Donsetc

2004-05-18T08:30:00.000-05:00

Finally...our first rendezvous of the season! We made our way down to the lower end of the Sheynne River to the Dakota muzzleloaders Kindred spirits. The Dakota wind was rough on Saturday and the shooters were bellyachin' all day. Didn't seem to be quite as many lodges there as usual, but the night were pretty cold with frost on the blanket in the morning. Trade was slow but steady and Turtle Woman and I got to visit some as well. Butterfly, as always, fluttered around camp and played with the other young-uns and helped out real good. I'm looking ast a trip out on the Missouri seeing as I will not get to go to the High Plains in June. Great time! Thanks to all of the Kindred spirits.

2004-05-02T10:49:00.000-05:00

I know. Another long period absent without an explanation. The search for a new post and my travels have kept me away from my journaling. My apologies. I traveled to the North Shore of Kitchi-Gami (the lake called Superior) with young explorers to Wolf Ridge Environmental Center this last week. A refreshing and replenishing experience, I must say...Winter still lingers there though. A fearsome, but beautiful, thunderstorm passed through while I was there. The rains spurred the budding process of the trees and shrubs among the evergreen cladded rocky ridges. I mostly rested and prepared for my time to guide them back here to the headwaters of the Mississippi...three days in all.

2004-04-15T00:19:00.000-05:00

Again....Errant in posting to you! I am consumed with preparations for finding a new post to practice my teaching endeavours. Monday next, I will travel to the new city near the Falls of St. Anthony near Mendota for a rendezvous of factors seeking new teachers...for posts through out the territory. I have sent out numerous correspondences to posts within the nearby regions and will soon branch out farther in my searches. Information on my new scholarly credentials can now be found here as well.
Plans are being made for the coming Rendezvous season and my trade goods grow. I will need and extra canoe and voyageurs to haul it all.

2004-03-27T07:14:00.000-06:00

Ahhh! My apprenticeship is over. Only two obstacles remain to my becoming a teacher of books and writing. I am preparing my trapin's for rendezvous and finding space for the special books I will bring with on my TradeBlanket. I must also begin my search in earnest for a new post. One or two exist in the near by, but I must look beyond.

2004-03-19T22:49:00.000-06:00

Sorry for my neglect. My time has become consumed like dry tinder before a raging fire for the last weeks. I am one week away from the end of my apprenticeship in teaching how to read and write. I long for the spring rendezvous and the fellowship of others eager to learn of the past. I have been saving precious old journals and writings on our past for several years, and look forward to sharing some of them with others this summer. I even hope to present some of the most choice on my TradeBlanket sometime very soon. I will also attempt to be more timely with my posts here. For now, I bid you Fond Adieux.

2004-03-09T22:57:00.000-06:00

Felt almost like Spring today! The birds and squirrel were out in force and with the south breezes and the ripple of water flowing, it really made Winter melt away to a memory. I imagine the winds will change again tomorrow, but it sure 'nuff felt pleasin'. I missed Winter Camp at White Oak last weekend...had a qualificashun inquiry to meet. Next rendezvous on the calendar is on the Sheyenne River down south of Kindred come May.

2004-03-03T23:18:00.000-06:00

Another day of snow. It is beautiful and serene with the soft, fluffy snow hanging on the pine and clumps of birch. I love my travels each day to and from my teaching post. I do long for spring and rendezvous. By the end of this month, I will have completed my teaching practice and will search for a new post to settle in to...a new, exciting journey, again. I have enjoyed my practice so far, but look forward to apprentices of my own.

2004-03-01T06:26:00.000-06:00

Errant again...and for some time now. I passed through a period of illness was slow with recovery. Then, work at teaching was to get bacl on track and my efforts were diverted there. The week end before this last was a rendezous at post west of Fargo with the North Dakota Muzzleloaders...great enjoyment and fellowship! I will be able to update the CamPaignItinery for the coming season soon. Now I am preparing fro examinations of my teaching skills and the final month of my experiences at Laporte. Time has gone by so quickly.

2004-02-07T23:13:00.000-06:00

Another week has ended. My work has gone well these past days and I feel that I am doing some good in my work with young people. I have been busy enough that my words and writing have been somewhat un-inspired and less frequent than I desire. This week I will be visited by one of my factors and I must prepare a report before Monday...much is to be done. With the weather becoming more moderate, my thoughts of Spring and Rendezvous quicken. I hope to travel more this coming season.

2004-02-04T21:23:00.000-06:00

The weather is warmer...my teaching tasks are going well...and aside from leaner than desired rations and resources through the dead of Winter, all is well. Health has been with us, aside from Turtle Woman's persitent maladies; and though trade and work for all has been less than hoped for, all make do and my sons' lives make slow but steady advances. I hope your Winter fare is well. Peace be with you.

2004-01-30T17:44:00.000-06:00

COLD!!!... -37° without the chill of the wind on your cheeks today! Most activities were called off for fear of frostbite or worse if over-expossed to the elements too long. It is a good time to catch up on work in the cabin and do some reading and journaling. We have sufficient food and warmth and should be well.

2004-01-27T22:39:00.000-06:00

Today was the second day of a new quarter at Laporte School, and the big day for the Minnesota Comprehensive Writing Standards Exam...very busy day! i feel more a part of the school and routine every day that goes by and it's a warm, comfortable feeling on this cold Winter day. Tomorrow will be colder, with predictions of below zero daytime high temperatures, and below -20° nights for several days to come. It puts a stress on everyone as we haven't seen a cold snap like this in several years.

