Wednesday 7 October 2009

Wednesday's Woman No. 35


















I come from the prairie sky. Be thankful that I have been here.

Look around you and see what there is to see. Things are buried but they are not dead.

Hold your head high. Be proud of who you are.

We are not the first people they wanted to destroy and we won’t be the last.

Look, look up to the prairie sky; look out, look out on the prairie landscape; remind yourself of who you are and be proud.

58 comments:

rochambeau said...

Thank you for this poem and image, Renee. So beautiful, so true. We need to remember to love ourselves, our roots, our bodies, to be proud yes. To own our own space, for it is ours today.
Yes people want to destroy others, we much protect ourselves and be wise.
The Prairie sky has powers we all can gain from.
Nice way to start the day. I'm standing up taller.

Hugs to you friend,
Love,
Constance

Snowbrush said...

I just wondered who "they" are. White people? The powerful? Beats me.

Hang in there, kid.

Nina said...

I am left filled with enlightenment, with fulfillment, with the Love and Power in my soul. From Gratitude that I have experienced and Lived in this world called Life, I can "hold my head high and be proud of who I am". Thank you for this Life changing, life affirming post. Be True to yourself today and be Proud of who you are, today and always. Blessings to you and yours. Love and Light, Nina P

Art by Darla Kay said...

Beautiful Renee! I love this! I just found out 3 years ago that I have Cherokee ancestors and here, all along I thought I was just a ND Norwegian girl :)
My Dad brought my mother here from Oklahoma and there is so much history that I long to know more about♥

Love, Darla

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Love the illustration and your words!

Annie said...

That is beautiful. I hope you are doing well today. Love to you and the family...xoxo

yoborobo said...

Beautiful painting, and words, Renee! This makes me want to get in the car and drive to Yellowstone. See the buffalo, and the geysers. Look at some Big Sky. :) xoxoxox Pam

Debbie said...

As usual Renee, this was lovely and very thought-provoking.

Sarah Sullivan said...

Oh hon that was beautiful Renee! The picture divine!! Just what I needed this morning!! Thank you hon!
Love, Sarah

Deborah said...

That is a most beautiful painting. I think I need to stare into it for a while. Love to you today, and always, Deb

Caroline said...

Absolutely beautiful in every way. Thanks for this Renee.

Elizabeth said...

Lovely -- both the writing and the painting. Thank you, Renee!

angela recada said...

My first comment (quite eloquent and thoughtful, I might add) was eaten by the Blogger monsters, so I'll try again.
:0)
This post is perfect. The painting is gorgeous and the words are simple, honest, timeless and true.

I have always had a deep admiration and respect for Native American/First Nation/indigenous people. It seems the people who have lived on and loved the prairies have a special kind of wisdom. Perhaps because they are surrounded by endless sky, endless gently rolling lands. They are not distracted by things like not seeing the forest for the trees. They can clearly see how everything is connected in this world.

Every time I visit you, I am thankful that I have been here. I only hope my words never cause you any distress (thinking back on yesterday's post).

Love and hugs,
xoxoxo
Angela

Gberger said...

What a beautiful image! That is inspired, as are the thoughts you posted. Thanks, as usual, Renee! XO

GlorV1 said...

As always, food for thought. Hope you are doing well and thinking of you. Enjoy.

A.Smith said...

I wanted to write yesterday, but my energy was ebbing and I actually thought about the joke my son used to make about my catering my own funeral because I couldn't trust anyone to know what food each one of my friends would love to have. In fact I did buy a big freezer with that in mind but so far what is there is not for my funeral. At least not yet.

I am being good, resting as much as possible, still having the thousand birds inside my head chattering no end and just hoping to get over this dizziness sooner than later. How is Jacquie? And how are you? I miss our chats something horrible, but even typing requires some concentration and I have very little of that these days. I keep you in my heart, is that alright? I know we don't need to talk much so I am happy to hold hands. Give Jacquie a hug for me and tell her that positive thinking is half of the battle. She is loved and needed and she should remember that and little else. I love you. You better remember that among everything else.

kj said...

my father's cousin kitty was a indian reservation groupie. she was white and christian, but she followed the traditions of the new mexico desert. i went to a reservation with her once. the land was flat and dry and barren, and yet there was a reverence about it all. i could feel it.

this post today taps me on the shoulder and reminds me that we fit in, that we belong, in all ways perfect.

thanks for the boost, moon sister.

:)

Stacey J. Warner said...

Love your blog...stumbled over from...not sure but glad I did. Please stop by sometime...

much love

Anonymous said...

Renee, so beautifully written. Love the art. I know who's art it is too, she sells her art prints on America art online. Thew, forgotten her name, Mmmm! No good of my cullinder brain,lol!
I love the american indian culture the most out of all other cultures and based my first art certificate on works influenced by indian art.
It is a shame we live different from them I think they had it right, even all thoughs years ago. So close to the spirits and nature.
Have a great day!

Anonymous said...

Ohhhh Renee....

You must learn one swedish word...

sinnlighet

You are sooooo sinnlig!!

Agneta o;)

Anonymous said...

Renee, I think my first message went bye bye some where in the net atmosphere? My computer is playing up and is not loading sites well.
This post is lovely and the art. Love american indian art.

Anonymous said...

Third time lucky Renee! Help me!
I need to send you a nice message!
You are so special and deserve the praise!
Your post is lovely and the painting is also!

Have an awesome day!

yoborobo said...

Oh, Renee, I think you have judged Pumpkin Man too harshly. After all, he loves candlelight, and he is a very good listener. :) xoxox

Cheryl Cato said...

Lovely thoughts. Take care.

Anonymous said...

