Exploring the Arts and My place in Creation


Exploring the Arts and My place in Creation - - - - - - - - Please visit my art blog at www.digidoodle.me


Sunday, November 28, 2010

My New Ice Hut - 5 Star Accommodations!!!


This is my new (old) ice hut. It is smaller and easy to drag around yet large enough for two, or one if I end up sleeping in it! I have had my eye on a few possible spots on the river. Who knows..Maybe I'll try them all!


The section that sticks out is where the propane stove is. Today it was about -10C and I was in my driving clothes. We hopped in, fired up the stove and within a minute it was toasty warm.


This is the inside. It comes fully equpped as you see. The floor board lifts up for a nice open ice hole. I prefer the chain saw square vs the little hole. The last owner did a lot of work. He insulated, and wired for battery power. Its a very clean hut and I am looking forward to dragging it out on to the ice.





Friday, November 26, 2010

Drunk


Drunk you say? Yes drunk. I do this a couple times a year. I dont drink on a daily basis...no real interest. However, every now and then I get a hankering to tie one on...and I do. I make no apologies. I actually consider it a blessing. I am a happy drunk. I get drunk, laugh and then fall asleep. I dont have much stamina and it doesnt take me much.

I share this because I want you to know that I am human. Just because I have a Spirit relationship, it doesnt mean I am "pure", or that my relationship is measured by such things. My Christian brothers and sisters may point to scripture to show me how I am disappointing my Lord and breaking His law and statutes. Non Christians will point to my behaviour as hypocritical...Look at him..he preaches one thing and does another. Funny how the pendulum swings.

Jesus said that it wasnt what went in, but what came out that mattered. He told me that there are a great many things which are OK when taken with thanksgiving. Paul told us that we should go ahead and take some wine now and then for our many and constant ailments. To the critical, I am using scripture to justify my actions.

I feel for those who have an alcohol problem. I would and do stand by my brothers and sisters who have drinking problems. Yet, on the same token, I partake with a clear conscience and joy. I am grateful for the pleasures of alcohol. I love the taste of beer. I love a fine wine. I love a good scotch.

cheers!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

We Sing Praises to Your Name



``We Sing Praises to Your Name`` copyright don wright 2000

I am a child of the house of Israel, the seed of Abraham. I am a child of a promise. There are prophesies that speak about me, my brothers and sisters, my cousins and all my relations. Our numbers are greater than the sands on the beach. We are scattered all over this planet. Remnants in the four corners of this world. I am forgiven and I am free, and when the prophesies are fulfilled, I will take my place before the throne of God and I will praise him forevermore.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Shaman's Breath - Alex Mathias

"Shaman's Breath" Copyright Ingrid Zschogner

Here is a very beautiful painting of one of my hero's. His name is Alex Mathias and I consider him to be the Elder of Obabika Old Growth Forest. Alex had the courage to return to his family land and return also to a traditional way of life. Alex Mathias has touched the hearts and minds of many people. It was Alex Mathias that introduced me to the Red Road, when he invited me to a native celebration for Changing of the Seasons. To learn more about Alex check out this link.

If you are interested in a professional guided expedition to this enchanted place, I recommend this link.

Here is a picture of Alex and I which I cherish.




Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Remembering Part Two

I posted a blog on Remembrance November 13. I was reflecting on the war experience and how through that I had learned much about my "foe". I suppose for me, the highlight of that reflection was how grateful I was to be united with my "enemy". I hate using that word because that is old language. That is backward language. Jesus told me to Love my enemy for a reason. Because with Love, there is no enemy.
http://keepupwithdon.blogspot.com/2010/11/remembering.html

My cousin in Germany read my post and was grateful. She shared this picture with me. It is in Breslau. This is where my family was settled. Notice please how I said "my family". At the time of the war, Breslau was part of East Germany. My family were Germans living in their beautiful little German village. After the war, my families homes and lands were given to Poland. My family was evicted and became "homeless". It would be easy to harbor resentment towards the Polish people. Instead, my cousin sent this picture.

Wir vergeben und wir bitten um Vergebung
We forgive and we ask for forgiveness.

