ELDERBERRY BARK IS USED FOR MAKING SKIRTS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. SOME STILL USE THE TRADITIONAL FOODS THERE AS WELL. ONE INFORMANT WENT TO THE OLD MEXICAN ELDERBERRY TREE AND STRIPPED SOME BARK OFF OF THE TREE AND DRIED IT, THE OUTER BARK COMES OFF EASILY. THEY USE THE INNER BARK STRIPS 2 - 4 FEET LONG. ONCE DRIED THEY BRAID IT INTO CORDS FOR HOLDING UP A SKIRT OR PLAITING IT INTO FABRIC AS WELL.
A TREE IS USED SPARINGLY SO AS NOT TO KILL THE TREE. THE YUMANS STRIPPED THE BARK PARTIALLY FROM THE WOMEN'S TREE. COTTONWOOD WAS A TREE THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INDIANS USED FOR FIBER FOR WOMEN'S SKIRTS. THEY MAKE BARK SKIRTS FROM 8 FOOT 2 PLY MESCAL FIBER CORDS AND MAKE A BELT FOR THE SKIRT, THEY PASS THE STRINGS THROUGH LOOPS ON BOTH ENDS AND THEY FASTEN THE STRIPS ABOUT 3 FEET OFF THE GROUND. THEY SPRINKLE WATER ON THE ELDERBERRY STRIPS BEFORE THEY DRAPE THE STRIPS OVER A CORD. THEY JUST TIP THE BARK STRIPS TO A CORD AND MAKE THE SKIRT OF VARIOUS LENGTHS. THEY SECURE THE STRIPS WITH A SQUARE KNOT OF STRING. COCOPAH WOMEN USED THE INNER BARK OF WILLOW FOR FRONT AND BACK APRONS. COCOPAH MEN WORE WILLOW BREECH CLOUTS.
PAUL CAMPBELL
Friday, July 30, 2010
NATIVE AMERICAN CLOTHING
IN 1770 FATHER SIERRA NOTED THAT IN BAJA ALL THE NATIVES WERE NAKED WOMEN AND CHILDREN WERE CLOTHED. MEN HAD ANIMAL SKINS THEY WORE ON THEIR HIPS. THE WOMEN WORE BUKSKIN APRONS ON THE FRONT AND BACK.. OR USED STRIPS OF INNER BARK OF THE COTTONWOOD OR WILLOW TREE. IN THE WINTER THEY MADE SKIN ROBES OF BEAR, DEER MOUNTAIN, WILDCAT, FOX, RABBIT, BIRD, AND LAND/SEA OTTER.
YOUNG YUROK FOLDED A DEERSKIN AROUND THEIR HIPS WITH THE FUR LEFT ON . WOMEN WORE FOOT - WIDE APRONS OF DEERSKIN WITH FRINGES AND A BRAID OF PINE NUTS. WEALTHY WOMEN WOULD ORNAMENT THEIR DRESS. HEAVILY WITH SHELLS OR OBSIDIAN PRISMS ON THE END OF FRINGES. SOME WOMEN WORE FOOT WIDE APRONS WITH FRINGED SKIRTS OF BUCKSKIN AND A BRAID OF PINE NUTS.
SOME WOMEN WORE A FRINGED SKIRT OF THE BARK OF MAPLETREE.
HUPA WORE CAPE OF TWO DEERHIDES SEWN TOGETHER. THEY KEPT THE LEGS OF THE DEER ATTACHED. BASKET CAPS WERE WORN BY THE WOMEN.
MAIDU MEN AND WOMEN WORE MOUNTAIN LION ROBES, RABBIT SKIN BLANKETS, OR LARGE SKINS SEWN TOGETHER. IN THE MOUNTAINS THE MEN AND WOMEN WORE MOCCASINS (STUFFED WITH GRASS FOR TRAVEL OR SNOW). IN WINTER THEY WORE DEER SKIN LEGGINGS WITH FUR FACING INWARD. SHASTA AND HUPA WOMEN WORE TWO TASSELS OF GRASS OR BARK OF YELLOW WILLOW TO A BELT OF BUCKSKIN. OR FIBER CORD. MAPLE BARK PREFERRED FOR SOME SKIRTS THAT WERE STRUNG WITH BEADS AND SHELLS.
THE NORTHEAST MAIDU MADE SIMILAR APRONS OF BUCKSKIN IN ADDITION TO THOSE OF BARK. THEIR SKIRTS HAD PINE NUTS AND DEER HOOVESON THEM. THEY WORE BASKET CAPS.
IN 1920 ROBERT LOWIE NOTED THAT THE PAUITE WORE RABBIT SKIN BLANKETS FOR SLEEPING AND FOR WINTER COATS. BABIES WERE WRAPPED IN SAGE BRUSH BARK BLANKETS. WOMEN WORE ANTELOPE SKIRTS. BOYS HAD LEGGINGS OF DEER AND COYOTE HIDE AND BADGER SKIN CAPS.
NORTH PAUITE SAGEBRUSH MATS WERE USED AS CLOTHING. MATS WERE OPEN IN THE CENTER FOR THE HEAD AND HUNG DOWN. SHE SOFTENED THE BARK BY RUBBING BETWEEN HER KNUCKLES. BUNDLES OF SMALL FIBERS WERE WOVEN WITH HEMP. THE KLAMATH MADE A BLANKET WORN AS A CAPE SIMILAR TO THE ABOVE OUT OF SAGEBRUSH OR TULE. MIWOK MEN WORE HIP SKIRTS OF SKINS AND WOMEN WORE SKIRTS OF DRESSED SKIN FRINGE WITH ORNAMENTS. CHILDREN WENT NUDE. THEY MADE ROBES OF WILDCATS, FOXES, RABBITS, AND HARES.
COSTONOANS WORE USUAL RABBITSKIN BLANKETS AND WOMEN WORE SHORT SKIRTS OF DEERSKIN. THE MEN COVERED THEIR SKIN WITH MUD IN THE MORNING UNTIL THE CHILL OF THE MORNING PASSED!
DURING MENSTRUATION WOMEN IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WORE TANNED BUCKSKIN BREECH CLOTH WITH THE SKIRT. IT WAS HELD BY A MILKWEED BELT. WOMEN WORE A COILED BASKETRY CAP THAT CAME DOWN TO THE EYES WHEN THEY TOTED A PACK. CHILDREN ONLY WORE CLOTHES DURING COLD WEATHER. MEN NEVER WORE HATS.
MOHAVE WOMEN AND MEN WORE LOIN CLOTHES OF INNER BARK OF WILLOW. THEY STRIPPED THE BARK FROM TREES IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER.
