharing a bag of wine. What might have seemed romantic and daring in Hemingway’s time just struck me as dirty. Not porn dirty, but old fashioned take a bath and get a haircut dirty.

I saw one young woman, probably in her early twenties in the grass. She had her bicycle laid down near her, and was on her stomach, shoes kicked off, and reading. The thing that made her stick out was she kept paddling her feet up and down like a child. It is an act that I think can not be done while unhappy. I wanted to approach her and ask her how she was so happy. Not why, but how. I really didn’t care why. She could have new love, won the lottery, or just liked the grass, it didn’t matter. What did to me was how she managed to keep out the world from her happiness.

I am a contented man. I have a wife who loves me, two girls who are fun, and also love me. Heck, I even have in-laws who put up with me which is saying a lot considering former actions of mine. But I allow the world to interfere with my happiness. I used to lie awake worrying about work, and those who I was responsible for. As I walked today, my mind drifted off to bills and work before I could pull it back. How did this young woman keep it at bay, if only for a short time?

I actually know the answer, or at least the approach. I know not to take my work home, to find hobbies outside of work, to invest in my family, and schedule me time. The trouble is, I know a lot of things. I know how to lose weight. I know how to clean my car. I know how to write long hand written letters. These are all things I know how to do, should do, but don’t.

I am glad I didn’t approach the young woman. Outside of the creepiness of a mid-forties man approaching an unknown young lady, it would have impeded on her happiness. I am glad she was there though. She made me think. Thanks, whoever you are.

Knitting on the Train

2006-03-19T21:04:00.000-08:00

It was one of those rare spring days with a warm sun and only a few clouds. I swear I thought I saw locals running in fear from that bright yellow ball in the sky.

On the train Friday, there was a man, about 45-50 knitting. Now this is unusual, but not strange. He seemed to be good too. Those needles were flying! Now the only reason I mention this, is two construction type guys were near me, and it bothered them. On was about 25, the other about 40 to 45. They felt the need to start loudly berating the man for knitting, What type of homophobia they were I am not sure, but it made me uncomfortable to listen to. Had I been younger, stronger, and with a couple of friends, I might have said something, but I didn't. For that I feel ashamed. But since I have a wife and kids, I am willing to eat my feelings of rage at injustice at times, so I will be there for them. Still it stinks that there are people like those two in the world.

Downtown Portland

2006-03-15T14:29:00.000-08:00

Downtown Portland
Here are some of my Portland experiences the past few days. I thought I would take the bus to the train to commute to work. This works well in the morning, but not so well in the evening. In the morning, I get on the bus at 6:24, and get to work by 7:15. In the evening, well, it takes longer. The first night I tried it, I hopped on the wrong bus, and had to walk back to the start point. That was okay, because I didn’t miss the bus. It only runs once an hour. The second night, I waited, and waited, and waited. I left work at 4:00 and got home at 6:20. I don’t mind a long day, but waiting in the rain for the bus is not for me. On the third day, I drove to the park and ride. Straight to the train, straight home. Total daily time saved, about 1 ½ hours. Screw the environment, this will work from here on out.

On the train, I am hit up each day by beggars. My patience is wearing thin. Hey, I understand hard times, but there really isn’t an excuse. There is a labor shortage here. Go get a job and leave me alone. I cannot afford some spare change. I keep that with my spare time. If I can eat once or twice a day while I wait for my check, you can too. Leave me alone.

I took a walk today and saw the freaks and color of the city. More begging, some protesting, lots of office workers out on lunch. It was great. There were some folks trying to save baby seals. I was tempted to point out to them that they club them in Canada, and the importation of their fur into the USA is illegal, but I passed. They needed to drive north if they want to affect change. There were also some women holding anti-Bush signs. They had multiple causes, but were united in opposition to him. Who says our president is divisive. He brought these women together!

Rain continues, but overall it is not too bad. I will be happy when I can get to the field and really start what I am here to do.

Freedman
I saw that at the monthly Council meeting, Principal Chief Smith thinks the voters of the Cherokee Nation should decide the question about the Freedman. It seems a bit late to me, but we will see what happens. What bothers me most about the issue can be defined in two parts: sovereignty and politics. On the Sovereignty side, the Cherokee Nation should be allowed to define its citizenship as it likes, period. I don’t like edicts that tell the Cherokee Nation how they must decide who is and who is not Cherokee. As to politics, there are some who used this matter to try and enlarge the voter rolls as a way to move ahead politically. I think that is reprehensible.

Now in Oregon

2006-03-13T15:45:00.000-08:00

I have arrived in Oregon, and begun my new job. I am working for the Forest Service now, and it is a bit different. On my first day, I went on a road trip for four days. I have been to the coast, southern Oregon, and through the heart of the state. I think I will like this job. Time will tell.

It is a bit of an adjustment here though. In Oklahoma, I got up about 6:45, and was out of the house at about 7:40 to get to work by 8:00. That left enough time to get a cup of coffee if I wanted. Here I am up at 5:30, and out of the house by 6:20. I catch a bus to the train and get to work at about 7:15. It takes about an hour to go the 15 or so miles to work, but I don’t pay for parking, and the FS pays my fare. It has rained just about every day since I got here, but never a big storm. There was a bit of snow, but that was alright.

I won’t be able to update every day like I used to, but I will update as much as I can. I will comment on the voting rights case in the Cherokee Nation soon.

On the Road Again . . .

2006-02-28T18:53:00.000-08:00

I will be away for a bit and on the road so no updates for a bit, sorry. Here is the last for a week or two.

Today was the regional livestock show's first day. My daughter had to be there at 8:00 this morning to register. Her animal today, goats, did not begin judging until 3:00, she actually showed her goat at 7:30. She was in the ring for about 10 minutes. There were 450 goats total, in 20 classes. I have had enough goat for awhile. She still has to do her heifers this week. I am glad I never showed animals.

How can you have cowboys without pastures?

2006-02-26T13:47:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went to Sand Springs and today I went to Jay. All along the way I noticed houses where there used to be none, and pastures being cleared for more development. In areas where cows once grazed, today stand houses, stores, or roads. How can you have cowboys with no pastures?

My father-in-law used to rent pastures to graze his cattle. He used to have a lot of cows, now he doesn't. People either sell pasture land to developers, or they rent it to hunters. My father used to lease land from the Cherokee Nation for grazing, until he was outbid by a group who wanted the land for hunting. How can there be cowboys without pastures?

