Riders of the Purple Sage

It was with great excitement that I went with JhonDuane to the Brinton Museum this fall, for the opening of a wonderful show in which he had jewelry– The 4th Annual Brinton Small Works Show. What a wonderful show, and a gorgeous venue! The newly remodeled Brinton Museum is a sparkling jewel of a building, set in the home acreage of the Quarter Circle A Ranch, with the surrounding Big Horn Mountain range as a stunning backdrop.

The building itself is rammed earth, which gives it a most interesting texture and character, as well as being environmentally friendly. The architecture seeks to blend with its surrounding. It does this well. The surrounding old ranch buildings and lovely landscaping, give the place a homey and authentic feel.

Not only was the gala art opening spectacular, but the journey both before, visiting Fort Phil Kearny, and afterward- into the deep and mysterious Big Horns, were–– unforgettable!

Cascade Reverie

The first and second winter storms have passed over us already here in Lakota Country, spreading a foot of snow at my house. The fifty mile and hour wind gusts have re-arranged the landscape here, to billowing, graceful sculptures, in shades of whites and deep blue. Gone now are the Dragonflies- Susweca (pronounced sutswetcha) in Lakota.

All that is left to remind me of their sleek and agile beauty is the lovely present with which JhonDuane thoughtfully gifted me:

 

 Now is the time of closing in, and sitting by the fire as I am tonight. The cold winds blow and swirl around the little house, but I am cozy and warm... curled in my quilts by the fire, and lost in a winter evening's dusk, dreaming of a Cascade Reverie:

In the Nest of the Wakinyan

October is always an uncertain time of the year in Lakota territory. Last year at this time, JhonDuane and I drove through the Blizzard of 2013 in my trusty little Toyota, from Rapid City to Denver, so Jhon could officiate at the wedding of his son, Will's friend, Chris Peters. We were on the road for over 13 hours. Truthfully, we risked our lives on this journey. We are lucky to have arrived in Colorado without incident.

Once we finally got there, though, the greetings were warm, the weekend was wonderful, and the groom's and bride's families were grateful and welcoming. Coming back, however, everywhere we looked were indications of a holocaust, and a grim reminder of what might have been our fate...


This year, the weather has smiled on Lakota territory, and the weather- though it has offered cold and briefly snowy conditions- have also offered wonder-filled halcyon days.

I have taken every opportunity available to enjoy these gorgeous, golden days, to revel in the beauty of this amazing land I call home.

Last weekend I journeyed to Kaga Paha Sapa (shamefully re-named, Harney Peak). This time, I took a detour to the heart of  "The Nest of the Wakinyan"- the Sacred Winged (roughly translated).

How to describe it? I cannot. I will simply post the photos:

The day was beautifully sunny and warm. I was over-dressed in my Levis!

 Fall Rose leaves

 Rose Hips

 Bearberry, used for urinary tract infections, and used in a mixture called Kinnikinnik, which is smoked by American Indians.

 It is amazing to me the tenacity of plants to grow where literally there is no soil, and- to all appearances, only rock from which they spring!

 Wild currants

 Campanula, or Blue Bells.

Late-season Aster

Don't know what this tiny little flower is, but it is so lovely!

Fall strawberry runners

We have had an abundance of rain in the Black Hills this year, and the water is flowing everywhere!

In wandering off the path I discovered some interesting rock shelters.

 Something slept under this rock shelter, and swept the ground smooth!

Hmmm... this was a big fellow!























The igneous rock formation known as The Needles in guide books, is more commonly known as the Nest of the Wakinyan- the Sacred Winged ones by the Lakota.

Nearing the Nest...

In the Eye of the Needle

Someone's home is here...

Underneath this BIG rock!

A rock... 
between a rock
and a hard place!

... and of course,
Shadow Woman
was my constant
companion!

It was a great opportunity to wear
some beautiful new earrings– 
a gift from Jhon ...
& a new
Jhon Goes in Center Creation!

 The view from the top of Epahaska- the Black Hills, framed through an opening in the wall.








Truly, beauty surrounds us!

The Bear Who Sleeps

The Bear Who Sleeps

Hoppy to Know You

Autumn's Embers

Late in the Fall, there came a warm, windy wonderful day, full of the energy and the last of Autumn's embers. It was impossible to stay inside at such a time, so– with a light heart, and no idea of where I would go– headed out.

The little car took me south through Custer, down Lame Johnny Creek road (one of my favorites) and on to Hot Springs. Once there I decided to visit a place I had on my bucket list, and I was glad I did.

The Nathaniel and Mary Whitney Preserve at Cascade Creek is protected by the Nature Conservancy- one of my favorite organizations, and great stewards of the wild places and wetlands, protecting and preserving the integrity of valuable water sources, of this continent and around the world.

Every magical pathway curve held magic– the water was melodic and hypnotic in the late day light. The final magic hour crescendo blazed a rich symphony of brilliant color, as I was again reminded, that in this special place– beauty surrounds us!

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Spring Forward

I love Spring in the Black Hills. It's so dramatic- with changes happening from moment to moment. This year, Spring has "sprung" forward with a vengeance. By mid-March things were getting decidedly toasty. Everyone said it would pass, and we would surely get a blizzard. But, now that it is mid-April, and the lilacs are out, well- the odds are against it.

So it was in this frame of mind that I ventured out to Custer State Park to look for signs of Spring- flowers, baby Buffalo, shedding Buffalo!

The drive to the park was every bit as interesting!

The residents were accommodating, but..

...that's close enough!

The park was brilliant in it's early season splendor.
Water in abundance, and- due to the high elevation- stil plenty of snow and ice around the edges.

Still, shadows gather quickly in the 'Hills, and it is best to keep moving, so as
 not to get caught
by nightfall...

When the shadows get longer, one never knows...

what the shadows may bring...

...and had best not be caught up in them...
So with the setting sun I headed back north for the evening....But the weekend was not over yet!

The next day was even warmer- high 70's! So JhonDuane and I agreed to meet at a favorite picnic spot, to take full advantage of the cool pristine waters as they flow from the deep underground of the 'Hills...

A picnic always tastes better next to a bubbling spring-especially after your feet have cooled down...hard to believe this was the last day of March!
After a great picnic, a satisfying nap- it was time to call it- a very fine weekend, indeed!