Feb 18, 2010

It’s not going to be about me today. Instead I want to share with you how others perceive Gratitude. Quotes from people who have a rich sense of  thankfulness. Wisdom begot from observations and or personal trials.

There is no harder lesson to learn for some of us than to be grateful with utter sincerity.  To freely, openly, and with utmost bravery let go of our safe entombment of attitudes on all fronts in order to be grateful to its truest purest sense.

So if we carry around a stone in our heart – If I remain captive of the fact that someone holds me in disgust because I was willing to put a horse down rather than see it go out into the world and be  subject to a life of pain and abuse, then I try to heal myself by saying thank you for the food and warm home I posses, am I truly being thankful? Or am I being selective, holding my stone tightly within my heart while babbling about being grateful?  I believe that in order to be truly grateful we must let go of our stones.

(This is how I perceive most hearts, mine included.)

Gratitude, the act of being thankful can heal us of our burdens. By casting out the stones in our hearts sometimes one at a time over time or instantly we begin to shine inside and heal from past and present wounds. I see this as the first step to healing our world. One person, one stone, one act of “pure” gratitude at a time.

(This is how I perceive Gratitude (water) as it cleanses us of our stones, if we allow them to be washed away.)

An now some quotes to ponder… They pretty much touch on how I view gratitude and the act of faithfully participating in Thankful Thursday.

FREDERICK TURNER:   To those who followed Columbus and Cortez, the New World truly seemed incredible because of the natural endowments. The land often announced itself with a heavy scent miles out into the ocean. Giovanni di Verrazano in 1524 smelled the cedars of the East Coast a hundred leagues out. The men of Henry Hudson’s Half Moon were temporarily disarmed by the fragrance of the New Jersey shore, while ships running farther up the coast occasionally swam through large beds of floating flowers. Wherever they came inland they found a rich riot of color and sound, of game and luxuriant vegetation. Had they been other than they were, they might have written a new mythology here. As it was, they took inventory.

H. U. WESTERMAYER:   The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.

MARC ESTRIN:   Kindness trumps greed: it asks for sharing. Kindness trumps fear: it calls forth gratefulness and love. Kindness trumps even stupidity, for with sharing and love, one learns.

JOHN F. KENNEDY:     As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

(This image by Montague Dawson British Master Nautical Painter – Painting/Print/Note cards – is for sale at Encore Editions for $15.00 – Please visit this fine site to find many more exquisite paintings.)

Why a painting of a ship on a peaceful ocean you ask? My perception of bounty and a completely free spirit – cleansed of its stones. The feeling and healing one reaps from Gratitude…

BLISS

For more gratitude/thankfulness please visit these sites: Akal Ranch – Tired Dog Ranch – Enlightened Horsemanship Through Touch – From The Horses Back – Grateful For – Jonathan Lawson of mysnowpro.com – Maryanne Garvin of the Silverton Movement Center – Gemini and of course our guest blogger Zebrafinch… OUR CIRCLE IS GROWING

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THE ART OF BUILDING VIOLINS BY MASTER CRAFTSMAN – TIM BLACK

(Violin’s Viola’s Cello’s  built by Tim Black. NOTE: pictured for scale, “Baby” – the light colored child’s violin to be discussed below)

Intro by: Susan Catt THE PONY EXPRESSION – Tim Black is a very interesting man. Part of the unique color of Silverton, he wears many hats to include landlord, salesman, violin maker.  When you take some time to get to know Tim, TJ is  what we call him here in our alpine mountain home, you learn that he has lived a very different life from the most of us, and although he seems a perfect fit for this old mining town, he is also a rather rare gem. Tj loved classic music from a very early age. Now at a retirement age he has picked it back up with a love and devotion many of us wish we possessed.

His creed…

His craft… ( Birth of “Baby”)

It’s a new experience for me to make an undersized violin. Scaling violins for children is a challenge. The overall length of the violin should be about one third height of the child. Little people should be able to hold the instrument in playing position and cup the end of the scroll in their hand.

No less detail goes into a small instrument. I’m wondering what I can bring to a small violin. In carving this tiny wonder I am observing the tonal relationships of the taps. The pitches are higher. I am careful to balance modes just as I do in full size instruments.