I live on a farm that raises cows, chickens, and horses. A few years ago, we were in a rural area. Where there used to be cows on 120 acres, now there are houses. We used to worry about water for the cows, now we worry about runoff from the developed properties, and the safety of cows and horses right next to houses. Many times dogs owned by the new neighbors have chased calves and horses. I am not sure how long my father-in-law will be able to keep animals here. We were here first, but are but one lawsuit away from getting rid of all the animals. How can you have cowboys without pastures?

In the future, will the only cowboys be in the movies, or in an all male dance reviews? Will all of our meat come from Argentina, Canada, and Brazil? What will happen to 4H, FFA, and Rodeo? How can you have cows with no pastures?

One of those darned internet quizzes

2006-02-24T14:02:00.000-08:00

My wife's friends send her a lot of stuff that usually gets deleted. Today, however, I am feeling a bit lazy, so I am going to steal from her email. Her friend sent one of those Getting to know your friends" quizzes, so I will do it here.

The answer to number 35.

1. What is your occupation? Historian.
2. What color are your socks right now? Black.
3. What are you listening to right now? VH1 Classic on the TV, Indigo Girls. (Don't read too much into that.)
4. What was the last thing that you ate? Roast Beef sandwich.
5. Can you drive a stick shift? yes.
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Periwinkle.
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My wife.
8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Sure.
9. How old are you today? 43.
10. Favorite drink? Tie between coffee and diet Dr Pepper.
11. What is your favorite sport to watch? Football.
12. Have you ever dyed your hair? No.
13. Do you wear contacts or glasses? glasses.
14. Pets? Three dogs, Copper, Maggie (dachshunds), Pocahontas (blue heeler).
15. Favorite food? Porterhouse, baked potato, salad, cobbler.
16. What was the last movie you watched? Part of Last Tango In Paris (I couldn't sleep and it was on).
17. Favorite day of the year? The one I am currently living.
18. What do you do to vent anger? Bottle it up inside until it explodes.
19. What was your favorite toy as a child? Stuffed elephant named Albert, which I still have(Christmas 1969). It used to have a pipe and a blue hat, but they are long gone now.
20. Fall or spring? Fall (which I always refer to as Autumn.)
21. Hugs or kisses? Hugs.
22. Cherry or Blueberry? Cherry.
23. Do you want your friends to email you back? A comment on the blog will do.
24. Who is most likely to respond? No one.
25. Who is least likely to respond? Most everyone who reads this.
26. Living arrangements? This week Fort Gibson, next week, Portland, Oregon.
27. When was the last time you cried? Few years ago, I think.
28. What is on the floor of your closet? Terri's shoes, and then some more of her shoes.
29. Who is the friend you have had the longest? Probably Brad Curtin, Then Max Hinkley.
30. What did you do last night? Took my wife and oldest daughter out for Italian food.
31. Favorite smells? Sagebrush in the desert, after a rain, the smell of my children.
32. What inspires you? Having to provide for my family.
33. What are you afraid of? Losing my teeth.
34. Favorite Hamburger? At the Denio, Nevada general store, they have a hamburger with bacon, egg, cheese, guacamole that is out of this world (at least in 1996 they did).
35. Favorite car? 1987 FSO Polonez.
36. Favorite dog breed? Dachshund.
37. Number of keys on your key ring? 3.
38. How many years at your current job? Start a new one next week, but outside of the Army, I have never stayed at a job over three years.
39. Favorite day of the week? Saturday.
40. How many states have you lived in? 10, will be 11 next week.
41 How many states have you visited? About 43.
42. Favorite holiday? Thanksgiving.
43. Have you ever driven a motorcycle or heavy machinery? Both.
44. Favorite scripture? Genesis 1:1, it is the start of a very good book!
45. Good Advice? Know what you want to do, then just do it. (Wm Paine, founder of Paine Webber, and more importantly to me, the Copper Range Consolidated Copper Company.)

Detroit, Big Bay, and environmentalism

2006-02-23T19:43:00.000-08:00

Ford's Model T Plant

If you know me at all, you know I love old industrial sites, abandoned farms, and old mines. I see in them a story of prior glory and faded dreams. Whenever you see an old abandoned farm, you must remember that a family was there. A man and woman tried to eke out a living. Sometimes it worked, others not. But it is more than just an old farm. The same is true of abandoned factories and mines. They were the keys to communities, economies, and families. The make up of America today is in large part due to these factories and mines, as they recruited labor from overseas to come and work. Poles, African Americans, and Italians in the Detroit area came to work the factories. Finns, Swedes, Cornish, and Italians came to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for the mines, just as dozens of other nationalities came to make a better life for themselves through hard work.

Those workers gave so much so their children would not have to suffer as they did. They worked, built, and sometimes died, to make America what is today. The landmarks they left behind them today decay and fall from disuse. We have entire regions changed forever from their efforts. The mining districts, the Keweenaw, Gogebic, Menominee, Marquette, Vermilion, Cuyuna, and the great Mesabi, as well as the western copper fields and the vast coal and lead districts across America are testament to the efforts of these workers. The steel mill towns of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and auto capitol of Detroit are all lasting monuments to the efforts of what we can do when we dream. But sadly today they are past their prime.

In many parts of the country, people have visions of desolate landscapes and abandoned towns in the rust belt. It is not true or accurate, but there are many old factories and mines today crumbling to the ground, or sitting like lonely sentinels guarding the past. They should be documented so they are not lost. In Detroit, there is a group trying. Detroit Yes, hey have a fantastic website at http://detroityes.com/Default.htm that is trying to document all of the old auto plants and factories being lost to time. It is worth a visit.

In Big Bay, they are looking for metals. You would think the prospect of new mines would excite those who have watched the mines close and economy dry up, but you would be wrong. Opponets of the mine are trying to get a local trout listed on the endangered species list. They really do not care about the fish, but want to use this albatross of a law to stop the mine. Where once men sacrificed everything to build a country in a cold, remote area. Today their descendents try to block new mines so they can have their vacation homes and not have to deal with truck traffic. It is the misuse of this law that has made it so hated by many who try and build. The environment is precious, and must be protected, but the laws that protect it should not interfere with legitimate growth and exploration. The same folks who complain about high gas prices want no exploration for any resources in the U.S. If you are truly committed to environmental protection, tear down your house and convert the land to wildlife habitat, burn no fossil fuels, and use no non-renewable resources. Until then, do not abuse the legal system so you can hike the woods at my expense.