2004-01-24T00:45:00.000-06:00

My week at Laporte student teaching has been a pleasant experience. This is the end of my third week with only nine more to go. The time is flying by quickly. I have a report due this weekend, and am sure that it will consume my attentions.

I have also been visited by my eldest son, Don, and my grandchildren. By tomorrow night when we have other company arriving, we will have a full house...just the way I like it.

A good night to all.

2004-01-21T23:11:00.000-06:00

Here tonight in the north woods...-20° without the dire effects of the sharp winds in the open places...It is our good fortune to be warm and safe with family. It is also good fortune to reflect upon the memories of our gathering this past week end with our Hangfire fellows, and hopeful plans for our annual Ron-Dee-Voo. Butterfly made fast her friendship with Dogwalker's spotted companion. Food, fellowship and interesting conversation was in plenty. It is our prayer that all are as safe and in comfort as we through this long, cold nite.

We look forward to longer days and the warm sunlight of spring time. A safe, peaceful, and warm eve to all.

2004-01-14T00:12:00.000-06:00

Just dropping by to touch base. Saturday nite will be a small gatherin' of the Hangfire gang for our annual party/potluck. I talked with Butterfly to make sure she can come with us...she can, and is excited. She's anxious to put on her party finest.

2004-01-11T23:47:00.000-06:00

My first week of student teaching is now complete and tomorrow week two begins. I'm fortunate to be working with a supervising teacher who allows me to be an active particpant in teaching in each class. Laporte has small classes and there is a good chance to get to know the students. I am enjoying my practice.

2004-01-06T23:23:00.000-06:00

My first two days student teaching have been interesting to say the least. I was like a little child before their first day of school Sunday night. I couldn't get to sleep and the excitement rolled over and over in my mind...only three hours in dreamland, but I had slept in Sunday morning and rested well in my favorite chair in the afternoon...fortunately I was rested for Monday morn. I'm feeling comfortable with the fit and am starting to settle in to the school routine. I will be journaling daily on one of my wikis about each day's activities, for my course work as well as for my own observations.

2004-01-01T12:49:00.000-06:00

Errant again! But I return none the less to try to begin a new role here at the post. On Monday morn, I begin my practice teaching at Laporte and begin to help young people learn to write and tell their ideas in story. With my formal studies completed satifactorily, I will be venturing out into the last phase of my formal studies. I will also begin to look for a new post for my teachings. This last year has been a fruitful one, and aside from several bouts with illness, a happy and healthy one.

2003-12-04T00:35:00.000-06:00

Been errant in postin'. Sorry! Terrible busy learnin' words and writin' ...n how to help others learn the same. After the New Year, I start practice teaching for twelve weeks. It'll be quite a change, with even a bigger one coming when I begin looking for a new post. Turtle Woman has been spending time with my middle son. Their lodge is within sight of the Falls of St. Anthony down south on the Mississippi. I miss her dearly. Last week, I traveled down and got to spend four days with them and visited other traders at the confluence with the St. Peters River. Good to see old friends.

2003-11-12T01:15:00.000-06:00

Sorry! Been gone for a while. I've been trying to restore things lost and make the things work that broke. Turtle Woman's bin gone too so's I been batchin' it, top of all the rest. Miss her round here a lot...she's a big part of my spirit n' pushes me to work harder when I most need it. Try to get back sooner next time.

2003-10-26T13:33:00.000-06:00

I had an accident over the week end that has caused some difficulties, but no major losses. Many records were destroyed by accident...some were just lost in the confussion and ignorance of how to recover from the problems. Much of my post information has been lost and I have spent considerable time re-constructing lost files. Some information will be lost forever. My Journals were spared due to the method of storage.

2003-10-20T08:01:00.001-05:00

Another week end at post. Quite uneventfull. I failed to take advantage of the perty fall weather and found myself inside to trade trying to git ready for winter's coming. Turtle woman and Butterfly Girls mad a journey though down to the Yellow Medicine for the wedding of close friends. It is good to have her safely back home. My oldest son will return today from the Forks...I am anxious to see how his trade and exploration went. We are running low on buaffalo and should make a trip to hunt soon.

2003-10-20T08:01:00.000-05:00

2003-10-13T00:28:00.000-05:00

Well, no camp again this week end. Saturday rain kept us at home post. We will need to store our rendezvous gear for winter. I am in need of making a trip to White Oak to learn of happenings at that post, but it was not to be today. We will wait for next summer, when hopefully more time to travel and explore wil be available. Fall gathering is going well and stores for winter seem sufficient.

2003-10-06T15:01:00.000-05:00

Well, we watch the weather for the coming weekend hoping to join others at White Oak for the Fall Camp. Butterfly Girl is anxious for a last rendezvous before winter. I have some fine trade items if we are able to go. We were unable to go out anywhere last weekend as several family and friends stopped through at post to visit. I have been slow to post in my journal as there is much to do to prepare for the coming winter and weather will hold for only so long. it seems that there is so much to do.