LUISENO WOMEN MADE A BACK SKIRT OF INNER BARK OF WILLOW OR COTTONWOOD AND HAD A FRONT APRON AS WELL WITH CORDED FIBER. COILED CAPS OF JUNCAS WERE WOVEN.
DIEGUENO MEN WORE NOTHING OR AN APRON OF WHITE SAGE TWIGS, WOMEN WORE TWO APRONS. THEY WORE A RABBITSKIN BLANKET IN THE WINTER.
KILIWA MEN WORE NOTHING IN THE SUMMER. WOMEN WORE APRON OF DEER HIDE SOAKED IN WATER. MOST INDIANS WENT BAREFOOT AND LONG TREKS. THEY WORE SINGLE PIECES OF LEATHER MOCCASINS. MUCH OF THEIR CLOTHING WAS SIMILAR TO THAT WORN THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO AND WAS TESTED FOR ADAPTING TO THEIR ENVIRONMENT.
PAUL CAMPBELL
YOUNG YUROK FOLDED A DEERSKIN AROUND THEIR HIPS WITH THE FUR LEFT ON . WOMEN WORE FOOT - WIDE APRONS OF DEERSKIN WITH FRINGES AND A BRAID OF PINE NUTS. WEALTHY WOMEN WOULD ORNAMENT THEIR DRESS. HEAVILY WITH SHELLS OR OBSIDIAN PRISMS ON THE END OF FRINGES. SOME WOMEN WORE FOOT WIDE APRONS WITH FRINGED SKIRTS OF BUCKSKIN AND A BRAID OF PINE NUTS.
SOME WOMEN WORE A FRINGED SKIRT OF THE BARK OF MAPLETREE.
HUPA WORE CAPE OF TWO DEERHIDES SEWN TOGETHER. THEY KEPT THE LEGS OF THE DEER ATTACHED. BASKET CAPS WERE WORN BY THE WOMEN.
MAIDU MEN AND WOMEN WORE MOUNTAIN LION ROBES, RABBIT SKIN BLANKETS, OR LARGE SKINS SEWN TOGETHER. IN THE MOUNTAINS THE MEN AND WOMEN WORE MOCCASINS (STUFFED WITH GRASS FOR TRAVEL OR SNOW). IN WINTER THEY WORE DEER SKIN LEGGINGS WITH FUR FACING INWARD. SHASTA AND HUPA WOMEN WORE TWO TASSELS OF GRASS OR BARK OF YELLOW WILLOW TO A BELT OF BUCKSKIN. OR FIBER CORD. MAPLE BARK PREFERRED FOR SOME SKIRTS THAT WERE STRUNG WITH BEADS AND SHELLS.
THE NORTHEAST MAIDU MADE SIMILAR APRONS OF BUCKSKIN IN ADDITION TO THOSE OF BARK. THEIR SKIRTS HAD PINE NUTS AND DEER HOOVESON THEM. THEY WORE BASKET CAPS.
IN 1920 ROBERT LOWIE NOTED THAT THE PAUITE WORE RABBIT SKIN BLANKETS FOR SLEEPING AND FOR WINTER COATS. BABIES WERE WRAPPED IN SAGE BRUSH BARK BLANKETS. WOMEN WORE ANTELOPE SKIRTS. BOYS HAD LEGGINGS OF DEER AND COYOTE HIDE AND BADGER SKIN CAPS.
NORTH PAUITE SAGEBRUSH MATS WERE USED AS CLOTHING. MATS WERE OPEN IN THE CENTER FOR THE HEAD AND HUNG DOWN. SHE SOFTENED THE BARK BY RUBBING BETWEEN HER KNUCKLES. BUNDLES OF SMALL FIBERS WERE WOVEN WITH HEMP. THE KLAMATH MADE A BLANKET WORN AS A CAPE SIMILAR TO THE ABOVE OUT OF SAGEBRUSH OR TULE. MIWOK MEN WORE HIP SKIRTS OF SKINS AND WOMEN WORE SKIRTS OF DRESSED SKIN FRINGE WITH ORNAMENTS. CHILDREN WENT NUDE. THEY MADE ROBES OF WILDCATS, FOXES, RABBITS, AND HARES.
COSTONOANS WORE USUAL RABBITSKIN BLANKETS AND WOMEN WORE SHORT SKIRTS OF DEERSKIN. THE MEN COVERED THEIR SKIN WITH MUD IN THE MORNING UNTIL THE CHILL OF THE MORNING PASSED!
DURING MENSTRUATION WOMEN IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WORE TANNED BUCKSKIN BREECH CLOTH WITH THE SKIRT. IT WAS HELD BY A MILKWEED BELT. WOMEN WORE A COILED BASKETRY CAP THAT CAME DOWN TO THE EYES WHEN THEY TOTED A PACK. CHILDREN ONLY WORE CLOTHES DURING COLD WEATHER. MEN NEVER WORE HATS.
MOHAVE WOMEN AND MEN WORE LOIN CLOTHES OF INNER BARK OF WILLOW. THEY STRIPPED THE BARK FROM TREES IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER.
LUISENO WOMEN MADE A BACK SKIRT OF INNER BARK OF WILLOW OR COTTONWOOD AND HAD A FRONT APRON AS WELL WITH CORDED FIBER. COILED CAPS OF JUNCAS WERE WOVEN.
DIEGUENO MEN WORE NOTHING OR AN APRON OF WHITE SAGE TWIGS, WOMEN WORE TWO APRONS. THEY WORE A RABBITSKIN BLANKET IN THE WINTER.
KILIWA MEN WORE NOTHING IN THE SUMMER. WOMEN WORE APRON OF DEER HIDE SOAKED IN WATER. MOST INDIANS WENT BAREFOOT AND LONG TREKS. THEY WORE SINGLE PIECES OF LEATHER MOCCASINS. MUCH OF THEIR CLOTHING WAS SIMILAR TO THAT WORN THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO AND WAS TESTED FOR ADAPTING TO THEIR ENVIRONMENT.
PAUL CAMPBELL
Thursday, July 29, 2010
CALIFORNIA NATIVE AMERICAN HAIR TYPES AND SKIN CARE
IN CALIFORNIA MOST MEN LET THEIR HAIR GROW LONG. THE MEN OF THE MAIDU WORE THEIR HAIR LOOSE OR TUCKED UNDER A CAP.
THE WOMEN WORE THEIR HAIR LONG OR LOOSE OR TIED WITH A BAND OVER THE TOP OF THE HEAD. THE NORTHWEST MAIDU CUT THEIR HAIR SHORT. MANY BURNED OFF THE ENDS WITH A FIRE STICK.