President's Day

2006-02-20T07:40:00.000-08:00

Today we remember our Presidents. It is an interesting idea, especially since we attach our ideals to rate how they served. While growing up, those who were of age in Franklin Delano Roosevelt's time swore he was the greatest ever, and if pushed, was the thirteenth apostle, serving at the right hand of God. Those who were young when John F. Kennedy swore he was the greatest, plus the most handsome man to walk the earth. To current conservatives, Ronald Reagan was the model for perfection, while liberals would resond it was Bill Clinton. Flip the groups and each would acknowledge the other's favorite as the worst ever. As I said, our ideals color our opinion. With that in mind, my top five and bottom five U.S. Presidents.

Top 5:
1. Teddy Roosevelt. A rugged individualist, educated, who served because he believed he could make things better for common folks. Trust buster and environmentalists, he did what he said he would.

2. Ronald Reagan. Said he would return the US to preeminence in the world and he did. Took office in a recession with hyper-inflation, Americans held hostage, and a hollow military. Curbed inflation, bankrupted the Soviets, and rebuilt the military.

3. Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Took office in the Great Depression and still elected four times, the most ever. Gave the nation the spirit it needed to overcome the Great Depression and World War II.

4. Abraham Lincoln. When the country was being separated, he fought to keep it whole. He kept conflicting interest together for the greater good. Managed to be reelected during a civil War, plus is the most written about American ever.

5. George Washington. The first Could have been crowned King, but served two terms and stepped aside. Forgotten today is his brilliant intellect and political skills. Stood over six feet when most men stood about 5'7".

Worst

5. James Buchanan. Did nothing while the United States fell apart.

4. Warren Harding. Presided over corrupt, scandal ridden cabinet.

3. Jimmy Carter. Inept, with zero leadership traits what so ever.

2. Woodrow Wilson. The wrong man at the wrong time. Even the US wouldn't go along with his League of Nations.

1. Richard Nixon. Wins by default for resigning in disgrace. Had it not been for Watergate, would have been rated a very good president. Then again, if frogs had wings they would fly when they jumped.

Special Place In Hell Award:

This is reserved for Andrew Jackson. His policies resulted in more Indian deaths than any other president. I hope the fires in hell are stoked quite high for him.

Winter finally arrives

2006-02-18T15:26:00.000-08:00

Two days ago, it was about 75 degrees. Today the high was supposed to be 19, plus a strong wind. Last night my wife and I went to Broken Arrow to the Bass Pro shop to get some rain gear for me. On the way home it started to rain, and by the time we got to Muskogee, it was freezing rain. This morning we awoke to several inches of snow, which covered a layer of ice. My youngest was excited, and was out in her snowsuit by 8:00. My oldest was not as excited. Today was 4H shoe day in Fort Gibson. They canceled the cattle, but the goat, sheep, and pig show went on. She had a goat in the show. Although the roads were quite slick, we bundled up and headed off to school to show a goat. She didn't win but did okay. On the way home, we couldn't get up the hill because of ice, and had to take a different, longer way home.

Anyway, here are some pictures of the area with snow. Enjoy.

In Memoriam, Tom Harris

2006-02-16T20:13:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine passed away this morning. His name was Tom Harris. I met Tom in the late 1990s while I was the Director of the Fort Gibson Historic Site. My wife Terri met his wife online, and he came to the fort to photograph Terri in her 1860s period clothing. Tom and Linda thought the site was pretty cool, and they started to volunteer at the fort and reenact. Tom got interested in the history of the fort's Buffalo Soldiers, and began to reenact that period, as well as the Civil War era. I moved on to other jobs, but Tom stayed with it.

Tom was one of the few men I have known that actually understood my humor, beliefs, and attitude. Tom never judged me, or tried to change my mind on ideas. He would discuss things, vent, and joke with me, and was a joy to be around.

I regret I fell out of touch with Tom as I moved around, and only recently reconnected with him. He had developed cancer this past year, and is now gone. He leaves a wife, Linda, and three children, one of which is an adult, and two that are very young.

Terri and I send our love to Linda, and our prayers for Tom. He will be greatly missed.

Cherokee Fire Fighters

2006-02-16T18:04:00.000-08:00

The Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Department's firefighters were called out to a fire near Braggs last night. The fire, which burned around 600 acres, was controlled after several hours. While fighting the fire, David and Simion lit a backfire to keep the fire from jumping the road, but the wind shifted. The evidence of the shift is the burn marks on the truck. The guys were able to move the truck and get to safety. Three homes and some barns were lost.

These guys have been fighting fires every day, and we are just now approaching the fire season. I'd like to point out that fighting fires is an additional part of their job, not their main one.

By the way, if you look at the yield sign in the picture of the truck, you will notice it is in Cherokee (you can click on it to see it bigger). For more on the Braggs fire, see the Muskogee Phoenix at www.muskogeephoenix.com

Cherokee Census Data

2006-02-15T12:50:00.000-08:00

At work this information came to me, and I found it very interesting. The link is:
http://www.census.gov/prod/2006pubs/censr-28.pdf

From the 2000 census.

There are 302,569 self identified Cherokee in America, making up .11% of the population, and 875,276 mixed race mixed race Cherokee, making up .31% of the population. Indians as a group number 2,447,989, which is .87%, and mixed race Indians number 4,315,865, or 1.53% of the population. The census bureau allows respondents to self identify as Indian or mixed on its forms and interviews, just as it allows you to state your ethnicity as Irish or Ukrainian, or whatever you identify as.

Some other interesting figures:
The median age for Cherokees is 34.1 years, versus 35.4 for the US as a whole, and 64.1% of Indians do not live on reservations, within Tribal Boundaries, or in Alaskan Indian Village Statistical units. On education, it breaks down as follows.

Education

US
No HS Degree 19.6%
HS Degree 28.6
Some College 27.4
College Degree or more 24.4

American Indian
No HS Degree 29.1%
HS Degree 29.2
Some College 30.2
College Degree or more 11.5

Cherokee
No HS Degree 23.4%
HS Degree 28.3
Some College 32.6
College Degree or more 15.7

What puzzles me is why Cherokees do so well in the some college category, but not in the degree or more category. What keeps us from doing better?

