Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Raising a Newborn


As a parent, one of the first responsibilities is to keep your children safe. Everyday of your child’s life will be full of growing, changing and learning. Protection starts before they are born. Once they have arrived in the world, newborns need to be placed in a safe environment, fed, turned frequently, kept warm, and observed to be certain that they are adequately eating, sleeping and breathing. Newborns are totally dependent upon adults for their survival. Newborns should be interacted with and stimulated to grow up strong. Newborns need to be supported when lifted because their head is not fully formed. Newborns begin to explore the crib, gain control of their arm and leg movements, and learn how their fingers work during the first three months of their life. Their bottle should be fed in your arms to provide them proper nutrition, Bottles propped up on objects can cause damage to the teeth and middle ear due to improper drainage. Babies need an interactive parent who talks to them, laughs, sings and hugs them while they eat and explore everything with their eyes.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

The Flour Sack sent in by Colleen

IN THAT LONG AGO TIME WHEN THINGS WERE SAVED, WHEN ROADS WERE GRAVELED AND BARRELS WERE STAVED,  WHEN WORN-OUT CLOTHING WAS USED AS RAGS,
AND THERE WERE NO PLASTIC WRAP OR BAGS, AND THE WELL AND THE PUMP WERE WAY OUT BACK, A VERSATILE ITEM, WAS THE FLOUR SACK.

PILLSBURY'S BEST, MOTHER'S, AND GOLD MEDAL, TOO. STAMPED THEIR NAMES PROUDLY IN PURPLE AND BLUE.THE STRING SEWN ON TOP WAS PULLED AND KEPT; THE FLOUR EMPTIED AND SPILLS WERE SWEPT. THE BAG WAS FOLDED AND STORED IN A SACK THAT DURABLE, PRACTICAL FLOUR SACK.

THE SACK COULD BE FILLED WITH FEATHERS AND DOWN, FOR A PILLOW, OR T'WOULD MAKE A NICE SLEEPING GOWN. IT COULD CARRY A BOOK AND BE A SCHOOL BAG,
OR BECOME A MAIL SACK SLUNG OVER A NAG. IT MADE A VERY CONVENIENT PACK,
THAT ADAPTABLE, COTTON FLOUR SACK.

BLEACHED AND SEWN, IT WAS DUTIFULLY WORN AS BIBS, DIAPERS, OR KERCHIEF ADORNED. IT WAS MADE INTO SKIRTS, BLOUSES AND SLIPS. AND MOM BRAIDED RUGS FROM ONE HUNDRED STRIPS. SHE MADE RUFFLED CURTAINS FOR THE HOUSE OR SHACK, FROM THAT HUMBLE BUT TREASURED FLOUR SACK!

AS A STRAINER FOR MILK OR APPLE JUICE, TO WAVE MEN IN, IT WAS A VERY GOOD USE, AS A SLING FOR A SPRAINED WRIST OR A BREAK, TO HELP MOTHER ROLL UP A JELLY CAKE, AS A WINDOW SHADE OR TO STUFF A CRACK, WE USED A STURDY, COMMON FLOUR SACK!

AS DISH TOWELS, EMBROIDERED OR NOT, THEY COVERED UP DOUGH, HELPED PASS PANS SO HOT, TIED UP DISHES FOR NEIGHBORS IN NEED, AND FOR MEN OUT IN THE FIELD TO SEED. THEY DRIED DISHES FROM PAN, NOT RACK THAT ABSORBENT, HANDY FLOUR SACK!

WE POLISHED AND CLEANED STOVE AND TABLE, SCOURED AND SCRUBBED FROM CELLAR TO GABLE, WE DUSTED THE BUREAU AND OAK BED POST, MADE COSTUMES FOR OCTOBER (A SCARY GHOST) AND A PARACHUTE FOR A CAT NAMED JACK.
FROM THAT LOWLY, USEFUL OLD FLOUR SACK!

Irish View of Worry

In life, there are only two things to worry about—
Either you are well or you are sick.
If you are well, there is nothing to worry about,
But if you are sick, there are two things to worry about—
Either you will get well or you will die.
If you get well, there is nothing to worry about,              
 But if you die, there are only two things to worry about—
Either you will go to heaven or hell
.If you go to heaven, there is nothing to worry about.   
   And if you go to hell, you’ll be so busy shaking hands
 with all your friends you won’t have time to worry

Sunday, September 20, 2009

My Role as a Citizen of Earth











As the member of the earthly family, I am a part of the community
and dependent on Earth for survival, I have a big task. I will seek 
guidance from my family and keep our guiding principles. 
Happiness is something I will decide on ahead of time. I will
walk with dignity, honor and humility. I will maintain the knowledge 
of my culture, remember the ceremonies, and sing the songs 
handed  down from generations so that I may pass these on to 
future generations. I will think  about what kind of person I want
to be and start developing myself now  to become this person. 
Happiness does not depend on the  little things that happen. 
Happiness depends on what I think about my life and situation. 
I cannot live my life as a "victim" in denial and isolation. I will not
resort to be a "Critic" and live my life in anger. I refuse to be a
"bystander" watching my life slips away while I survive with 
bargaining and live in depression. I will choose to be the 
"Navigator" at the helm of my ship and accept what life gives me.
In my mind, I have already decided to have happiness and plan 
to educate myself so I will remain  positive, develop a good
sense of humor and learn to laugh with others everyday. My 
grandma used to tell me that every day she lived  was a  "Gift" 
and she intended to make the best use of it. I will follow her path
and remember life is a gift and as long as my eyes open I will 
focus on each new day unfolding as if it were the first time I ever 
saw it, or the last thing I will ever see. I will remember all of the 
happy memories I can share with family members for 
generations to come when I live another day.  I choose to do all 
these things myself; because no one else can do them for me it 
is a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I will never 
forget to pray for guidance asking my Creator to make me open 
to whatever nature teaches. I will become a great asset to my 
family, my community, my Earth and myself. 



