Ajijaakwe: November 2018

Friday, November 30, 2018

Red skies, and snow already here. Holiday commission season, and we badly need to make sales. Subscribers and shares help, too.

Red sky last night, too. Even so, the snow is already here — just flurries for us at the moment, although the peaks are clearly getting a lot, but if the forecast is right, it's supposed to get a lot worse (read: better) for us before the end of the day.

Which means, of course, a lot to do today before the real weather hits and the roads ice up. Some errands to be run before the roads get bad; here, fortunately, the hay and wood are already tarped, so other than bringing in the wood for this evening, there isn't a whole lot that has to be done out in the elements. I made a lamb stew (overnight, in the crock pot) for yesterday, so we have dinner covered. And I have a ton of indoor stuff to get done, including work on the laundry room floor.

Floyd came out yesterday evening to look at the floor, and it's probably better, at this point, if I just do it myself. We need to pick up the sealers, because apparently the guys used them all up last year, but it seems to be something I can do myself, given a mask and ventilation and rubber gloves and a sponge and tolerating what it will do to my knees. There will still be the repairs to the wall; Sherm is supposed to be out tomorrow morning to look at that. But again, all of that work is still going to cost us. As I also said yesterday, ordinarily, the sales and commissions we get this time of year are what see us through six long hard months of winter (but that has not the been the case the last couple of years); on top of ordinary winter cost of living and now this construction mess, I have more tests upcoming soon on top of the tens of thousands of dollars' worth of medical debt already trying to drive me into an early grave. Time is short for the holidays, so if you have special orders, get them in to me now so he has time to create them for you. I'm already way behind on this day (and on the week as a whole), so most of the rest is cut-and-paste.

A couple of things: First, go to Cherie's GFM page and kick in some scratch. We've already donated more than we could afford, and we're tapped out on that front; half a dozen things coming due for us over the course of this coming week, to say nothing of what's lurking on the medical front, all adding up to huge dollar amounts. We also had to help Wings's clan brother again yesterday; he needed to get down to Santa Fe for the follow-up on the surgery on his hand a couple of weeks ago. There will always be more people needing help, too, and we do as much as we can where and when we can.

Second, we need sales desperately now; outside testing doesn't pay for itself, nor do taxes and other obligations, nor does the wood or the hay. Wings has just finished his next collection, and I've posted it and the previous one already, plus all his new earrings. There's also a change to the links in the list: I've moved the gift cards for Lowe's and Amazon back up to the top of our Amazon wishlist, because we're at the point where more things that need finishing on the house require purchases we can't afford. Finally, if you're contemplating commissions for holiday gifts, now is the time to get hold of me, because the creative process takes time. Wings can create something spectacular for you, unique to you or to the recipient of it. Also, briefly, a note on the site itself: In an effort to get current inventory up front, I've reordered the first pages of several of the galleries, so you will see a mix of high-end pieces, some of which have already sold, plus inventory currently on offer, both new pieces and less so.

Most of my attention has to be focused on bringing in money, through sales or subscribers or any other means, because the bills don't pay themselves, either, and the heavy burden I'm carrying on that score is inhibiting my ability to heal in a not-insignificant way. Please share these routinely:

My new Patreon, The Interstices (Writing Between Worlds);
Wings's site, for sales, with new items posted;
Wings's direct PayPal link;
A way to buy me coffee (which actually goes to all of our medical bills, which continue to mount);
Amazon wishlist, which mostly consists of animal and household stuff;
Partial registry #1, from Bed, Bath and Beyond. There are new kitchen-y things on it now, stuff that I didn't realize we'd need to replace (either because the RV ruined it or because we gave it away when we had to downsize).

Please share the links. We're now officially into holiday order season, because commissions take time, so if you're planning on holiday gifts, please keep Wings's work in mind. And given what we're up against, we won't turn away donations, either, because we simply can't afford it.

Friday Feature: A Spirit Untranslated

It's our Friday Feature at The NDN Silver Blog, with a tribute, on this last day of the month allegedly devoted to our "history" and "heritage," to an old warrior whose fierce resistance of occupying forces gave rise to an unlikely yet apt "name." It's one that shares a link with Wings's own culture, and of the place where the heart of indigenous resistance resides: in a spirit untranslated.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are very much needed (especially now, with repairs and taxes and testing all looming, on top of the existing medical bills), so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2018; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Red skies and great news, but a lot going on and a lot of coming expense. Sales very much needed; subscribers and shares, too.

Red sky at morning. For us, a very, very good thing, since it might mean the forecast snow will actually arrive. If my joints are any indication, a serious change in the weather is definitely in the offing (and they tend to be a far more reliable indicator than the meteorologists' computer models).