I'll have some more tomorrow, but if you want to read the full report, including information on selected other tribes, click on the link and see for your self. Let me know in the comments if you have any thoughts on why Cherokees start college but do not finish.

IHS Hastings Hospital

2006-02-14T17:02:00.001-08:00

I went to the IHS hospital in Tahlequah yesterday. Everyone usually just calls it the Indian Hospital, but it is named for W.W. Hastings who helped Indian care in the area years go. I went to get my eye looked at for the stye. I had to wait a bit to be seen, but the wait was much better than it used to be. They have gone to using electronic records now, which moves things along more quickly. It used to be you had to wait for your paper records to be brought to the clinic, now you are seen as quickly as they can handle the large number of patients.

Once I saw a doctor, I had to get blood work, wait some more, then got a referral to optometry. So I went to the eye doctor and handed them my slip. "They will mail you an appointment" the clerk said. I told them that I had an eye infection,and they said they would get me in. Less then five minutes later, I was seen. I was amazed. Things have really improved there, and I give them credit.

While I was waiting, I saw Audra Smoke Conner. For those of you who don't know, she is a Cherokee Council member for the Tahlequah area. I only mention this because she doesn't have to use the hospital. She teaches, and has good insurance. She can see any doctor. I know she and a few other council members use the clinic. The money from their insurance, and others who have insurance, helps to pay for those who don't have insurance. Another thing is, she gets to see what her constituents deal with on a daily basis. She gets no special treatment because she is on the council, she is just another patient.

So kudos to the folks at Hastings, and to Audra Conners for using the hospital.

Was it Cheney's fault I was shot too?

2006-02-13T15:07:00.000-08:00

Like Vice President Cheney's hunting partner, I too have been shot while hunting. It happened like this:

It was a late fall day as I was by the shore of Lake Michigan. The sun shone brightly belying the cold air that touched my skin. In the distance a menagerie of ducks and geese gathered in the reeds. Mallards, Teals, and Coots,they were all represented. Suddenly, from what seemed like nowhere I was shot. How, oh how could it have happened?

Ok, here is what really happened. It was late October, and I was on the shore of Lake Michigan. A duck had flown over me, and a hunter from a boat in the water had shot at it. The pellets arched upward, but as all things must, they then fell to earth. They rained upon me. So technically, I was shot, but I was not hurt. The duck wasn't either for that matter. It is not uncommon to be peppered while bird hunting. Was Dick Cheney wrong to shoot? Well, since someone was hit yes, but it seems the victim was out of place, and not where he was supposed to be.

The media make it sound like he shot Aaron Burr in retaliation for Hamilton. The lack of outdoor experience and objectivity is astounding. One reporter asked if the Vice President should resign. Maybe we can arrange a reporters guide to outdoor activities so they can understand hunting, fishing, trapping, sports involving balls, sticks, or fist. The education in these areas is apparently lacking.

It was a beautiful day when the pellets fell on me though.

A Stye In The Eye

2006-02-11T19:47:00.000-08:00

I have a stye in my eye
I have a stye in my eye.
It makes me sigh that great big stye
I wish it weren't in my eye.

It's big and red and hurts a lot
So hot water goes in the pot
I put a compress on my eye
I lay on down and wonder why?

In a day or two it will be gone
If that it does it won't be long
I hope it is not here to stay
I hope that soon it goes away!

Rain and Wipers

2006-02-10T18:19:00.000-08:00

The weather has turned a bit colder here, with temperatures in the high 40s today, and getting into the upper twenties over night. Last night the weatherman were atitter about possible snow to the south of Tulsa, but there was none. It is sad when to look for snow, you must go south toward Texas.

I bought new wiper blades for my car today, and my Father-in-Law asked why. "It never rains lately, what you need wipers for?" It's really a good question. Maybe I am an optimist, and think the rain will come.

I had to ask him to help me put the wipers on. I have put many wipers on, but for some reason, I just couldn't get these on. There is nothing to make you feel like you are twelve and incompetent like having to ask your Father-in-Law for help on wiper blades. I am supposed to safeguard his daughter and grandchildren and I can't even put on wipers? So I stood there and watched him. They popped right on. For me they wouldn't cooperate, but for him they were Cinderella with the slipper. If I were a drinking man I'd go sulk.

So if the rain ever comes, I will have wipers. If it stays dry and dusty, I have to go to the car wash. My windshield cleaner fluid pump doesn't work. I am not asking for help. I'll buy a new car first.

When is a Funeral not a Funeral?

2006-02-08T17:58:00.000-08:00

When is a funeral not a funeral? When it involves Democrats. Coretta Scott King's funeral was held yesterday. Today, there was an article in the USAToday about young people nad race. It seems most young people are colorblind,and do not base their feelings on racial issues. That should have been a cause for celebration. After years of disharmony and rancor, the young are standing side by side without regard to race. Was this the message of the funeral celebrating Ms King? No. Hate toward Republicans and President Bush spewed forth from the lips of the speakers. How sad. It was a rerun of Senator Paul Wellstone's funeral. Maybe at the next Democratic National Convention, a funeral will break out.

Let the hate go. Funerals are for celebrating a life well ived, not for political speeches and jockeying.

Scream

2006-02-07T16:37:00.000-08:00

If my head doesn't explode, I'll post tomorrow.

Oklahoma Wildfire Hits Home

2006-02-06T17:27:00.000-08:00

I got a call from my wife near the end of today. It went something like this:
“Rick! There’s a fire across the road, you better come home!”
Followed by a shorter call: “The fire jumped the road, get home!”

There are many calls you don’t want to get. You don’t want to hear someone is sick, or hurt, but a fire is way, way up the chain of things you do not want to hear. So far there have been over 400,000 acres burned in Oklahoma since around Thanksgiving, and fire season doesn’t start for another month. This was the first one to threaten our home.

I live about 15 miles from work. It took me less than ten minutes to get home tonight. As I got closer, I could see the smoke plume in the sky. That was the first time I really began to worry. Although I was speeding, I wasn’t worried about a ticket. I figured they could follow me to the fire, and then they would understand.

The fire was under control when I got there. They had rolled three fire departments to the scene. Where it jumped the road, it almost got our neighbors car and house. My wife said she could hear the neighbor’s panicked screams, and then a man ran out with the baby headed for safety. The other nearby residents started to spray down their yards and houses.

