A Walkabout/Rollabout/Driveabout

Yesterday I delivered a set of panniers to my friend, Audrey.

A professional singer, she performs at the Feast and other places around the country singing songs that tell the history of the our country. We met at the Feast a few years ago and have become good friends.

Panniers were worn under a woman's petticoats and were intended to make her look heavier than she was. 

The reason? A well fed person had money for food, and there were many reasons women (who had little power over their own lives at the time) might have wanted to look heavier.

Finding a husband was one reason. Marrying for money was one way for both men and women to survive during those times. Hence trying to look heavier. (I am wearing panniers in this photo.)

I always let students try on a pair when I visit Lisa's school. This class had a lot of fun with them.

While I was at her home, Audrey pulled out a huge bag chock FULL of homegrown carrots and asked if I could use some.

She filled a Walmart bag for me - the horses are going to be so happy! (I may make soup this weekend with some of them, too.)

On the way home, I decided to drive past Fort Ouiatenon and see how set-up was going. It had started a week ago, and I was curious about the process. Plus, it was a pretty day and I felt like visiting the river.

That's the blockhouse in the back and the two smaller buildings are permanent restrooms. In the foreground, you can see that a natural pole structure has been started.

The Anishinaaba Kwe booth next to me is under construction, too.

My spot is by this pine tree. Since I have a tent, I don't need the Feast organizers to make me a shelter.

The Voyageur Camp will be here. The Wabash is just over the ridge in the background. 

It's a very steep drop of about twenty feet down to the river. The boat ramp begins with a gentle slope (the Voyageur Camp is to the left)

but then suddenly drops off sharply down into the water (where it looks like the ramp ends is actually where the drop-off of the boat ramp begins.)

Partway down the steep part with my walker to give some perspective as to how high that ridge is.

The spine chilling part, though, is that it is very common for the water to rise all the way up that ridge and then flood the grounds of Fort Ouiatenon! It actually crests the top of that ridge.

I love that river deeply, but I am also very aware that it can be dangerous and to be cautious when it is flooding.

We are undergoing a drought right now, so the Wabash is very low. Normally the water comes at least up to that line of the green foliage on the right. (Looking downstream.)

These rocks are usually underwater, too. (Looking upstream.) I have my fingers crossed that the Voyageurs will still be able to paddle downriver, coming around that bend, and then make land at the boat ramp. It's a highlight of the Feast. (I hope the canoe races will be able to be held, too.)

Pere Marquette blessing the settlement as the voyageurs come down the river and in from the north. (That's Brooke on the front left and her husband Tom on the front right.) 

Getting down the boat ramp had some challenges - it was tempting to hop onto my walker and just roll down! Instead, I was glad I had brakes and could keep it from tearing down that steep slope. Even harder, though, was the walk back up. Still, I am glad I walked down to see "my" river.       

As I rolled back to my car, I took a last shot of the blockhouse. I was too tired to walk closer so I could get a clear shot.

And one last photo of one of the booths that will be finished in the next few days.

The park is still peaceful and quiet, but things are beginning to stir as we get ready for next weekend.

I can hardly wait!

My River, My Birthday

Craig is a master of thoughtful gifts and he often surprises me with things I love but never would have thought of. Case in point? My birthday celebration last week.

He took me to dinner at a place where I truly feel at home - right on the banks of the Wabash River.

I grew up on that river, pastured and rode my horses along its shores, and opened my bedroom blinds every morning to see the sun rising over the water. Day after day, year after year. Truly, I was blessed and that river is my river.

All my local family was there to celebrate with me. (Except for Ian who had soccer practice.)

Curt and me.

Lisa and me (photobombed by Lukie.)

Lukie and me.

Mila and me. (She had just come from dance practice. Her shoes are under the table. I hope.)

I missed a photo with Vanessa; drat! She went outside to photograph the my river.

Just around that bend is another place that is near and dear to my heart.

Fort Ouiatenon! It's the big red oval on the map and McGraw's Steaks, Chops, & Fish House is the red tag on the right. It was wonderful to be so close to two places that are so meaningful to me.

For my birthday dinner, I had the chicken linguine.

Lukie REALLY wanted to try the crab cake. He said he liked it, but I think he thought it would be more like a cake. LOL

Rivers are magical. Calming. Peaceful, even. Mila responded to the Wabash's allure, curled up in her chair by the window, and watched the river flow while she ate. Me, too, Mila. Me, too.

Creme brûlée on the house for the birthday gal! We stayed so late, we were almost the last diners to leave!

Sarah had orchestrated a really nice gift for me, too big to bring into a crowded restaurant. 

A brand new, updated family portrait taken by Vanessa last August when we were out in Utah for the JC^2's wedding.

The only family member missing is grandson Braden who had to come late to the wedding due to his work schedule. (And, when the JC^2s give birth in nine weeks, that will mean two family members are missing!)

Waiting at home for me after dinner was a gift from Cole, Emily, and their girls. I'd invited blog readers to guess what was in the box, hinting that it "goes along with a new hobby of mine."

Betsy in WI guessed a Lego bouquet and while it's a Lego horse, not flowers, she wins! (I'll be in touch, Betsy!)

