I've started a new blog, Chronicles of Zacorah. Feel free to check it out, and leave feedback if you'd like.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
The Legend of the Tetons
Aubrey had to write an "Indian myth" for her English class. It had to be two pages long (hers ended up being much longer), include cliches often found in Indian tales, such as "many moons", and it had to be about how one of the landforms in Idaho was created. She of course came to me for help and I had a FIELD day. I miss having homework assignments like these.
Anyway, we thought about it for a little bit, and decided to do her myth on the Tetons. This is what we came up with. (Ignore the fact that it repeats the difficult names about a million times. That was our private little joke because the teacher had to read the legends out loud to the class and we thought it'd be funny if she kept having to say all these words.)
The
Legend of the Tetons
Long before the grass-covered flats of Northern America
became known as the Valley of the Tetons, there lived a boy named Ciqala, which
means “little one”. He longed to be a fearsome warrior like his father and
brothers, but was mocked and ridiculed by the members of his tribe for his tiny
stature. One day, the boy pleaded with his father for a way to prove he was
more than just his size. He wanted a chance to prove he too could be a great
warrior, but his father proclaimed, “Ciqala, you are simply too small. In order
to be a warrior yourself, you must find a way to impress the fearsome warriors
of our tribe, and this would be no simple task; especially considering your
tiny size.”
Discouraged--but
not deterred--Ciqala thought of all the ways he could possibly impress the
great warriors of his tribe. He remembered the legend of Hotah Tohapka, the
white buffalo. Hotah Tohapka had eluded hunters for many years and had lived an
extraordinary long life. Hotah Tohapka was worshipped and considered to be a
sacred symbol to the people of the tribe. It was considered a great honor to see
the buffalo. Legend stated that, he who could approach and ride the buffalo was
destined to be the most fearsome of all great warriors.
That
very night, Ciqala snuck out and used the full moon as his guide across the
vast valley. He traveled for many nights until he finally found Hotah Tohapka
grazing in a field of alfalfa. The buffalo watched intently as Ciqala attempted
to approach. The buffalo turned to leave, but Ciqala pleaded with him, “Please,
Hotah Tohapka. My name is Ciqala and I am here to prove to my tribe that I can
be a great warrior. If you would just let me ride upon your back, my tribe
would accept me as the greatest warrior to be born in many moons. You would
bestow upon me a very great honor.”
Hotah
Tohapka paused in consideration, then nodded for Ciqala to approach. The boy
returned triumphantly to his tribe atop of Hotah Tohapka’s large, pale back.
The great warriors of Ciqala’s tribe held a ceremony in his honor, officially
welcoming him back as the greatest warrior in the land and gave him the new
name, Ciqala-Cheveyo, meaning “little spirit warrior.”
Many
years flew by and even though he never grew to be as large as the other
warriors in his tribe, Ciqala-Cheveyo grew to be a great warrior indeed; always
accompanied by the white buffalo, Hotah Tohapka.
Unbeknownst
to Ciqala-Cheveyo or the members of his tribe, as the seasons came and went an
enemy tribe was plotting against them. They envied the small warrior with the
fearsome white buffalo and longed to take the beast for themselves. Rumors of
Ciqala-Cheveyo’s small size only encouraged the enemy tribe, convincing them
they would have success in taking the life of the little Indian man. The enemy
tribe plotted for many seasons until the budding of the Quaking Aspen trees
signaled to them that the time to take the white buffalo for themselves had
come. Hundreds and hundreds of enemy tribesmen mounted their large, black
steeds and headed out across the grassy countryside towards Ciqala-Cheveyo and
his people.
That
night, as Ciqala-Cheveyo and his brothers slept, Hotah Tohapka paced across the
plains in agitation, the cold, Idaho breeze barely registering through his
thick, heavy white coat. He had senses superior to any man or beast and sensed
the impending danger of the enemy tribe’s approach. He knew their numbers would
be great—far greater than those of his family tribe—and thought long and hard
about how he could help to save those he loved.
Just
before the sun was prepared to make his journey across the sky, Ciqala-Cheveyo
awakened to a terrible trembling of the ground. At first, he thought there was
an earthquake, but as he stood, he saw the enemy tribesmen, still far away, but
approaching fast on horseback. They much represented an angry, omnipotent
cloud. Ciqala-Cheveyo quickly awakened his fellow warriors and, with a sense of
impending doom, all prepared for the imminent battle.