They got the fire under control and after a bit, they put it out. We were prepared to free the animals, and load up the kids if it came our way. Needless to say, my wife was a bit upset by all the excitement.

After the fire was out, we found out a neighbor burning trash started the fire. He was issued a $500.00 ticket for violating the burn ban, and may have to pay the costs of fighting the fire.

Note: Pictures are after the fire was controled and almost out. I was too busy before to take pictures.

Super Bowl Final

2006-02-05T19:03:00.000-08:00

Well, it is over. Seattle couldn't manage the clock at the end. Hassleback looked like a teen whose parents came home when he was drinking beer with his buddies. He didn't know where to goal. Holmgren's failure is so like his loss to Denver back in 98. I feel sad for Seattle. They put up big plays, but couldn't keep it together when it counted. I predict the annointing of Seattle's quarterback as the new great thing, but it isn't deserved yet. The keys to the game:

Pass interference that cost a touchdown
Missed field goals
Hassleback's Interception.

Coach Cower seems to be a nice guy and all, but he just reminds me of the Jock back in school I didn't like. He didn't have a ring, Holgren did, but I hoped the Seahawks would have won. Oh well, Come on Green Bay 2006.

Super Bowl 4th Quarter

2006-02-05T18:29:00.000-08:00

Earlier in the game a probable touchdown comes back for offensive pass interference, and when they throw to get close, and it comes back on holding. Hassleback throws an interception while they were going for a score. Who was he passing too? They give up a long touchdown on a grade school trick play, and the game looks out of reach. Simple fundamentals, or the lack of them, are costing them the game. Hassleback nearly lost the ball on a fumble, but was touched. Do they really want to win, or are they just happy to be there. The Seahawks are playing better overall, but are losing big. I wonder if they can come back.

Super Bowl 3rd Quarter

2006-02-05T17:54:00.000-08:00

You cannot win giving up 70 yard runs. On the other hand, you cannot win giving up interceptions. Seattle's kicker is from Oklahoma. That must be why he keeps pushing it to the right, he's too conservative. Seattle finds it spirit and intercepts a pass, and is able to then throw for a score. I heard Madden say say Seattle can't close the deal. Is he reading my blog during the game? Things are starting to get interesting, but I don't think we will see the points I predicted.

By the way, that was a terrible half time show. And what was with the blocky digital inteference? Leave it for the NFL to pick an act years past their prime.

Super Bowl 1st half Review

2006-02-05T16:44:00.000-08:00

A boring game so far. Seattle should be up at least 10 to 3, but are now behind 7 to 3. The 'hawks fell apart with 48 seconds left in the half. A run followed by confusion, then a pass that goes out of bounds? They wasted 30 seconds and had a time out left. What was he thinking? Also, Seattle did not establish a run yet. This could be problamatic.

Pittsburgh has had trouble establishing a offense so far. There is no way that ball crossed the line for a TD. The Steelers defense is penetrable, but the 'hawks can't close the deal. If they are not able to get inside the 20 and make some td's, it doesn't look god for them. If Pittsburgh can't get some offense, and bring down Hassleback's air show, it will go badly there.

I am dissappointed in the game so far. Also, the worst National Anthem I ever heard.

Saturday Morning Confusion

2006-02-04T17:15:00.000-08:00

This morning as I was laying in bed, I was hoping I would be kissed by my wife and told it was time to get up. Instead, Maggie, my 35 pound dachshund licked me awake. She did want to play though. This got Copper, my 14 pound dachshund playing also. 49 pounds of dachshund jumping on the bed will encourage you to move, so I did.

Maggie was a breeder. My wife rescued her, and she has been with us since. She is a fun dog that likes to howl. She is something to see chasing moles and gophers. She needs help to get a rabbit though. Maggie is a standard size, so although she seems so big compared to Copper, she really is in good shape. Her coat is incredibly shiny from eggs. If the chickens lay them outside the henhouse, they are fair game. She gets her share.

So Maggie started my day on a good note. That's what good dogs do.

Tires

2006-02-03T18:44:00.000-08:00

I didn't write about it yesterday, but I was having one of those days. It started out at the dentist. I went to get my teeth cleaned, but there was a small catch. She uses a sonic scaler, which is great a getting the under gum line plaque, but is uncomfortable. She suggests novacaine, but I went without. Even if I wanted it, the dentist was out sick, so she had to go without it. It wasn't a terrible experience, but it was tender. As I went home, my mouth was a little sore. I forgot my cell phone, so I thought I'd pick it up on my way to work. I went to McDonald's, ordered a 1/4 pounder, no cheese, and drove home. On the way home, I had to hug the edge as an oncoming car came. Big mistake. I hit a pothole and got two flats. Got home to eat my now cold hamburger, and it had cheese.

I hate to start days that way, but it did get better. I hope yours is going well too.

Where is the Rain?

2006-02-02T17:38:00.000-08:00

Today is Groundhog's Day. It has rained twice in the past couple of months, barely. It is so dry the Groundhog did a rain dance, then called Billy Graham to pray for rain. I saw a Largemouth Bass hitchiking east to find water. I saw a frog calling the Culligan man. It is dry!

The Groundhog saw his shadow, which means six more weeks of winter. That can't be true. You have to first have a winter to have more winter. Winter hasn't gotten here yet. Maybe he was telling us winter will come in six weeks. I know it isn't here now. I was doing a survey and it was 71 degrees. Did I mention it is February 2nd?

At the Cherokee Nation complex, they had to turn on the sprinklers for the grass today. The news has been advising people to water thier house to prevent damage to foundations. I grew up by the shores of Lake Michigan. I learned how to worry about water penetrating the foundation, I never imagined you had to water one!

So pray for rain, or winter, or both. And if you see that hitchhiking bass, give him a ride.

UKB Casino Decision

2006-02-01T18:27:00.000-08:00

There has been a long running court case on whether the UKB casino is legal. The gist of the argument is this: Indian Casinos must be in Indian Country on trust land, and the UKB holds no trust land since it is within the territory of the Cherokee Nation. The National Indian Gaming Commission ruled the casino illegal, but U.S. District Judge Ronald White has refused to declare it illegal, and sent the case back to the NIGC. White's reason is the commission allowed the casino to be open for seven years.

The statute is clear, the casino is illegal, and should be shut down. If it isn't, the repercussions will be great.