This is written in front of a church in Breslau, our families old home prior to 1945. My German family has embraced forgiveness as the only way to a beautiful future. These words inscribed in front of this church contain the greatest of wisdom. Wisdom that is so difficult to follow in the face of anger and hatred.

We all need to forgive and in so doing will receive forgiveness....love....peace....contentment.....joy.....
That is Spirit math...exponential beauty



Beaver Sticks!


As I mentioned before, my wife and I are gatherers. We take delight in gathering. One object of my wife's desire are stray beaver sticks. The beavers chew the bark off tender and not so tender shoots. They then get caught in the river currents and find themselves scattered along the banks. It is my job to collect these for my wife. I am amazed at the beauty of each piece. You can see the chew marks like the beaver was chewing corn on the cob. The wood is also nice looking when freshly chewed. Any way, my wife knows there will be a purpose to all this and some day we will both know. In the meantime, I have a growing collection of fire starter...teehee.


I looked at these 2 beaver sticks and thought immediately THE BEAVER TAUGHT THE NATIVES HOW TO MAKE A BOW AND ARROW! I shared my story and hypothesis with a friend who thought that maybe I was stretching it a bit. Still, I can't get over the feeling that the Beaver inspired the Bow and Arrow.
As I saw these two pieces beside each other the light bulb went off. I immediately fashioned a bow and arrow in my mind. I know..you are saying...that's because you already know about the bow and arrow. I will grant you that, but dream and scheme with me here.

What do you think?

Wheels Turn - Revisited

I have found that if I upload my webcam videos to either Google:Blogger or Youtube, then they become out of sync. I found that if I upload my videos to Facebook, then they work. I have been in the habit now of uploading to my facebook and then sending the embed code or to my blog post. Always a complication in this wonderful world of technology. I see pros and cons of either platform, and so for the time being I am operating in two worlds.

I posted my webcam song Wheels Turn on FB and a friend heard it and offerred to record it in his studio. He has a beautiful studio! I have seen it and I have heard his product. He is very musically and artistically gifted. He is also a brother in Spirit. We will get together next time I am in Mississauga. I am excited to explore this song with another ear and heart.

My advice to you today is think of a song you like, smile, and sing it to yourself..then keep singing it in your heart...

Monday, November 22, 2010

Wheels Turn - don wright



"Wheels Turn" Copyright don wright 2002

Wheels turn as the white lines pass you by
Wheels turn as the days turn into night
Wheels turn and it makes you want to cry
As you think about love you left behind

Wheels turn and you think about the past
Wheels turn for a love that would not last
Wheels turn but they turn just far to fast
When you’ve given up all you ever had

The wheels of your heart keep a turning
And the love that you had keeps you yearning
For the times that you had keep you learning
While the pain in your heart keeps burning

Wheels turn on a path that seems too long
Wheels turn as you think of what went wrong
Wheels turn as you sit and write your song
About the love you had, but now is gone

The wheels of your heart keep a turning
And the love that you had keeps you yearning
For the times that you had keep you learning
While the pain in your heart keeps burning

dw2002

Learning to Fly



"Learning to Fly" - Copyright Pink Floyd

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Late Fall Adventure on the Sturgeon


There is a beautiful cove up at Sandy Falls. We like to float around and bask in the sun. The cove is wind protected and the sites are breathtaking.
 

We broke ice as we went upward through a tributary. I wanted to explore the origins of the creek, as I beleive it originates from the home of the loons. It is a rush hearing the ice crack by the bow of the boat.



We went as far as we could and parked the boat and went for a hike. We found an awesome trail in the bush and followed it back, close to our house. We will be ablke to access the trail by ATV and have access to 1000's of acres of crown land. This was a good find.


We hiked for a few hours and made our way home. It was very cold last night and I suspect this water will be already frozed back over. The ice was already 1/4"! Winter is upon us and I will soon need to take the boat out of the water......but maybe one more adventurew first....The sun is out again today.

