Portal

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

Sometimes the light is a threshold; sometimes it's a bridge. Sometimes it's a path of the spirits, one they may traverse both ways. 



All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

The Gift of the Whirlwind

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's one of Wings's exceptionally powerful pieces, one that suits this day on which a storm now hovers just out of reach. It's a work that embodies the whirlwind's power, and its gifts, all bound together in a spectacular marriage of stone and silver hand-wrought with meticulously fine detail. 

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Shawl Dancer

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

It's hard to relearn the steps of the dance; harder still when one is never taught them in the first place. Sometimes a visitor comes just long enough to show you that you can do it.



All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Setbacks

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

Is Mercury still retrograde? 'Cause I've about had enough of this ish.

Today was clog-change day for Cree. She's been doing well: relatively mobile; getting accustomed to the oddness of the clog and its small central "heel"; putting weight on the foot semi-regularly; not rocking back on her hind end; eyes clear and body language relatively free of pain.

But . . . .

Signs and Songs of the Storm

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's a work we highlighted briefly on Tuesday, one that's especially well-suited to our impending weather here this weekend. It's one whose substance and symbolism embody this place at its most powerfully elemental.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

A Promise

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

Some promises cannot be fulfilled within the same generation. It doesn't mean that fate won't help ensure they're kept.


All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Coyote Always Gets His.

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

Early yesterday morning, Raven chased away a coyote who was eyeing the chicken coop. [No, the photo's from a November visit.]

But Coyote always gets his revenge.

It apparently was not enough to have to replace our secondary standpipe and much of the plumbing last week. And, no, it's not lost on me that we had no choice but to sink four figures into it during our last winter in this place; once the house is built, this standpipe will probably be wholly extraneous. [Oh, and last week? Two more brute-force attempts on the Web site, along with dealing with Cree, and a few other things I'm not even going to get into now.]

But no. Now both the washer and the dryer appear to have gone of the blink, along with the small fridge (the one inside this place). The fridge craps out periodically, defrosting on its own; normally, a full day or two on the max setting remedies it, but so far, nothing.

The other two concern me more. Wings bought our initial washer and dryer, lightly used, about seventeen years ago. The dryer has continued to function, but the washer gave up the ghost around Christmas, 2012. We had to buy a new one, and it has never worked as well as the old one. Every winter, we have problems with the rinse/spin cycles, which I have always attributed to the freezing weather, but this time, it's going to require a service call. We're waiting to hear sometimes today, and praying that we don't need a new washer.

The dryer? [Shrugs] who knows? I walked into the studio yesterday to check on the washer, and smelled the unmistakable odor of something electrical overheating. I would've thought it was a belt in the washer, but it seemed to be emanating from the dryer — or, rather, upon closer inspection, possibly from the hook-up.  I'm now in the unenviable position of hoping it's only the dryer and not the hook-up, which would be disastrous. More, I'm hoping that I'm simply wrong about the source of the smell, and it really is just a belt on the washer.

Here's the thing: Laundromats are not a feasible option for us. It's been years since my body has been able to deal with the physical labor involved in lugging loads of laundry to and from one, and there's not time anyway. And all that elides the fact that I simply cannot drive that much anymore, thanks to the PCS; driving even a short distance is a guaranteed migraine by the next day. This isn't like going to the post office (and that's bad enough, believe me).

And all this at a time when we're waiting to hear from a guy on the blueprints for the house, in hopes of launching the next phase in February. 

So . . . . No, not donations. Sales. We need folks to share the links to Wings's site. With all your networks, online and off-. If you have testimonials to offer up, that helps, too. Here's the main page. I'd really like to be able to find homes for some of our inventory in the days to come. Wings's newest work would cover it all and let us put some more toward the house.

Thanks.




All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Friday Feature: When Winter Bears Fruit

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's our final Friday Feature for the first month of the new year. Accordingly, today we highlight the last of our katsinam, an exceptionally large and beautiful one that fits well with the week's other themes. The post includes a spirit being of another sort, as well.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.