SOUTHERN DIEGUENO ON THE OTHER HAND COMBED THEIR HAIR WITH THE HOOK SPINES ON A NETTLE POD.
THE MIWOK WORE THEIR HAIR LONG TIED AT THE NECK OR WITH A FEATHER ROPE. THEY WORE A
HEADBAND OF BEAVER SKIN. THE CHUMASH CHILDREN DID NOT CUT THEIR HAIR, NOR DID MOST OTHER CALIFORNIAN CHILDREN.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHILDREN WORE HAIR LONG WHICH EQUALLED THE MARK OF BEAUTY. CHUMASH WOMEN CUT THEIR BANGS. THE CHUMASH BOUND THEIR HAIR IN THE BACK WITH SEASHELLS. MEN TIED A CORD IN THEIR HAIR WITH A FEATHER WHICH WAS GATHERED ON THE TOP OF THEIR HEAD WITH A BONE OR WOOD ORNAMENT. WOMEN GATHERED THEIR HAIR IN THE BACK. MEN WORE FEATHERS AND WOMEN'S HAIR WAS BRAIDED IN A SINGLE BRAID OR PONYTAIL. THEY RUBBED OIL (WHALE OIL)IN THEIR HAIR. MOST INDIAN MEN IN PREHISTORY OR HISTORIC TIMES DID NOT SHAVE.
THE INDIANS ORIGINALLY DID NOT EAT SUGARS MUCH. THEY HAD NO TOOTHBRUSHES SAYS POWERS IN THE 1800'S.
THE NATIVES FOUND THEIR REFLECTION IN OTHERS AND DEVELOPED THEIR IDENTITY THAT WAY, VS. MIRRORS OR THEY LOOKED AT PONDS OR WATER. VANITY WAS UNKNOWN.
THEY CARED FOR THEIR SKIN AS THEY KNEW DARK SKIN EVEN BURNED IN THE SUN. THE SERI OF TIBURON ISLAND WORE A CORONET OF VINES AND SHRUBS TO SOLVE THEIR SHADE PROBLEMS. THEY HAD A CROWN WOVEN OF VARIOUS TREE PARTS AND PLANTS . THE YUROK USED AROMATIC BAY LAUREL LEAVES TO REPEL INSECTS. THE MIWOK USED WREATHS OF TIGER LILY AND MONKEY FLOWERS. THE TUBALULABEL WOMEN SHADED THEIR HAIR AND FACE BY STRINGING HAIR ABOVE THEIR FOREHEAD.
THE MOHAVE, A DESERT DWELLING GROUP, PAINTED THEIR SKIN WITH RED PIGMENT (HEMATITE) IN DEER FAT.
YUMANS WORE HATS OF WET MUD TO KEEP COOL. THEY APPLIED WHITE MANGANESE AS POWDER BELOW THE EYES TO REDUCE GLARE OF THE SUN.
OLD MOHAVE WOMEN HAD USE OF PUMPKIN JUICE TO PREVENT WRINKLES AND PROTECT THEM FROM THE COLD. IT PEELED OFF. THE PAIPAI USED THE CHARRED BASE OF AGAVE (MESCAL HEART) TO PROTECT THEM FROM THE SUN. IT WAS GROUND INTO A POWDER.
DURING MENSTRUATION WOMEN WORE TANNED BUCKSKIN BREECHCLOTH WITH THE SKIRT. IT WAS HELD BY A MILKWEED BELT. WOMEN PUT ON A COILED BASKETRY CAP THAT CAME DOWN TO THE EYES WHEN THEY TOTED A PACK. CHILDREN ONLY WORE CLOTHES DURING THE COLD WEATHER. MEN DID NOT WEAR HATS.
MOHAVE MEN AND WOMEN WORE LOIN CLOTHES OF INNER BARK OF WILLOW. THEY STRIPPED BARK FROM THE TREES IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER.
LUISENO WOMEN MADE A BACK SKIRT OF INNER BARK OF WILLOW OR COTTONWOOD. IT HAD A FRONT PIECE AS WELL AS CORDED FIBER. COILED CAPS OF JUNCUS WERE WORN.
DIEGUENO MEN WORE NOTHING OR AN APRON OF WHITE SAGE TWIGS. WOMEN WORE TWO APRONS. THEY WORE RABBITSKIN BLANKETS IN THE WINTER.
KILIWA MEN WORE NOTHING IN SUMMER. WOMEN WORE APRONS OF DEER HIDE SOAKED IN WATER. MOST OF THE CALIFORNIA INDIANS WORE NO MOCCASINS, EXCEPT WHEN THEY WENT ON LONG TREKS. THEN THEY WORE SINGLE PIECE MOCCASINS. MUCH OF IT WAS TESTED FOR 1000'S OF YEARS AND WAS ANCIENT.
PAUL CAMPBEL
THE WOMEN WORE THEIR HAIR LONG OR LOOSE OR TIED WITH A BAND OVER THE TOP OF THE HEAD. THE NORTHWEST MAIDU CUT THEIR HAIR SHORT. MANY BURNED OFF THE ENDS WITH A FIRE STICK.
SOUTHERN DIEGUENO ON THE OTHER HAND COMBED THEIR HAIR WITH THE HOOK SPINES ON A NETTLE POD.
THE MIWOK WORE THEIR HAIR LONG TIED AT THE NECK OR WITH A FEATHER ROPE. THEY WORE A
HEADBAND OF BEAVER SKIN. THE CHUMASH CHILDREN DID NOT CUT THEIR HAIR, NOR DID MOST OTHER CALIFORNIAN CHILDREN.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHILDREN WORE HAIR LONG WHICH EQUALLED THE MARK OF BEAUTY. CHUMASH WOMEN CUT THEIR BANGS. THE CHUMASH BOUND THEIR HAIR IN THE BACK WITH SEASHELLS. MEN TIED A CORD IN THEIR HAIR WITH A FEATHER WHICH WAS GATHERED ON THE TOP OF THEIR HEAD WITH A BONE OR WOOD ORNAMENT. WOMEN GATHERED THEIR HAIR IN THE BACK. MEN WORE FEATHERS AND WOMEN'S HAIR WAS BRAIDED IN A SINGLE BRAID OR PONYTAIL. THEY RUBBED OIL (WHALE OIL)IN THEIR HAIR. MOST INDIAN MEN IN PREHISTORY OR HISTORIC TIMES DID NOT SHAVE.
THE INDIANS ORIGINALLY DID NOT EAT SUGARS MUCH. THEY HAD NO TOOTHBRUSHES SAYS POWERS IN THE 1800'S.