Beavers on the Sturgeon


The beavers are getting ready for winter. Lately, they have been focusing their energies on collecting winter food, which they pile in front of their lodge. They eat the bark of tender shoots of hardwood. This is one of the largest lodges I have seen. It is off the main river, sheltered and protected. I pulled the boat over and hiked a bit to get this shot. There are many families of beavers on my stretch of the river. They are fun to watch.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Breathe - Pink Floyd



Breathe - Pink Floyd

Respect and Responsibility


I was noticing my sitemeter stats and my google traffic studies and I have found that an increasing number of people come to my site through google search. Increasingly, I am receiving visitors who have typed the very same things I once did, and wrote about. "Anishinabe Creation Story", " Old Growth Forest", "Cree Sylabics" , "Medicine Wheel" and many other First People's references. I am now getting hits from All over North America, as people seek to learn about the First Nations people of Turtle Island.

I'll get to the point. I feel a burden of responsibility and sudden respect. Who the heck am I, to dare speak on behalf of another relations culture? I kinda feel like I'm ripping the seeker off and ripping off my native brothers culture.

Picture a person who really wants to learn something about a native brother. They type in "anishinabe creation story", press enter and Voila....

They see this beautiful Cree symbol, which by the way, spells Don in Cree. I am not Cree, though I use this symbol as my signature on my paintings now. It was a gift to me from a Cree friend. I was told that W wasnt gonna cut it as a signature.....any way, I digress......

 People just cant help but click on that picture on the internet, and, in so doing, arive at my blogspot to a page called "Anishinabe Creation Story".
http://keepupwithdon.blogspot.com/2009/03/anishinabe-creation-story.html

I feel the burden of responsibility, because here is a guest who is seeking info on a particular culture group, and end up on the page of someone who hasnt even been to a POW WOW! In all fairness, when I posted the info, I too was searching and I only reported info that I found. YET, I am having a hard time wrapping my head around this....Who made me spokesman? How much of my own thought has obscured or changed the original intent? What gives me the right?

As a kid, I walked into a native craft store and picked up a souvenir. When I got home, I looked at the bottom and it said "Made in China". I was pissed off and I felt ripped off. What the heck does a chineese sweatshop know about a sacred totem?.....What do I know for that matter? How am I any differant?

This hasnt been some intentional thing. I dont want to replace the legitimate and real with my words as an onlooker....But what do I do? Stop learnig? Stop posting? Take my blog off the search machines? Change who I am and what I am becoming?

No. I think the answer lies in the fact that it has not been easy for me to learn about our First Nations peoples. I have had to reach out for any tidbit of info I can get. I have had to assimilate that knowledge and constantly adjust my own understanding based on greater knowledge. This is something we all must do. I just chose to document my journey and share it with the world.

I thought about maybe adding another disclaimer, but then again I already have "I seek knowledge of the great Ojibway peoples. If you can help me learn, I invite your comments and request your input" Which by the way hasnt done me a scrap good.

The only info I've managed to get, is the info I have reached out to receive. I have documented much of this journey here on my blog. I figure if I continue to love and respect my native brother, then the things I write, should be loving and respectful. What else could one ask for in this age of deceit?

waabaanakwad



Seven Grouse Feathers for a Friend


In my travels and wilderness adventures, I like to collect things. I specifically like feathers and driftwood and rocks. I found these grouse feathers and driftwood on the Temagami River. Someone had shot a grouse and left everything but the breasts. I dont have a problem with people hunting, but I sure wish that this beautiful bird would have been respected a bit more. As strange as this seems, whenever I come across such a site, I take a few feathers so that the memory and power of the grouse will somehow lilve on. Driftwood also speaks to me. I shouldnt use the word speak, lest you think I'm insane, but I'm sure many of you know what I mean. This ancient piece of wood had its beginnings as a beautiful tree. As time took its course, this piece of driftwood bounced and rolled its way down miles of pristine river. Each piece is special and unique and tells its own story.

I gathered 7 of these feathers and united them with my favourite piece of driftwood. I put this on my windowsill. Every time I look at it, I am reminded of my friend and his special struggle. When I look at this, I am compelled to thank the Creator, Lord God for my friend and his family.


