Photographs

Not sure why, but on the post just published the third of three photos appears with an X in a link that you'll have to click to see. I might do that on purpose if I knew what I did to make that happen.

Quick trip to Sedona

I drove down for only one full day, but it was worth it. The weather got worse again in Tsaile yesterday afternoon, and I think I left just in time to miss a new storm. The roads across the reservation were all clear, and it was really an enjoyable drive. There were clouds, but visability was good, and the only precipitation was some snow in Flagstaff. After I drove passed it, there was more snow in Flagstaff late in the afternoon. Today in Sedona it was cloudy and cool, but I love it here anyway. It was a great place to relax and catch up on some emails. It has changed here in the lodge in the past couple of years. Especially on a day that is not wonderful to be outside, like today, the lobby always has four or five people on computers, me being the one who has sat here the longest! Today, I called and spoke with an advisor at the U.S. Department of Education and received helpful information about the work for my college job. Also, I reviewed some other paperwork printed from information about my job available in web research. The weather reports, T.V. and online, now sound like the roads will be fine for me to leave early in the morning and be back to Tsaile by early afternoon.
Thank you again for looking at my blog.

The best Earl's story yet!

Yesterday more snow had melted. Main roads were clear by early morning. Alberta John, friend and co-worker from 1990's at the college, and I went to Gallup. I pulled off the road to take photos of the early morning sun coming up behind the pine trees between Tsaile and Wheatfields. Golly, it was so pretty, as there was a lot of frost on the trees after early morning fog.
Being in Gallup, of course we ate at Earl's. The last couple times there, I didn't buy anything from the jewelers and other artists who come around to the tables. Yesterday, however, I wanted to get a couple things for gifts and for me. I spent a lot of time picking out a hair pin, figuring soon my hair will be long enough to pin back, and I bought a really pretty one. Designed and made by Ilene Parkett of St Michaels, AZ, it's silver, like a large bobbypin with a piece of turquoise at the closed end. I carefully wrapped it in part of a paper napkin, but before putting it into my purse, I was busy looking at the next person's jewelry. Naturally, the sellers are aware when a purchase is made, so there is more attention given to that table. We had a delicious meal, and after we were outside looking still at the vendors' tables, I realized I'd left the hair pin on the table. Darn! So Bertie and I went back inside, and I told the waitress, who asked us to talk to another person, and then we were asked to talk to Steven Richards, Pres./manager, who was busy determining how many were in each party in the long line of customers waiting to be seated. (It's mid day Saturday at Earl's!) Mr. Richards treated me like there were no other customers. He asked around to staff, "Has anyone seen a hairpin left at that table?" He already had found out where we'd been sitting. Then, dismissing my request to please not go to all that trouble, he told us to wait, and he went back to the kitchen. In a few minutes, he came back, saying he was unsuccessful, even though he'd put his hands into all the stuff cleared from recent tables! He gave me his card and told me to call in an hour. Annoyed at my carelessness, and I really liked that piece, I remembered to call when Bertie and I were on the other side of Gallup, just about ready to leave town. It took two tries to get through, but Steve was given the phone, and right away, he said, "I've got it!" Apparently, it was put with silverware to be rinsed before being washed, and someone saw it. The "all alert" had been spread enough that I guess the whole staff in the back was on the lookout for this silver hair pin. Bertie and I went back and retrieved it, by now in an envelope at the front register. I thanked Mr. Richards and told him I'd thank him publicly on my blog. We've all always had such positive thoughts about Earl's Family Restaurant in Gallup, and this experience just pushes those thoughts up a few notches for sure! THANK YOU EARL'S AND ESPECIALLY THANK YOU, STEVEN RICHARDS, FOR YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE WAY BEYOND THE ORDINARY!!!

Another snow storm

Friday morning, it was clear there'd been another snow storm. Before she left Wednesday till Sunday, Louise had moved a lot of wood to large boxes by the house door and had covered the wood pile. Thank goodness! I'm getting pretty good at building fires in the wood stove in the living room. This time after the storm, the temperature was higher outside, above freezing, and there was a lot more melting in the next couple of days. For so many people on the reservation, that means more mud. I don't remember the mud situation being this bad back in the 1990's. Many people are stranded and still more have to leave vehicles on pavement and walk, sometimes a quarter mile or more, to their homes. If the temperature drops to below freezing over night, then most four wheel drives and trucks can make it in or out over frozen mud. I'm very lucky that I've not had to drive in mud. Just a little stepping in it is gross enough for me.
There are a lot of stories of organized and individual help, especially for elders, whose homes are off the road. Food and supplies and hay for animals have been delivered, and hopefully to all who need this assistance.