I'm from the prairie and I miss it so much~
Love the poem.
Love the woman that posted it!
Pattee

Unknown said...

oh I just got goosebumps....wonderful post Renee!!! you are so amazing and inspiring!!!

Have a great day!!!

Hugs
Diana

Alicia @ boylerpf said...

Beautiful poem...speaks not only of the ancestors before us, but of who we are today. Coming from the prairie here in ND, I can totally relate to this post.
Always a pleasure to stop by!!
Alicia

Jaliya said...

Exquisite ... strong ... bonded with all that is. Like you xoxo

Michelle said...

Beautiful painting.

I am full of shit Renee, I have decided. Not strong, not good, not any of all that. Just a little lonely me who has had enough.
This week anyway :)

Love you

xxx

Sue said...

Beautiful painting and words. Our Native People have such a connection and love for the earth and all things in Nature....it is important to be reminded of
this. In doing so, our own lives are so enriched.

Love to you my friend!

Caroline said...

How beautiful...this is such a wonderful reminder.

Marion said...

My buddy! It's me with a dragonfly on my back! LOL! I do so love the amazingly unique and thought-provoking art you post, dearest Renee. I think you and I knew each other in a past life and will continue to know each other in whatever and however many worlds we encounter after this one. That's how strong our bond. Blessings, oh, Shining Wise Woman!!

Manon said...

You know I was going to love this painting and post!
It might be my favorite!!

love,
manon

Dede said...

The painting is beatuiful! Your words are full of wisdom.

(((HUGS)))

yoborobo said...

Maybe you're right. I was smittened by his 'bad boy' grin. I will reconsider. xoxoxo Pam

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Renee,

Thank you for the lovely image and thoughts.
You always make my day wonderful.

Hugs & love
Carolyn

Chrisy said...

Be thankful that I have been here...these few words dear girl were written to be read by me today...thank you darlin....
I've also just read your previous post about funeral arrangements...thank you for sharing and prompting me to think about a few details...love you you know and so grateful to have met you through this blog....you've enriched my life...

pinkglitterfae said...

Renee I love the poem, and what a powerful image!
Hope you are doing ok. Thanks for your comment on my page, I love my sweets too, but you know, I think we would all feel better and be in better health if we could cut it back a bit...it's worth a try at least. Oh and so you don't think I am disciplined, I had my mom's cookies yesterday, and today, lol!

Stay strong my friend
hugs, betty

secret agent woman said...

This reminds me of something my mother used to write to me when I was a kid living away from home for the first time: "Hold our head up. Remember who you are."

secret agent woman said...

Because I don't have cancer, perhaps? You sweet goofball.

kj said...

ms secret agent made me laugh out loud just now. i'm still laughing.

:)

Arija said...

Hi sweet Renee!
Whatever happens, we still return to the earth eventually with pomp or withot it. Refering back to your previous post, my funeral will be much simpler, like we had my ma-in-law's. Everything except the preparation of the body and the coffin and transport to the crematorium is done by us. We create and print the cards and funeralprogramme, my sister flies over to do the service, the coffin with candles and garden greens sits on the verandah in front of the open livingroom doors, the gursts on rows of seats in the livinroom, after the close of theservice with grandchildren playing music on various instruments, the family carry the coffin to the car and we all escort the deceased on foot as far as the farm gates, a nice contemplative walk, and return to the other end of the house where a festive wake is held, all prepared by our own fair hands. This is what funerals traditionally were about, to keep you so busy that the initial moment of grief has as yet not had too much time to settle in and you work yourself so tired to honour the departed that you can actually sleep at night from sheer exhaustion. We all remember great granny's funeral with great affection.
Hope that yours is just as nice when the time comes. My sister has promised to come and lay me to rest no matter how old she is, she's already 4 years older for starters. Oh yes, and my ahes will go to fertillize my rosegarden. The family scattered great-granny's in the park.

drollgirl said...

i have been looking at the ground and at blank walls (AND THE TV!) too much lately. i should start looking up!

kj said...

fine.

Rikkij said...

Renee-yes, people do love their greed and consumption. History screams of it. They paved paradise, put up a parking lot. erasing our past. Nice post ~rick

Trinity Heart Studios said...

Renee, thank you so much for you positive and beautiful comments! I hope this message finds you well. You have a truly inspirational blog I look forward to visiting it often.
Hugs
Nicole

~Babs said...

Beautiful, intricate and meaningful artwork.
My Cherokee ancestors are applauding both the art and the words.

lynne h said...

so beautiful and so true, renee... xxoo

Clarity said...

This is so absolutely true. A metaphor for people that are beautiful and yet trodden on.

So much of this world could be solved if the fear would stop. I pray for a time, even a year of light on this planet. Love you and thank you, peace, x.

Unknown said...

This is SOOO BEAUTIFUL, Renee!!! Wonderful picture and even more beautiful words! What a splendid post to start the day! THANK YOU so much!!!
Lots of love, Sanda xx

Bailey said...

Gorgeous! :)

Tatieva said...

Magnifique peinture...
Cette image nous incite à un recueillement intérieur et à retrouver notre âme de chaman...
Thank u,
Kisses from France,
Tatieva

Bella Sinclair said...

Absolutely beautiful. I love the strength and spirituality that emanates from her. Yes, lift your head and be proud. Words to live by.

Sarah said...

I love this, especially the line about things being buried but not dead. Beautiful. I would love to see a real prairie I think.

Meghann said...

I am woman, hear me roar!!
I love that piece, it is beautiful.
Love and prayers,
Meghann

Kate Robertson said...

Oh I love this image and words too. You never fail to delight.

Kate

Marie S said...

OMG!!! this is sooooo beautiful.
The picture is wonderful!!
Thanks for sharing this with all of us!
Love and hugs!

Tessa said...

We are our own masterworks. Thank you for reminding us, Renee. xx