Oct 31, 2014 | Honoring Others, Relationship Overdrive |
Kahlil Hudson on horseback in the San Juan Mountains of Southwestern Colorado – photo by Tyler Hughen
I first attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in 1988-89 when my youngest was a year old. Then I went back to pursue a BFA in 2009-2010. Little would it come to pass that 4 years since my classes there, my son Kahlil Hudson would be hired to teach film! Huh? Yep, he’s qualified. He completed his MFA in cinematography, photography and film directing from UCLA and he’s made several award-winning films. You can check out his partnership website with one of his best friends, Tyler Hughen at www.lowandclear.com No, Kahlil doesn’t have his own personal business website YET because he’s too doggone particular about how and what he exactly wants on the site! So in the meantime, we know he’ll make up his mind, we know he’ll get it together, we know he’ll be happy with it when it does get done!
Kahlil on a walk, West San Francisco Street, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Kahlil has been teaching for a couple of months now; when I asked him how he liked his teaching job at IAIA, without hesitation with his big, relaxed smile he replied: “…I love it…! I had no idea I would love teaching what I love to do…the students are great to work with…! In fact, we are thinking of actually buying our home here in a year or two…!” (Hmmm….what does this mean for Grandma? Maybe I will have to position myself in my own new home between Santa Fe and Pagosa Springs — that would mean Geronimo country of Abiqui, New Mexico area. I love that country right up there in my heart next to the mouth of the Chilkat River on Mud Bay Road in Haines, Alaska!
Kahlil’s grandparents would have been proud of him reaching this point in his life, especially my Dad and Kahlil’s other Grandfather Bob Hudson. Bob was a school teacher his entire adult life and loved it. When video cameras first come on the market, my father bought one and took films of everything and anything wherever he went. Grandparents die way too soon; we could live to be in our 90s if we were taught how to take care of ourselves in many more ways than one. Why live that long? So we can see the fruits of our parenting/grand-parenting in the eyes and hearts of our grandchildren!
Oct 29, 2014 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Honoring Others, Relationship Overdrive, To See or Not to See |
Echo Canyon just a mile north of George O’Keefe’s Ghost Ranch — a great canyon to play my flutes or chant our Native songs…
The 2.5 hour drive from Santa Fe, New Mexico heading north on Hwy 84 to Pagosa Springs, Colorado is one of the most scenic west of the Mississippi. I am a fortunate one to experience this drive at least once a year, especially now since my son lives with his family in Santa Fe. The way I feel about this country is like when I drive along the Chilkat River, especially Mud Bay Road in Haines – my heart and spirit soars! No other place does this with me like the Chilkat River area in Haines, Alaska and the Chama River area in Geronimo Country in Northern New Mexico…!
The River Chama — my favorite overlook where I will pull out my ukelele and play westerns like “Ghost Riders in the Sky…!”
This country just about an hour north of Santa Fe and in the Abiqui area, in modern-day is nick-named “Georgia O’Keefe Country” – though back in the 1800’s, was known as Geronimo country. Geronimo was Apache; this is Chiricahua Apache country. He was born June 16, 1829 on the Chama River in this awesomely, beautiful land. There are many books on Georgia O’Keefe, her work, the landscape, her homes and even the interior decor of the way she kept her homes. If there were books on Geronimo that he actually wrote, I wonder what would be portrayed.
Crossing the New Mexico/Colorado border…
If Geronimo had an iPad or at least an iPhone to take photos of his family, his tribe, his way of life, his landscape and the way he loved, what would we see? What would he have said regarding the U.S. Government and the wars. If he had Facebook, what would he have shared? What would he have written about himself? What would others have said about him?
When driving through this country, when walking on this land, when camping along the Chama River, only my imagination fills in the frame of each “photo.”