Weight is important too. I figured weight goals for parts by cubing the scale of the smaller instrument and multiplying the weight of a full size parts by that factor.  A 1/4 size violin is 80% the size of a 4/4 violin. .80 cubed is .512. If a finished scroll and fingerboard weighs 140 grams in a standard violin, the small scroll should weigh 71-2 grams. I estimate the final weight of the 1/4 size at 190 grams. Could there be such a things as a concert quality under size violin?

(“Baby” being born)

Often a child’s instrument is built like a club with little regard for tone or comfort of the set up. The action of the violin is important so that no undue force is required to finger the strings. Reliable  friction pegs are important for the violin to hold its’ tune. Imagine poor teacher besieged with a dozen students with poorly adjusted instruments. Well adjusted, stable instruments enhance the learning experience and maximize teacher time. The  better the experience children have with an instrument they will more likely continue.

(Pieces and parts of a violin in progress)

(Viola and violin by Tim Black Silverton, Colorado)

In conclusion THE PONY EXPRESSION has decided to add a series on Tim Black and his violins so please stay tuned. “Baby’s” coming out pics will come soon. A new Cello may be in a the works, an Opas is gelling as we speak.

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Another fun weekend in Silverton Colorado. This time it’s the Snowscape grand finale. On the list as I recall are ski races, box car sled derby, and ball toss today, with  a bon-fire tonight, night skiing, food and celebration all held at the Kendall Mountain Recreation Area.

Looking back through the crowd to the gal in blue coat and broad rimmed hat – that is Maryanne Garvin who runs the Silverton Movement Center. Her husband Mark, raced in the ski competitions then took their son down the slope in their box car for a great run.

Pam Welty (middle) won the ball toss contest. (in the photo is left  Julie Danjou, middle Pam Welty, and right Terry Brokering)

Being judged before the race. One of the  box cars – lots of detail created by Cliff Polhman took over all winner.  Looked just like a car driving down the hill.

Here the skiers from ages 4 – 70 received their first through third places for runs down the hill.

After awards were given out to the skiers the box cars were heading up the hill for their derby.

Here’s our car (all cardboard)…  Pretty cool huh!

…flying by.

Kyle Roberts, left holding the stop watch was one of the judges.  He cooks at the Stellar Bakery where I had my eggs benedict this morning (yumm). The fella in the scarf and  ball cap is our handsome deputy sheriff, Bruce Conrad- he was logging in the times (I’m not sure if he was judging too or not).

Someone on a simple piece of cardboard – I think they were close to being the fastest run.  Looked harry.

In the end after the box cars had finished 3 fellas decide to run the course together…

…result – crossing the finish line with what was left of his card board sled.

I’d be back for the rest of the festivities but I have to work.  In this town when there is work to be had you grab it and run!  Still what a great day!

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THANKFUL THURSDAY by ZEBRAFINCH (guest blogger)

This week, a blizzard hit our region with astounding efficiency. Everyone stayed home, work was canceled, and even traffic nearly disappeared. People realized this storm was the real deal and did not argue with it. The resulting giant white vacuum chamber got very quiet within hours.

What happens when life goes from overwhelm to a stand still? Again, gratitude was my tool for mining stillness and empty space. But there really are no empty spaces, I think. If anything, maybe empty spaces are the moments we miss, because we were never there.

My ritual “count my blessings” walk across the “largest unreinforced concrete structure in the world” the bridge outside my door—

(This amazing image of the William Taft Bridge in Washington DC was taken by Declan McCullugh – Please check out his work)

( Wikipedia William Taft Bridge – http://tinyurl.com/yzq47dk )

—was more interesting for the twilight-spooky snow. The railing between me and a creek 125 feet below seemed frail and small. I was more aware of the spaces between balusters and the frosted treetops. The entire landscape was so quiet you could hear a mouse burp. I was reassured by cars rolling slowly by and glowing lamp lights.

I began: “I exist, I grow, I love, I explore, and I thrive.” This was my energy healer’s mantra for me during the darkest days of my Lyme disease. It now helped to propel me 1,000 feet across the ice. By force of habit and intention, thankfulness began crowding out my fear of slipping or falling. I pondered how many seasons I had missed by not really being present to their passing. I resolved on the bridge to anchor the loveliness of this winter by being consciously thankful for its structural gifts: darkness; lamplight; soft snowfall; blessed cold, fresh air; silence; even restrictions.

I continued: “I am grateful for my friends, seasons, peace, my warm coat….” Snow attached to all that made my week so special. Dear friends and I had lunch before a fireplace and watched feather-like flakes descend. We later had wine in a beautiful hotel. It was a rare day when our schedules were cleared for friendship, nature, food and conversation. I learned something new about people I had known for over 30 years. Snow will help me remember this rare and special time. Thanks, snow.