Hotah
Tohapka watched the enemy’s swift approach and listened to the weeping of the
women and children of Ciqala-Cheveyo’s tribe. He looked out over the miles of
grassland separating his loved ones from the approaching enemy and, in that
moment, he knew what he had to do. He turned toward Ciqala-Cheveyo, let out a
large snort of air and signaled with his head for Ciqala-Cheveyo and his people
to turn and flee. Before Ciqala-Cheveyo could object, Hotah Tohapka turned and
raced toward the thick flood of enemies. He raced long and hard, gaining speed,
then burrowed his massive frame deep into the ground, disappearing under the
green earth. Then with great effort he heaved upward, pushing the rocky soil up
and up with his strong, sturdy back. He pushed and heaved and pushed and
heaved, and as he did the earth raised with his effort. It raised and raised
growing more and more jagged, climbing higher and higher until a great mountain
range formed between the stampeding enemy tribe and Ciqala-Cheveyo’s people.
The
enemy tribe’s progress towards Ciqala-Cheveyo and his people was forced to a
halt. Despite their best efforts, they could find no way over the large
mountains that had formed before their very eyes. They returned to their
people, heads hung low in defeat.
Ciqala-Cheveyo’s
brothers rejoiced at having been saved and held a spiritual ceremony in Hotah
Tohapka’s honor, thanking him for his heroic actions, but Ciqala-Cheveyo
couldn’t bear to join the celebration. Instead, he packed a few belongings and
headed toward the great mountain peak which had been created by the back of
Hotah Tohapka. He climbed to the top of a peak near the largest of the three
main peaks and began digging, hoping to save his beloved beast from his earthy
tomb. He dug so long that the moon and the sun both had time to complete their
casual journeys across the sky three times. He dug through the mountain until it was no longer a peak, then pounded the earth flat over and over again in aggravation, pleading for Hotah
Tohapka to hear him, but there was no reply. He dug many caves into nearby
mountains, trying to gain access, but again had no luck. Hotah Tohapka had
perished with the effort of his heroic rescue. Lost without his life-long
friend and companion, Ciqala-Cheveyo soon joined him in the heavens.
Many
moons later (more than most can count) Hotah Tohapka’s mountains became known
as the Grand Tetons and the valley that sheltered Ciqala-Cheveyo’s people
became known as the Valley of the Tetons. The mountain top worn flat my
Ciqala-Cheveyo’s desperate search for his pale friend became known as Table
Mountain, and the caves he had dug in an attempt to rescue him soon were called
the Caves of Wind.
The
end.
Sharing a few songs . . .
I am in the mood to share some music. So here are a few toons I'm diggin' lately.
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Neon Hitch - Fuck You BettaPowered by mp3skull.com
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And of course, my most favorite (because Florence is amazing!!):
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Saturday, October 6, 2012
We go together.
I'm going to start this post by once again stating (I've already said this on my facebook page) how much I absolutely hate, loath, detest and abhor Silverstar. Their internet Suuuuuuuuucks. Sucks. Sucks. Sucks. I can't say it enough. They suck so bad.
Anywaaaaaay . . .
I entered the SingSnap "Nifty Fifties" challenge. We had one day to prepare and had to pick a song from an artist who got their start in the fifties. I decided that I wanted to try and do one that no one else had done, but with over 600 entries, that didn't leave many options. Really only one, in fact.
It only left this one.
Eff, that song was harder to sing than you would think. My voice was DEEEAAAAD by the time I was done recording it. I spent over an hour just learning the song. I haven't watched Grease in such a long time, and then I never exactly learned the words to that song in the first place (for obvious reasons.) But I think it turned out okay. The comments people have left are very sweet. Then again, everyone leaves sweet comments--even to the people who royally suck--so I take it all with a grain of salt.
I don't imagine I'll win--not with as many entries as there were--but it was still fun to enter. :)
Want to see something cute??
(Nevermind . . . Silverstar SUCKS so it won't let me upload the video.)
He also has gotten in the bad habit of not ever wanting to leave my sight. Especially since I've been home so much lately with him. (More on that in a moment.) He's a great little dog and I love his little guts!! We've had a great weekend, just the two of us. I turned down two dates this weekend just so I could enjoy my time alone with my little guy. (And because I've felt horribly lately, honestly.)