2003-10-01T14:15:00.000-05:00

October is upon us, and last night was our first hard frost. The colors of the Fall will be with us in full bloom as the spirits of nature around us turn about to prepare for the cold blasts of Winter. "Fawn-Killer" shared tales of his adventures in laying in meat for the winter with his rattlesnake bow yesterday...the true heart-kill of a warrior. I too hope to get out to hunt soon, as game is in plenty in the area of the post. I hope to have at least one of my sons join me for the hunt. It appears from the last message I recieved with the courier, that White Oak Post continues have problems with organization and direction of the post's operations. I look forward to Fall Camp to catch up on the news and find my way to help.

2003-09-21T11:34:00.000-05:00

Decided Friday not to make the trip to NWCo post at Pine City. Feared wet weather and my help was scattered to the Forks & so on...was right to decide this. I'm working the post to prepare for the coming week and any visitors that may arrive, as well as preparing stocks and provisions. It's good to see the journals of others I met last spring open for new readin' 'n thoughts. Crusty is even usin the new Wwritin' for his Methods. My next outing hopefully will be White Oak's Fall Camp in October.

2003-09-20T17:48:00.000-05:00

Well, for the second week in a row, my plans have bin warshed out. Last week end kindred freinds from down on the Minnysortar at the Granite Falls joined us on Cass Lake where we explored a lake on an island. I tried to post last week, but to no avail. We try agin today.

2003-09-17T23:52:00.000-05:00

Been errant in postin' again. We didn't make it to Aitkin last weekend, but instead camped on Cass Lake and explored Star Island. We feared the weather, but it held great and gave us a beautiful stay. Dear friends from down at the Granite Falls on the Minnaysotar River came north to camp with us. The weather is troublin' agin for next weekend too. The duties of the post might keep us near. Today is the day of my birth...another year gone by.

2003-09-17T23:42:00.000-05:00

2003-09-05T21:01:00.000-05:00

Say...check out these tracks to what Merriwether Lewis and William Clark set out to do if you git a chance.

2003-09-05T20:40:00.000-05:00

The rendezvous of last weeks end was more relax then work...felt good to jest let down 'n sleep and play with the grand younguns...sip ale 'n roast a little game. My younges son stayed by my side and it was good to spend time with him. I hope to go to trade next weekend at the Aitkin Post...we'll see what the weather brings. I'm back workin' on my larnin' agin. May be my spellin' kin improve some. i hope to do more writin n post some new CampFireYarns 'n work on my PossiblesStory.

2003-08-29T22:58:00.000-05:00

Base camp is set up and a number of friends will gather with up over the next several days. Two of my sons will be joining us in camp and Butterfly Girl and Little Golden Eagle as well as Little Wolf will be coming together with Turtle Woman and myself. The signs mark Becida Camp at the territory line if you wish to com also. I look forward greatly to our weekend of labours.

2003-08-25T00:15:00.000-05:00

The week end was spent guiding young visitors on their departures from our northern post...may their journeys be always safe from harm. Next week end our Hangfire fellows of the area, families and friends will encamp in the Becida area for relaxation and rest to prepare for the winter campaign. You will need to bring your own wood and water, as it will be an informal camp. We welcome you to join us.

2003-08-19T01:02:00.000-05:00

My good friend has come up sick...don't know if we'll get fishin'. As the years go by, more friends to come up sick more often seems. Tied down all the finances for this next season today and hope to get the post in better order for winter tomorrow & thru the week. Heat's been oppressive today...stayed in the shade and laid low after a short trip to Sand Hill Lake this morn. Will post agin in a day or 2.

2003-08-15T22:42:00.000-05:00

Well, i finally found where I writ my name down so's I could git bak in here to journal. I've been all over the territory but didn't git to too many rendezvous this summer...didn't even make it to White Oak's big gatherin'. Hope I can make it to the Fall Camp 'n I'm gonna try to git to the NW Co's Fall Gathering at Pine City, 'n even maybe the one at Aitkin. Fall larnin' starts up week after next and I'll be back in it there. I am goin to try to go fishin' with my best friend next week too...camp up on Cass Lake for a day or two.
I'll try to keep up on my postin' better now that I've found my sign agin.

2003-06-18T16:31:00.000-05:00

Off to rendezvous over the week end. The weather was perfect and unlike most times in summer, there were few if any mosquitos to bother us...but some ticks. Clear cool nights full moon, warm but not hot days , and a fairly brisk trade, made our stay most memorable. I set camp last Thursday and hope to break camp this evening. We packed out most of our gear Sunday eve after doing some work on our possibles and only have to break the lodge and return with some of the larger chests. My youngest son had promised to help. Some of our hangfire group will hold an encampment just to the north on the 28th and 29th of this month for fellowship and larnin'. I still hope to rendezvous on the St. Louis River above the big rapids over Independence weekend.

2003-06-08T01:17:00.000-05:00

Sorry for my bein' gone for a while. May travels have been many and my writin' materials were lost in a rapid during one of my recent journeys. I started for the Pembina Country yesterday, but the weather made the trip impossible to complete, so I returned to post. Yes, Jing, I received your message but have been busy and errant in returning the favour. I will contact you soon. Our Rendezvous is the end of the coming week and I will be setting camp in preparation for the gather midweek. Join us there if you wander into my camp. Just follow the Becida trail to the county line and follow signs.

2003-05-25T09:06:00.000-05:00

hi, Don,this is Jing, did u get my email?