Seasons and weather as reminders of abundance kept coming back to mind. What is it about weather that many people resist? Blizzard? Yay! It insulates the soil and protects little animals. Rain? Bring it on. Plants and animals will drink all summer, and trees will have big, shady canopies. Sun and heat? (OK, I’m working on this one.) I do not need memories of summer—or any other time—to get me through winter. I am thankful for this winter for what it brings now. We’ll see how that adds up.

Blizzard Washington DC Feb 19, 2010 by Zebrafinch

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Feb, 11, 2010

Been putting a lot of thought into Thankful Thursday and what I have to contribute today.  It has been hard to come up with new stuff to discuss.  Why?  Because I live a very simple life and I am equally grateful for the things I continuously speak of. My family, this town, my abode, my creature friends and plants.  Grateful for my clients and friends, for the snow, for the mountains, for the sunshine gleaming off the mountains. Grateful for the continued improvement of my health and healing.  This is my world, small yet huge!

Last week I discussed health benefits obtained from the act of being grateful. Every Thankful Thursday post discusses how gratitude is changing my life. So what cold really stand out today?

1) first and foremost – My daughter, Heather tells me that she and her husband Malcolm had sat down the other day to discuss how their parents would manage in our elder years.  They came up with a plan for me. I don’t have a retirement so they came up with a way that I’ll have a home for the rest of my life, and I kinda like their solution. I’m proud of my kids. Heather was worried that I’d be offended – I  told her I was proud, that her concern spoke of the the way my parents raised me and how I raised her. I’m so thankful for the lessons I learned from my parents and what I was able to pass on to Heather. I’m one PROUD and GRATEFUL mom!

2) my friend Krissy is always looking out for me. She listens to me and knows my heart. I told her awhile back that I wanted to get a guinea pig for a cuddly pet that I could keep in my apt in an orderly manner. So she went right out and began researching guinea pigs. I mean she researched them, then started searching for them, then got herself one, then found the exact piggy I had told her months ago that I would like to have. Check out Cookie.

Isn’t she just adorable?!!  I like guinea pigs (cavies) because you manage them much like horses, you even make corrals for them, feed them hay, groom them and more similar things.  They become friendly like horses and to some extent are even trainable like horses. So I have my own little horse like critter to care for without the hard work and huge space and cost.  Well actually Cookie will come up to Silverton with Krissy and her family when they come to visit in a few weeks.  I am so thankful to you Krissy!  I so appreciate you always going far and beyond to see my happiness flourish.  You are the best friend anyone could ever have.  I am so thankful that Cookie is coming to live with me.

I’m so happy!

We had a visitor here on THE PONY EXPRESSION recently who also  shares in Thankful Thursday’s – meet Gemini and check out their blog for another approach to being thankful.

For more gratitude/thankfulness please visit these sites: Akal Ranch – Tired Dog Ranch – Enlightened Horsemanship Through Touch – From The Horses Back – Grateful For – Jonathan Lawson of mysnowpro.com and of course our guest blogger Zebrafinch,  and our newsest Heart of Gratitude Maryanne Garvin of the Silverton Movement Center… OUR CIRCLE IS GROWING

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The second of our Cowboy & Cowgirl code series posts: please welcome guest blogger John Brand of Buckaroo Leather.

THE COWBOY SOCIAL WORLD

Over time, the cowboys of the American West developed a personal culture of their own, a blend of frontier and Victorian values that even retained vestiges of chivalry. Such hazardous work in isolated conditions also bred a tradition of self-dependence and individualism, with great value put on personal honesty, exemplified in songs and poetry. Over the years many of us have developed a romance with old west songs, poetry, stories and movies…

I have many fond memories of my grandfather Del, and father telling me family history and stories while taking me fishing and hunting. And not realizing until later in life when it was time to teach my children the values of the code of the west and the cowboy way, how much I had learned from my fore fathers. Important things like how to treat animals, respect guns and their use, and other people. Guns have become a big social issue because it is easy to blame the gun and not the core reason of the person using it and their upbringing…

My grandfathers family the Bradford’s homesteaded in Hemet, California in 1903 in a tent raising cattle and dry farming crops relying on mother nature.

After time and hard work they were able to afford to build a shack and my grandfather was born in 1912.