We got the best news yesterday: Our friend (Camp Fire in Paradise) is safe! Whatever else in going on, that has made the rest of our year.

Of course, the "whatever else" is pretty significant. We moved the return of the plumbers to Monday, because we need both Floyd and Sherm to come out and see what's involved in the damage to the tile and the wall. There will still be the repairs to the wall. But again, we won't know the extent of the damage for a little while yet, and all of that work is still going to cost us. As I also said yesterday, ordinarily, the sales and commissions we get this time of year are what see us through six long hard months of winter (but that has not the been the case the last couple of years); on top of ordinary winter cost of living and now this construction mess, I have more tests upcoming soon on top of the tens of thousands of dollars' worth of medical debt already trying to drive me into an early grave. Time is short for the holidays, so if you have special orders, get them in to me now so he has time to create them for you. I'm already way behind on this day (and on the week as a whole), so most of the rest is cut-and-paste.

A couple of things: First, go to Cherie's GFM page and kick in some scratch. We've already donated more than we could afford, and we're tapped out on that front; half a dozen things coming due for us over the course of this coming week, to say nothing of what's lurking on the medical front, all adding up to huge dollar amounts. We also had to help Wings's clan brother the other day; he needed to get down to Santa Fe for emergency surgery and follow-ups after injuring his hand a few days ago, and it's something they can't do here in town. But Cherie can still put the funds to use, so let's make sure that she gets to keep her home, hmm? Their survival matters too. it's Thanksgiving; if you have a home to be grateful for, kick in $2 or $5 or $10 or $20 (or a lot more) to make sure she has a chance to keep hers. It's winter in Nebraska already, too.

Second, we need sales desperately now; outside testing doesn't pay for itself, nor do taxes and other obligations, nor does the wood or the hay. Wings has just finished his next collection, and I've posted it and the previous one already, plus all his new earrings. There's also a change to the links in the list: I've moved the gift cards for Lowe's and Amazon back up to the top of our Amazon wishlist, because we're at the point where more things that need finishing on the house require purchases we can't afford. Finally, if you're contemplating commissions for holiday gifts, now is the time to get hold of me, because the creative process takes time. Wings can create something spectacular for you, unique to you or to the recipient of it. Also, briefly, a note on the site itself: In an effort to get current inventory up front, I've reordered the first pages of several of the galleries, so you will see a mix of high-end pieces, some of which have already sold, plus inventory currently on offer, both new pieces and less so.

Most of my attention has to be focused on bringing in money, through sales or subscribers or any other means, because the bills don't pay themselves, either, and the heavy burden I'm carrying on that score is inhibiting my ability to heal in a not-insignificant way. Please share these routinely:

My new Patreon, The Interstices (Writing Between Worlds);
Wings's site, for sales, with new items posted;
Wings's direct PayPal link;
A way to buy me coffee (which actually goes to all of our medical bills, which continue to mount);
Amazon wishlist, which mostly consists of animal and household stuff;
Partial registry #1, from Bed, Bath and Beyond. There are new kitchen-y things on it now, stuff that I didn't realize we'd need to replace (either because the RV ruined it or because we gave it away when we had to downsize).

#ThrowbackThursday: Simple Joy

It's #TBT at The NDN Silver Blog, with a work from 2006 or so, manifest as a spirit of hope that transcended worlds. It was a variation on Wings's signature series the Spirit Horse, born of silver and dreams, emergent in simple joy.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. This one sold long ago, of course, but if the style speaks to your spirit, simply inquire via the site's Contact form; Wings can create a version uniquely your own. And, as always, sales are very much needed (especially now, with major repairs on top of medical testing and existing medical bills), so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2018; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Returned for the season. A return of major costs, too. Sales badly needed now; subscribers and shares help, too.

Out of focus, but still beautiful. I missed seeing her husband take off; they were perched side by side for a couple of hours yesterday morning. They have returned for the season, here to stay early, it seems.

Today will be day three of plumbers, and as I said yesterday, they think they've isolated the problem. If they're right — IF — it will be a much easier and less expensive fix than the alternative, but we won't know for probably a week or so yet. There will still be the repairs to the wall. Fortunately, it all seems to be confined to interior damage, and if it is indeed superficial, Sherm should be able to handle it without tearing out the wall and redoing it. But again, we won't know for a little while yet, and Sherm's work is still going to cost us. Today is going to be fraught as it is; a ton of errands to run (we need dog food and other supplies, and I have shipping to do, among a bunch of other things), and then dealing with the plumbers if the part has come in (no sure thing).