THE NATIVES FOUND THEIR REFLECTION IN OTHERS AND DEVELOPED THEIR IDENTITY THAT WAY, VS. MIRRORS OR THEY LOOKED AT PONDS OR WATER. VANITY WAS UNKNOWN.
THEY CARED FOR THEIR SKIN AS THEY KNEW DARK SKIN EVEN BURNED IN THE SUN. THE SERI OF TIBURON ISLAND WORE A CORONET OF VINES AND SHRUBS TO SOLVE THEIR SHADE PROBLEMS. THEY HAD A CROWN WOVEN OF VARIOUS TREE PARTS AND PLANTS . THE YUROK USED AROMATIC BAY LAUREL LEAVES TO REPEL INSECTS. THE MIWOK USED WREATHS OF TIGER LILY AND MONKEY FLOWERS. THE TUBALULABEL WOMEN SHADED THEIR HAIR AND FACE BY STRINGING HAIR ABOVE THEIR FOREHEAD.
THE MOHAVE, A DESERT DWELLING GROUP, PAINTED THEIR SKIN WITH RED PIGMENT (HEMATITE) IN DEER FAT.
YUMANS WORE HATS OF WET MUD TO KEEP COOL. THEY APPLIED WHITE MANGANESE AS POWDER BELOW THE EYES TO REDUCE GLARE OF THE SUN.
OLD MOHAVE WOMEN HAD USE OF PUMPKIN JUICE TO PREVENT WRINKLES AND PROTECT THEM FROM THE COLD. IT PEELED OFF. THE PAIPAI USED THE CHARRED BASE OF AGAVE (MESCAL HEART) TO PROTECT THEM FROM THE SUN. IT WAS GROUND INTO A POWDER.
DURING MENSTRUATION WOMEN WORE TANNED BUCKSKIN BREECHCLOTH WITH THE SKIRT. IT WAS HELD BY A MILKWEED BELT. WOMEN PUT ON A COILED BASKETRY CAP THAT CAME DOWN TO THE EYES WHEN THEY TOTED A PACK. CHILDREN ONLY WORE CLOTHES DURING THE COLD WEATHER. MEN DID NOT WEAR HATS.
MOHAVE MEN AND WOMEN WORE LOIN CLOTHES OF INNER BARK OF WILLOW. THEY STRIPPED BARK FROM THE TREES IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER.
LUISENO WOMEN MADE A BACK SKIRT OF INNER BARK OF WILLOW OR COTTONWOOD. IT HAD A FRONT PIECE AS WELL AS CORDED FIBER. COILED CAPS OF JUNCUS WERE WORN.
DIEGUENO MEN WORE NOTHING OR AN APRON OF WHITE SAGE TWIGS. WOMEN WORE TWO APRONS. THEY WORE RABBITSKIN BLANKETS IN THE WINTER.
KILIWA MEN WORE NOTHING IN SUMMER. WOMEN WORE APRONS OF DEER HIDE SOAKED IN WATER. MOST OF THE CALIFORNIA INDIANS WORE NO MOCCASINS, EXCEPT WHEN THEY WENT ON LONG TREKS. THEN THEY WORE SINGLE PIECE MOCCASINS. MUCH OF IT WAS TESTED FOR 1000'S OF YEARS AND WAS ANCIENT.
PAUL CAMPBEL
SOAPS OF THE INDIANS
CALIFORNIA INDIANS USED MANY SOAPS AND WERE EXPERTS AT GOOD GROOMING. THE WINTUN DAILY BATHED IN COLD WATER. THE YUROKS WASHED EACH MORNING IN A NEARBY CREEK AND DRIED IN THE SUN. THE FATHER BATHED FIRST.
IN THE SOUTHERN SIERRAS THEY BATHED FREQUENTLY IN SPRINGS AND STREAMS. A SPANISH EXPLORER NOTED 200 YEARS AGO THAT THE INDIANS WERE VERY GOOD LOOKING AND CLEAN. THEY BATHED EVERY LITTLE WHILE.
ETHNOGRAPHER E. VOEGELIN NOTED THAT THE TUBATULABEL WOMEN BRUSHED HAIR EVERY DAY. WITH SOAPROOT BRUSHES AND WASHED WITH THE BULB OF SOAPROOT. AS WELL AS CAHUILLA WHO MADE HAIRBRUSHES FROM ROOT. THE MAIDU ALSO USED IT AS SHAMPOO. ALSO IT WAS USED BY THE MAIDU. THE MIWOKS WASHED THEMSELVES AND HAIR DOWNSTREAM FROM THEIR VILLAGES WITH SOAP ROOT.
THE LUISENO GRATED THE ROOT FOR SOAP. THEY USED A WILD GOURD TO CLEAN THEIR CLOTHING. CAHUILLA CUT BOTH THE ROOT AND SQUASH INTO FINE PIECES TO USE AS HAND OR LAUNDRY SOAPS. MULES EAR LEAVES WERE BOILED TO USE FOR WOMEN'S HYGIENIC WASH. CAHUILLA GRATED YUCCA AS WELL FOR SOAP AND THEY USED IT FOR HAIR AS WELL. BABIE'S CLOTHES ARE WASHED TODAY USING THIS SOAP. IT HAD TO BE RINSED WELL!
THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHUMASH MADE A SOAP OF FINE WHITE CLAY. THEY BEAT IT IN SOME WATER BOWL. THEY RUBBED IT INTO THEIR HAIR AND FACE AND THEN RINSED IT OFF INTO THE RIVER. THEY ALSO USED IT TO CLEAN THEIR CLOTHES. THEY KNEW SOLUTIONS FOR LICE AS WELL. CAHUILLA MADE INFUSION OF CREOSOTE BUSH TO WASH HAIR AND RID THEM OF DANDRUFF. ALSO USED IT AS DEODORANT. THEY USED WHITE SAGE FOR A HAIR WASH BY CRUSHING THE LEAVES WITH WATER. THEY ALSO WASHED THEIR HAIR. THE LEAVES WERE USED BY AS A DEODORANT TOO. THE MIWOK USED WHITE FIR LEAVES TO DISPELL BAD ODOR AND SWEAT.
THE PAIPAI OF SANTA CATERINA CLEANSED THEMSELVES AND HOME BY BURNING WHITE SAGE. IT WAS A SPIRITUAL CEREMONY. THEY ALSO USED IT TO CLEANSE THE DEAD.
PAUL CAMPBELL
IN THE SOUTHERN SIERRAS THEY BATHED FREQUENTLY IN SPRINGS AND STREAMS. A SPANISH EXPLORER NOTED 200 YEARS AGO THAT THE INDIANS WERE VERY GOOD LOOKING AND CLEAN. THEY BATHED EVERY LITTLE WHILE.
