Tatonka Leaves Us

This past year brought the end of two amazing relationships.  The first, my faithful Tatanka.  He was love in a big beige bundle.  From the moment our eyes met we were meant to journey, and it was good.  We traveled, played, ate together and took care of each other.  The day he passed, he looked at me to tell me what was going to happen.  As I took his head in my hands, we pressed our foreheads together, and I apologized for his pain. 

Soon I was getting ready for work, and as I was almost out the door, there was liquid, and as I looked further, there he was, peaceful and no longer with me.  It was not possible, yet there he was, and yet it seemed that he would take a breath, every so often.   Thankfully I had a first period prep, called the school, and then my dear friend Joan.  She and her husband came over immediately, and she, working with a veterinarian, confirmed his demise.  Larry helped me dig the grave, carry my loving boy out, and helped me bury him, then said a lovely prayer. 

Then, as the world continues to turn, I rushed off to work, returned home and began the mourning ritual, which was full of beautiful memories. 

As a puppy this little ball of fur was my hero and helped me move from a poor situation.  Forever the tennis ball, as I believe that was his only vice, yet we never could find the tennis ball anonymous meeting as it was always TBA. 

We saw much beauty together.  Hikes in the hills of Pasadena, Sturtevant Falls to be specific.  Mostly we ran on the trails in Palos Verdes, where he danced with a rattle snake.  Some other favorite spots included the beach at Zuma and in Santa Barbara, and Figueroa Point just out of Los Olivos, where we camped under the stars.  When we took off for a 2 week car camping trip up through Utah to Montana, and across to Seattle, and down the coast, we found beautiful places and all with water for him to play, letting out his inner water dog. 

He came into my life most unexpectedly, as I was at the Santa Monica Farmers' Market, there was a laundry basket full of yummy little puppies.  I was no stranger to baby animals, as I spent much time visiting the shelter, just to say hello, and had no burning desire to bring every stray home.  Yet there he was, looking at me; we looked for a long time and loved from the first moment, so he came home. 

That is when he met Kira, the black beauty, his mentor, and companion.  She is the second one to have passed on this last year and will be honored in another post.

Forever Faithful Tatonka Thank You Love

Wondrous Winter Warriors

There is a time to every season, and it is time to play.  The royalty of the snow mountain, rule and regale regally.  There is no end to adventures in the snow.   Frozen barricades make way for majestic ice castles, transforming into a snowy playground with ice climbs and slides. 

 

Truth be told these 3 could easily adventure with nothing more than shorts and t-shirts, yet they obligingly don winter coats and boots, for the warmth of their mom. 

 

This past year brought understanding, love of the land, the gift of family and friends.  We appreciate all who have touched our lives helping us to either grow or celebrate.

 

Little Warriors

Curious, Loving, Growing

Spirits of the Land

 

Totem Pagoda

The 3 Little Warriors wish you love, hope & appreciation.

This mystical turning point of time, with the renewed strenth of the sun brings life force. Live! Dream! Be!

Love, Attila, Nobunaga & Athena

The warriors have climbed "our" mountain, shielded themselves from biting winds, waged war against the dead(ly?) grasses and fallen branches. Fortresses built of cinnamon grahams, and huge armies of gingerbread men, angels, trees and stars have been created.

Each has hypothesized, foraged for materials, and followed necessary procedures to complete successful experiments in which they created chocolate cookies filled with peppermint filling, sesame honey cookies and chocolate, carameled sticks of wondrous delight.

They have read volumes, danced, painted faces and entertained their wonderful imaginations. Having grandma for a bit of time has brought the cherished wisdom of an elder. Oh to be loved for just being.

We are not sure what is in store for the future days, but eagerly await each moment.

Sun! Fun! Run! Done!!!!!!

This boy of mine, who arrived 7 years prior to this picture, is full of joy on this rare, sunny, early spring day. Attila, feeling inspired, has the classical air guitar as he jumped down from the stone bench, by the old oak.

He played well with his siblings and also with the children of a dear friend. Tag, chasing around the park, with laughter and glee, and swinging the younger children on the chained tire were some of the delights of that afternoon.