State of the Union

2006-01-31T20:46:00.000-08:00

I must not be a good American. When the State of the Union message came on, I went and played. I was interested in what was being said, I just couldn't watch it. The political acrimony has turned me away, and I just can't watch scowling Democrats when the President speaks, or gloating Republicans. It is so sad, because I am the demographic that is most interested in this. I have followed politics since I was 14, am a middle-American in Oklahoma with a wife and two kids, vote regularly, and read several newspapers and many news sites daily. I can still remember the Ford Carter debates for goodness sakes. I am exactly the audience for this speech, and I just can't watch it anymore.

Maybe the next President can just deliver the text to Congress like George Washington did. Excuse me now, I think Spongebob may be on. I can tolerate Squidword's scowling.

Promised Announcement

2006-01-31T18:15:00.000-08:00

I have known for a bit, but waited to publicly share some news. My family knows, but until today, my employer did not. I am leaving Oklahoma to take a job in Portland, Oregon for the Forest Service. I will be doing architectural histories on Forest Service buildings in Oregon and Washington. I have never been to Washington, but have been to Portland twice. It is an amazing opportunity that I am looking forward to.

I have enjoyed my time working for the Cherokee Nation, but feel it is better for me with the Federal government. Having been around the Principal and Deputy Chief, Cherokee Council Members, and many employees, I can say the Nation is stronger and healthier than it has been in many years. It is with pride that I been affiliated with them, and I hope my work for the Cherokee people has been of some help. Wado.

Oscar Nominations

2006-01-31T10:13:00.000-08:00

I realize that the Oscar's are to recognize the artistic best, but I have great difficulty believing that this year's nominations are about artistic merit. Look at the movies nominated: Brokeback Mountain, Capote, Crash, Good Night and Good Luck, and Munich for best picture, acting, or directing nominations for Capote, Brokeback Mountain, Good Night and Good Luck, Transamerica, and The Constant Gardener (among a few others) show a political and social purpose to these movies. Now they may all be great films, but I like most people haven't seen them. Box office grosses for the films are low (Brokeback Mountain $50,836,000 after 52 days, Munich $40,530,000 after 38 days, Capote $15,000,000 after 122 days, Good Night $25,100,000 after 115 days, Transamerica $1,450,000 after 59 days, The Constant Gardener $28,438,000 after 30 days). By contrast, King Kong, a box office bomb according to Hollywood, has done $212,982,000 in 47 days, and The Chronicles of Narnia is at $277,773 after 52 days. Even Fun with Dick And Jane, which got terrible reviews has done $106,314,00 over 40 days. These three movies together grossed over $600,000,000 versus the combined 124,854,000 for the above combined, and two of them were main stream pictures (Munich, Constant Gardener). All year Hollywood has complained about the fall off in movie attendance, and now, on its biggest night, it will honor the very movies that is driving them away. Someone needs to teach the studios about the American economy. You almost have to feel bad for ABC for having to televise this drivel.

End Rant, side note: The spellchecker suggested transmorgify for transgender. Very Calvin and Hobbes!

Random Thoughts

2006-01-30T17:28:00.000-08:00

Cherokee Road Project

I am doing a quick survey off of Jones Road in Cherokee County. They need to put in a borrow pit for the road project, so I have to clear the area. This would be easier if the crop on the property were not thorns and briars. The ground is heavily rocked, and difficult to dig in. I need to dig 126 holes. Looks like I have my work cut out for me.

Brett Favre

Brett said he is leaning toward retirement. This could be a good thing, but I think he has earned the right to come back if he wants too. The media has been speculating for several years on his retirement. Enough. Imagine if you had to put up with this at work, every day, for years. When his time comes, it comes, until then, quit writing about it.

Minor Announcement Tomorrow

Well, tomorrow I have something to say.

That Feeling

2006-01-29T19:29:00.000-08:00

My wife's best friend Amber has a new boyfriend. She is young, pretty, excited, and happy. I know the feeling, well, except for the pretty, and now the young. I remember the excitement when I met my wife, our first date, and that feeling of realization that she was the one.

When Terri and I went out, I thought it was just as friends. She had helped me at work as a volunteer, and I was new in town, and didn't know many people. We drove to Tulsa, and had dinner at the Outback steakhouse. We shared a blooming onion. I had a steak while she had salmon. I also had a glass of wine. I seldom have a drink, but I regretted having that one. Terri did not order one. I knew she was Oklahoman, and probably Southern Baptist. I thought she would frown on me for having alcohol. That should have been my clue.

After dinner we drove for hours. We drove from Tulsa to Tahlequah, to Fayetteville, Arkansas and back to Tahlequah. We drove around Lake Tenkiller, and finally back to Fort Gibson. It was near dawn when the night ended, and I hadn't kissed her, or even tried to hold her hand. I set my hand near hers, and the electricity was fierce. But I didn't have the nerve to do any more. As the night ended, I thought she would not want to see me again.

Terri went home thinking I was not interested, and thought, "oh well, at least he will be a nice friend." But I was, and I did call. I saw her the next night, and the next, and every one after that. I had been involved before, but had never felt that spark. Terri says we were made for each other, and it must be true. No matter how much I have screwed up, and at times it has been severe, she still loves me, and I her. We now are raising our girls together, and living a blessed life.

Amber, I don't know if this man is the one, but if it is, I hope you are as great to him as Terri is to me. And I hope you demand he treat you at least like I treat Terri. If he isn't the one, enjoy the experience. That is the great thing about being young, you have time.

As we get older, our bodies betray us, our hair gets gray, and sometimes we forget to take to have fun. Trust me, Habib knows these things. Revel in the moment, and I hope you get at least what I have, that is more than I ever deserved.

The affect of one person

2006-01-29T15:59:00.000-08:00

Affect: To have an influence on or effect a change in.

It is funny how one person can affect the lives of so many. I was thinking of my mother this morning. She taught school for most of her adult life, except for a few years when I was small. She graduated college in 1953, and began teaching that fall. Over the next forty years. She taught hundreds of kids, mostly first graders. In 1969 we moved to Escanaba, Michigan, where she taught until 1992.

Stop and think about that influence/. Do you remember your first grade teacher? I do. Mine was a nun, I think her name may have been Sister Dissinta, but I could be wrong on this one. I was in love with my teacher, as many of us were. That is the level of affect one can have on another. Now spread it over generations. My mother taught the kids of her former students before she retired, and had she been in the same district her whole career, it would have been grand kids.

