Native American

Building a Future

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We have been able to accomplish three major goals in the last month!

First, our solar farm. We will be paying for it the next 10 years, but we know within three years it will be significantly cheaper than the utility payment. Jim had to clear out the area where it was to be erected.

On day one, the contractor (Solaris) brought in some heavy equipment to lay the electrical lines underground, hook up the electrical box, and start setting up everything to mount the panels.

When the panels were finally mounted and everything was done, we learned we have to wait for the inspector to come out before we can turn everything on and start using our solar power. Egads, I’m excited to start accessing our investment, so the delay is maddening.

The other major development is being able to see the grandkids after being stonewalled by the San Felipe Pueblo for over five years. Jim is not Native and I’m from a different Pueblo, so they were not happy about allowing us to even talk to them. Under normal circumstance, we would have custody of them after their Dad’s death and their Mom being unable to care for them at the moment. The kids are half Native, so the San Felipe Pueblo intervened and the ensuing nightmare for the family began.

Jim looked so handsome in his suit when we went to court for the visitation hearing.

Although we only get to see or talk to the kids every other weekend, having visitation with them every other weekend is a thrill.

This first weekend we had Mom with us too because she has not been able to see them either. Such a blessing to reunite them with their Mom. I tried to stay in the background as much as possible in order to give Mom and the three kids a chance to re-bond. We get them again this coming weekend, and we are so excited about it!

The last major accomplishment was finishing up the grandkids’ room and making them curtains. A gender-neutral fabric was chosen, thick light-blocking/thermal lining was sewn in, tie-backs sewn and everything was mounted. It took almost three weeks of constant work to get it all done.

I love the results of this last month! Now to finish up the chicken/pig run and their “house” plus get the garden started…..

Transcribing an Internal Movie

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It never fails to amaze me how enjoyable writing can be.  I’ve been working on another fiction, not sure if it would be called a sci-fi or fantasy, but I’m having so much fun.  This new one I’ve been working on has about one seed of truth for every pound of “tall tale.”

stockThe one I’m working on right now is based on a Native American girl learning about her role in a secret medicine society that has her developing traditional skills with instruction from some older Natives, some Star People and some “Old Ones” aka vampires.  Like I said, one seed of truth mixed with one pound of *@$t.  Having had traditional Native training I’m able to “fictionize” some things in the traditional system of learning and have dreamed up some interesting characters.

One of the things I’m fascinated by is how my fingers twitch over the keyboard, trying to keep up with the “movie” that is playing in my head as I try to capture every word they utter and describe what they are doing.  It’s almost like transcribing what I see, but it’s all in my head.  And it’s so much fun!

Someone please tell me that I’m not some kind of non-lethal psychotic! LOL

In the Beginning

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Not sure who, if anyone, would be interested in the ramblings of a widowed Hispanic/Native American woman in a New Mexico rural community.  Nonetheless, several friends have suggested I start a daily blog because they are curious how someone can survive on about $400 a month, yet eat well and be relatively comfortable.  First off, let me say that country life is not for wimps or the lazy.  The day normally begins at or just before sunrise and ends about 9-9:30 at night — when most folks join the party.  So, here goes!

Today is going to be somewhat lazy — with only laundry to do, patching the carpeting in the bedroom and getting this blog started.  Tomorrow should prove more interesting!  If nothing else, I’ll get a picture of the ranch house I’m living in to post for tomorrow.