2003-05-23T11:06:00.000-05:00

My travels this time have led me down on the Ottertail River and out onto the hill and lakes bordering Lokota country. I had learned of this area at rendezvous the week past. Again we took runners and set about contact with peaceful parties throughout the day. I heard of strange legends of fairskinned, blue-eyed warriors who had traversed this area long ago. The weather was pleasant with the exception of a sudden thunderstorm late in the afternoon. In normal time, storms would form in the west under an east wind, but yesterday the storm formed along the rise from the east and swept over us suddenly without warning. Some said it was an omen...that the peace would not last or that ill deeds would befall us. We returned with haste.

2003-05-18T23:36:00.000-05:00

One forgets the joy of Rendezvous over the Winter, but this last week end I refreshed my memory - what I remember. Dakota Blackpowder rendezvoused on the bend of the Sheyenne River south of Kindred for the past two days, and my son, Wabuz and I traded and talked into the late night with other traders and explorers from as far south as the Ioways and west as far as the Black Hills and the traders of the Missouri. The woodlands met the prairies and rivers west, I nest hope to rendezvous in the Turtle Hills and hope to meet up with my father for the gathering. I will relate the meeting further, but tonight I must rest from my travels. Till the morrow, Fare thee well.

2003-05-11T16:07:00.000-05:00

I have laboured long over my Final Report on the State of WikiCircles in order to be well ahead of the final hour to post. The mysteriously cruel wind of the night blew away the documents I had laboured so long over into the early hours of the morn and I was forced to begin anew. Now I come before you to present the fruits of my winter's labours. Skin upon skin is stacked and pressed tightly into the bale for your approval and acceptance. We have have the extreme fortune of a very productive season, and our reflection on it bring back many fond memories of those who helped to make it so. Many thanks go out to all who have aided us along the way. Tomorrow, those of us who share this way will meet for the last time and go on about our seperate paths. May the Great Spirit go with you on your journeys.

2003-05-08T23:29:00.000-05:00

I have been busy with end of the campaign reports and have neglected to post over the past several days. I also have been out at several villages to meet and observe the work of others. Tonight I returned from a trip to Pokegma Falls again with several runners. Spring is everywhere and the poplars are greening up by the minute it seems. Goodnight all.

2003-05-01T21:14:00.000-05:00

My eyes grow weary early tonite. All went well today. The feel of spring is everywhere. It is dry in the woods, so great care must be taken so not to fire the woods with a pan-flash or the embers of a camp. I take leave of you early this eve.

2003-04-30T23:46:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow we gather again with fellow sages to share our experiences and methods with respect to teaching our ways of trade and interaction. Time is near when we will go out on our own in new places. Again, I will have the chance to reflect on my time with the young people of WikiCircles. Only two reports remain....after the morrow, only one left to complete. Little over two weeks remain till first Rendevous in the Dakotas.

2003-04-27T19:19:00.000-05:00

I've been workin' on my papers and speeches for our gatherin tomorrow mid morn...or Wednesday next if time won't allow. Either way, it feels good to have this part ready. I hope to be a postive influence on my fellow free-traders and above all the Booshway, Messr. M.C. Morgan. My Season's End Report will shown my personal pleasure and pride in the campaign of the past few months...without which the help of Messr. Turner and his bright young students, would not have been near to so successfull.

2003-04-25T23:50:00.000-05:00

Again I traveled out with runners to Leech lake and a group at Walker. I met another trader bringing runners as well and in our talk, I found that he knew my kin in the Lake of the Woods area. I also had met his family at various times in my trade in the Red River Valley near the place of my birth. He will be in touch soon with those relations and make a greeting for me. It was good to exchange memories.

2003-04-23T18:59:00.000-05:00

I'm back from a trek to the Pogegama Falls area on the Mississippi. We traveled witha group of runners meeting up with others for spring games and competing. As they did well, the group was happy and boisterous on the return. Today I must begin my reports to several companies on the results of the WikiCircles. My first report is in person with one of the factors in the early afternoon. I will enjoy recounting our days together.

2003-04-20T09:19:00.000-05:00

YYaawwwWNNN! (I finnished about 4:30 a.m., but blogger was down and wouldn't let me post) My Studio Tour II is ended. The quill is dull and the inkwell empty…the last page in the ledger is full and the bales as tight as I can press tonite. The correspondence of Messrs. Jeff Eudeikis, Jason Bradley, and Joshua Page have been reviewed and responded to as befitting their admirable endeavors. I (belatedly) bid you adieu till the morrow.

2003-04-18T01:04:00.000-05:00

The night is quiet as we have been given a reminder by mother earth that winter is still with us. I have embarked on my plans for the coming campaign and am satisfied that my figures and stores will bode us well if all supplies and provisions arrive. I actually have planned for our post all through to the onset of next winter. Our first Rendezvous this spring will be on the Sheyenne River in the Dakotas. Turtle Woman and I have contracted for greeting and provisioning quests from afar for the months of summer at the villages of Concordia hosting tongues from lands across the waters. We look forward to sharing ideas and plans with our visitors.

2003-04-17T01:46:00.000-05:00

I miss the young storytellers already. Tonight, as I prepared some small gifts for their efforts, I reflected on our time spent together and how I have been so fortunate as to have learned from them, and be revitalized by their youthful spirit. It has added focus and commitment to my role as an elder and teacher. We are truly blessed by all who assist and guide us. As well, we are blessed by our daily companions and their help. And I have been blessed by many through this past winter. Thanks go to all.