Over forty years, she probably had around 750 students. That is a lot of sniffly noses, tears, and hugs. She taught them their numbers, how to read, and the ever popular how to work and play well with others. I always got needs improvement on that one.

I have affected many people through the years, but today, here's to you Mom, and your affect.

What's the Purpose?

2006-01-27T18:21:00.000-08:00

At work today I was discussing an interpretive site, and I asked what its purpose was. We couldn't come up with an answer. At work I can solve this problem. I will ask administrators, interested parties, and write up a mission statement. That part is easy, but it got me to thinking about purpose.

Do you remember Steve Martin's "The Jerk?" In it Steve found his special purpose in a way many of would enjoy, well, I would, to have that as my special purpose. Unfortunately, that is not the purpose of most of us. So what is it? Rick Warren has sold millions of copies of his book "The Purpose Driven Life." A very good book, but what of a less ecclesiastical purpose?

We all have three areas for purpose: faith, family, and work. We probably spend most of our time worrying about work, then family, and on occasion faith. But what about a fourth area, fun. What is our fun purpose?

I want to know what my fun purpose is. It was a lot easier in my teens and twenties, well, my twenties anyway. I really never figured anything out in my teens, but if you asked me that then I would have thought I did. I have a lot of fun with my girls, so I guess part of my fun purpose is to entertain my girls. My wife and I have less fun then we used too (see statement about girls) so that must be part of my fun purpose, but what about my me time. In the cartoon "Jimmy Neutron" the dad wants to know when his me time is. Some days I can relate to that. Some days I don't want to go to work, don't want to do the dishes, and don't want to be responsible. Some days I just want to take a me day.

Wouldn't it be great to have me days in life? Just change your voice mail, tell your family and go have one?
Ring Ring: "Hello, this is Rick. I am not available for work, parenting or spousal chores, I am taking a me day. Please leave a message and my responsible self will get to it tomorrow. I can't be bothered. I am currently eating a banana split for breakfast, and will be indulging myself all day. Thank you."

It is a nice fantasy, but somehow I think like most fantasies, it would be disappointing. Well, I must go. It is time to worry about work while supervising my kids and their sleepover friend while I responsibly run to the store to by toilet paper and dessert for my wife and kids while thinking about that mission statement for work. Sounds like it is Friday night.

Fifteen Puppies

2006-01-26T19:22:00.000-08:00

In Embarrass, MN, near where I used to live, a woman bred her Saint Bernard. No sweat, this happens all the time, but according to the Duluth news, the delivery was something special. The dog began giving birth at 9:30 in the morning. She stopped at 2:00 the next morning. In between, there were fifteen puppies born. A normal litter is about eight. Now I realize a Saint Bernard is a big dog, but last I checked, there were only eight nipples to feed with. The women said they will weigh 20 pounds each in about eight weeks.

Now think about this a moment. Fifteen puppies, times 20 pounds, equals 300 pounds of dog to jump on you, plus the mother. Also, it is winter in Embarrass, and that means there will be droppings from all of these dogs building up for spring meltdown, yuck. Good luck to the women and her dogs, they will need it.

By the way, Embarrass is a French word for a river crossing. The community is located in the far northern part of Minnesota, and is frequently the coldest spot in the state. At its' coldest, it was about -60f, and it has never broken 100f in summer.

Where are my Childhood Friends?

2006-01-25T06:23:00.000-08:00

I moved several times growing up. On the one hand, this introduced me to new people, and new places. On the other hand, it meant leaving friends behind. I have never been one to have many, many friends, but rather a few close friends. I wonder what happened to them.

In California, I had two friends, Greg and Craig, who I barely recall these nearly 37 years later. I remember them, but that is all. I moved from California to Michigan when I had just turned seven. In second grade I made no lasting friendships, since I went to two different schools. Actually, I was blessed here, I could get my butt kicked at not one, but two schools for being the new kid, then get it kicked again at home. Great year second grade.

Mercifully, just before third grade we moved again, and in Gladstone, I made friends. There were a lot of kids around the neighborhood, which was new to me. My best friend was Eddie, who was a year younger than I was. Eddie had blonde hair, was Finnish, and a few years later, would have a Finnish step-father with Hawaiian kids. There can't be too many Hawaiian-Finns named Maki. Anyway, Eddie and I got into a lot of trouble, and had a blast. We went fishing on our own, with no supervision. Collected polywogs and frogs, from what turned out to be the settling pond for the water treatment plant.

Sometimes Eddie and I ran around with Kenny Burnette. Kenny was a bit different. While Eddie and I acted up, Kenny could be truly bad. IF you needed something from the store, and had no money, Kenny was your guy. He came from a large family, and it must have been tough to keep tabs on them all. Once we went to get Kenny at his house. When he went to ask if he could go, I heard his father yell out "You lie like the rug!" Kenny didn't come out that day.

I also had friends the next block over. Mike and Dennis McKnight were good to play with. Mike was my age, Dennis was a year or two behind. When it was time for them to go in, their dad whistled. My friendship with the McKnights varied. Sometimes we fought like hell hounds, others we were close as could be. When Mike got married, I photographed his wedding.

In high school, I had three close friends, Basil, Brad, and Max. Basil I met in Forensics (speech) class. He was a senior in my freshman year. I had never met anyone as funny as he was. From Basil I learned to do pratfalls, tell jokes, and drink egg nog. Unfortunately, he joined the Air Force and I seldom saw him. I kept in touch for a number of years, and though I know the city he lives in, we drifted apart.

Brad , on the other hand, I talk to weekly, if not more. When I first got to know him, he was holding court in a vibrating chair and a party following a school play. You should know, that aside from his getting rolled out of a moving vehicle because he was drunk, I don't think I ever saw him drunk. I did have a hand in totaling his car a few years later when he bought some Bosch beer, but I never actually saw him drink any of it though. I did, however, see him drink gallons of coffee, which I think prepared him for his career in radio.

Remember the play, the one with the dweeby tiny kid, well he became my best friend in high school. He was the king in Once Upon a Mattress, King sextoomuch or something like that. From looking up dirty words in the unabridged dictionary to getting stranded at Mackinaw Island, we spent many hours growing up. I still keep in touch with Max, but instead of scheming on how to find girls, we now talk about our kids, jobs, and on occasion, pursuing long deferred dreams.