I'm excited to put this horse together but I am also feeling quite intimidated, too. I'll bet the grands will help me! ::cough cough::

There was one more gift that had not arrived at the time, but it came yesterday. I'll share it soon. It's pretty cool.

Stay 'tooned! 

Time Traveling - Ouiatenon's Thought Provoking Artifacts

Leslie and Rick recently taught a seminar for the Tippecanoe County Historical Association on beads and other artifacts found during excavations at Fort Ouiatenon. 

A bone bead (possibly for an ear bob) in the photo behind her.

Lisa and I attended as did our friend Gretchen (who drove me to and from KZoo this year.)

I had no idea just how much TCHA had in their collection of beads and other artifacts. It was jaw dropping. 

These unusual beads (I thought they were shark teeth; they are not) have only been found at Ouiatenon and one other place. 

Leslie also showed us some green beads that have never been found at any other historical site in the country.

Sewing thimbles which were often turned into jewelry like jingle cones.

Part of a bit.

The top of a chess piece, with the original paint still present in spots.

Some pottery that is mostly intact.

Lots of iconographic rings.

It was a real learning experience for me to hear about these artifacts that have been found at Ouiatenon. But there were two things that gave me the shivers when I saw them.

The Ouiatenon cross. There are two in the collection, and the replica that I wear at events is of the smaller cross.

Mine means a lot to me on several fronts - it was my mother's, it represents Ouiatenon and its history, and my own faith means a great deal to me.

To see the real Ouiatenon cross was sobering and I felt a connection to those who had worn theirs at Ouiatenon, just as I do.

The other artifact that was shiver-worthy was also one that made me very sad. To understand, you need a little history first.

Post Ouiatenton was occupied by the French, then the British, then by the Native tribes who used it as a base to resist further European settlement. As a result of that resistance, George Washington ordered the fort to be destroyed in 1791.

Ouiatenon was burned to the ground and never used again as a fort or settlement.

These beads melted together during the burning of Ouiatenon.

I looked at those and was sad for the loss of the fort but even more so for those who were there and had lost their lives. This mass of beads was witness to a terrible tragedy, and I could almost hear and feel the echos of that horrific day as I looked at them.

Those beads will haunt me the rest of my life.

I attended that seminar to learn more about beads but I came away with a different, broader perspective. I can't change history, but I can work harder to honor it. 

The people of Ouiatenon, be they Wea, Miami, British, or French, deserve it.

Brighty Spots!

February may be the shortest month when it comes to days, but it can feel like the longest month as it drags on and on. It is finally waning (a brighty spot in and of itself) and between the February blues and the loss of Pepper's sister, Paige, I decided that looking at the brighty spots in my life would do me some good. Here are a few that made me smile; I hope they do you, too.

Brighty Spot 1 -  JC and Jaycie got engaged!

Yes, you read that right, they do have the same first name. They call themselves "JC Squared."

They are both students at BYU Idaho and what started as friendship has turned into something much deeper.

She is standing in a heart shaped ring of tea lights and hanging on a line behind them are some of JC's favorite photos of them together.

Hawkeye Sarah and Todd are over the moon and our entire family is looking forward to gathering in Utah later this summer for the wedding. 

Brighty Spot 2 - Abby in the sun!

Sunshine and warmer temperatures have made the snow melt.

Which meant that Abby's mud spa was open for business!

And she took full advantage of it. (That may not be a brighty spot for me, but it sure is for her!)

Brighty Spot 3 - Titan is Recording Again

Two weeks ago Titan was back in the studio working on another project. (He's at the bottom right.)

I don't know anything about the song they are recording, but I look forward to listening to it when it is released.

Brighty Spot 4 - It's Cambria's Turn in the Recording Studio!

This is a HUGE brighty spot for Cambria. Mountain Mama Jessica got a call from the composer who has been using Titan in the songs she has been recording ( Born to Bring us Joy, Small and Simple Faith are two of them) and this time she wanted Cambria!

Not only will she be singing, she has a solo. Cambria is so excited to have been invited to be a soloist. Wish her well Tuesday afternoon!

Brighty Spot 5 - Leslie's Book Signing

Yesterday I attended the book signing for a new book about Fort Ouiatenon, home of The Feast of the Hunters' Moon.

There are three lead authors who directed the project plus contributing authors like Leslie who wrote a chapter or two.

Leslie and the other authors.

Super proud of you, Leslie! And I can't wait to dive into your book!

(Brighty spot 5A - my jeans are hanging off me. I've lost a little weight and it is starting to show. Yasss!!)

Brighty Spot 6 - Random things that made me smile.

Playing games with family members on the weekend.

With some teasing from Teacher Daughter Lisa - I keep my cards straight and neat, and she loves to do just the opposite to make me laugh. (Works every time!)

Brave spring flowers responding to the late February warmth.

Flowers have been pushing up all over in the stepping stone garden but it was not to last.

Saturday morning we had a minor snowfall.

and the stepping stone garden's flowers had a light blanket of snow. Hopefully they will be okay.

Working on a project to help a new live show out. I love to sew and when I can combine sewing and the model horse hobby, I am all in. Thirty mini haversacks done, thirty more to make.

I'm feeling a little "brighty-er" now; sure hope you are, too!