Sunday Brunch before leaving Phoenix

While I spent Saturday during the day with Pat and Dick, Louise had a good visit with her family. Then Sunday we met for a meal and visit before leaving Phoenix. Louise and her son, Darold, and his wife, Cheryle, and their three boys, Nikota, Daron, and Kayo, and I all met at Mimi's for a good meal and a wonderful visit. It's the first time I've seen Darold and Cheryle and their first son, Nikota (just a baby then) since they helped me move from Many Farms, AZ, in 1997. Darold drove a U-Haul truck to Albuquerque where Peg and Denis met us to drive the truck the rest of the way to North Carolina. Before that memorable adventure I had not seen much of Darold since he worked with me at Dine College (then Navajo Community College) from 1990 to 1994. A new NCC graduate at that time, he was a wonderful addition to our staff and a good friend. Since then he and Cheryle both have completed lots more of their own education and both have interesting, responsible jobs, and three great kids! What a pleasure it was to get reconnected.

Enemy Slayer: A Navajo Oratorio

Pat and Dick (my sister and her husband) and Louise and I went to the Phoenix Symphony for a half hour music performance (Grand Canyon Suite) followed by the performance of Enemy Slayer. This unique piece combines music by Mark Gray and poetry by Laura Tohe and photographs by Deborah O'Grady. Before this performance, these three creative artists were on stage to preview what we were going to see and hear. Laura Tohe, a Navajo daughter of a WWII Code Talker, and an English associate professor at Arizona State University, introduced herself traditionally by naming her family's clans. Her writings for this oratorio are published in both Navajo and English in a program insert. The story is of a Navajo soldier returning home after serving in Iraq and deals with his mental and emotional struggles to re-identify himself as a human being.
The evening's premier performance that we attended was recorded for broadcast and commercial release. Although we wish there had been more participation in the performance by Navajos and more of the Dine language spoken, we all enjoyed it, and I think it will expose more people to some of the basic Dine beliefs that I have come to respect and love.

Hoop Dance Contest at Heard Museum

The outdoor stadium was full on Saturday when Pat and Dick and I went to a few hours to the World Championship Hoop Dance Contest at the Heard Museum, Phoenix, Saturday, Feb. 9. Over 60 contestants from different tribes in the USA and Canada were divided into five different age divisions. We watched just a small number of the dancers, but thoroughly enjoyed the event.
I was especially attracted to the Tiny Tots and spoke with the mom of two year old Kai Win Clements from Warm Springs tribe in Warm Springs, OR. The little dancer was often on the grass behind spectators practicing with his hoops. The mom graciously gave permission for me to post a couple photos of her son for you to enjoy, too. She told me before we came he won $25 and stuffed animals.
The fry bread line was too long, but Pat and Dick and I enjoyed the best ever grilled cheeseburgers that we're hoping will be as good at the Heard Museum Indian Fair & Market the first weekend of March.

I'm still here

I'm still here, and so is the snow and lots of ice early morning and lots of mud by late afternoon. We don't have to deal with the mud as much as many folks around here, though I did lose both shoes into the mud when I was attempting to bring some wood in from the wood pile late yesterday afternoon. (How I thought I could do this chore without my shoes tied on tightly is another funny personal experience! That's why they have laces, Audrey Mike!) This morning, the crisp clear air at sunrise was really beautiful when I went out to dump the ashes. There's a beauty out here that's so special.
Our weekend was wonderful. Louise and I spent most of Friday driving, one busy day (Saturday) in Phoenix, and driving back home to Tsaile most of Sunday. Next post will have photos of the little two year old hoop dancer from the competition at the Heard Museum, and pictures of Pat and Dick and Louise and me at the Navajo Oratorio premier Sat night at the Phoenix Symphony, and pictures of Louise's son, Darold, who worked with me at Dine College 1990-1993 and his family.
Thanks for checking in on my blog.

Canyon de Chelly

The top photo posted yesterday, taken Tuesday, looks maybe like a lake. It is not. It is looking across the campus before footprints.
I drove to Chinle in the middle of today. I decided to take extra time and go out on the south rim of Canyon de Chelly. I'm so glad I did. I imagine there was even more snow a couple days ago, but it sure is beautiful still. The weather remains cold, and, although the roads are mostly all clear, there is still a lot of snow off the pavement.
The second photo today is back on campus, on the way to the main parking lot, near these two buildings, the Ned Hatathli Center (administration, museum, and large classrooms) and the North Hogan.
Yesterday when she got to the college, Louise said the temperature outside her car was 2 degress. Today at noon it was 37. A real heat wave! Last summer, I remember it being 109 at least once over the Chuska Mountains in Shiprock, NM.