About me not working so much lately . . . That is an aggrivating story. Basically since July my skin has been freaking out. Like, royally freaking out, so I haven't wanted to go anywhere. But only along my jaw line. If I'm being honest, my skin has been breaking out since last March, but it only started getting out of control in July. And it has been anyone's guess as to why. I've had doctors thinking it was related to my job with Targhee and the chemicals we use. Others have thought it was hormone related. I even had one doctor tell me I probably have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. But that didn't make sense. My cycle is normal (you're welcome for that information) and I don't have any "masculine hair growth". In fact, I have NONE of the symptoms of that syndrome besides the breakouts along my jaw.
I finally started doing some research of my own and discovered that I have a gluten allergy and possibly something called Celiac disease. It makes perfect sense! Basically all that means is that my body can't absorb gluten so my immune system treats it as a threat. This adds up with my symptoms more than anything. Remember how I said my skin started getting bad in March? At the time I blamed it on the stress of having to come home from my vacation and get back to reality. But while I was in Florida I first broke my diet by eating a salmon sandwich. (My vegan diet I was on was gluten free completely by coincidence.) Then, when I got back, Zach and I spent those two weeks together and I ate so much bread. I ate incredibly poorly nearly everyday and my skin was getting worse. So was our relationship, so I blamed it on the stress from that. Then, in July I started working at Targhee and the job was so physically taxing that I felt like I needed more calories than my vegan diet was providing, so I started taking a sandwich pretty much every day. And THAT'S when I started having the troubles with my skin.
It's kind of ironic -- Since I dont' have a thyroid I have literally prayed for a way to stay in shape (people with no thyroids often end up overweight, and those tendencies run in my family anyway so . . . double whammy). Well, I think my prayers were answered. If I can't eat bread or sugar . . . pretty sure I'll be fine my whole life. :) As long as they are done messing with my thyroid, that is. So . . . in the end, it's a huge blessing! My temptation to eat junk food is completely eliminated by this new fact of life!
The only that SUCKS about it is that sushi (my very most favorite food) isn't always gluten free. The soy sauce especially is a no-no. Balls. I think I'll just have to deal with poor skin a couple of times a year because I don't think I can eliminate sushi from my life completely.
Anywaaaaaay . . .
I entered the SingSnap "Nifty Fifties" challenge. We had one day to prepare and had to pick a song from an artist who got their start in the fifties. I decided that I wanted to try and do one that no one else had done, but with over 600 entries, that didn't leave many options. Really only one, in fact.
It only left this one.
Eff, that song was harder to sing than you would think. My voice was DEEEAAAAD by the time I was done recording it. I spent over an hour just learning the song. I haven't watched Grease in such a long time, and then I never exactly learned the words to that song in the first place (for obvious reasons.) But I think it turned out okay. The comments people have left are very sweet. Then again, everyone leaves sweet comments--even to the people who royally suck--so I take it all with a grain of salt.
I don't imagine I'll win--not with as many entries as there were--but it was still fun to enter. :)
Want to see something cute??
(Nevermind . . . Silverstar SUCKS so it won't let me upload the video.)
My little dog is too dang adorable. He also has got to be the cleanest little dog ever! He LOOOVES to shower with me. In fact, ever third day, he'll scratch at the shower door and whine until I pull him in. We even have a system worked out. While I'm under the water, I stand to one side so a stream still comes down and hits him (which he positions himself under so it hits him square between the shoulder blades), then when I'm out of the water lathering up or whatever, he moves under. He loves it! Especially now that it's getting cold.
He also has gotten in the bad habit of not ever wanting to leave my sight. Especially since I've been home so much lately with him. (More on that in a moment.) He's a great little dog and I love his little guts!! We've had a great weekend, just the two of us. I turned down two dates this weekend just so I could enjoy my time alone with my little guy. (And because I've felt horribly lately, honestly.)
About me not working so much lately . . . That is an aggrivating story. Basically since July my skin has been freaking out. Like, royally freaking out, so I haven't wanted to go anywhere. But only along my jaw line. If I'm being honest, my skin has been breaking out since last March, but it only started getting out of control in July. And it has been anyone's guess as to why. I've had doctors thinking it was related to my job with Targhee and the chemicals we use. Others have thought it was hormone related. I even had one doctor tell me I probably have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. But that didn't make sense. My cycle is normal (you're welcome for that information) and I don't have any "masculine hair growth". In fact, I have NONE of the symptoms of that syndrome besides the breakouts along my jaw.