He had 2 sisters and 2 brothers who all learned family values while doing their many daily chores.

(Plowing in Hemet)

As now in tough economic and social times it becomes more apparent how society would benefit from parents and kids of our future taking to heart the values of the code of the west and the cowboy way to the core of their everyday lives. Here is one of my favorite hero’s-

HOPALONG CASSIDY’S CREED FOR AMERICAN BOYS AND GIRLS-

1. The highest badge of honor a person can wear is honesty. Be truthful at all times.
2. Your parents are the best friends you have. Listen to them and obey their instructions.
3. If you want to be respected, you must respect others. Show good manners in every way.
4. Only through hard work and study can you succeed. Don’t be lazy.
5. Your good deeds always come to light. So don’t boast or be a show-off.
6. If you waste time or money today, you will regret it tomorrow. Practice thrift in all ways.
7. Many animals are good and loyal companions. Be friendly and kind to them.
8. A strong, healthy body is a precious gift. Be neat and clean.
9. Our country’s laws are made for your protection. Observe them carefully.
10. Children in many foreign lands are less fortunate than you. Be glad and proud you are an American.

DOES A CODE OF THE WEST STILL EXIST?
Self reliance continues to be a Western trait. For the first time since the Civil War, the federal bureaucracy is being seriously challenged. Washington is being asked to prove why it is a more effective trustee of Western lands and their resources than the locals who live, work, and play on those lands. I think welfare especially rankles Westerners because of its implied insult — that men and women are incapable of earning a living on their own, or are unwilling to help those temporarily down on their luck to get back on their feet. In the West I believe there remains a willingness to trust a person rather than trust fine print. Unquestionably, the Westerner’s symbiotic relationship with the land has never been lost. The value placed on the region’s traditional industries, like ranching, has never diminished, even among many urban Westerners. The West was as much a state of mind as it was a historical phenomenon. And the Code? Like I said, it’s unwritten, how are you to prove it still exists?

Quote by: William H. Forbis. The Old West: The Cowboys Time-Life Books. 1973.

I heard about a lot of this after the 911 attacks…

BEING NEIGHBORLY

The story is told of an elderly couple approaching the night clerk in one of Philadelphia ’s older hotels. The man indicated that he and his wife had been looking all over town for a room, but because of a convention, none was to be had.

The night clerk had pity on the couple and, although there was no vacancy in his hotel, offered them his room for the night.

The next morning while the elderly couple was eating breakfast, they asked to see the night clerk. When the clerk arrived, the gentleman astonished him by asking, “How would you like for me to build a big, beautiful, luxurious hotel in the city of New York and make you the general manager?” Astounded, the clerk simply responded, “Wonderful!”

The elderly man introduced himself as John Jacob Astor. The Waldorf-Astoria was built, and the night clerk became its first manager.

Be a good friend and neighbor. It can be a reward to everyone.

At Buckaroo Leather American Made is not just a sales slogan, standing tall behind our Buckaroo logo is honesty, hard work, dedication, sacrifice and integrity. In our journey of the last 30 years we have met many amazing artists, business horseman and women , craftsmen and customers who still live, as us by American Made. Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving the Western Horseman the safest most durable Quality
American made leather horse tack.

Thank You, John Brand – BuckarooJohn
Cell #530-545-0139
1-800-873-0781 Fax #888-652-6621

Twitter: @buckaroojohn

www.buckarooleather.com -website
www.buckarooleather.info -blog
www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/buckaroojohn -histories

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This is how we humans should live with our fellow Brothers and Sisters of Mother Earth.  This woman is truly Walking The Red Road and living in the light of White Medicine.

AHO

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I promised hot cowboys, fast horses, and top notch ski talent in this post well here you go…

I want to take him home.

Warming up for the races while the morning snow falls.

More warm ups…  right in front of the Stellar Bakery and Pizzeria

On looker Mike G. one of our towns acclaimed musicians. He’ll be playing at the Velvet Lounge (in the Villa Dallavalle) tonight. You should drop in and put in a request for some Buddy Holly.

Happy mom’s pulling happier children in toboggans.

The races are on!  The horses seemed to love the run too!

And I mean they ran!  This was one very VERY fast horse!

Setting up for the last jump!

Pam (on right) and her good friend Diane watch as a team rushes by! Pam is my friend who runs the  Villa Dallavalle Bed and Breakfast and Velvet Lounge.  For you Twitter folks you can find Pam and the Villa Dallavalle B&B at ( @VillaDallvalle ).