As I also said yesterday, ordinarily, the sales and commissions we get this time of year are what see us through six long hard months of winter (but that has not the been the case the last couple of years); on top of ordinary winter cost of living and now this construction mess, I have more tests upcoming soon on top of the tens of thousands of dollars' worth of medical debt already trying to drive me into an early grave. Time is short for the holidays, so if you have special orders, get them in to me now so he has time to create them for you. I'm already way behind on this day (and on the week as a whole), so most of the rest is cut-and-paste.

A couple of things: First, go to Cherie's GFM page and kick in some scratch. We've already donated more than we could afford, and we're tapped out on that front; half a dozen things coming due for us over the course of this coming week, to say nothing of what's lurking on the medical front, all adding up to huge dollar amounts. We also had to help Wings's clan brother the other day; he needed to get down to Santa Fe for emergency surgery and follow-ups after injuring his hand a few days ago, and it's something they can't do here in town. But Cherie can still put the funds to use, so let's make sure that she gets to keep her home, hmm? Their survival matters too. it's Thanksgiving; if you have a home to be grateful for, kick in $2 or $5 or $10 or $20 (or a lot more) to make sure she has a chance to keep hers. It's winter in Nebraska already, too.

Second, we need sales desperately now; outside testing doesn't pay for itself, nor do taxes and other obligations, nor does the wood or the hay. Wings has just finished his next collection, and I've posted it and the previous one already, plus all his new earrings. There's also a change to the links in the list: I've moved the gift cards for Lowe's and Amazon back up to the top of our Amazon wishlist, because we're at the point where more things that need finishing on the house require purchases we can't afford. Finally, if you're contemplating commissions for holiday gifts, now is the time to get hold of me, because the creative process takes time. Wings can create something spectacular for you, unique to you or to the recipient of it. Also, briefly, a note on the site itself: In an effort to get current inventory up front, I've reordered the first pages of several of the galleries, so you will see a mix of high-end pieces, some of which have already sold, plus inventory currently on offer, both new pieces and less so.

Most of my attention has to be focused on bringing in money, through sales or subscribers or any other means, because the bills don't pay themselves, either, and the heavy burden I'm carrying on that score is inhibiting my ability to heal in a not-insignificant way. Please share these routinely:

My new Patreon, The Interstices (Writing Between Worlds);
Wings's site, for sales, with new items posted;
Wings's direct PayPal link;
A way to buy me coffee (which actually goes to all of our medical bills, which continue to mount);
Amazon wishlist, which mostly consists of animal and household stuff;
Partial registry #1, from Bed, Bath and Beyond. There are new kitchen-y things on it now, stuff that I didn't realize we'd need to replace (either because the RV ruined it or because we gave it away when we had to downsize).

A World In Balance

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's one of Wings's recent masterworks, one that holds the spirits of night and day, of winter and summer. It's a reminder, too, of the promise such opposing forces hold, of health and harmony and a world in balance.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are very much needed (especially now; major repair costs and medical testing on top of the existing medical bills), so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2018; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Grandfather returns. Repairs, and big expenses. Sales very much needed now, and subscribers and shares, too.

Grandfather returns. No, technically, that's not him; it's his wife. But if she's back, so is he. I actually thought I caught a glimpse of him darting across the sky to the north three or four days ago; it looks as though I was right. It's a relief to know that he's back.

Two days of plumbers, and they think they've isolated the problem. If they're right — IF — it will be a much easier and less expensive fix than the alternative, but we won't know for probably a week or so yet. There will still be the repairs to the wall. Fortunately, it all seems to be confined to interior damage, and if it is indeed superficial, Sherm should be able to handle it without tearing out the wall and redoing it. But again, we won't know for a little while yet, and Sherm's work is still going to cost us.

As I said yesterday, ordinarily, the sales and commissions we get this time of year are what see us through six long hard months of winter (but that has not the been the case the last couple of years); on top of ordinary winter cost of living and now this construction mess, I have more tests upcoming soon on top of the tens of thousands of dollars' worth of medical debt already trying to drive me into an early grave. Time is short for the holidays, so if you have special orders, get them in to me now so he has time to create them for you. I'm already way behind on this day (and on the week as a whole), so most of the rest is cut-and-paste.