2003-04-16T12:54:00.000-05:00

hi, Don, this is General Prologue to Canterbury Tales

2003-04-16T00:46:00.000-05:00

We gathered today for our last WikiCircle. I will truly miss our five young apprentice storytellers. Our days together over the last two weeks have been filled with new experiences. They have fulfilled their roles well in recording the legend of the Black Beauty in their words and dreamstories. I hope to soon be able to present my visions of our times together, as well.

Each of them has been asked to reflect on their time at the WikiTable as well and I anxiously await their opinions and views. They each have the courage to become fine elders and leaders.

Tomorrow I must move on to pull the product of our labours together to bring back to The Company with the rest of the season’s trappings. I have many who have helped along the way to thank for our successes.

Fare Thee Well, my young friends.

2003-04-15T01:54:00.000-05:00

We missed one in our circles today and tomorrow will sadly be our last gathering. Our time together has been quite productive and much knowlege has been gathered. The legend of the Black Horse will be told again for generations to come. My special thanks to all in the WikiCircle...you are very special young people. Again, thank you for your personal efforts.

2003-04-13T21:57:00.000-05:00

I have gained a new communicating device...not brand new, but new to me. I am still having some trouble as I do not know all of the codes. If I have problem, please allow my errors. I can not stay long as I have much work left undone while I was on my journey. Fare thee well tonite.

2003-04-12T18:55:00.000-05:00

Our journey to The Forks, Fort Gibralter and Fort Garry was greatly enjoyed. It warmed our hearts and made the cold solitude of the last months, worth the toil in order to share our visits with family and fellow winterers. A special night of song was the highlight of our stay along with the comforts of the more civilized outpost. H.B. and Norwesters...bourgeois, clerks and voyaguer...natives, Metis' and free-traders all, shared in the fellowship of the occasion. The rivers are already free and running with only small ice to hinder travel and trapping. The season is early upon us, so I was anxious to return home even amidst the company. Much preparation is needed for the week ahead as we continue work Monday morn and will finnish our Circles on Tuesday next. I anxiously search the shoreline for the re-supply canoes.

2003-04-12T18:22:00.000-05:00

Even with two shy today, our WikiCircle worked hard. I see that the two who had to face competition in the knowlege games finnished their work even still. It is fun to watch the hard work of our young people take their seats and labour with such strong effort. My mind was on the journey ahead of me and today made me anxious to return to continue with our next to the last gathering Monday morn.

2003-04-09T23:48:00.000-05:00

We had a rewarding day today at our WikiCircles with all working diligently with the greatest wisdom. My compliments to all. Two will not be able to join us tomorrow and you will be missed. I hope you will be able to go over our task for the day in the time before we meet again. I will not be able to meet with you Friday as I must journey to several posts at Fort Garry and The Forks, on the Assinaboine and Red River, in Canada. Our meeting will be Monday next, when I expect to return. I will have much to share.

2003-04-08T18:01:00.000-05:00

Today looked much like it would be a bad day for our circles. We were not able to get our signals out...but our young adventurers made do and recalled their dreams of the Black Horse and his companions on white—or rather, green hides as in older days. Their cheerful sharing of their dream stories made the efforts of the day better than expected. Tomorrow we will try to resume what we were not able to do today. I could not be more proud of their accomplishments and learning.

2003-04-08T00:48:00.000-05:00

I have been looking for signals from the WikiTable but have seen none. Tomorrow we will resume our work. I look forward to continuing our lessons at the circle. My work for the last several days at the post has occupied my efforts and I have been lax in my entries. I will try to do better.

2003-04-04T20:27:00.000-06:00

It gave me much pride to watch our five young apprentices to WikiCircle strike out on their own spirit this morn. They were well chosen by their guide to be of superior ability to seek out knowlege. Their independence and will to perform their assigned tasks was strong and grows as each day passes.

They were preparing also to learn today from a large number of village elders who were gathering to show the ways and means of their daily work, from scribe to smithe...hunter and guide...to voyaguer. All were full of excitement in anticipation of their arrival. None the less, our five young explorers stayed the task until done for this day. They agreed to share thoughts among themselves and with their mentor and I over the weekend; and on Monday, as this is a day of learning for the elders. On Tuesday morn we will resume our recounting of the legend of the Black Horse.

I will report our progress and exchanges over the next three days as I return from the daily tasks of the post. All are well and I await the advance of the coming season.

2003-04-03T23:35:00.000-06:00

All made it through the readin' today. Of the five new explorers, three began to add their thinkin' to the circle. I hope that tomorrow, all will feel free to speak up and add to the wisdom of the circle. We will have no WikiCircle Monday next as the elders will be having theri own day of learning and the young will be allowed to have a day free of responsibilities. We will begin anew on Tuesday next.

Tonight we got to see the results of our report of the White Oak Winter Camp. Butterfly Girl gave strong words in "Butterflies in Winter" for all to see and hear at the Circles of Learning gathering. We stood proud. Over 400 were there to see and hear.

2003-04-02T23:27:00.000-06:00

We hunkered down today for some hard work. The five young explorers set about the tale of the Black horse and looked at how the story was told. Because we only have a limited time to complete our story trade, we must keep our attentions more closely on each day's words. For tomorrow, we will advance for seven more verses. This time, the five will travel slightly different paths as they study the pictures of the horse's life. Each will look at the tale in a different way, and we will share our views as a scribe, each alone...but together. Julieg will take the lead, but each will get the chance to guide on another day.