Dine College

What a beautiful winter wonderland! Yesterday most of "our world" was snowed in. Public schools all over the reservation were closed. Even the college was closed for classes and office work. This morning we drove to campus in Louise's Hummer. I took a photo of the yard and my car on the first morning I awoke in Tsaile. I thought it was a noteworthy photo because of the snow and winter scene. That was two days ago. Sunday morning was nothing compared to Monday, and this morning, Tuesday, was different still. Now, I think, these beautiful winter scenes around campus this morning are truly noteworthy!
When I reintroduced myself to the college librarian, he said, I know, I've seen your blog! Then he told me that his google site is set up to alert him if anyone on a blog mentions Tsaile, AZ, or Dine College. Reminders again of the small world we inhabit.
Thank you for sharing my little part of our world through this blog.

Super Bowl

Amidst the prediction of more snow, Louise and I went in her Hummer, driven by her brother, to her daughter's near Kayenta to watch the game. The game was exciting, even though we chose to leave after the half time show as snow seemed to be falling more and more, and it was near a two hour drive home. Even more wonderful, however, for me was getting to know Louise's family a little better. Her daughter fixed a wonderful Super Bowl Party meal, complete with great fry bread. Grand-daughter, Mariah, 10 years old, who loves to back cakes, made a special teddy bear prediction cake. All the women helped make Valentine baloon-candy favors for a school fund raiser. Louise wrapped her six month old grandson in his cradle board. He sleeps more content in the protection of this than in his crib. Thank you, Louise and Christina, for a wonderful Super Bowl Navajo celebration.

Special Olympics Fund Raiser

Navajo Nation Special Olympics did fundraising activities today, including visitation of several of the "current princesses" at Garcia Restaurant, connected to the Chinle Holiday Inn. At breakfast, I visited first with Dorothea R. Paul, Miss Central Navajo. I asked about Miss Navajo Nation and learned that she is in Phoenix for the Super Bowl festivities. However, Dorothea had post cards of Miss Navajo Nation that were being sold for another fund raiser. Of course, I bought a few. Then other princesses came. The other photo is Dorothea and me and Yolanda Jane Charley, Miss Eastern Navajo, and Crystal Littleben, Miss Central Teen. Much excitement. In addition to the contributed amount from the restaurant of all sale and tips (volunteer waiters and waitresses), I went back to my room to get a check for Navajo Nation Special Olympics. The volunteers held additional fund raisers today, including a fashion show at noon.
Louise was back in Tsaile and called, wanting me home (Tsaile) before she went out which was probably better than my going to the fashion show. Their family crisis is under control, at least for as much as Louise can do. The patient was released this morning from the hospital.
I got my car unloaded for the first time since January 21 and It seems as though I'm home and already settled for several months.
We have two invitations to Super Bowl gatherings, one here at the Student Union and one at Louise's daughter's home near Kayenta. If driving is ok, we'll probably do the latter.

Arrival Tsaile

By mid afternoon I decided I'd drive to Tsaile today. Having told her earlier that I might wait till tomorrow to get to my "spring home," I called Louise at work about 3:30. Her co-worker told me she had taken leave and gone to Chinle to her daughter's. As long as I had cell phone reception, I tried several times to reach Louise at home or on her cell phone or mobile phone. By the time I got to Tsaile, there was no reception with my phone, so I went into the Fina station and got a lot of quarters to make calls. I drove back and forth between the college, Louise's home, and the Fina station. I took some more photos and really like the one at sunset of the hogan at the college. As it got dark, knowing I had no cell phone, I didn't want to just hang out in the area. I kept trying to reach Louise and by about 6pm decided to call (from the Fina station) about staying at the Holiday Inn. That arranged, I left one more message on Louise's home phone to tell her I'd be in Chinle. I drove the 30 plus miles to Chinle and checked in. As I got to the room to freshen up before going to the hotel restaurant, the phone rang. It was Louise and her daughter. There was a family emergency today and that was why Louise left work and had to go to the Chinle hospital. She left in such a hurry that she forgot her cell phone. Bless Louise. Mostly, the reason she went back to Tsaile was to see if I did drive up today rather than tomorrow. Even though she was in the middle of a personal family crisis, she and her daughter were worried about me and glad to know I'd decided to come to the Holiday Inn. They were going to pick up another family member and head back to Chinle hospital. I told her to call anytime overnight if I can help at all, and offered to share this hotel room if anyone from her family wants to come here.
Of course, I hope and pray for healing in the Litzin family. I expect to see Louise tomorrow and hopefully get settled in at her home.

Left Sedona this morning

Another beautiful clear day in Sedona. Lots of birds in the trees. One doe was behind the unit I was in, just out for a stroll, it looked like, near some homes.
No new snow, so there was less than when I drove into Sedona just two days ago. Mary, in the resort gift shop, said that when she drove home that evening, it looked like God had taken a huge flour sifter and sprinkled the red rocks. There was a lot more snow near Flagstaff in the woods.