A couple of things: First, go to Cherie's GFM page and kick in some scratch. We've already donated more than we could afford, and we're tapped out on that front; half a dozen things coming due for us over the course of this coming week, to say nothing of what's lurking on the medical front, all adding up to huge dollar amounts. We also had to help Wings's clan brother the other day; he needed to get down to Santa Fe for emergency surgery and follow-ups after injuring his hand a few days ago, and it's something they can't do here in town. But Cherie can still put the funds to use, so let's make sure that she gets to keep her home, hmm? Their survival matters too. it's Thanksgiving; if you have a home to be grateful for, kick in $2 or $5 or $10 or $20 (or a lot more) to make sure she has a chance to keep hers. It's winter in Nebraska already, too.

Second, we need sales desperately now; outside testing doesn't pay for itself, nor do taxes and other obligations, nor does the wood or the hay. Wings has just finished his next collection, and I've posted it and the previous one already, plus all his new earrings. There's also a change to the links in the list: I've moved the gift cards for Lowe's and Amazon back up to the top of our Amazon wishlist, because we're at the point where more things that need finishing on the house require purchases we can't afford. Finally, if you're contemplating commissions for holiday gifts, now is the time to get hold of me, because the creative process takes time. Wings can create something spectacular for you, unique to you or to the recipient of it. Also, briefly, a note on the site itself: In an effort to get current inventory up front, I've reordered the first pages of several of the galleries, so you will see a mix of high-end pieces, some of which have already sold, plus inventory currently on offer, both new pieces and less so.

Most of my attention has to be focused on bringing in money, through sales or subscribers or any other means, because the bills don't pay themselves, either, and the heavy burden I'm carrying on that score is inhibiting my ability to heal in a not-insignificant way. Please share these routinely:

My new Patreon, The Interstices (Writing Between Worlds);
Wings's site, for sales, with new items posted;
Wings's direct PayPal link;
A way to buy me coffee (which actually goes to all of our medical bills, which continue to mount);
Amazon wishlist, which mostly consists of animal and household stuff;
Partial registry #1, from Bed, Bath and Beyond. There are new kitchen-y things on it now, stuff that I didn't realize we'd need to replace (either because the RV ruined it or because we gave it away when we had to downsize).

Red Willow Spirit: A Cooperative Spirit

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's an edition of Red Willow Spirit for a cold hard early winter, and for some of the beings with whom we share this land. It's a gathering of horses, working together for the good of the herd, reminding us that a cooperative spirit ensures the survival of us all.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. These images are half of a small series from nearly a decade and a half ago, and as always with his photos, they're available for purchase in any of the usual three formats; simply inquire via the site's Contact form. Also as always, sales are very much needed (especially now, with repair bills coming on top of the existing and upcoming medical bills, and a hard winter already here), so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2018; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Monday, November 26, 2018

I'd like to exchange this cold for snow, please. Another exchange of a destructive sort. Sales very, very much needed now.

They still have a lot more snow to the south than we have up here. I would trade this brutal cold and bitter wind for snow in a heartbeat.

Hugely busy today, and the plumbers haven't shown up yet. They're more than 2.5 hours late already. I am trying my damnedest not to let my blood pressure spike over all of it, but it's a complete mess, and this sort of thing isn't improving it any. The plumbing work is going to extend into other work; the best guess at the moment is that something in the exchange with the water heater and softener has been leaking in the wall since day one, and it's finally begun to break through. We won't know until the open the wall, which was supposed to be today, but we can't have it compromised and open during the winter, so we're going to have to raise the scratch to redo the plasterwork and floor once the plumbers fix this disaster. Ordinarily, the sales and commissions we get this time of year are what see us through six long hard months of winter (but that has not the been the case the last couple of years); on top of ordinary winter cost of living and now this construction mess, I have more tests upcoming soon on top of the tens of thousands of dollars' worth of medical debt already trying to drive me into an early grave. Time is short for the holidays, so if you have special orders, get them in to me now so he has time to create them for you. This day is going to be very busy, so most of the rest is cut-and-paste.

A couple of things: First, go to Cherie's GFM page and kick in some scratch. We've already donated more than we could afford, and we're tapped out on that front; half a dozen things coming due for us over the course of this coming week, to say nothing of what's lurking on the medical front, all adding up to huge dollar amounts. We also had to help Wings's clan brother the other day; he needed to get down to Santa Fe for emergency surgery and follow-ups after injuring his hand a few days ago, and it's something they can't do here in town. But Cherie can still put the funds to use, so let's make sure that she gets to keep her home, hmm? Their survival matters too. it's Thanksgiving; if you have a home to be grateful for, kick in $2 or $5 or $10 or $20 (or a lot more) to make sure she has a chance to keep hers. It's winter in Nebraska already, too.