All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

A Gift

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

When things appear out of their proper place and time, it can be a sign of dangers to come. Sometimes, it can also be a gift.



All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

#ThrowbackThursday: A Gift to the Creator, Across Cultural Lines

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

It's #ThrowbackThursday at The NDN Silver Blog, and today, it's a trip back in time only a few short weeks, to the holiday season just past. This began as a commission from one sister to another, and ended as a gift to both of them, one that exceeded the original value many times over. It has symbolic value within the tradition of the recipient, and so this particular design won't be repeated. However, if the concept of pendant-plus-pendulum appeals to you, Wings can create a version uniquely your own, of the forms and shapes that inform your own traditions; simply inquire via the site's Contact form. 

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. As always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Emissary

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

When a creature arrives out of season, there's usually a reason. Sometimes, it's there to deliver a message from more knowledgeable and powerful beings.




All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

A Walking Offering

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's Wings's latest masterwork, completed only a scant hour or so ago. It is truly extraordinary, a piece of stunning beauty and value, in both tangible and spiritual terms. It's also summoned from an incredible amount of sterling silver (twelve conchas plus the larger buckle) and 49 very old stones, but it has one quality that sets it apart even further. you'll have to read the post to find out what it is.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Translation

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

The world is not as hermetic as it seems. Light translates to snow, ice to flame . . . and the soft notes of a small bird to words older than time.


All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Indigenous Arts: Precipitating Inspiration

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's this week's edition of our new series on Indigenous Arts, and a look at one of Wings's fundamental sources of inspiration. It's a fitting motif, in this place where water is life in the truest sense, an element with its own spirit and inspiring, inspiriting power.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

In Cold Gray Skies

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

When skies are cold and gray, things appear out of nowhere: sights, sounds, spirits. Be sure to learn which ones to trust, and which to beware.



All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Monday Photo Meditation: The Colors of Winter, of People and Place

Photo copyright Wings, 2016; all rights reserved.

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's a photo meditation for this last Monday in January, one in which most of the day has featured the colors of winter with a brilliant intensity. This photo was taken with Wings's film camera some three years or so ago, but the shades are the same, and the red willows (like their people and place) grow and thrive.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. As always, the photo is available for purchase in any of the usual three formats; simply inquire via the site's Contact form. Also as always, sales are much needed (particularly after the last two weeks here), so shares of the site links are much appreciated. 


All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

A Cold and Hungry Season

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

The wind drives the clouds before it in advance of the storm. Sometimes, it brings darker things with it.




All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Gradients and Gifts

Photo copyright Wings, 2016; all rights reserved.

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's one of Wings's slightly older works, albeit one that was a part of his one-man show. It's also a heavily symbolic piece, one whose motifs fit well within the themes of the week just past. 

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed (especially now, having had to repair half the plumbing system here two days ago), so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Fire In the Sky

Photo copyright Aji, 2015; all rights reserved.

Fire in the sky is not always a an ill omen, but it is a warning . . . especially when it appears in the world of dreams.


All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Tributaries of the Spirit

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's a spare and simple piece, but one heavy with symbolism. It's also a favorite, one thoroughly inspirited and positively silken to the touch. 

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.


All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Storm's Fire, Clear Sky

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

In dreams, the world can change in an instant, or contain opposites simultaneously. Sometimes, weather and spirits of the dream world cross into this one.



All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Two Grand In Two Weeks

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

So I've been utterly unavailable for just about anything for the last couple of weeks. There are reasons for that.

With my particular complex of autoimmune conditions, I have only so many resources at my disposal. Around here, there are things that absolutely have to get done, no matter the circumstances. Pile enough of those on top of each other, and I have nothing left over for basic social engagement. For people who don't deal with these kinds of things, I realize that it's essentially impossible to understand how it is that I can write, but can't exchange basic conversation. The latter is much, much harder than the former, and infinitely more draining. Times like this? I ain't got it. And I've quit putting myself through the torture of trying to force-fake it.

