Keepsake

Yesterday we were acquaintances
Yesterday we shared a dream
Yesterday we shared a journey
Yesterday we became friends.

We planned,
We worked
We dreamed
We journeyed

We shared a vision
Literacy Without Borders.
Like the Hobbit's journey
We traveled.

We planned
We worked
We dreamed
We accepted challenges.

Funding, fund raisers
Coffee "the Readers Blend", nooks, raffles, sponsors,
One by one
Others shared our dream.

Joining us
Dreams turned into reality
Along the way
I got to know you

I learned to appreciate you.
I am thankful for you
I am grateful for your gifts
I am glad we journeyed together.

This is my gift
A keepsake of woven beads
Woven like memories through our journey
Dreams unlocked transforms reality.

Yesterday we were acquaintances
Yesterday we shared a dream
Yesterday we shared a journey
Today we are friends.


"

Jars of Jelly and Jam

Choke Cherries - ready to pick.

Choke cherries 

Clusters of purple sunshine
Tart bites
Transform
Jars of Jelly and Jam.

Pick, wash, simmer
Empty jars, steam
Juice, sugar, pectin
Stir - a coated spoon.

Clusters of purple sunshine

Tart bites 

Transform

Jars of Jelly and Jam.

Rich molten purple
Flows
Mason jars
A water bath.

Clusters of purple sunshine
Tart bites
Transform
Jars of Jelly and Jam.

Choke Cherry jelly
Country stained glass
Purple of a rose window
Jars of Jelly and Jam.

I - Is for Icicle

I am Icicle
Who needs freezing temps
Who loves hanging around
Who sees the morning sun
Who hates warm weather
Who fears kids with big sticks
Who dreams of traveling to the ocean.
Who loves the poetry in "Water Dance"
Resident of roof tops, buildings, and occasional trees
I am frozen water.

A biographical poem based on a "I am - poetry frame"

Links of Discovery
http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/portrait.html  Poetry frames

http://www.cape.k12.mo.us/blanchard/hicks/Poetry/Poetry.htm

H is for History - A List Poem

The old map
In the old trunk
The photograph album
The letters held together
Edison phonograph cylinders 1888-1915
A rolled poster
Gramophones
Silent Films
Talkies
Silver Screen
45s
Old Newspaper clippings
Memories of a life.

N is for Northern Cheyenne Tribal College

Image via Wikipedia

There are seven reservations in Montana.  Each reservation has a tribal college.   I taught one evening class at Chief Dull Knife College the year I also taught Special Education classes at the Northern Cheyenne School in Busby, Montana.

I was invited to attend many cultural events and learn about a culture different than mine.  I watched people navigate two very different worlds simultaneously. 

I remember sitting at the cafeteria table by students and staff.  I was trying to learn how to say, “Please pass the bread.”  My young teacher (a 3^rd grader) was coaching me.  As I made the attempt there were a few muffled chuckles.

I realized I had not spoken the correct words.  My young teacher smiled and told me what I said.  She showed wisdom and great kindness when I asked her if she thought I would ever learn Cheyenne.

“No, but it is good that you try.”


Joseph Fire Crow, a Northern Cheyenne flute player.  Is considered one of the greatest flute players in the world.  This spring he visited several schools and lead a workshop at the Western Heritage Center in Billings, Montana.  His music speaks calls to my spirit.

I have many great memories of the time I spent in Busby.  I will always remember the Northern Cheyenne people with great fondness.

Montana Tribal Colleges

Chief Dull Knife College, is in Lame Deer, http://www.cdkc.edu/

Salish Kootenai College is in Pablo, MT on the Flathead Reservation

http://www.skc.edu/

Little Big Horn College is in Crow Agency on the Crow Reservation http://www.lbhc.edu/

Fort Peck is in Poplar, MT on the Fort Peck Reservation http://www.fpcc.edu/

Fort Belknap College is in Harlem Montana on the Fort Belknap Reservation http://www.fbcc.edu

Blackfeet Community College is in Browning, MT on the Blackfeet Reservation http://www.bfcc.org/

Stone Child College is located on Upper Box Elder Road between Rocky Boy Agency and Box Elder, Montana.

http://www.stonechild.edu/