Second, we need sales desperately now; outside testing doesn't pay for itself, nor do taxes and other obligations, nor does the wood or the hay. Wings has just finished his next collection, and I've posted it and the previous one already, plus all his new earrings. There's also a change to the links in the list: I've moved the gift cards for Lowe's and Amazon back up to the top of our Amazon wishlist, because we're at the point where more things that need finishing on the house require purchases we can't afford. Finally, if you're contemplating commissions for holiday gifts, now is the time to get hold of me, because the creative process takes time. Wings can create something spectacular for you, unique to you or to the recipient of it. Also, briefly, a note on the site itself: In an effort to get current inventory up front, I've reordered the first pages of several of the galleries, so you will see a mix of high-end pieces, some of which have already sold, plus inventory currently on offer, both new pieces and less so.

Most of my attention has to be focused on bringing in money, through sales or subscribers or any other means, because the bills don't pay themselves, either, and the heavy burden I'm carrying on that score is inhibiting my ability to heal in a not-insignificant way. Please share these routinely:

My new Patreon, The Interstices (Writing Between Worlds);
Wings's site, for sales, with new items posted;
Wings's direct PayPal link;
A way to buy me coffee (which actually goes to all of our medical bills, which continue to mount);
Amazon wishlist, which mostly consists of animal and household stuff;
Partial registry #1, from Bed, Bath and Beyond. There are new kitchen-y things on it now, stuff that I didn't realize we'd need to replace (either because the RV ruined it or because we gave it away when we had to downsize).

Monday Photo Meditation:

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's a photo meditation for the dangerously cold slick days of early winter. It's a lesson, too, from the horses (even those wrought in weathered steel) of the importance of finding a firm footing, and then rising to defend the earth.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. As always, his photos are available for purchase in any of the usual three formats; simply inquire via the site's Contact form. Also as always, sales are very much needed (never more so; on top of taxes and tens of thousands in medical bills and more upcoming testing, we now have a plumbing disaster of epic proportions, with a compromised load-bearing north wall that must be fixed before real winter sets in), so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2018; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Sunday, November 25, 2018

LBB, better than ever. The plumbing disaster is not. Sales badly needed; subscribers and shares help, too.

Little Bent-Beak, as of yesterday afternoon. Most of the others are still molting, and they're a bunch of little raggedy-asses as a result. LBB, on the other hand, lost her feathers to the monster dogs before her molt began, so hers are all back in already. She always had the best tail of the bunch, and her feathers are lusher and sleeker than ever. She seems to be fully healed on all fronts; no trace of trauma evident in her behavior now. Dahlia is still limping, but she's healing, too. And they are no longer allowed outside until Coyote is confined (and the dogs from two lots over are chased away on sight).

We have the saving grace of forced distraction, between the plumbing work and medical expenses and of course my own never-ending health issues and physical pain, and we need to make sales consistently now to get us through the winter. The plumbing work is going to extend into other work; the best guess at the moment is that something in the exchange with the water heater and softener has been leaking in the wall since day one, and it's finally begun to break through. We won't know until the open the wall, probably tomorrow, but we can't have it compromised and open during the winter, so we're going to have to raise the scratch to redo the plasterwork and floor once the plumbers fix this disaster. It's the last day of the holiday weekend, so if you want to start your holiday shopping, support a Native artist and his work here (contact me to commission something uniquely designed). This day is going to be very busy, so most of the rest is cut-and-paste.

A couple of things: First, go to Cherie's GFM page and kick in some scratch. We've already donated more than we could afford, and we're tapped out on that front; half a dozen things coming due for us over the course of this coming week, to say nothing of what's lurking on the medical front, all adding up to huge dollar amounts. We also had to help Wings's clan brother the other day; he needed to get down to Santa Fe for emergency surgery and follow-ups after injuring his hand a few days ago, and it's something they can't do here in town. But Cherie can still put the funds to use, so let's make sure that she gets to keep her home, hmm? Their survival matters too. it's Thanksgiving; if you have a home to be grateful for, kick in $2 or $5 or $10 or $20 (or a lot more) to make sure she has a chance to keep hers. It's winter in Nebraska already, too.

Second, we need sales desperately now; outside testing doesn't pay for itself, nor do taxes and other obligations, nor does the wood or the hay. Wings has just finished his next collection, and I've posted it and the previous one already, plus all his new earrings. There's also a change to the links in the list: I've moved the gift cards for Lowe's and Amazon back up to the top of our Amazon wishlist, because we're at the point where more things that need finishing on the house require purchases we can't afford. Finally, if you're contemplating commissions for holiday gifts, now is the time to get hold of me, because the creative process takes time. Wings can create something spectacular for you, unique to you or to the recipient of it. Also, briefly, a note on the site itself: In an effort to get current inventory up front, I've reordered the first pages of several of the galleries, so you will see a mix of high-end pieces, some of which have already sold, plus inventory currently on offer, both new pieces and less so.