Just so people understand the kind of thing that pushes me to this point, here's the deal: I've said that, since the first of the year, it seems that we've done nothing but shovel snow, shovel horseshit, and treat Cree's near-deadly case of founder. That's accurate as far as it goes, but it's not all of it. The rest is over the jump; proceed at own risk.

Friday Feature: The View From the Path

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

It's our Friday Feature at The NDN Silver Blog, and today, it's a small but powerful spirit whose task it is to keep us to the proper path. He reminds us that our duties do not magically disappear in good times, nor in times of greater difficulty. In this version, however, he's a slightly more gentle teacher.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

The Little People

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

They bear many names, including those of the rocks and rivers, and they are fierce and humorous and powerful beyond what their small stature would suggest. A small gesture of thanks never goes amiss.




All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

#TBT: The Slant of the Storm

Photo copyright Wings, 2016; all rights reserved.

It's #ThrowbackThursday at The NDN Silver Blog, and today, it's a trip back only a couple of years, but to one of the pieces in my personal collection of Wings's work. It is, truly, one of my all-time favorites, one whose imagery speaks to me at the deepest levels of my spirit.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. If the style speaks to you, he can make a version uniquely your own; simply inquire via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

 



All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

A Bird Out of Season

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

Sometimes it's a real bird, sometimes a spirit bird. Sometimes it's both and neither.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

What Makes the Mountains

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's a tribute to the tangible spirits of this place, those formed of and supported by the sacred spaces within them. It's our mountains, a gathering of guardians of the earth, distilled by Wings into wearable form.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Vantage Pointa

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

Dreams and visions can serve as guides, but they can also lead one down a dangerous path. When following them, take care to view them from the proper vantage point.



All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Indigenous Arts: Subject/ive

Photo copyright Wings, 2016; all rights reserved.

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's the second entry in our new Tuesday series for 2016, Indigenous Arts. Today, we're looking through Wings's photographic lens, exploring matters of subject and subjectivity (and, necessarily, the latter's alleged opposite). It's a little esoteric, but when discussing indigenous arts, it's important for people to grapple and engage with these topics.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. The photo remains available for purchase, already matted and framed, or in 8X10 print form; simply inquire via the site's Contact form. As always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Hell isn't fire. It's ice.

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

Just in case anybody was wondering.

That is what it still looks like here.  After two weeks of digging out.

You know, I really hate the so-called "spoon theory." The imagery just irritates the hell out of me. But at the same time, it gets the job done in explaining what existence is like for some of us.

I have no spoons right now, none, zip, zero, nada, gaawiin gegoo.

We haven't had plumbing, not in any real sense, for two days now. Frozen solid. [Yes, we've already taken every step you've thought of, and some you haven't. Trust me on this. This is a yearly thing, given our current living arrangements (and for what I hope is the last winter in this thing), and there are only so many options, given age, obsolescence, and extreme temperatures.]

We have spent this year so far shoveling snow and shoveling shit, and in the few minutes cadged here and there between those two, the laborious work of caring for Cree, and half a day consumed with closing off the hay barn to keep the elk out. We've shot way past fatigue to somewhere well beyond exhaustion by now. For me, it's the kind of exhaustion that beggars sleep; I've had virtually none since 5 AM or so yesterday. I did greet the morning with subluxed knees, so there's that. I'm managing with them, but the pain in my collarbone (effects of the cold on an old stress injury) is about to take what remains of my sanity.

I had thought, hoped, that I could get to some other things this week. So far, it's not looking very likely. The last two days have been frankly unspeakable. There is one possibility for relieving one part of the workload, but two of the major issues can't be handled by anyone else. Yes, the plumbing, which is highly specialized and also way beyond old, and trust me, there's not anything different that a pro can do about this situation, which we face at least once every winter in this place. Now is apparently that time, and I'm as at the end of my tether about it as every year. The second is Cree, and there's no hiring anyone for it. there are exactly three people here who can handle it, and that's the vet, Wings, and me. We're all doing our respective parts.