Our handsome cowboy and his steed streaking up Blair Street while skier literally  flies through the air right in front of the VillaDallavalle Bed and Breakfast.

And another competitor puts in his bid on the last jump.

One of  Heathers best friends, Audry came to town to watch the event.

And Audry’s husband Kyle, one of our volunteer Fire Fighters!

End of the day, another handsome cowboy cooling down his horses right along Green Street!

And in case you didn’t get enough of that handsome cowboy dude in the beginning of the  post…

Sigh…..

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Like so many of us  my very best friend Krissy has been struggling with a debt. She has always been focused on having good credit and doing right by her lenders.  But  the economy hit and her debts started growing.  We have all been there, if not we will be at some point in our lives.  For the past few months she has been researching how to settle her debt. After much thought, she was able to find a settlement that made her feel good about herself and she is free and clear.

I’m so proud of her!

Well I had a goal set, I had hopes it would happen and it did.  I’m happy I can come on my trip to see you and be free and clear of this headache of a debt. I will be happy when I get my next massage it will feel great and there will be little to no stress. Whatever is left of the stress will be washed out and taken away…those nasty toxins…gone!

Krissy: my Thankful Friday!

Let Krissy give you hope. Do right by others, do right by your debts – it will flow back to you.

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From Tashunka Witko

Please visit Tashunka Witko’s Facebook page to read the entire Dine’ (Navajo) Creation story.  Tashunka Witko brings to fans and friends collections of histories, stories and videos insightful of Indigenous People of our lands.  Be sure to  check out the  supporting links to this story. They are located at the bottom of story on Tashunka Witko’s Facebook page.

The people next emerged into a Yellow World (Niholsoi), meeting other animal beings: squirrels, chipmunks, mice, turkeys, deer, spider people, lizards, and snakes. The people still had their problems and quarrelsome behaviors. Eventually the men and women separated and began to live on opposite sides of the river. During the time of the separation of the sexes, the men survived by hunting and planting; however, the women did not fare as well–they were not skilled hunters and did not tend to their fields. After four years the women were starving and begged to return to the men. After the sexes were reunited, Coyote stole the Water Spirit’s baby. As a result, the Water Spirit got very angry and caused a great flood.

The people escaped the flood by climbing through a huge reed, led by the locust. The last animal to climb out of the reed was the turkey. It is said that as he was climbing up, the foamy water of the flood was rising and lapped at his tail, thus creating the white-streaked tail feathers of the wild turkey. The beings emerged at a place called into the White, or Glittering, World–the present world. Some stories say this place of emergence was in the mountains of Colorado, near Durango.

At this point, the small group had grown to include other holy beings, including insect beings, bird beings, and animal beings–each being contributing to the planning and organization of the world. First Man formed four main sacred mountains from the soil that was taken from the lower worlds and these became the sacred boundaries of the Dine world. Each mountain was fastened to the earth in a unique way and given special adornments and empowerments.

Although each mountain was given specific natural endowments, nevertheless, all of the mountains were also endowed with all of the natural beauties and powers of the universe. The complexity of understanding nature through relationships and interrelated processes of all things is the basis and foundation of the Navajo view of the sacred mountains. The deep natural communication that is ongoing in the universe can be expressed through many concepts. In this case, it is expressed through the four sacred mountains.

So much in this story rings true to me. I can see how the people expressed the lives of their elders, for-bearers. How the story of the beginning of Mother was translated through them.  Things like the great flood (rising of the oceans, melting of glaciers). I’m guessing memories from all around the world remember some catastrophic event that changed lives forever.  Also its speaks to the spiritual nature of the Four Corners areas that it became the Dine’ homeland.  Sends chills (thrills) all through me.  The story tells of how the Dine’ people struggled to understand how disease, poverty, dispositions and responses to life effected them on deep personal levels and their survival as a people.  Much like today, as we battle against new diseases, societal difficulties, and survival of our nations. I’m thinking we have not learned much. Recreating the wheel so to speak. We could learn so much from people like the Dine’ if we would just listen and act upon the lessons received.

When I speak of White Medicine and finding its healing powers in the San Juan mountains I speak of the sense of a deep spiritual relationship with Mother.  A lifting of burdens is the result. Much like what it must have been like for the Dine’ when they discovered this perfect place the call home.

AHO

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