I love experiences that fill me with a sense of hope and possibility. One such experience is sitting outside in the mountains of my beloved Yakama homeland. I’ll share with you a few of the blessings who surround me: Breathing in the fresh, crisp forest air, the kind of clean air that lifts your spiritsContinue reading “Morning Blessings, Hope, and Possibility”
Tag Archives: Water
What the World Needs
What the world needs is love–powerful, fierce, quiet, flowing, generous, abundant love. Love you can swim in. Like Nch’i Wána (Columbia River). She gathers up gifts and returns them one hundred fold. She nourishes us. She and her tributary sisters have carved the landscape we know best. She sustains us. What the world needs isContinue reading “What the World Needs”
Beautiful Time of Preparation
I’ve been too busy lately. I can feel this in my shoulders and neck. I’m craving a slower pace–more spaciousness and sweet, easy fun. Space in my calendar. Space to breathe on my journey of life. I know this feeling. I know it’s time to pause from the busyness of life and do one thing.Continue reading “Beautiful Time of Preparation”
Warm Welcome
Yesterday in our Sapsik’ʷałá Seminar, Yakama Elder and “Super Auntie” Tux̱ámshish Dr. Virginia Beavert reminded us about the importance of welcoming students to our classrooms and welcoming guests to our meetings. She encouraged us to make sure people have water to drink and a little snack–something low in sugar, as so many people struggle withContinue reading “Warm Welcome”
Fitting Celebration
Yesterday, in between what felt like urgent work tasks, I remembered almost by accident to do my most important work: I got up from sitting in front of my computer; I stretched; I went outside; I threw the ball for my sweet Rez dog. While playing ball, I noticed the world beyond a Zoom screenContinue reading “Fitting Celebration”
Writing Amid Distractions
2021 is off to a challenging start. The violence, hatred, fear, and oppression shouts so loud it seems to try to drown out everything good and nurturing and sustaining. Sigh. At times like these I remember I need to pick up my Auntie teachings and hold them close to my heart. Write them on aContinue reading “Writing Amid Distractions”
Ancient Teachers
To celebrate the publication of Huckleberries and Coyotes, I took a break yesterday afternoon. We went over to Florence so I could walk on the beach and see the big, big Pacific Ocean. So gorgeous. Vast. Strong. Yesterday, as is often the case, it was windy on the Oregon Coast. I knew this might be,Continue reading “Ancient Teachers”