2003-04-01T23:13:00.000-06:00

Our young explorers worked together again as they had on the first day, and today, they laughed and their eyes shined a bit brighter. This being the first day of the month of April, jokes of the Fool were the order of merriment for all. Tomorrow, we will find the need to work harder, as we must become more serious to complete our crafts before the end of Winter breaks on us.

2003-03-31T23:25:00.000-06:00

I got to venture out to work with my eager young band of explorers on the wiki circles today. They are bright and curious and seeking to learn. I shared my tale of last Summer's trials at High Plains and tomorrow I will listen to their questions and try to help them work with the words and share in the lessons of the past. They are eager to begin our journey in the legend of the black horse of beauty. I will tell of our times again tomorrow nigh.

2003-03-28T23:44:00.000-06:00

Sittin' alone tonight waitin' for spring to come. Traps are out, journals all posted, ledgers tallied and the post is secure for the nite. It's quiet here just listening to the squeek of my favorite chair on the worn plank floor and the crackle of a well-stoked fire. Warm cider grog, one last pipe of my good friend's choicest knickinick 'n........................................

2003-03-26T22:45:00.000-06:00

I've been movin' things around in the post tonight. Hope I didn't mess things up so's I can't find where I put stuff. The look's not exactly what I wanted...but it'll do fer now. Little more room to see things anyways.

2003-03-24T23:50:00.000-06:00

Workin' hard on the the Wiki gettin' it ready for the next batch of young strong voyageurs to do their work. The group has been selected and are ready to cast off on the thirty-first of March. The portage will last two weeks and I will join them in their journey. New waters will be traversed.

2003-03-22T01:15:00.000-06:00

No further word of the war at post today.

2003-03-22T01:11:00.000-06:00

The week of ranging for new trade is done and I settle in at post to rest and await any travelers to pass and provide tales of other posts or word of the war across the waters. As Spring begins to break, we make preparations for the arrival of goods and replacements for the next season. I plan to stay on in country here at Lake Bemidji. I will seek out trade and plan to first rendezvous in earnest in the Dakotas on the full moon of May.

2003-03-19T21:40:00.000-06:00

Tonight we hold our breath in stillness, and listen to the swirling waves of sand on ridges distant of our post. Intently we keep our eye to the horizon for the flash-pan of the first shot. And as the smoke rolls with the wind and mingles with the clouds from other flashes, we know the battle is engaged.
On the winds we hear the drumming up of courage...and shouts of hatred borne by all sides...and woeful cries of unknown wounds and mourning wails dredging up evils done one unto another over generations of shifting loyalties. We hold our breath most of all to know and understand which side we are on…whether our purposes are honest or whether we serve only the selfish interests of the company with which we are engaged. Are we truly improving the lives of those with whom we live and share game, or are we but carrion above the battlefield, waiting to swoop and devour the remains of those who paid the price of the trade in their own blood.

Please God, let the muskets be soon quiet…so we may exhale and withdraw our fingers from the triggerstock and remove the prime.

So that all may embrace closely each and every one of their loved ones
…and offer peacefull gifts of food and goods to each other
…and thankful prayers to the spirits for our trials and deliverance
…to witness another sunrise.

And live together in the full breath of the free winds.

2003-03-18T23:14:00.000-06:00

We feel isolated sometimes here at our outpost, but the tide of events touches each of us as our friends and relatives are called to service for our homeland. It will only make our station here in the wilderness, a more lonely and uncertain refuge as we wait and watch for word of their fate. Let us use our time of quiet for reflection on the good times when we were together and offer prayer to greater spirits for peace and their safe return.

2003-03-16T12:25:00.000-06:00

It is disheartening to look at news of the possible war, and even more so, when we see how it affects the people we know near to us. I think each of us is being touched by this looming threat and pray that our nation's collective wisdom will guide our leaders actions. Above all though, we must exercise our freedoms, particularly of free speech. Whatever you thoughts and beliefs on this possible war, for or against, let your voice be heard.

2003-03-16T12:21:00.000-06:00

Sorry, I've been amiss in my journaling. After we returned from a successful trip to St. Paul, I got rather wrapped up in completing the records of the White Oak winter camp and building on my wiki circles. We have settled on a story and five novices have agreed to help, together with their proctor. I will be arranging our meetings sometime early this week and set dates for exchanges.

2003-03-12T21:12:00.000-06:00

I'm headed down to St. Paul in the morning. The weather's fine and warming up. I look forward to the trip. I've spent most of my spare time the past few days working on the records of our White Oak trip...takin' a lot of time to post on a new form of record for me. I hope to show you when we get together. I'll be back on Saturday.

2003-03-09T11:37:00.000-06:00

Turtle Woman and I worked hard on the product of our labours from our White Oak trek for most of yesterday. Most of a whole day was spent putting the things we saw at the post on record and preparing it for showing at a gathering early in April along Lake Bemidji. More time needs to be spent geting things ready to present for all to watch and judge. More entries will come on this matter.

2003-03-07T20:52:00.000-06:00

I've been tied up with midseason tallies for the past several days, so I have missed registering here. Turtle Woman and I have been working on a rendering of our trip to White Oak Post as well. There never seems to be enough time even in winter. It's staying cold late this year. I hope it breaks soon as I'm weary of the cold and long for springtime. Pelts will be prime but the ice is very thick. Will try to post again tomorrow.