Oct 27, 2014 | Acting Out and Musical Chairs, Honoring Others |
Chris Eyre, Native American film-maker presents Actress/Writer Shirley McLaine with a gift of a belt made by jeweler Randall Moore honoring her with the Lifetime Achievement Award
My friend Johana Moore’s son, David Moore, is one of two co-founders for the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival 6 years running. Last week, Johana knew I was coming to Santa Fe for the weekend so she called me up the morning of my arrival and encouraged me to attend the 7pm ceremony honoring Shirley McLaine — she got me free tickets to attend the event which was followed by a recent heart-warming comedy featuring Shirley McLaine and Christopher Plummer in “Edie and Fred.” The Lensic Theatre on West San Francisco Street was beautiful on the inside; I enjoyed the architectural design. It was cool seeing Shirley in person; one of my favorite actresses, she just turned 80 in April this year – she sat in the audience with us! Uncanny, like Chris Eyre looks exactly like all the photos of him! Check out the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival on line. And next year when you are in Santa Fe during mid-October, come join the fun!
And by the way, did y’all know that Shirley McLaine lives in Santa Fe?
Oct 25, 2014 | Class Act, Tools-of-the-Trade |
Clarissa uses a trouser rack for her 2nd stage of the drying process of her newly-dyed weft yarns for Chilkat weavings
I generally dye my weft yarns for weaving twice a year: in the Spring when all the snow has melted from the back yard and in the Fall when the leaves are turning the same color as my favorite golden yellow weft yarns shown above!
Gently wash 2oz or 4oz skeins of yarn in lukewarm water with a squirt of Ivory dish soap
I dye a total of 16 ozs (1 pound) of wool per dye bath, so in the big bread bowl above, I gently washed and rinsed 8 2-oz skeins of yarn. After your wash and rinse, let yarn soak in the bowl for another hour before placing in dye bath – this allowance of time gives your yarns better absorbtion of color as well as evenly-distributed color.
Using rubber gloves, separately add each skein to the dye-bath; gently give the skein a stir into the bath
I ALWAYS DYE OUTSIDE. It is safer, especially if there is no wind. I use Lanaset commercial dyes for my weft yarns; they are color-fast, intense colors that will not fade easily. Follow the directions in your Lanaset dye recipe. Make your dye bath accordingly. Always wear rubber gloves when working with commercial dyes; always wear a dust mask too especially if there is wind or in an enclosed space – commercial powder dyes are toxic!
While gently stirring the dye bath every 2 minutes (shown in right pot), I had prepared the next dye batch by soaking the washed and rinsed weft yarns (in left bowl) AND in the meantime, I had washed about 100 yards of warp (in middle pot) — yes, indeed I am a multi-tasker!
When cooking outdoors, use a windscreen made from a piece of foil hooked together at the seam by a large paper clip…I learned this trick from my friend Lis Saya who helped me dye yarns last year…!
Oct 23, 2014 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Showing Off, To Market To Market, To See or Not to See |
Grand-daughter Amelie hugs the golden yellow, hand-dyed, merino weft yarns hanging out to dry — and of course the weft was dry when this photo was shot!
I invite you to visit my Booth #P-15 at Alaska-Juneau Public Market booth during Thanksgiving weekend at Centennial Hall in Juneau, Alaska! The booth is right across the isle from Tony Tengs “Chilkat Cones” in the main hall of Centennial Hall. And please note: I will be sharing the booth with Tlingit carving artist & silversmith, Israel and Sue Shotridge (www.shotridgestudios.com).
The following is an inventory of items for sale; they include (but are not limited to):
A limited supply of Chilkat weaving and spinning supplies: Cedar bark without the sap (both whole and split), Chilkat warp, Chilkat weft yarns in golden yellow, turquoise, black and cream, spinning pads, etc.
Books for sale that I wrote, made or co-illustrated include: “Chilkat Pattern Templates”, the “Chilkat Weavers’ Handbook”; Juneauite author Hannah Lindoff children’s book “Mary’s Wild Winter Feast” — and books that I highly recommend: “The Intenders” by Tony Burroughs and “Go Pro – Becoming A Network Marketing Professional” by Eric Worre.