My sensitive one is still coming into his own, learning the unspoken rules of others and the community. Discerning friend from foe, and more cloudy, the ever present acquaintance. He is getting to know himself and that he is loved.

One day, while meeting with a colleague, there was a firedrill at his school. We went outside, and I happened to watch his class file out, and most of the students were playing, but he did not, and it made me smile. If nothing else, time and place are important concepts, and he was just lovely, and more so, because he did not know I was near, and therefore it was not for show. What will this creative, sensitive boy with a strong name do with his life?

Time has passed

Too much time has come and gone since I last signed on to this page. Ideas come and go; children grow. We endlessly adventure
in beauty and our surroundings. Many mornings or evenings bring forth the family to gather, soaking in the waking or setting hours of the sun where clouds and color paint our sky and gift our sight and souls. Each of my young share this love. Just yesterday, we climbed "our" mountain to look over land, river, sky during the close of the day's light. It is a gift to be opened and experienced daily.

This magic little place we visit, so close to home, brings waterfalls during the wet season. Nobu and Athena share a close bond, as Attila has his own way, but he is ever near and looks after "the kids" as a big brother should. It is not always easy to be the strong one, but they look up to him as such. He will grow into his role as it is revealed to him, and these little warriors look out for each other. Nobu for order; Athena for goodness: Attila for understanding.

Who will they be? Who are they now? Does it ever truly change?

Beautiful Bare on a Bear Baaaaah

She enriches every waking moment of the day. This little goddess of wisdom and war otherwise known to us as Vicious Chickie. She can wield her words and branches with equal ferocity and always with a smile.

Athena is posing here on a faux bearskin rug, a gift from my dear San Diego friend. Not shy to the camera, she would say, " Thank you," when the picture was shot. Now it is just taken in stride.

All 3 enjoy viewing slideshows of their capers and general joyful romping. The will watch and point, calling out all the names, including dogs, in each slide. In this shot, framed on a tansu, she will point to and say okole. A damn cute one to say the least.

Dressing herself is one of her current goals so that she can keep up with the boys. The moon and in general any light at night brings instant delight. Apetite? Surely this strong soul is happiest when engaging in various forms of nutrition, and much more so if it is meat. That is definitely my girl. Many times one can find her sitting with a blanket and a book by herself. Other times running up a trail, throwing rocks on the ice, building straight lines of blocks, potty training, smothering or mothering the cats and living life. Her favorite word?

LOOK!

Life is a game. Let's play!

Living, loving and learning are a unique game for Nobu. "Hep me! Hep me," with outstretched arms and the charming smile, could only mean to save him from the lava. This is done by pulling his dense (as in mass/volume) little body up by his arms to the bed and letting him know that Nobu is now safe.

"Where's Nobu?" or "No hands," are favorites. We love Eskimo and butterfly kisses and kiss/no kiss where one of us will ask for a kiss, and just as our lips get close, turn our head and say, "No kiss." Of course I will try to be fast and still sneak a kiss in. Oh, and isn't it funny if he is able to pummel me with snowballs trying to knock me down, which can sometimes be done with tornado-strength blowing. In this picture, taken almost one year ago he is enjoying the snow park and running along the cross-country trails, pointing out the snow, trees, deer tracks and even takes a moment to share a smile.

Nobu, Attila and Athena love to run around the house naked, screaming and playing some no-rule tag. Each one, brother and sister, have special games they play and they have their own special language with Nobu. Their giggles are like cherubic chimes, inspiring me to choose wisely. They love to watch their pictures as slide shows on the screen, calling out the names and pointing to each one.

Growing in body, mind and spirit, so many things he does now without mimicry, are so beautiful to me. Without fail, every morning he greets the gatos (cats) by hugging them and carrying them about, and all they want is breakfast, but they are amazingly tolerant and he adores them. Is it unthought of to be so mesmerized by one's offspring?

He loves to sing (the only one of us in the correct key), share ( he always makes sure "Afena" and Attila have some of what he does), and draw. Stunned, I recently found that he can draw people with heads, eyes, bodies, arms, legs, feet and hands. Each body part meaningful. He often will have stories accompanying but I have not fully learned his language in fine detail.

His heart speaks to me and I listen. May I do well by him.