ETHNOGRAPHER E. VOEGELIN NOTED THAT THE TUBATULABEL WOMEN BRUSHED HAIR EVERY DAY. WITH SOAPROOT BRUSHES AND WASHED WITH THE BULB OF SOAPROOT. AS WELL AS CAHUILLA WHO MADE HAIRBRUSHES FROM ROOT. THE MAIDU ALSO USED IT AS SHAMPOO. ALSO IT WAS USED BY THE MAIDU. THE MIWOKS WASHED THEMSELVES AND HAIR DOWNSTREAM FROM THEIR VILLAGES WITH SOAP ROOT.
THE LUISENO GRATED THE ROOT FOR SOAP. THEY USED A WILD GOURD TO CLEAN THEIR CLOTHING. CAHUILLA CUT BOTH THE ROOT AND SQUASH INTO FINE PIECES TO USE AS HAND OR LAUNDRY SOAPS. MULES EAR LEAVES WERE BOILED TO USE FOR WOMEN'S HYGIENIC WASH. CAHUILLA GRATED YUCCA AS WELL FOR SOAP AND THEY USED IT FOR HAIR AS WELL. BABIE'S CLOTHES ARE WASHED TODAY USING THIS SOAP. IT HAD TO BE RINSED WELL!
THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHUMASH MADE A SOAP OF FINE WHITE CLAY. THEY BEAT IT IN SOME WATER BOWL. THEY RUBBED IT INTO THEIR HAIR AND FACE AND THEN RINSED IT OFF INTO THE RIVER. THEY ALSO USED IT TO CLEAN THEIR CLOTHES. THEY KNEW SOLUTIONS FOR LICE AS WELL. CAHUILLA MADE INFUSION OF CREOSOTE BUSH TO WASH HAIR AND RID THEM OF DANDRUFF. ALSO USED IT AS DEODORANT. THEY USED WHITE SAGE FOR A HAIR WASH BY CRUSHING THE LEAVES WITH WATER. THEY ALSO WASHED THEIR HAIR. THE LEAVES WERE USED BY AS A DEODORANT TOO. THE MIWOK USED WHITE FIR LEAVES TO DISPELL BAD ODOR AND SWEAT.
THE PAIPAI OF SANTA CATERINA CLEANSED THEMSELVES AND HOME BY BURNING WHITE SAGE. IT WAS A SPIRITUAL CEREMONY. THEY ALSO USED IT TO CLEANSE THE DEAD.
PAUL CAMPBELL
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
CALIFORNIA NUTS EATEN
THE NUTS ARE RICH IN PROTEIN (30%), 10% CARBOHYDRATE, AND 50% FAT. HAZELNUTS ARE EATEN BY THE KAROK, YUKI, AND POMO ATE THESE IN SEASON AND STORED THEM IN BASKETS. GATHERED IN FALL AND WERE NOT GROUND.
CHINQUAPIN WAS CRACKED WITH THE TEETH AND EATEN WHEN FOUND, OR STORED. EATEN WITHOUT GRINDING. KASHAYA POMO ATE THEM RAW OR ROASTED SOMETIMES POUNDED INTO A MEAL OR STORED DURING WINTER.
PEPPERWOOD NUTS RIPENED IN NOVEMBER FOR THE POMO AND MIWOK. AND THEY COLLECTED THEM AS THEY SHOOK THE TREE. THE NUTS WERE DRIED IN THE SUN, THEN CRACKED. THE INNER NUTS WERE EATEN RAW AS THEY DID NOT STORE WELL. THE MIWOK ROASTED THEM IN ASHES BEFORE EATING THEM. OR THEY COULD STORE THE NUTS WITH SHELLS ON THE MEATSCOULD BE GROUNDINTO AN OILY MEAL, THEN MADE INTO FLAT CAKES. THEN DRIED IN THE SUN. THEY TASTED LIKE PEANUTS. THEY RIPENED IN NOVEMBER. THE POMO AND THE MIWOK COLLECTED THEM AS THEY RIPENED AND SHOOK THE TREE. THE NUTS DRIED IN THE SUN, THEN CRACKED THE HUSK. THE INNER NUTS WERE EATEN RAW BUT DID NOT STORE WELL. THE MIWOK ROASTED THEM IN ASHES BEFORE EATING THEM. OR THEY COULD STORE THE NUTS WITH SHELLS ON THEM. THE MEATS WERE GROUND INTO AN OILY MEAL, THEN MADE INTO FLAT CAKES. THEN DRIED IN THE SUN. TASTED LIKE PEANUTS AND EATEN WITH A GREEN OR ACORN MUSH OR A SEAWEED. THEY WERE EATEN ON LONG DISTANCE HIKES.
GREY PINE NUTS WERE GATHERED EARLY IN THE SPRING OR LATE IN THE FALL. THEY CLIMBED THE TREE TO TWIST OFF THE PINE CONES AND THEN BEAT THE NUTS OUT. THE NUTS WERE ROASTED AND BECAME SWEET. IN THE FALL THE NUTS WERE ROASTED AND BECAME SWEET. IN THE FALL THE NUTS WERE ROASTED. THE MAIDU COLLECTED 10 - 12 CONES AND SET THEM ABLAZE TO CRACK THE CONES OPEN. STONES WERE USED TO CRUSH THE STONES COMPLETELY OPEN. NUTS WERE BOILED THE KAROK PICKED THEM UP FROM THE GROUND AND ABRADED THE THE ENDS TO GET TO THE NUTS.
THE POMO GATHERED SUGAR PINE NUTS. THE MAIDU TRADED THEIR GREY PINE NUTS FOR SUGAR PINE. MEN CLIMBED THE TREES FOR SUGAR PINE CONE AND TWISTED OFF OR KNOCKED DOWN THE CONES. THE WOMEN GATHERED THEM INTO PILES AND SET THEM ON FIRE. AFTER THE CONES COOLED THEY STRUCK IT WITH A HEAVY STONE, SPLITTING THE CONES OPEN AND FREEING THE NUTS. PINE NUTS WERE CARRIED TO THE VILLAGE WITH A BURDEN BASKET YOKUTS PARCHED THEM AND THEY COULD BE POUNDED WITH A MORTAR AND ROLLED INTO BALLS. THE MIWOK GATHERED CONES AND MANY NORTH COAST RANGE INDIANS CLIMBED TREES TO GATHER NUTS BEFORE THEY FELL AND WERE EATEN BY SQUIRRELS. THEY WERE QUITE LARGE. SOMETIMES THE CONE WAS PLACED UPSIDE DOWN AND BANGED WITH A ROCK TO GET THE NUTS OUT. THE MIWOK WHO ATE THIS NUT HAD A SHAMAN TO PRESS AND BLOW UPON THEM. THEY WINNOWED NUTS IN A BASKET BY THE WIND. THEY PULVERIZED IT IN A MANNER THAT TURNED IT INTO A TYPE OF PEANUT BUTTER.