Miscellaneous items include: my button blanket greeting cards, hand-caste paper feathers, limited edition Giclee prints, hand-sewn, beaded, felt Russian Sailor hats, and gumboot shell earrings made by daughter Lily and sister Dee Lampe.
Come check out my latest 5-piece Chilkat woven ensemble called “Chilkat Child” which will be on display next to my daughter Lily’s 4-piece Ravenstail woven ensemble “Little Watchman.”
We’ll see you in a few weeks during the weekend of Thanksgiving at the Public Market in Juneau (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)!
Oct 22, 2014 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Health and Wellness, Honoring Others, Relationship Overdrive, To Market To Market, Tools-of-the-Trade |
The “Intenders Handbook” by Tony Burroughs
Quoting author, Tony: “The Mighty Manifesters — The purpose of this handbook is to help you make your life better. The Intenders of the Highest Good will show you how to make your dreams come true easily and with the least amount of effort. We’ve been practicing the ideas that are given in this handbook for several years and have found that the laws of manifestation work very efficiently for us when we do two simple things: 1. We say our intentions out loud everyday; 2. We meet together with like-minded friends in an Intenders Circle once a week.
This is all that needs to be done for us to start getting everything that we desire out of life. We must be willing to take a few moments away from our busy routines for these two important things (or something similar that may be called by another name) so that we can consciously turn our deepest desires into real-life experiences. Otherwise, we will remain unempowered and at the mercy of the every changing world we live in.
To the men and women who can manifest whatever is needed in their lives, it doesn’t matter how scarce things appear to be or what the newspapers and TV are saying. Self-empowered people simply observe the day-to-day challenges that are going on all around them, while manifesting a world of their own choosing – a world of peace and comfort. They live happily because that’s what they’ve intended to do.”
You may wonder why I include a number of other things that do not seem to be directly related to the design and production of art (and music) on my blog. My personal philosophy is that everything in my life affects everything else, no matter the topic, the breadth, the depth, the timing. Creating art and music is my method of maintaining my self-sanity. I don’t know about any other artists, but life is not a bowl of cherries all the time. There are so many ups and downs of which we are not in control, and of course I cannot help but respond. Art and music helps me to process the negative circumstances. I also welcome methods of self-help processes.
This book is one of those items that not only validates what I have been naturally working on in my own personal life, the information expands my horizons of thinking and being. I appreciate this. I welcome the guidance and forthright words.
I came across this book last week while heading out the door at the doctor’s office; hey what’s that little book about? The doc replied “…take a copy!” I enjoyed the read so much, I decided this was something I wanted to share with anyone and everyone, especially my kids and close friends. I called the number at the back of the book to make an order; it turns out that the author lives in this same little town out here in the mountains of Colorado! Like what are the chances for that!?
AND when I met up with him to buy more copies of this book, we exchanged business cards and eventually he invited me to the local “Intenders Circle” held every Thursday night starting with a potluck meal…! Am I going? Well,…I normally shy away from consistent, organized, on-going “groups.” I don’t know why I initially shy away from “organizations” but like I mentioned earlier, I intend on making changes in my life and this is one of those opportunities to make a change, right? If I don’t like the group for whatever reason(s), I don’t have to go anymore!
Tony continues with “Reference Points”: “From the beginning of the Intenders, we have been guided by three reference points. A reference point for us is something that we know we can count on. The courageous mariners of old knew all about using points of reference. They would pick out certain starts, or a spot on the distant shoreline, and they would refer to these points when they wanted to know where they were and where they were going. Likewise, we Intenders also want to know where we are going in our lives.
Our three main points of reference are: 1). Our desires are in us to be fulfilled; 2. Our thoughts create our world; and 3). Our intentions must serve the highest and best good of the Universe, as well as the highest and best good of ourselves and others.”
Tony told a story of someone who had not stated the third intention of “must serve the highest and best good of the Universe…” That importance of why we must include this 3rd intention in every one of our requests was summarized at the end of the story. Fetch a copy of this book for yourself and you will understand why!