Heavenly Father. Thank You for Your plan of salvation. I thank You for making Yourself known amongst my friends and peers. Today and each day, I pray that You would give Your peace and protection to my friend and his family. I especially pray for the children Lord. You know their names. I ask that you continue to put Your arms around them. Lord God I pray that You would hug my friend and his family and that they would feel Your mighty presence. I thank you Lord for the gift and opportunity to pray for my friends. Many people pray to You in many ways. I pray to You in and through the name of Jesus Christ, for this is what You have taught me to do.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

YHWH

Trying to Decide?? Beer Versus Religion

Some of the Reasons Why Beer Is Better Than Religion:

When you have a beer, you don't knock on strangers' doors trying to give it away.
Almost no one has ever been shamed for drinking the wrong brand of beer.
Beer has never caused a major war.
You know exactly what you're getting when you ask for a beer.
A six-pack of religion doesn't quench your thirst.
Beer doesn't tell you how, when, or why to have sex or not to have sex.
Very few people have ever forced beer on anyone.
Nobody's ever been drawn and quartered, hanged, or tortured over beer.
You don't have to wait more than 2,000 years for a second beer.
Once you've paid for your beer, you're not expected to keep making contributions to the brewery.
You can prove that your beer exists.
If you've devoted your life to beer, there are groups to help you stop.
You don't burn the barmaid at the stake if she offers you a different brand of beer.
No one will kill you for not drinking beer.

Some of the Reasons Why Religion Is Better than Beer:

Too much religion does not induce vomiting.
There's no chance of waking up in bed naked with an unattractive stranger after too much religion.
Jesus is free; beer starts at $2.50 a six-pack.
Religion has a lot fewer calories.
Holy water doesn't affect your sense of balance.
How many fistfights do you see in a church?
Religion won't give you a hangover.
Your spouse won't complain that your breath stinks of religion.
You can have as much religion as you like, and still drive home later.
Your religion won't shatter if you drop it on the ground.
You can shake up your religion, and it won't explode.
You don't have to get your stomach pumped for overdosing on religion.
The day after going to church, you can remember everything that happened.
You don't have to worry about getting religion stains on your clothes.
Saying "Oh, God!" is much more fun in church than kneeling over the toilet.
The police won't arrest you for accepting Jesus under age.
It's okay to drive and be open to Jesus.
Jesus was crucified for our sins — beer is just pasteurized.
Jesus comes in a handy one-pack.
Jesus is who you need in emergencies — beer is only useful when you find a burning bush.
Try driving a nail through a can of beer and see what happens.
Beer just doesn't have the same after-sales service that you get from religion.
Too much religion won't kill you. (Perhaps just the opposite!)

Great Advice compliments of........
http://www.extremelysmart.com/humor/beervsrel.php

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

On The Turning Away



"On the Turning Away" Copyright Pink Floyd

Would You Love Me Until The End


  "Love Me Until the End" Copyright don wright 2009

This is a friendship song. It explores the heart of friendship.
It celebrates faithfulness, brotherhood and nurturance.

When I come You welcome me
Saying welcome home my friend
When I cry, You dry my tears
Saying love Me till the end
Saying love Me till the end

I will honour You my Friend
And love You til the end
This is what this heart seeks
Is to love You til the end
Is to love You til the end

If by chance, that I should fall
Will You be there my friend
Would you pick me up and lift me up
And love me til the end
Would You love me til the end

don wright 2009

Monday, November 15, 2010

Blessings

Blessings to you and yours.
May the love of God reside in you today
and may you reflect that love to others.
May the Great Spirit fill you with
strength, bravery and wisdom
as you share truth with others.
I pray for those who do not know
 or understand this way of Your Spirit.
I pray that we may see each other with
humility and respect, and I pray,
merciful God,
 that we understand that we are one in Spirit.
I pray Lord for justice
and also for forgiveness.
What would You do Jesus?
What would You have me do?
Help us Yeshua to be
Your hands and feet and just simply be.
Thank You WaheGuru for your teachings.
Thank You Gitchie Manido for though
You are a great mystery,
We know in our souls who You are.
Your magnificence and beauty is everywhere. 
I praise You
and You alone
and I pray this, because its what You taught me to do.
Help me O Lord to nurture Your creation,
and be the person You intended.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Hands and Feet - Audio Adrenaline

Beast of Burden - Rolling Stones

Remembering........