THE KAWAIISU ATE SUGAR PINE NUTS AND COLLECTED THE SUGAR SAP, DRY AND POWDERY AFTER IT HAD DRAINED FROM A HOLE IN THE TREE.
PONDEROSA PINE NUTS WERE INFREQUENTLY EATEN BY THE MIWOK. CONES DRIED IN THE SUN FOR NUTS IN OCTOBER AND WERE EATEN RAW.
PINON NUTS TREES WERE SCOUTED FOR BY MEN AND THE VILLAGERS FOLLOWED. THEY COLLECTED THEM IN AUGUST IN LOWER ELEVATIONS AND IN OCTOBER IN HIGHER ELEVATIONS. THEY WERE LEFT TO DRY IN A LARGE CONICAL BURDEN BASKET. THE KAWAIISU BELIEVED THE DARK SKINNED PERSON SHOULD SET THE FIRE. OLD PEOPLE TENDED THE FIRE AND ADDED FIRE. COVERED WITH DIRT SO STEAM SOFTENED THE CONES. THEY WERE WINNOWED FROM THE DIRT. THE SOUTHERNINDIANS GROUND NUTS WITH A BLACK SLAT AND GRINDING STONE. THE BASKET TRAY WINNOWED THE SHELLS FROM THE MEAT. WATER WAS ADDED TO MAKE A THIN MUSH. NUTS COULD BE BOILED LIKE BEANS.
IN FALL THE COCOPAH FAMILIES TRAVELLED FOR A WEEK TO REACH PINON NUT FORESTS ALONG COLE RIVER AND JOINED THE DIEGUENOS. THE MEN AND BOYS CARRIED WATER THERE AND HUNTED FOR THE VILLAGE. THEY WERE GROUND IN A MORTAR. THE DIEGUENO FOLKS STORE THESE NUTS IN A POT AND THE SHELLS ARE POPPED OPEN WHEN READY TO EAT.
PAUL CAMPBELL
CHINQUAPIN WAS CRACKED WITH THE TEETH AND EATEN WHEN FOUND, OR STORED. EATEN WITHOUT GRINDING. KASHAYA POMO ATE THEM RAW OR ROASTED SOMETIMES POUNDED INTO A MEAL OR STORED DURING WINTER.
PEPPERWOOD NUTS RIPENED IN NOVEMBER FOR THE POMO AND MIWOK. AND THEY COLLECTED THEM AS THEY SHOOK THE TREE. THE NUTS WERE DRIED IN THE SUN, THEN CRACKED. THE INNER NUTS WERE EATEN RAW AS THEY DID NOT STORE WELL. THE MIWOK ROASTED THEM IN ASHES BEFORE EATING THEM. OR THEY COULD STORE THE NUTS WITH SHELLS ON THE MEATSCOULD BE GROUNDINTO AN OILY MEAL, THEN MADE INTO FLAT CAKES. THEN DRIED IN THE SUN. THEY TASTED LIKE PEANUTS. THEY RIPENED IN NOVEMBER. THE POMO AND THE MIWOK COLLECTED THEM AS THEY RIPENED AND SHOOK THE TREE. THE NUTS DRIED IN THE SUN, THEN CRACKED THE HUSK. THE INNER NUTS WERE EATEN RAW BUT DID NOT STORE WELL. THE MIWOK ROASTED THEM IN ASHES BEFORE EATING THEM. OR THEY COULD STORE THE NUTS WITH SHELLS ON THEM. THE MEATS WERE GROUND INTO AN OILY MEAL, THEN MADE INTO FLAT CAKES. THEN DRIED IN THE SUN. TASTED LIKE PEANUTS AND EATEN WITH A GREEN OR ACORN MUSH OR A SEAWEED. THEY WERE EATEN ON LONG DISTANCE HIKES.
GREY PINE NUTS WERE GATHERED EARLY IN THE SPRING OR LATE IN THE FALL. THEY CLIMBED THE TREE TO TWIST OFF THE PINE CONES AND THEN BEAT THE NUTS OUT. THE NUTS WERE ROASTED AND BECAME SWEET. IN THE FALL THE NUTS WERE ROASTED AND BECAME SWEET. IN THE FALL THE NUTS WERE ROASTED. THE MAIDU COLLECTED 10 - 12 CONES AND SET THEM ABLAZE TO CRACK THE CONES OPEN. STONES WERE USED TO CRUSH THE STONES COMPLETELY OPEN. NUTS WERE BOILED THE KAROK PICKED THEM UP FROM THE GROUND AND ABRADED THE THE ENDS TO GET TO THE NUTS.
THE POMO GATHERED SUGAR PINE NUTS. THE MAIDU TRADED THEIR GREY PINE NUTS FOR SUGAR PINE. MEN CLIMBED THE TREES FOR SUGAR PINE CONE AND TWISTED OFF OR KNOCKED DOWN THE CONES. THE WOMEN GATHERED THEM INTO PILES AND SET THEM ON FIRE. AFTER THE CONES COOLED THEY STRUCK IT WITH A HEAVY STONE, SPLITTING THE CONES OPEN AND FREEING THE NUTS. PINE NUTS WERE CARRIED TO THE VILLAGE WITH A BURDEN BASKET YOKUTS PARCHED THEM AND THEY COULD BE POUNDED WITH A MORTAR AND ROLLED INTO BALLS. THE MIWOK GATHERED CONES AND MANY NORTH COAST RANGE INDIANS CLIMBED TREES TO GATHER NUTS BEFORE THEY FELL AND WERE EATEN BY SQUIRRELS. THEY WERE QUITE LARGE. SOMETIMES THE CONE WAS PLACED UPSIDE DOWN AND BANGED WITH A ROCK TO GET THE NUTS OUT. THE MIWOK WHO ATE THIS NUT HAD A SHAMAN TO PRESS AND BLOW UPON THEM. THEY WINNOWED NUTS IN A BASKET BY THE WIND. THEY PULVERIZED IT IN A MANNER THAT TURNED IT INTO A TYPE OF PEANUT BUTTER.
THE KAWAIISU ATE SUGAR PINE NUTS AND COLLECTED THE SUGAR SAP, DRY AND POWDERY AFTER IT HAD DRAINED FROM A HOLE IN THE TREE.
PONDEROSA PINE NUTS WERE INFREQUENTLY EATEN BY THE MIWOK. CONES DRIED IN THE SUN FOR NUTS IN OCTOBER AND WERE EATEN RAW.