Friday, September 18, 2009

Raising Children



Children need to play, have fun and grow up in a safe place they can trust. They also need guidance to grow strong and wise. Parents need to prepare their youth for life. The most important thing anyone can give a child is time. Positive time helps children learn about order, acceptance & understand their importance. Just knowing someone will listen to them is important. Instill in them a spiritual belief and teach children to pray. They need to learn the importance of respect, and have the feeling of belonging to something bigger than themselves. In today's world it is easy for children to go astray, so parents need to work to provide positive alternatives for them, teach them family heritage, encourage education, encourage sports, offer encouragement & guidance; but mostly serve as a strong role model of what they can become as a responsible adult.  

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Role of the Mother


The cycle of life for the woman begins as the baby, girl, woman, wife, mother and grandmother. Woman has been blessed by nature to reproduce life, the most sacred of all things. Because of this gift, all men should treat women with dignity and respect. With the gift of reproduction, the Creator gave women the responsibility for bringing up and protecting the new life they bring into the world. Life is sacred, the woman is the foundation of the family and she needs help to create a home atmosphere of respect, security and harmony. A mother knows that she is the one  who must model compassion, love and understanding for her family to succeed. Her job is one of endless toil from morning to night. Mothers need to pray everyday for guidance and assistance to to walk with dignity and spirituality in order to nurture her family providing food, learning, comfort and love so her husband and children can fulfill the purpose of their lives. She must walk her road with honor and dedication, so that her family and others can see that it can be done & will follow. A mother’s work is truly never done as she is the cog in each family members wheels. 

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Role of the Father



The cycle of life for a man begins as the baby, boy, man, husband, father and ends as a grandfather. As a man, a father knows that there is no gain without learning. He sets the path of his family and helps to mold the families cultural, spiritual & historical life. A father understands that without purpose & strong roots his family will fail. He is at the helm of the family ship and needs to see to it that the family succeeds by providing traditional & spiritual values that have guided his past generations. A father needs to walk with dignity & spirituality in order to fulfill the teachings & purpose of the lives that the Creator has made him responsible for. If his family is going to flourish, father needs to set his eyes on the ways that are important. He must commit to walk the way of his family culture & “be the best that he can be.” Each day, he must pray for strength & guidance to strengthen his family unit & community. A father is the holder of the family faith, the head of the house, and keeper of the family traditions. He must walk the road with honor & dedication, so that his family and others can see that it can be done & will follow him.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Primitive Man


Since the beginning of time, man has searched for the meaning of his/her existence. Man not unlike animal joined groups learned to communicate, satisfied their basic needs, and then begin to ponder about the meaning of things; just like you and me. They wondered about their little ones and began to form traditions for their group. They enjoyed the daylight, the warmth, and personalized the sun that provided them light. They bow down before the Sun God and made offerings. Eventually, they learned to make fire to “light their way through the darkness” and develop behavioral patterns for their families. Light still remains part of most religious ceremonies and family celebrations. The idea of Man “Coming forth from the Darkness into the Light” symbolizes Prophecy, Revelation, and the “Wisdom of the Ages.”

Friday, September 11, 2009

Contributing to the World Community

Community is a part of our family. It provides a sense of belonging, a place for socializing, somewhere to immerse in culture, language, religion & meet with friends & extended family members. Elders teach children to honor themselves & other in the community. Honoring himself or herself honors everyone. Children need to learn to give back to the community by donating time & talents whenever possible. By cultivating friendships with other men, women & children each person shows mutual support & strength for the community as a whole. Every community decision affects generations now & in the future. It is important children realize each man, woman, & child’s actions will improve or destroy our common inherited communities. Teaching children to care about the community helps them stay free of alcohol, drugs and depression. One day with education, our communities will forever be free of violence. Children modeling good behavior will teach their young & when others see that it can be done, they will follow and eventually our Earthly residence will be a safe community treated with respect by everyone.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

The Family Unit

Family is a place where learning begins. Children mimic adult behavior. Knowing this, each adult should realize the importance of acting responsibly in order to build & nurture a strong & balanced family unit. If families are successful, their members will be surrounded with strong moral fiber & have positive mental health for generations to come. Each family member is accountable to restore the strength of the family unit everyday. Members need to work together to nurture their family's spiritual, cultural, mental & physical well being. By demonstrating trust, respect, honor, discipline & being consistent in their actions & words. parents build a strong foundation for the family as a whole. Strong families understand the important role grandparents & community members play in the development of the family. Each individual needs to be reminded that their actions have direct impact on the family unit. Working together is fundamental to healthy development of a strong family life and a grand adventure in their lifetime.

Teaching Respect for the Earth


The Earth is a living entity. Earth is the source of all life, & part of every family. We must learn to model after the Earth, man’s greatest teacher. If we learn to listen, observe & respect the Earth, we will live in harmony together. The Earth will recycle the things we consume & make them available to our children. All of us must learn how to care for the Earth so it will be there for the future generations of plants and creatures: two-legged, four- legged, winged ones or human beings. The Earth does not belong to us individually, but we belong to the Earth. The natural law is the ultimate authority & we must learn to treat Earth with the honor & respect it deserves as it is interconnected with all things. Earth will only ensure that the land, water, and air will be intact for my children and for my children's children-the unborn if we protect it. We need to pay respect to the Earth as part of our family & community; our life depends upon it.