2003-03-02T21:33:00.000-06:00

I went to White Oak yesterday along with my wife, Turtle Woman and my grandaughter, Butterfly Girl. The trip was quite beautiful with a fresh light snow falling. The post was warm even in the cold temperatures, and the campfires cozy. Most of the local winterers had gathered, but not all stayed over the cold night (-21°F) as there was only so much room in the three cabins with fireplaces — the bourgeois' cabin, the sutler's store and the voyaguers shed. We made the trek home, for the women did not want to stay over. 'Twas good to pass the time with other folk of NW Co.

2003-03-01T01:22:00.000-06:00

Today was long and tiring, but my works on wiki trade gave me pretty good satisfacshin. I got to sit down for some very wise council this morning with the Bourgeois (chief factor of the post) before I set out on the trail. He gave me some good advice on how to open my wiki trade and how to open the talks between these new partners. The major chief was eager for trade and took me to what he felt would be the most receptive chief of a lodge pod. After an exchange of courtesies and gifts, I was able to set the wiki kit out before him and parly over our thoughts. He is eager to open trade and will select five of his more promising initiates to begin the exchange. Even before I made it back home, I had already gotten signals from him of his eagerness to trade together. This should be a good season. I got busied with tradin' and packin' people and all to where my report tonight was a little late. I hope the Bourgeois will not dock me too badly. Tomorrow, I will go to Winter Camp at White Oak Post at Deer River for some fellowship with other overwinterers of the NW Co.

2003-02-27T21:22:00.000-06:00

I have been workin' through a close-by factor to find a small band to trade with through the next moon with my wiki kit. Tomorrow I will have the opportunity to meet with a major chief who will guide me to the lodge pods of his young people to practice trading words in the wiki way. I hope to spread my blanket and trade words in the WikiCircle. In my next ledger post, I will advise you of my contact.

2003-02-25T18:28:00.000-06:00

I've been gleaning a list of trails in my project wiki and found a few fat kernels amongst the chaff. There is information out there, but you have to dig it out. I'm finding things that look like wikis, even a couple that looked like a blog, but only one or two that are along the vien of my project goal. I hear Turtle Woman ringin' the dinner bell. Gotta keep diggin' right after I'm done eatin'. Woops, the grandkids just walked in the door. So much for good intentions!

2003-02-23T11:38:00.000-06:00

My wife and I journeyed to Fargo, in the Dakotas, yesterday for a winter show of rendezvous goods. Picked up a few sundries, including a well crafted wash basin chest, a camp stool, gifts for family, trade beads and leather for cold night projects, and caught up on postings of rendezvous coming up after spring. We ate well and enjoyed the company of all gathered from the region and Red River country. It seems it's time to settle back into the north woods for the remainder of wintering though. Spring should begin soon now. I might even get out to check out a few trails this afternoon.

2003-02-21T23:28:00.000-06:00

I found a strong trail this morning. It looks like it leads much like the path that I'm trying to find. It even appears to be a wiki, but I won't be sure till I check it out closer. I'm still just tryin' to find new pathways and clues to them that's gone before me, markin' the trails that I find to follow later.

2003-02-19T11:51:00.000-06:00

I set down for some look and learn bout my wiki this mornin'. Found a few new trails that I'll have to go back over later to see where they go to. I didn't have neither the time nor possibles with me to keep on. Till later...

2003-02-18T21:56:00.000-06:00

I nailed a few planks in on my contruction site again tonite. It's slow going and I haven't had much luck finding leads to other like projects. I did get a few possible leads today, and will try to go searching more tonite after I get my other classwork done for tomorrow. The BSU faculty I've asked for assistance have been extremely helpful and seem interested in any results. To the books.

2003-02-18T00:31:00.000-06:00

I've been bangin' away at my construcshin site for a couple a hours now. This project stuff sure chews up the time, doesn't it? I stumbled around the wiki web trying to find some pertintent sites with little luck; honed on my hypertext a little; and pasted up some sample role sheets used in classroom exercise in Literature Circles. Long way ahead before I nail down that last plank! Time for a little shut-eye. Nite all.

2003-02-13T19:25:00.000-06:00

Been wresslin' with my project to try to get it right this time. I writ it out as best I could again. Hope I said it better this time.
Tomorrow marks the 28th season with my wife, Turtle Woman. She's off on a trip to St. Paul doin' good works for others... so's we won't be together till later in the nite. My hearts with her and I hope she's safe on the trail 'tween here 'n there.

2003-02-10T00:12:00.000-06:00

I'm not sure my Project Prososal is the way Dr. Morgan wanted me to approach it, but with my skill levels (or lack thereof), and my extremely strong desire to combine this and another project together in order to be able to commmit a greater amount of time on the keyboard — I have to see if it will fly. I want to adapt blogging to my rendezvous hobby and that writing as well, but I didn't have time to put a second proposal together as an alternative.

2003-02-09T13:16:00.000-06:00

Well, I got a start on my Project Proposal last night. I'm going to take a fresh look at what I've written today. I also took the time to do some more exploring of the Wiki's possibilities with the idea of limiting myself to either the wiki or blog. I like the blog for commentary and the wiki for the "paper feel" it gives me, as well not being reverse chronology based. I would like to stay with both for the mere practice and exploration aspects, but that would probably be biting off more than I can chew. The "old" teeth aren't what they used to be.

