Haliwa-Saponi Pow Wow

The 42nd Annual Pow Wow of the Haliwa-Saponi Native Americans was held this past weekend in near-by Hollister. Because of other commitments I couldn’t get there until Sunday. Next year they will be first on my list.

I stepped into an area of a people brilliant regaled for this gathering of tribal traditions. Their appearance was awesome with feather headdresses and intricately sewn silver, beads and feathers into their attire. With the drums constantly thumping it was easy, with a little imagination, to place myself back to an earlier time. The feel of a serious gathering of tribes permeated the afternoon. No commercialism here, thankfully.
Some Apache and Lakota Sioux joined in the competition of dance and drumming for prizes up to $15,000. Several booths surrounded the outlying area of the Blessed Circle, which was lined with bleachers for folks soaking in the background and education of the tribal dances and singing. The booths offered fine crafts of silver, leather and other traditional Native items. One fellow had statues and totems of wood detailed and full of originality. It was a pleasure just to look, like being in an outdoor museum.

Rabies Shots Day

Another volunteer event for CAP went by smoothly and successfully. I was delightedly surprised that all volunteers signed up, showed up. One fellow was already in line when I arrived at 7:45. The event wasn’t scheduled to begin until 9! He was a cheerful fellow though, and jumped right in to help set up tables, chairs etc. By 8:30 there must have been ten cars lined up and the line kept growing.

Several of us took clipboard in hand to fill in the register forms, walking to each individual so no one had to leave their cars. As one gentle gal headed for a truck she heard “Shut up, Judy!” Her head jerked up and her eyes popped wide. No one ever talked to her that way! The fellow must have seen the expression on her face. “Sorry, that’s my dog’s name.” He was a bit sheepish.

Of course there is always one; one car stopped and wouldn’t start. Help came and jumped her battery. She didn’t lose her place in line, though. Her two pets got their rabies shots without extra waiting.
After a satisfying morning of working in the sun with a parade of dogs and cats, all with their own personalities, the volunteers met at the Hardware Café for a late lunch. This is where bonding of volunteers takes place-at breaking bread together after a busy day’s work. The rabies shots were free but many people gladly made donations. Dr. Amy O’Malley attended 203 animals.

The Hills are Alive

The hills are alive, not with the sound of music but with the beautiful wild pink and white dogwood trees and dark pink umbrella trees. The green of the fir trees create a backdrop like a heavy velvet stage curtain for little girls in pastel tutus.

It’s spring and the forests of North Carolina are gorgeous. The roadways are lined with tiny little light blue and white wildflowers. Wisteria runs along fences and up trees. The daffodils are still blooming after a few weeks. The forsythias are shouting, “It’s Spring! It’s Spring!” Just in case someone didn’t notice.

Green is everywhere. Great expanses of lawns look lush and thick waiting to be walked on with bare feet. The farmers’ fields are growing high with green (rye?) slightly swaying in the breeze. The Bradford Pear trees were all white a week ago, now they’re as green as the beer of an Irishman on St. Paddy’s Day.

It’s glorious!

My Girls

So it’s the next day after Jane’s haircut. She’s adapting. She’s come out of hiding, still quiet but at least out from under the bed. Lizzie tried to tease her a bit last night. Lizzie got a hiss from Jane. First time I ever heard a hiss from Jane, Lizzie yes, Jane never.

I did some cooing and gooing, mimicking Laura’s tone and manner. It’s working. Jane’s feeling much better this morning. She’s at her post at the front door watching and listening to the birds, including some big black crows, squirrels and rabbits.

My education in Cat has begun. I hit the PC last night seeking others with more knowledge than I on the matting of cat fur. And dandruff. Is that dandruff on her back?
Is my girl lacking in some vitamin or something? Should she stay embarrassed, like on the TV commercials? Oh my! Dandruff! Will she be shunned socially? At lease dandruff won’t show on her shirt-she doesn’t wear one.

I still haven’t found out how or why but I did learn about grooming and combing.
Something new.

Lady Jane

Poor Lady Jane is embarrassed and hiding. The fur along her spine has been matted for some time now. It looked clumped along the ridge of her back. Joe G. noticed it when he visited and mentioned it. She’s a Manx. I thought it was supposed to be like that. Duh.

Apparently not. Thanks to Laura Thompson of ‘Pride and Groom’ I’m starting my new education on cat grooming. A little late in coming but you know the old saying. She buzzed her clippers easy and gently, little by little, talking to Jane softly. Keeping her as calm as possible. Her caring and concern flowed out with each purring word she used to Jane. A pinch-full at a time, the clumps of hair came off leaving a stripe along Jane’s back. She sat perfectly still, not moving or jerking away at all. Amazing.
She’s embarrassed. I’m embarrassed. Guess I should have known it wasn’t natural. I don’t know about cats, I raised kids. Come to think of it, I used to buzz cut their hair.