PINON NUTS TREES WERE SCOUTED FOR BY MEN AND THE VILLAGERS FOLLOWED. THEY COLLECTED THEM IN AUGUST IN LOWER ELEVATIONS AND IN OCTOBER IN HIGHER ELEVATIONS. THEY WERE LEFT TO DRY IN A LARGE CONICAL BURDEN BASKET. THE KAWAIISU BELIEVED THE DARK SKINNED PERSON SHOULD SET THE FIRE. OLD PEOPLE TENDED THE FIRE AND ADDED FIRE. COVERED WITH DIRT SO STEAM SOFTENED THE CONES. THEY WERE WINNOWED FROM THE DIRT. THE SOUTHERNINDIANS GROUND NUTS WITH A BLACK SLAT AND GRINDING STONE. THE BASKET TRAY WINNOWED THE SHELLS FROM THE MEAT. WATER WAS ADDED TO MAKE A THIN MUSH. NUTS COULD BE BOILED LIKE BEANS.
IN FALL THE COCOPAH FAMILIES TRAVELLED FOR A WEEK TO REACH PINON NUT FORESTS ALONG COLE RIVER AND JOINED THE DIEGUENOS. THE MEN AND BOYS CARRIED WATER THERE AND HUNTED FOR THE VILLAGE. THEY WERE GROUND IN A MORTAR. THE DIEGUENO FOLKS STORE THESE NUTS IN A POT AND THE SHELLS ARE POPPED OPEN WHEN READY TO EAT.
PAUL CAMPBELL
SONOMA COUNTY FAIR
THIS FAIR IS A HIGHLIGHT OF THE SUMMER HERE. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE COME TO HAVE FUN. I USUALLY LIKE WATCHING THE ANIMALS AND THE JUDGING OF GOATS, COWS, AND HORSE.
THE FAIR HAS SPECIAL EVENTS THAT I HAVE ATTENDED FOR MANY YEARS. THEY HAVE PEOPLE WHO TRAIN CATS AND DOGS FOR PERFORMANCES, AS WELL AS JUGGLERS. OF COURSE THEY HAVE MANY RIDES FOR ADULTS AND KIDS. ONE OF THE FAIR'S MOST POPULAR ATTRACTIONS IS THE HALL OF FLOWERS. IT IS DESIGNED BY MANY LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS IN ORDER TOACHIEVE A THEME OF HISTORY. EACHBUSINESS USES LIVE TREES, FLOWERS AND GROUND COVER. IT IS BEAUTIFUL THE WAY THEY ARRANGE THIS! THEY ALSO HAVE A HALL OF ARTISTS WHO HAVE ENTERED THEIR DRAWINGS AND PAINTINGS AS WELL AS SCULPTURES. THEY HAVE SOME OF THE BEST ARTISTS ENTER HERE. THEN THERE IS ALSO A HALL FOR CHILDREN'S ARTISTIC CRAFTS AND PAINTINGS THAT ARE JUDGED. THEY ALSO HAVE HORSE RACES HERE. AND THEY HAVE A WAGON WITH CLYSDALE HORSES CARRY PEOPLE AROUND THE GROUNDS.
THEY HAVE MANY BANDS PLAY IN AN OUTDOOR THEATRE. AND MANY FOOD VENDORS. ONE HALL IS DEVOTED TO BUSINESSES WHO DEMONSTRATE THEIR GOODS AND APPLIANCES. THE THING I LOVE MOST IS THE PETTING ZOO, WHERE YOU CAN WALK INTO A SMALL FENCED IN AREA AND PET A LLAMA, DONKEY, PIG, GOATS, AND VARIOUS OTHER FARM ANIMALS AS WELL AS SOME BABY ANIMALS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES.
THE FAIR HAS SPECIAL EVENTS THAT I HAVE ATTENDED FOR MANY YEARS. THEY HAVE PEOPLE WHO TRAIN CATS AND DOGS FOR PERFORMANCES, AS WELL AS JUGGLERS. OF COURSE THEY HAVE MANY RIDES FOR ADULTS AND KIDS. ONE OF THE FAIR'S MOST POPULAR ATTRACTIONS IS THE HALL OF FLOWERS. IT IS DESIGNED BY MANY LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS IN ORDER TOACHIEVE A THEME OF HISTORY. EACHBUSINESS USES LIVE TREES, FLOWERS AND GROUND COVER. IT IS BEAUTIFUL THE WAY THEY ARRANGE THIS! THEY ALSO HAVE A HALL OF ARTISTS WHO HAVE ENTERED THEIR DRAWINGS AND PAINTINGS AS WELL AS SCULPTURES. THEY HAVE SOME OF THE BEST ARTISTS ENTER HERE. THEN THERE IS ALSO A HALL FOR CHILDREN'S ARTISTIC CRAFTS AND PAINTINGS THAT ARE JUDGED. THEY ALSO HAVE HORSE RACES HERE. AND THEY HAVE A WAGON WITH CLYSDALE HORSES CARRY PEOPLE AROUND THE GROUNDS.
THEY HAVE MANY BANDS PLAY IN AN OUTDOOR THEATRE. AND MANY FOOD VENDORS. ONE HALL IS DEVOTED TO BUSINESSES WHO DEMONSTRATE THEIR GOODS AND APPLIANCES. THE THING I LOVE MOST IS THE PETTING ZOO, WHERE YOU CAN WALK INTO A SMALL FENCED IN AREA AND PET A LLAMA, DONKEY, PIG, GOATS, AND VARIOUS OTHER FARM ANIMALS AS WELL AS SOME BABY ANIMALS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
STORY TELLING IN MY FAMILY
OUR FAMILY VISITED MY MOM'S FAMILIES IN WISCONSIN WHEN WE WERE LITTLE MANY TIMES IN BOTH THE SUMMER AND DURING CHRISTMAS. WE TRAVELLED FROM OHIO. IT FELT LIKE A LONG TRIP OF 400 HUNDRED MILES. I REMEMBER STOPPING AT THE RESTAURANT OVERLOOKING THE MAJOR HIGHWAY GOING TO CHICAGO. IT WAS QUITE THE EVENT WHEN WE WERE KIDS. IT HAD MANY TRINKETS AND FUN ITEMS AS WELL AS SEVERAL RESTAURANTS AND VIEWS OF THE RACING CARS BELOW. WHEN IT WAS SNOWY IT WAS QUITE THE ADVENTURE IN OUR BIG OLD CAR./
MY AUNT AND UNCLE WHO LIVED ON A LAKE USED TO TELL US STORIES ABOUT HOW THEY BUILT THEIR OWN HOUSE IN THE COUNTRY. THEY ALSO USED TO TELL ME THAT THEY READ TO EACH OTHER AFTER THEIR SUPPER TO ENTERTAIN EACH OTHER. THEY HAD MANY STORIES ABOUT MY UNCLE'S LIFE IN THE MILITARY DURING WWII AND THEIR LIFE IN BANGKOK, THAILAND FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THEY WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE BUILT THEIR OWN HOUSE. IT TOOK 10 YEARS AS MY UNCLE ALSO WORKED FULL TIME. I THINK THEY ENJOYED THIS JOINT EFFORT WHICH GAVE THEM A HUGE GOAL. THEY STARTED OUT LIVING IN A SMALL COTTAGE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. THEY BUILT A NICE TWO STORY HOME THAT HAS FURNITURE SHIPPED FROM BANGKOK AND A NEAT FIREPLACE WITH ARTIFACTS FROM THE ORIENT. MY AUNTS ARE GOOD COOKS MY UNCLE WAS VERY VERBAL AND HE USED TO RELATE STORIES ABOUT HOW HE FISHED ON THE LAKES THERE AND HIS CHILDHOOD, AND HOW HE KEPT IN TOUCH WITH SOME OF HIS OLD BUDDIES. THEIR CLOSENESS WAS EASY TO SEE AS WE WERE GUESTS THERE MANY TIMES.