I finally started doing some research of my own and discovered that I have a gluten allergy and possibly something called Celiac disease. It makes perfect sense! Basically all that means is that my body can't absorb gluten so my immune system treats it as a threat. This adds up with my symptoms more than anything. Remember how I said my skin started getting bad in March? At the time I blamed it on the stress of having to come home from my vacation and get back to reality. But while I was in Florida I first broke my diet by eating a salmon sandwich. (My vegan diet I was on was gluten free completely by coincidence.) Then, when I got back, Zach and I spent those two weeks together and I ate so much bread. I ate incredibly poorly nearly everyday and my skin was getting worse. So was our relationship, so I blamed it on the stress from that. Then, in July I started working at Targhee and the job was so physically taxing that I felt like I needed more calories than my vegan diet was providing, so I started taking a sandwich pretty much every day. And THAT'S when I started having the troubles with my skin.
It's kind of ironic -- Since I dont' have a thyroid I have literally prayed for a way to stay in shape (people with no thyroids often end up overweight, and those tendencies run in my family anyway so . . . double whammy). Well, I think my prayers were answered. If I can't eat bread or sugar . . . pretty sure I'll be fine my whole life. :) As long as they are done messing with my thyroid, that is. So . . . in the end, it's a huge blessing! My temptation to eat junk food is completely eliminated by this new fact of life!
The only that SUCKS about it is that sushi (my very most favorite food) isn't always gluten free. The soy sauce especially is a no-no. Balls. I think I'll just have to deal with poor skin a couple of times a year because I don't think I can eliminate sushi from my life completely.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Just Some Thoughts.
Thoughts I've had today:
Why can't I do it for myself? Why does it always have to involve a boy??
I am not immune to the Gangnam Style groove. It gets me every. time.
I'm going to eat that cookie.
Being vegan for a year and a half, and then abruptly stopping was a baaaad idea.
Nevermind. I'm not going to eat that cookie.
It's not over. Oh, no. It's not over. He'll see.
What ever am I going to do once I'm done with all the Child and Preston books?!?
Okay . . . Maybe I'll eat the damn cookie.
Aubrey and I's Gangnam Style is almost as cool as the original.
I'll have an entire, huge house to myself this whole weekend. And I'm completely single.
No!! No cookie!! I'll eat this banana instead. But I'll be wishing it was that cookie.
I'm effing cold.
Also . . . look how hot my sisters are . . .
Why can't I do it for myself? Why does it always have to involve a boy??
I am not immune to the Gangnam Style groove. It gets me every. time.
I'm going to eat that cookie.
Being vegan for a year and a half, and then abruptly stopping was a baaaad idea.
Nevermind. I'm not going to eat that cookie.
It's not over. Oh, no. It's not over. He'll see.
What ever am I going to do once I'm done with all the Child and Preston books?!?
Okay . . . Maybe I'll eat the damn cookie.
Aubrey and I's Gangnam Style is almost as cool as the original.
I'll have an entire, huge house to myself this whole weekend. And I'm completely single.
No!! No cookie!! I'll eat this banana instead. But I'll be wishing it was that cookie.
I'm effing cold.
Also . . . look how hot my sisters are . . .
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Halloween Photos! (Again!)
It's OCTOBER! October is by far my most favorite of all the months. Halloween is my favorite holiday, which may seem weird, but it's not for the reasons you may think. Halloween is the ONLY holiday that still brings me the exact same emotions I felt from it when I was younger. And I love everything about the month that hosts it. I love the crisp weather (even though it's cooling down dramatically), I love the falling leaves, the smells, the pumpkin spice teas and candles, and I especially love the COLORS (of course!)!!!
You know what else October and Halloween mean, right?? Halloween photos!! Haha. Yesssss. Here are the three I've done so far. (Thanks Colt and Will for letting me do your photos.) :)
Make sure and email me if you want yours done again this year!!
You know what else October and Halloween mean, right?? Halloween photos!! Haha. Yesssss. Here are the three I've done so far. (Thanks Colt and Will for letting me do your photos.) :)
Make sure and email me if you want yours done again this year!!
Happy Birthday, Mommy!
Today is my mom's birthday (Happy Birthday, MOM!) so Aubrey and I sang her a little song. It got off to a rocky start (my earphones weren't plugged in), but ultimately, I think it adequately communicates our love and appreciation for our wonderful mother. :)
In all seriousness, my mom is wonderful and has done so very much for me in my life. I'm very grateful for her and love her VERY much!!
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