Most of my attention has to be focused on bringing in money, through sales or subscribers or any other means, because the bills don't pay themselves, either, and the heavy burden I'm carrying on that score is inhibiting my ability to heal in a not-insignificant way. Please share these routinely:

My new Patreon, The Interstices (Writing Between Worlds);
Wings's site, for sales, with new items posted;
Wings's direct PayPal link;
A way to buy me coffee (which actually goes to all of our medical bills, which continue to mount);
Amazon wishlist, which mostly consists of animal and household stuff;
Partial registry #1, from Bed, Bath and Beyond. There are new kitchen-y things on it now, stuff that I didn't realize we'd need to replace (either because the RV ruined it or because we gave it away when we had to downsize).

Indigenous Wings and Sovereign Winds

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's a pair of works that embody the small spirits of some of our late-season residents this year, tiny messengers who bear warnings and lessons and expressions of hope, too. These small fierce creatures remind us of who we are, of our relationship to the earth, and of our responsibility to build a better world, that our children's children may fly on indigenous wings and sovereign winds.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are very much needed (never more so; holiday-season sales are what get us through the long cold winters here, and we have more massive medical bills and some massive repairs upcoming), so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2018; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Saturday, November 24, 2018

Pair of hams. Losing hope on other fronts. It's Small Business Saturday, so support a Native artist and help us make it through an early hard winter.

They know I'm taking their picture, the pair of hams. Cricket's still spooky, but Coyote's openly grinning. No, nothing on Crow and Blue, and I'm losing hope there as much as for our friend in the Camp Fire.

We have the saving grace of forced distraction, between the plumbing work and medical expenses and of course my own never-ending health issues and physical pain, and we need to make sales consistently now to get us through the winter. This is allegedly Small Business Saturday, so if you want to start your holiday shopping, support a Native artist and his work here (contact me to commission something uniquely designed). This day is going to be very busy, so most of the rest is cut-and-paste.

A couple of things: First, go to Cherie's GFM page and kick in some scratch. We've already donated more than we could afford, and we're tapped out on that front; half a dozen things coming due for us over the course of this coming week, to say nothing of what's lurking on the medical front, all adding up to huge dollar amounts. We also had to help Wings's clan brother the other day; he needed to get down to Santa Fe for emergency surgery and follow-ups after injuring his hand a few days ago, and it's something they can't do here in town. But Cherie can still put the funds to use, so let's make sure that she gets to keep her home, hmm? Their survival matters too. it's Thanksgiving; if you have a home to be grateful for, kick in $2 or $5 or $10 or $20 (or a lot more) to make sure she has a chance to keep hers. It's winter in Nebraska already, too.

Second, we need sales desperately now; outside testing doesn't pay for itself, nor do taxes and other obligations, nor does the wood or the hay. Wings has just finished his next collection, and I've posted it and the previous one already, plus all his new earrings. There's also a change to the links in the list: I've moved the gift cards for Lowe's and Amazon back up to the top of our Amazon wishlist, because we're at the point where more things that need finishing on the house require purchases we can't afford. Finally, if you're contemplating commissions for holiday gifts, now is the time to get hold of me, because the creative process takes time. Wings can create something spectacular for you, unique to you or to the recipient of it. Also, briefly, a note on the site itself: In an effort to get current inventory up front, I've reordered the first pages of several of the galleries, so you will see a mix of high-end pieces, some of which have already sold, plus inventory currently on offer, both new pieces and less so.

Most of my attention has to be focused on bringing in money, through sales or subscribers or any other means, because the bills don't pay themselves, either, and the heavy burden I'm carrying on that score is inhibiting my ability to heal in a not-insignificant way. Please share these routinely:

My new Patreon, The Interstices (Writing Between Worlds);
Wings's site, for sales, with new items posted;
Wings's direct PayPal link;
A way to buy me coffee (which actually goes to all of our medical bills, which continue to mount);
Amazon wishlist, which mostly consists of animal and household stuff;
Partial registry #1, from Bed, Bath and Beyond. There are new kitchen-y things on it now, stuff that I didn't realize we'd need to replace (either because the RV ruined it or because we gave it away when we had to downsize).