2003-02-07T00:35:00.000-06:00

The word is "Do No Harm". I'm not sure tonight. I got messed up and looped so many times, I'm starting to blorry...er worry. I'm a lunk at links, I think, especially when I link blogs to wikis and wikis to blogs...not so much, wikis to wikis or blogs to blogs.
Bedtime Bonzo!

2003-02-05T22:39:00.000-06:00

A stomach flu has me out of sorts tonight. I heard of others today with the same problems. Don't tell me it's all in my head because I know that the other end has been most affected. I'm going to be early and hope for a better day tomorrow. Goodnight all!

2003-02-04T22:57:00.000-06:00

Well, I finall broke down and went to the schoolroom to put in the pieces I had for my Wiki and got it put up. While I was there, I pulled a bit of "Big Medicine" out of my possibles bag if yer int'rested.

2003-02-02T23:12:00.000-06:00

I was playing with my rendezvous persona tonight, planning for next summer, when I made my dinner. I made buffalo tortillas on a couple of small cast iron skillets. I browned up a pound ground buffalo with a small onion and two large cloves of garlic...a little bit of bacon grease in the bottom of the skillet is needed as buffalo is so lean that it doesn't brown up well otherwise, and the cast iron needs a little oil also, even at the lower heat buffalo needs to brown. Just warm a second skillet and toss in a corn tortilla with some of the ground meat on it, and sprinkle it with your favorite cheese to melt it. You can garnish with whatever you like; lettuce, tomato, sour cream, etc. I like it just plain. Roll it up and eat hearty. I kind of got into the mood when I was trackin' my hobby for blogin'. There's an interesting site for Rendezvou Events all over the country. The Minnesota and North Dakota ones are kind of scant yet, but the schedule will fill in. The local "Hangfire Muzzleloaders" club meets soon, and the north Dakota Muzzleloaders Show in Fargo is on Feb 22-23...if you're interested, contact "Big Medicine" for an intro.

2003-02-02T16:52:00.000-06:00

Well, seeing as I'm having no luck getting started on my wiki, so I thought that I would take you back to the subject of my entry on 1/23.
The next Rendezvous event nearby in the area is at White Oak Winter Camp on February 28 to March 2, 2003. Who knows what the weather will be like, but usually a number of hardy souls will camp out in period tents and gear over Friday and Saturday nights. Anyone with a curiosity can e-mail me at my e-mail address. I'll try to get more information on rendezvousing in the days ahead.

2003-02-02T13:49:00.000-06:00

Here's a Link: BSU College of Arts and Letters.

2003-01-29T22:41:00.000-06:00

I finally finished my writing autobiography of Dr. Christensen's class – not my whole biography. I'll have to go back and finnish that though, as I found that I dredged up some pretty revealing emotions while doing my exercise in the wrong way. I really have to listen better. Tomorrow I go back on the road in my school bus, this time to Deer River for study night. Short drive for the wait-time, good for studying.

2003-01-28T00:16:00.000-06:00

Well, I just rolled in from driving a school bus with the BHS gymnastics team to Hibbing, MN. It gets a little tiring, as I left right from classes to go. I got all of my studies done during the wait time though. I'm not going to spend too much time here, as I have an eight o'clock in the morning and I have to be up by six because I didn't get a key to put the bus away, and I'll have to do it in the morning before classes. My mind got churning on blogging while I was driving, so I have some ideas to try out.

2003-01-25T23:14:00.000-06:00

I'm going to sit down tonight and start pecking away at my biography for Dr. Christensen's Writing for a Secondary School Teacher course. This ought to be interesting, dredging up from the cobwebs tales of the good old days – and some not so good old days. How am I going to make this short story of any interest to others, without digging into a novel's worth of possibly boring detail and idyllic babbling. Webster defines biography as, "a written history of a person's life." My life's been a bit longer than most of the otherws in the class – all of the others, i'd guess. This is liable to be a long assignment. I'd better quit pecking away here and get started. Some fun on a Saturday night, huh!

2003-01-23T23:44:00.000-06:00

I had an interesting chance meeting today with Dr. Dunn of the History Dept. in the hallway. As you may or may not know, she and Dr. Murphy are working together with the Geology Dept. to retrace during this summer school session, the journey of Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery as a part of the kick-off of its bicentenial. They are even going to spend several days on a replicated keelboat on the Missouri River. It catches my spirit and quickens my blood, as I enjoy pre-1840 historical recreation and interpretation. I won't be able to make the expedition, as I will have to work this summer, but I offered to set up my rendezvous camp with my trade tent and camp gear to promote recruitment for the expedition, and for rendezvous activities in general. I'd really like to hear from any of you who are interested in playing mountain man or fur trader, and extend an invitation to join me in following this expedition and the area schedule of Rendezvous coming up. One of my thoughts is to set up a blog on this. Let me know if there is any interest in this out there, please.

2003-01-23T00:22:00.000-06:00

Tonight, I just have time for a short entry. I really enjoyed putting faces together with the blog adresses today. I have to work on all my electronic stuff this weekend. I'm still scurrying to get through each of the daily assignments for my classes, but it's feeling better every day. Soon, I hope to put some kind of substance in my site, rather than just my ramblings.