I will have limited copies of this little handbook available for sale at the Alaska-Juneau Public Market at Centennial Hall during Thanksgiving weekend in Juneau, Alaska. Come by Booth #P-15 in the main hall ! They are only $4/book.
I will also have these books available for sale during any of my upcoming classes, and art markets coming up within this next year in 2015.
You may also order these little books directly from Tony by giving him a call at his toll-free number: 1-888-422-2420 or visit the website at: www.intenders.com Let go of your shyness; give him a call and order your book(s) – the guy is a warm, caring person… Tell him that Clarissa sent ya!
Oct 20, 2014 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy |
The Christ Gate…there were a number of these gates all the same design, the same color in a compound of neighboring homes
One of the things I enjoy most about Santa Fe is the personal artistry of people’s homes – from the gates and fences, to the landscaping and rustic decor. Here are just a few photos I share of this “City Different”…
A landscape of small rocks circled around the front entrance of a home…absolutely cool !
The Coyote Fence – in between pillars of adobe, raw poles are lashed together for a privacy fence
My grand-daughter Violet take a morning walk with her Dad down a dry river bed in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico
The same river bed in almost the exact place as above photo, though after an early evening storm shower
Oct 18, 2014 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Health and Wellness, Tools-of-the-Trade |
“Secrets of the Millionaire’s Mind” – Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth – by T. Harv Eker
I can very well relate to T. Harv Ecker’s definitions of the POOR person and Wealthy Person. After reading Ecker’s definitions, I can say that I have not come out of being a POOR person because I have not mastered 2 out of the 17 definitions; they are #12 and #15 on this list. I am sharing this with y’all because it’s my nature to do so. When I come across something that I think would be beneficial for many of us, if not all, I share it…!
The 17 Differences in MINDSET Between a Wealthy Person’s
Outlook and a POOR Person’s Outlook:
(Definition of POOR: Passing Over Opportunities Repeatedly)
1) I Create My LIFE vs. LIFE Happens to me.
2) Rich people PLAY to WIN — POOR people play not to lose.
3) Rich people commit to being Rich — POOR people can’t commit to goals or outcomes.
4) Rich THINK BIG — POOR people think small.
5) Rich people focus on Opportunities – POOR people focus on Obstacles.
6) Rich people admire other Rich people — POOR people resent successful people.
7)Rich people associate with successful people — POOR people associate with negative unsuccessful people.
8) Rich people are willing to promote themselves & their value — POOR people think negatively about selling and promoting.
9) Rich people are bigger than their problems — POOR people are smaller than their problems.
10) Rich people are excellent receivers — POOR people are POOR receivers.
11) Rich people choose to get paid for their results — POOR people choose to get paid based on time.
12) Rich people manage their money well — POOR people mismanage their money well.
13) Wealthy people focus on their Networth — POOR people focus on their bills.
14) Rich people think: “BOTH” — POOR people think: “either or”.
15) Rich people have their money work for them — POOR people work hard for their money.
16) Rich people act inspite of FEAR — POOR people let FEAR stop them.
17) Rich people constantly learn new things — POOR people think they already know.
— T. Harv Ecker “Secrets of the Millionaire Mind”
I have always thought myself to be one of the wealthiest people I know. I have been in pretty good health especially for my age, I have a variety talents that I have used to make a living and continue to do so, I lack a substance-abuse addictive personality, I am mentally sane, I have two handfuls of very close friends around this country, my siblings are half-way decent with me, I have three fine children, and 7 wonderful grandchildren. However, I don’t have money (not at this point in my life anyway). I work hard for my money; it comes and it goes. Though I am not thousands of dollars in debt like I have been. Now that I am single (and not plural), I haven’t changed much since I was married. I still behave as if I have money because like I said, money comes and money goes…it’s a cycle. Yet, I want to experience being filthy rich with lots of money. I desire to know what that feels like. I wonder if the experience will be any different than my childhood, or my entire adulthood where I lived hand to mouth. I am going to find out!!!—Let’s see if I can be a millionaire within 5 years!