In a Liberated Light

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's a trio of small messenger spirits given an old traditional form, arriving this year well out of season with a message we need to hear. It's Dragonfly, here as a collective, to remind us that adaptation is key to freedom, and that like such other children of Mother Earth, we, too, live in a liberated light.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are very much needed (one big initial payment sent out yesterday, more medical expenses upcoming, and the holiday season that keeps us going through the long cold winter already here), so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2018; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Friday, November 23, 2018

A lot to be thankful. Grief, too, and a lot else to worry about. Black Friday is Native American Heritage Day; support a Native artist with the sales we so badly need.

We have a lot to be thankful for.

First and foremost is that we have each other; second, that we have a home at long last, with safety and, this time of year, warmth. That was yesterday's meal; we typically eat holiday dinners around 5 PM, since it's just the two of us. Our small turkey, lightly brined; mashed potatoes; my signature cornbread and wild rice stuffing and herbed sweet potatoes and squash; homemade turkey gravy; what might be the best yeast rolls I've ever made (thank you, real oven!); the rest of the cornbread; maple-infused cranberry sauce; and homemade pumpkin and pecan pies with whipped cream. And the vast majority of it was made with staples; a lot of these are traditional foods for Wings, for me, or both of us. It is, however, three days of cooking and prep, because I don't have the energy anymore to do it all in one day.

No snow yesterday; the forecast was way off, except for the lovely clouds that made it feel like, well, Thanksgiving to me. Snow now alleged for tomorrow night, but I'll believe it when I see it.

We have a lot to be thankful for, but we also have a lot to worry about. the plumber will be here at 9 to see what this ghastly leak is all about and how to fix it, and it shows all the hallmarks of being both a massive mess and an equally massive expense. The owl returned yesterday (you can read about that here if you so choose) but not in a good way; a raptor got it, and then dropped it where we would find it. Under the circumstances, it feels very much like a sign, and we're both grieving. We have the saving grace of forced distraction, between the plumbing work and medical expenses, and we need to make sales consistently now to get us through the winter. This is both Black Friday and Native American Heritage Day, so if you want to start your holiday shopping, support a Native artist and his work here (contact me to commission something uniquely designed). This day is going to be very busy, so most of the rest is cut-and-paste.

A couple of things: First, go to Cherie's GFM page and kick in some scratch. We've already donated more than we could afford, and we're tapped out on that front; half a dozen things coming due for us over the course of this coming week, to say nothing of what's lurking on the medical front, all adding up to huge dollar amounts. We also had to help Wings's clan brother the other day; he needed to get down to Santa Fe for emergency surgery and follow-ups after injuring his hand a few days ago, and it's something they can't do here in town. But Cherie can still put the funds to use, so let's make sure that she gets to keep her home, hmm? Their survival matters too. it's Thanksgiving; if you have a home to be grateful for, kick in $2 or $5 or $10 or $20 (or a lot more) to make sure she has a chance to keep hers. It's winter in Nebraska already, too.

Second, we need sales desperately now; outside testing doesn't pay for itself, nor do taxes and other obligations, nor does the wood or the hay. Wings has just finished his next collection, and I've posted it and the previous one already, plus all his new earrings. There's also a change to the links in the list: I've moved the gift cards for Lowe's and Amazon back up to the top of our Amazon wishlist, because we're at the point where more things that need finishing on the house require purchases we can't afford. Finally, if you're contemplating commissions for holiday gifts, now is the time to get hold of me, because the creative process takes time. Wings can create something spectacular for you, unique to you or to the recipient of it. Also, briefly, a note on the site itself: In an effort to get current inventory up front, I've reordered the first pages of several of the galleries, so you will see a mix of high-end pieces, some of which have already sold, plus inventory currently on offer, both new pieces and less so.

Most of my attention has to be focused on bringing in money, through sales or subscribers or any other means, because the bills don't pay themselves, either, and the heavy burden I'm carrying on that score is inhibiting my ability to heal in a not-insignificant way. Please share these routinely:

My new Patreon, The Interstices (Writing Between Worlds);
Wings's site, for sales, with new items posted;
Wings's direct PayPal link;
A way to buy me coffee (which actually goes to all of our medical bills, which continue to mount);
Amazon wishlist, which mostly consists of animal and household stuff;
Partial registry #1, from Bed, Bath and Beyond. There are new kitchen-y things on it now, stuff that I didn't realize we'd need to replace (either because the RV ruined it or because we gave it away when we had to downsize).

Friday Feature: Sovereign Spirits

It's our Friday Feature at The NDN Silver Blog, one that navigates the dissonant line between "Black Friday" and "Native American Heritage Day," both labels imposed from without by a colonial dominant culture. Today, it's a work dating back decades that embodies the vision of one of Turtle Island's greatest warriors, one that works for an world made new with the living and thriving of the sovereign spirits of our cosmologies (including our own).