MY OTHER AUNT AND UNCLE HAD FOUR CHILDREN AND WE STAYED WITH THEM AS WE SLEPT ON THEIR FLOOR FOR ABOUT A WEEK. RAISING THIS MANY CHILDREN WAS QUITE A FEAT, AS I HAVE EXPERIENCED RAISING ONE SON. THERE HOUSE WAS ALWAYS FILLED WITH A RUCKUS AND VERY LIVELY DURING THE HOLIDAYS. WE WENT TO CHURCH SOMETIMES WITH THEM. WE PLAYED A LOT WITH OUR COUSINS IN THE SNOW AND HAD A LOT OF FUN WITH THEM VISITING. WE TOLD EACH OTHER ABOUT OUR SCHOOLS AND WHAT WAS INTERESTING. AND OUR INTERESTS. WE ALL DEVELOPED SPECIAL SKILLS AS WE BECAME TEENS. THIS AUNT HAD A NEAT FAMILY ROOM DECORATED WITH NATIVE AMERICAN PICTURES AND ARTIFACTS, SAME WITH MY MOM WHEN SHE RETIRED.
THEY HAD A HUGE BASEMENT AND WE PLAYED PING PONG AND HIDE AND SEEK IN THEIR BASEMENT AND HAD A GREAT TIME.
I NOTICED THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SIZE OF THE HOUSE LOTS IN WISCONSIN SUBURBS COMPARED TO THOSE IN OHIO. THEY WERE MUCH LARGER. THE DISTANCE TO DRIVE TO HOUSES WAS INCREDIBLE. MILWAUKEE WAS NOT ATTRACTIVE TO ME AS IT WAS INDUSTRIALIZED. MY MOM AND DAD MET THERE I GUESS MY DAD HAD WORKED AS A TASTER FOR ONE OF THE BREWERIES SHORTLY. THEY LATER MOVED TO OHIO.
MY AUNT AND UNCLE WHO LIVED ON A LAKE USED TO TELL US STORIES ABOUT HOW THEY BUILT THEIR OWN HOUSE IN THE COUNTRY. THEY ALSO USED TO TELL ME THAT THEY READ TO EACH OTHER AFTER THEIR SUPPER TO ENTERTAIN EACH OTHER. THEY HAD MANY STORIES ABOUT MY UNCLE'S LIFE IN THE MILITARY DURING WWII AND THEIR LIFE IN BANGKOK, THAILAND FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THEY WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE BUILT THEIR OWN HOUSE. IT TOOK 10 YEARS AS MY UNCLE ALSO WORKED FULL TIME. I THINK THEY ENJOYED THIS JOINT EFFORT WHICH GAVE THEM A HUGE GOAL. THEY STARTED OUT LIVING IN A SMALL COTTAGE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. THEY BUILT A NICE TWO STORY HOME THAT HAS FURNITURE SHIPPED FROM BANGKOK AND A NEAT FIREPLACE WITH ARTIFACTS FROM THE ORIENT. MY AUNTS ARE GOOD COOKS MY UNCLE WAS VERY VERBAL AND HE USED TO RELATE STORIES ABOUT HOW HE FISHED ON THE LAKES THERE AND HIS CHILDHOOD, AND HOW HE KEPT IN TOUCH WITH SOME OF HIS OLD BUDDIES. THEIR CLOSENESS WAS EASY TO SEE AS WE WERE GUESTS THERE MANY TIMES.
MY OTHER AUNT AND UNCLE HAD FOUR CHILDREN AND WE STAYED WITH THEM AS WE SLEPT ON THEIR FLOOR FOR ABOUT A WEEK. RAISING THIS MANY CHILDREN WAS QUITE A FEAT, AS I HAVE EXPERIENCED RAISING ONE SON. THERE HOUSE WAS ALWAYS FILLED WITH A RUCKUS AND VERY LIVELY DURING THE HOLIDAYS. WE WENT TO CHURCH SOMETIMES WITH THEM. WE PLAYED A LOT WITH OUR COUSINS IN THE SNOW AND HAD A LOT OF FUN WITH THEM VISITING. WE TOLD EACH OTHER ABOUT OUR SCHOOLS AND WHAT WAS INTERESTING. AND OUR INTERESTS. WE ALL DEVELOPED SPECIAL SKILLS AS WE BECAME TEENS. THIS AUNT HAD A NEAT FAMILY ROOM DECORATED WITH NATIVE AMERICAN PICTURES AND ARTIFACTS, SAME WITH MY MOM WHEN SHE RETIRED.
THEY HAD A HUGE BASEMENT AND WE PLAYED PING PONG AND HIDE AND SEEK IN THEIR BASEMENT AND HAD A GREAT TIME.
I NOTICED THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SIZE OF THE HOUSE LOTS IN WISCONSIN SUBURBS COMPARED TO THOSE IN OHIO. THEY WERE MUCH LARGER. THE DISTANCE TO DRIVE TO HOUSES WAS INCREDIBLE. MILWAUKEE WAS NOT ATTRACTIVE TO ME AS IT WAS INDUSTRIALIZED. MY MOM AND DAD MET THERE I GUESS MY DAD HAD WORKED AS A TASTER FOR ONE OF THE BREWERIES SHORTLY. THEY LATER MOVED TO OHIO.
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