Oct 13, 2014 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, To See or Not to See |
Digging up a Juniper seedling – transplanting this very first seedling to begin a Tree Nursery !
How come I never thought of it before? After almost 40 years of gardening and landscaping, and after owning a landscape company for 13 of those years, how come I never began a tree (and other plants) nursery? It only makes sense!
Gotta be careful what I say; holy! I can manifest some things totally unawares until it’s sprung before my eyes. Spring of last year in 2013, as I stood about 15 feet in front of my studio, I decided it would be a good, natural (feng shui) barrier to have trees growing between the driveway and the front door of my studio, so I said “…it sure would be good to have a small forest right here…!” Lo and behold, exactly where I had stood, 3 aspen trees began to grow that Summer! I kid you not! And as if that wasn’t enough, I wanted more trees on the property, so I said: “…in fact, we need a natural barrier of trees and shrubs on the back edge of the property, and I want trees over there and over there…! I want this property to have a forest!” Guess what? Trees began to sprout all around the property, not necessarily exactly where I wanted them, but pretty dang close! I’ve got apple trees, juniper, poplar and elm! Sounds like a great start to a forest!
In the process of digging up a Transparent Green Lodi apple tree seedling which was growing underneath my first of two Pinon trees in the front yard…
As I planned this Fall, I transplanted all the tree seedlings temporarily into my daughter’s 3rd garden bed where the soil is still rich and moist after her last vegetable harvest. The trees will be dormant over the Winter, but come Spring next year, I am transplanting them to their permanent homes with good soil, ample growing room and lots of water! Because elms grow like a weed, I am planting them as a hedgerow to block out all the new homes recently built out below us in the past 20 years, however, I’ll keep the trees trimmed like a topiary of animal shapes for fun and so we can still see the fantastic view of the San Juan mountains and valley. The poplar trees grow tall and narrow so I’ll use them on the Northwest corner of the property where the broad-span junipers will be planted.
On my morning walks, I’m going to take my favorite tool, a hand pick and a bucket to dig up seedlings along side the road. — Oh, it’s so exciting starting my own tree nursery! Better late than never!
Oct 11, 2014 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Honoring Others, Tools-of-the-Trade |
“Sharing the Skies: Navajo Astronomy” by Nancy C. Maryboy, PhD and David Begay, PhD
I find these kinds of books fascinating because they provide us another indigenous perspective outside of the western mindset. I see similarities amongst the Navajo and our own people, the Tlingit. The Navajo stories like our own are inspirational; more often than not they lead me to envision a robe or painting or some form of art piece.
This book provides a cross-cultural view of Navajo and Western astronomy. “Sharing the Skies” provides a look at traditional Navajo astronomy, including the constellations and the unique way in which Navajo people view the cosmos and their place within it. In addition, this book offers a comparison of the Navajo astronomy with the Greek (Western) perceptions. Beautifully illustrated with original paintings from a Navajo artist and scientifically enhanced with NASA photography.
The authors are Nancy C. Maryboy and David Begay. Marboy is a Cherokee/Navajo scholar working in the area of Indigenous Science, with a focus on astronomy. she is the President and Executive Director of the Indigenous Education Institute located in Bluff, Utah and Santa Fe, New Mexico. She teaches Indigenous Astronomy at Northern Arizona University. She works with NASA educational outreach projects and with University of California, Berkeley, Space Science Labs on National Science Foundation projects. She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico and San Juan Island, Washington.
David Begay is a scholar and member of the Navajo Nation, and one of the founders of the Indigenous Education Institute. He works with University of California Berkeley, Space Science Labs in areas of Western and Indigenous science with support from NASA and the National Science Foundation. He lives on the Navajo Nation and works as an independent contractor with federal, state, tribal and corporate entities.
You may purchase a copy of this book for $14.95 from Rio Nuevo Publishers in Tucson, Arizona (www.rionuevo.com) or when you visit the Mesa Verde National Park visitor’s center gift shop, like I did !
