Mid Oct., ‘09- The quarter moon reflection on First Pond bounces beautiful beams back @ me. I am marching through the mud and the Barred Owl asks-Who cooks for you? 28 degrees, cloudy and calm. The cattle herd are begging me for new pasture as I walk in the early morning hours. I stand with my up-turned fingers and sing the ancient song. I bless and release yesterday and open my arms to today. I’m greeted by Tom’s pet cow Patches. In the slow dawning day, I melt into the NOW and open the gift of the PRESENT. Slap! The beaver has decided to greet me. He swims in Sunrise Slough and listens to my song. He seems to be swimming in circles but pauses to listen to me and SLAP! His warning is extended to me, yet he’s too curious to swim away. I am thanking him for showing his presence. He’s just a giving ‘er, circling and slapping the strong tail to crack the backwater’s surface. I’m compelled to step closer and am @ the water’s edge as he’s 8′ away. Mallard ducks swimming and flying overhead pulled my attention from the beaver. I quit counting ducks after I got to 25. I’m just submerged in the moment and catch my breath. Just utter splendor to feel enveloped with peace and joy. I freely spin around and literally take the cow path towards Welcome Home Farm. The wild rice is coated in frost. Blue sky is blooming puffy gray clouds. The duckweed is smeared on First Pond and a muskrat trail is sliced through it. The autumn sky turns into pink streaks. The train is rolling through Arcadia and the industrial clangs are easily heard. Now the sky is yellow and by First Pond Lane the three does are grazing. They trot over to Big Bend and turn to observe me. I duck my head to crawl through the 3 strand barbwire fence. I leave more long curls dangling in the morning sun on the wire. I snag my pants and I hear them rip. I’m not much for slowing up and rip them more fumbling trying to get un-caught. I break free and step it up. Stop-there’s a buck along Muir Creek. He’s the reminder to slow up and surrender into the oneness that exists when aligned with the Source and wisdom that created everything. Nothing shows up by accident. The universe is all connected. When aligned with your calling-you feel the connection to everyone and everything. It’s feeling the abundance and slipping into acceptance of what is and knowing what you need is all right here-right now. When you walk the fields-the animals know your energy, the rocks and the Universe senses the ability to attract what you need in life and it all shows up in signs and blessings!

Mid October is the annual Muddy River Rendezvous held @ the Prairie Island Campground near Winona, MN. We heard great things about the event and attended mid week for our first time. The event is a historical festival with a trading camp. Re-enactors rebuild a version of a trading camp to display what life was like in MN between 1635 and the Civil War era.  The campground is nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River. We parked @ the  wrong end of the campground and walked around to pay the admission fee. Then it was the smell of campfires and the serenading sounds of them crackling. The air was damp and I was dressed in layers and a coveted pair of muskrat gloves. Tom had them made for me years ago from USA Foxx.  There were vendors selling hard candy, fry bread, leathers, fur, candles,  and many more specialty items. 

We purchased a medicine bag for Hawken. A special gift to be filled with small treasures and to be carried in a pocket or worn as a necklace. Tom, I and Greg had received medicine bags as gifts from Uncle Kenny Salwey years back. Mine sits on my writing desk.

We cut off a hunk of dried venison that was offered by one of the camp tenants, as we passed by their teepee.  Steve Carlin demonstrated how buckets were made in the 1800’s for us. The camp was teeming with excitement for they provide a delightful outing geared to school children during the week. Buses were parked in the campground lot and energetic kids of all ages listened  as stories were told by the re-enactors . We  watched cannons being shot off and a tug of war game between the children.  On the weekend they said they have more adults attending. It was fine with us to hear the stories and see the demonstrations with the kids. We were graciously introduced to Foxy Lady. A lady with determination in her eyes.  She gallantly wore a beautiful red coat. The coat had a unique name-which I can’t recall. She wore a fur hat to match her face. She has a DVD out on skinning beaver. She has won several titles in  Canada for being the swiftest beaver skinner. Thanks for the chat Foxy Lady!

I had seen an article in Winona Daily Newspaper on the Rendezvous. It spoke of  a 20 foot teepee and a man with Lakota heritage.  We ducked our heads and sat in awe of the teepee and it’s contents. We listened intently to Leon StandsAlone as he sat and explained his abode.  The first group we shared time with in the teepee was a High School class.  It was interesting to listen to their questions and I especially noticed how they had been dismissed to their next spot, and they just all sat there. No one wanted to leave the teepee.  The next group that gleefully filled the large teepee was young grade schoolers. They were gently reminded to leave their candy outside so they wouldn’t get the furs all sticky. We were impressed with the children piled close to Leon and he gladly answered their questions. There was a fire pit area in the center of the teepee and he explained he slept last night on the furs next to the fire. Wide eyes flashed and my eyes drifted to the bladder hanging behind us, then to the serenity and peacefulness melting through us. I was chilled out physically and mentally.  We sang  and Leon drummed and sang the ancient songs and played a flute.  Thanks to all the people who dedicate time to make this event a real experience for all ages. Luke Acord is the organizer and it’s worth the travel to see it all assembled on the shores of the Mississippi River.

Keep floating your canoe down the river and go in peace,

Sue Roskos