All this is by way of saying that I have absolutely nothing left for conversation. Nothing. And I will not be around much save for my two sets of required daily posts, and perhaps the occasional venting. It's not you, it's me, and I have no ability for personal interaction right now beyond what's required for the gallery. That takes everything I have left.

Also, I'm closing comments, and I want no comments on this elsewhere, either. It's not a cry for help (and there is none anyway; it's not a question of money, but simply of who can do what), and It's not a plea for sympathy. It's just a combination of safety valve for me and letting everyone else know why I've gone quiet, and need to stay that way for a while. I have a huge additional workload looming on top of everything else, and since I'm already spoonless by this point, social engagement is one of those things that just is not going to happen.

This first half of 2016?  Two weeks in, and I'm already over it. 




All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Suns and Spirit Dreams

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

Sunrise is not the time of dreams, in the ordinary way. But when its rising brings visions and dreams, the spirits who inhabit their realm sometimes take corporeal form. 



All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Monday Photo Meditation: Witness

Photo copyright Wings, 2016; all rights reserved.

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's a photo meditation specific to this day in particular. There are no links to purchase anything in today's post; it's inappropriate to the theme and the message. It is, however, overtly political, some real and raw honesty from both of us about the evils of co-option and appropriation, about the warping of certain words and phrases, and about the need to do the work (and the manner in which it's done). It's also a reflection on how best to honor the man this day purports to recognize, on how to respect his identity, his legacy, his sacrifice. 

It will probably not be a popular post, but it is a true and honest one. Shares welcomed, as always.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Markers and Mirrors

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

Memory is a tricky thing. It brings to mind, unbidden, markers we wish to forget . . . and also summons mirror images to connect us to the ancestors in ways more real than we know.



All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Lighting the World

Photo copyright Wings, 2016; all rights reserved.

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's twinned rays of sunlight to brighten the wearer's world. These are, thanks to the market value of the precious metal from which they're wrought, the least expensive items in Wings's current inventory, but it's no reflection on their symbolic power or value.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.



All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Signs and Names

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

In dark days, a birth is not always a blessing. Sometimes, a child needs a little help: a guide, a sign, a name.




All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

A View Closer to the Sun

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's a work I'd originally intended to feature tomorrow, but the one I'd had planned for today has newly found its home. Today's item fits the mood here today, and serves as a useful reminder of broader, longer views than those before our eyes.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.


All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Nesting

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

A nest implies a home, a place where one is welcome. Sometimes, nesting is not possible, but whatever welcome is offered can be enough.


All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Friday Feature: The View From the Clouds

Photo copyright Wings, 2016; all rights reserved.

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's a Friday Feature for a spirit of things to come. On this day, it appears that such things will arrive sooner than forecast, perhaps even momentarily — more snow. It will make for more difficulty, given the sheer volume of snow we've already received, but the long view tells us that this is a blessing, and we'll be grateful for it when planting time rolls around again. Today, we have two spirits to teach us this lesson anew: one elder, one younger.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.


All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Spirit Moon

Photo copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved.

The spirit moon lights more than just the night.



All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

#ThrowbackThursday: Sun and Smoke

Photo copyright Wings, 2016; all rights reserved.

It's #TBT at The NDN Silver Blog, and today, it's a trip back five or six years to greet the sun beneath a spiral of smoke. Wings has created several versions of this pendant over the years, each one of a kind, each anchored by a different gemstone; this one was one of my favorites, both aesthetically and symbolically. 

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. This piece sold a few years ago, but if the imagery speaks to you, he can create a version uniquely your own; simply inquire via the site's Contact form. And, as always, sales are much needed, so shares of the site links are much appreciated.



All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.