I wonder what happened to the friends I lost touch with. Where is the little girl I had a crush on in first grade (Denice Wallace from St. Johns School in San Diego County). I wonder but don't dwell on it. I am appreciative of the friends I still have.

Superintendent's Honor Roll

2006-01-24T10:51:00.000-08:00

My daughter just had a letter sent home from school. "What's this?" I thought, "She is never in trouble." She wasn't. It turns out she is on the honor roll for school. She is in the 6th grade now, and has gotten all A's since they began giving them (3rd or 4th grade, just satisfactorily on the cards before that). The problem is, she is bored to death. My wife and I both have advanced degrees, and have talked to our kids like they were adults all of their lives. Our daughter understands things most high school kids don't. We are looking at having her advanced a grade, but she is worried about leaving her friends. I don't want her to be so bored she stops trying. That is what I did, and it hurt me latter in life. When I took classes in college, they were not as easy as they were in high school, and I had no study habits developed. I didn't need them. I don't know what we will do with her and school, but I am glad she is doing so well. I just wish she was more challenged.

Super Bowl Prediction

2006-01-23T19:13:00.000-08:00

Well, the NFL season is almost over. Soon, there will be nothing to look forward to until September. Late Winter and Spring are the cruelest months of the year.

Mike Holmgren, who left my beloved Packers so he could be a coach and general manager for Seattle (which didn't quite work out) returns to the Super Bowl. Bill Cower returns also with a better quarterback. I had though the Packers and Steelers met in the 90s, but I was wrong. I guess O'Donnell was so bad I just assumed he was against the Packers when they won, but I was wrong.

I predict the Seahawks will win this one 34-27. If they don't, I can be happy with a Steelers win. I just hope for a great game. Some folks are unhappy the game is in Detroit, but it is a vibrant city with a great culture. I look forward to the game.

Archaeology Final

2006-01-23T18:48:00.000-08:00

Today, after nearly three Weeks on the project, I filled in my units. I must say, it was much easier filling the unit in then it was taking the dirt out. The dirt was nice and soft, airy, almost light. Almost. When you sift it through a screen, it expands the volume greatly. I recovered many small flakes, some historic ceramic, bits of metal (drill bits, buckle, and such), and shoe leather. The only two diagnostics I recovered are in the picture. So if you dig for three weeks, move several cubic yards of dirt, and catalog everything in detail, this is what you may have to show for the effort. Not much is it? They will be sent to a museum at the University of Oklahoma along with the report. First I need to measure, clean, and file everything. Then, on to the next project.

Losing Pets

2006-01-21T19:15:00.000-08:00

My wife's cousin Trish just lost her pet Yorkie. She had this dog for many, many years. She took the loss very hard, which I understand. Having a pet is a great responsibility, but one with great rewards. A pet will love you completely. Well, maybe not a fish, but cats, dogs, and even horses for sure.

I believe in taking good care of my dogs, but not everyone does. I have known people whose pets had very short life spans. One dies, get another. I can't see it. So for Trish, I am sorry Lexus died. You'll grieve and go on, but have great stories.

Archaeology Update 4

2006-01-19T17:33:00.000-08:00

Today I finished the fifth unit on this archaeological dig. As with three others, there was nothing but a few flakes in it. I have moved a lot of dirt though. Each unit is one meter square, and at least 40cm deep, with one being 50cm deep. I have dug 5 units thus far, for a total of 2.1cubic meters of dirt (2.75 cubic yards). That is a lot of dirt when you are removing it one centimeter at a time, and screening it for artifacts.

I am posting a picture of a honey locust tree. The name almost sounds nice. Honey, so soft and sweet. Locust, an annoying destructive insect that appears periodically. Put it together and you have one fierce tree. I put a measuring tape by it for comparison. The tape is in centimeters.

This what comes from Honey Locust trees.

Archaeology Update 3

2006-01-17T19:54:00.000-08:00

I just finished an in-depth post on this project. It was beautiful. I talked about what I hoped to get from the project, what I have found, the weather, the wind, and even what I felt as I dug. Then the screen said "Server Connection Reset." Yep, I lost it. So here is a shorter, uglier version.

The weather has been cool to cold. Today it was about 30 when I got there, and warmed all the way up to about 42. The wind blew at a steady 10mph or so. I am on my fourth unit now, with each unit being 1 meter square. The picture above shows the unit at 30cm below surface. I will take it down tomorrow to 50cm, and then start a new one.

So far I have found one arrowhead and one axe out of the four units. That is good for the road project I am supporting, but makes for boring digging. The ground is dry, hard packed clay, with many roots throughout it. It is hard, dreary digging. I probably will put in two more units and be finished.

Maybe tomorrow I won't have server problems, and will go into more detail, sorry.

Computer is Fixed!

2006-01-16T19:12:00.000-08:00

After a trying couple of weeks, my computer is now fixed. I went to my brother's yesterday, and between the two of us, and eight or nine hours, we were able to get the computer wiped and do a reinstall. Tomorrow, I will update archaeology pictures tomorrow.

A quick comment on the NFL Playoffs. All season long, everyone talked about how the colts were unbeatable. When they neared the end of the season, people suggested losing so they could win the Super Bowl. I never advocate not winning, you don't "rest" your starters for a few weeks, and you don't assume you can just go back to winning after accepting losing. Maybe the Colts are agreeing with me now. And to those who said the perfect season is a distraction to the Super Bowl, they don't have either. End subject.

Archaeology Update 2

2006-01-10T19:48:00.000-08:00

Today was a weather wash. Near freezing temps and rain meant I stayed in the office and inventoried artifacts. Here are three pictures from yesterday. The one above is of the final level of the first unit, while the next is where unit 2 is being placed.

The final picture is the start of the new unit.

Archaeology Update 1

2006-01-09T18:57:00.000-08:00

Today was a chilly day to be doing archaeology, but tomorrow it is supposed to be cooler. There may even rain and snow. Too much, and I'll stay in the office. Today I finished the first unit. I took it down to 40cm, and it was tough going. The soil became hard packed clay. We have little rain for so long, it was like working in concrete. Outside of a few flakes, I found little, and nothing the last 10cm. I opened a new unit in the afternoon, east of the first one. The new unit has a lot of roots and vegetation, including some dormant poison ivy. Did I mention I am allergic to poison ivy? I took it down about 5cm today, and have only found 1 flake so far. More pictures tomorrow.