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are very much needed (especially now; this is the official start of the season for holiday commissions that keep us alive through the long hard winters here, and this year, we have five figures' worth of medical bills plus more upcoming on top of it all), so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2018; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Thursday, November 22, 2018

Freezing-Over Moon, and snow on the way. A lot to be thankful for, but sales are still needed to get us through the winter.

The Freezing-Over Moon, not quite full. It fits; we have snow on the way for tonight, and fierce cold winds, too. We will do as we usually do on this day, which is not to celebrate Thanksgiving, but thanksgiving. A friend hooked us up with a perfect little turkey, 8.6 pounds, from one of the farms south of here, and it's currently soaking in a [very diluted version of a] brine; it'll get seasoned and go into the oven soon. I made two pies yesterday, one pumpkin, one pecan; we'll have cornbread, wild rice, and cranberry stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, and herbed sweet potatoes with squash. Mostly stuff that we always have on hand, and sized for two people and a couple of days' worth of leftovers.

We have a lot to be thankful for.

We also have a lot to worry about. Late last night, a leak came through the wall of the laundry room. Wings has already called the plumber; they'll be out tomorrow morning. The hay is covered; we have plenty for the horses now, plenty of wood to keep the house warm, and plenty of food. As I've also said, a busy week in all sorts of ways (good for distracting me briefly from grief, if nothing else, and you can read about that here if you so choose), and I need to make sales consistently now to get us through the winter. This day is going to be very busy, so most of the rest is cut-and-paste.

A couple of things: First, go to Cherie's GFM page and kick in some scratch. We've already donated more than we could afford, and we're tapped out on that front; half a dozen things coming due for us over the course of this coming week, to say nothing of what's lurking on the medical front, all adding up to huge dollar amounts. We also had to help Wings's clan brother the other day; he needed to get down to Santa Fe for emergency surgery and follow-ups after injuring his hand a few days ago, and it's something they can't do here in town. But Cherie can still put the funds to use, so let's make sure that she gets to keep her home, hmm? Their survival matters too. it's Thanksgiving; if you have a home to be grateful for, kick in $2 or $5 or $10 or $20 (or a lot more) to make sure she has a chance to keep hers. It's winter in Nebraska already, too.

Second, we need sales desperately now; outside testing doesn't pay for itself, nor do taxes and other obligations, nor does the wood or the hay. Wings has just finished his next collection, and I've posted it and the previous one already, plus all his new earrings. There's also a change to the links in the list: I've moved the gift cards for Lowe's and Amazon back up to the top of our Amazon wishlist, because we're at the point where more things that need finishing on the house require purchases we can't afford. Finally, if you're contemplating commissions for holiday gifts, now is the time to get hold of me, because the creative process takes time. Wings can create something spectacular for you, unique to you or to the recipient of it. Also, briefly, a note on the site itself: In an effort to get current inventory up front, I've reordered the first pages of several of the galleries, so you will see a mix of high-end pieces, some of which have already sold, plus inventory currently on offer, both new pieces and less so.

Most of my attention has to be focused on bringing in money, through sales or subscribers or any other means, because the bills don't pay themselves, either, and the heavy burden I'm carrying on that score is inhibiting my ability to heal in a not-insignificant way. Please share these routinely:

My new Patreon, The Interstices (Writing Between Worlds);
Wings's site, for sales, with new items posted;
Wings's direct PayPal link;
A way to buy me coffee (which actually goes to all of our medical bills, which continue to mount);
Amazon wishlist, which mostly consists of animal and household stuff;
Partial registry #1, from Bed, Bath and Beyond. There are new kitchen-y things on it now, stuff that I didn't realize we'd need to replace (either because the RV ruined it or because we gave it away when we had to downsize).

#TBTT: The Free Spirits of Hope

It's #ThrowbackThanksgivingThursday at The NDN Silver Blog, with a work from a scant two months ago, a gift for a dear friend. On a day more usually devoted to debunking the season's toxic colonial myths, we pray today for our friend's safety and well-being, blessings received and thanks given on the wings of the free spirits of hope.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. This is, of course, a one-of-a-kind piece, one that will be duplicated only should he need to replace it for our friend (the context makes clear the why of it), but if the general style speaks to your spirit, simply inquire via the site's Contact form; he can create a version uniquely your own. And, as always, sales are very much needed as we enter the season whose sales support us through the long winter closure (and pay the medical bills and the upcoming additional testing), so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2018; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

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