My Wifes Grandfather, Father and Aunt and family in Germany

I am so blessed to have married into this family. I am blessed to add this family to my family tree. Our grandfathers fought against each other in WW2 and we united in love not long after that. Now thats a resolution!!!! I have come to love Germany. I love the poeple, I love the countryside, I love the order, I love their pride, I love their strength and I love their beer! I love shnitzel und spatsle.

The top left photo is Sues dad. He is a father to me. I respect him immensely. I have learned so much from him. I am a better person because of him. In the photo is also Sues Opa. I knew him well and I respected him. He taught me that on the other side of the great conflict, there were real people, just like us. People who loved and cared for each other. I saw the other side of the conflict and its saddened my heart to know that we had hated each other so much. We spilled each others blood on the battle field and each went home to cry and mourn for loss. One of the photos I looked at was pulled from the rubble after a tank ran over the family home. I was filled with so much sorrow. Real, Beautiful people caught on two sides of a conflict.

This pattern is repeated over and over. We talk about remembering...and we just keep doing it. We love each other, we kill each other and we love each other again.......when does it end?

We must seek the way of peace and love. We must forgive, forget and embrace.

peace

Friday, November 12, 2010

She Loved Us Like This

She loved us like this
Every hug, every word was genuine
When she loved us like this
The world was safe
The world was peaceful
She loved us like this
with the love of a mother
the love of an oma
and the love of Nokomis
and the love of God
She loved us like this

My mother in law passed away on this day a few years ago. She was the victim of a car crash. She left us suddenly. When we were going through family pictures, we found this. My daughter said Oh Cassandra,,,you are so lucky to have a memory photo like this. The thing is, She loved us all like this. When I close my eyes and think of her, I can feel her embrace, and remember when she hugged me like this. She loved us all like this. We must learn from her example.

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Beauty and Bliss - My Sikh Brothers and Sisters



Waheguru, Lord God, Living Word I lift my hands in Praise with my Sikh Brothers and Sisters!!!!

Show Me Your Glory - Third Day



-
Show Me Your Glory - Third Day
-

Your Love



"Your Love" Copyright don wright 2001

I wrote this song on a fathers day, as I was pondering God's love, and the many ways it has been expressed to me. I also considered what love has done for me. A grateful heart is inclined to share, so I share this song with you.

Thunderbirds at La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs


Photograph Copyright Terry Swanson

I found these incredible pictures while researching Petroglyphs and Pictographs and Rock Art. This fellow Terry Swanson, who took the photos, has a really nice collection of shots. Do yourself a favor and take a peak at the link..........Rock Art Rocks!

Thursday, November 04, 2010

Thunderbird Being

Thunderbird Being

"Painting and engraving of rock are some of the oldest surviving forms of human expression.. This expression is a worldwide phenomenon with tens of thousands of sites on six continents. The images in different regions are distinctive with characteristic styles, subjects, and methods of execution.

Rock art, a generic term used by researchers that is applied to rock engravings and rock paintings and drawings, is broadly described in two categories: 1) rock paintings and drawings, jointly referred to as pictographs; and 2) rock engravings, often referred to as petroglyphs.

Drawings were inscribed or chalked onto rock while paintings were made by applying wet pigments. Pictographs, which were produced by an additive process, survive today in caves, rock shelters, or exposed rock surfaces where the images are partly protected from weathering.

Petroglyphs were created on rock surfaces by a subtractive process; the rock may be pecked, hammered, or abraded. Images surviving at the Jeffers site were all created using a pecking method to form both outline and infilled figures."
-
© 2009-2010 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved

Thunderbird Creativity - Jimi Oskineegish

"Brings Life to All" Copyright Jimi Oskineegish


This is what Ritchie has been telling me about painting. He says hand it over to spirit and go with it...There is no such thing as a mistake, only a new direction. Times when I have been brave enough to hand it over, have resulted in art and expression beyond my own perceived ability.