Episode 7 Adventures with Charity Joy

Driving west for 8 hours arrived in the Chicago area to visit my true kindred spirit friend and her kids. After a quick stop at their house, and we drove to the home school where the kids attend. I brought my Kalaripayattu long staff (Red Veeshu) and did a short demonstration for the kids, which they watched with fascination by the fast swinging of the long stick in rhythmic motions. It was the end of the day for kids, they were also eager to hang with me and see what magic was in store for the evening.

Kalaripayattu training

Kindred Spirit and kids, Coraline, Cullen, and Quinn (aka cloaked fairie), and I headed for a nature walk down to a nature preserve. Still, in the autumn season, it was beautiful. We picked milk thistle and blew the seeds everywhere as if we were sprinkling magic wishes along the path. There is something about being in the presence of kids that keeps us present. Perhaps that is why I love to work with kids and be with them. As the sun set and the temperature dropped we walked to the house where I set to work on preparing a butternut, sweet potato, and coconut soup for all. A perfect way to end the evening after playtime with the kids. The next day was yet another journey in the truck to Wisconsin amid peak autumn colors. Wow, how blessed are we to have this beauty surrounding us?

*Sister time in central Wisconsin, where we attended a local Native American Pow Wow, and visited sacred burial ground.*

I remember when I was 15 or 16 years-old I couldn’t wait to leave Wisconsin and see the world, and now when I go back there is beauty that I couldn’t see in the eyes of a teenager eager to leave. Over 20 years later I’m there and the beauty is so amazing. To bear witness to what I couldn’t see before I relish in now. Jessie (my sister) and I took a day trip to Door County, which is quite a sought tourist area as it borders Lake Michigan (one of the great fresh bodies of water in the world). Hiking, eating homemade cherry strudel, and taking in the beauty of the waters around us was the perfect day. My stay in the midwest wasn't too long as I was ready to venture out west. And this begins my journey to the buffalo tipi.

*Driving through the Badlands, South Dakota*

I arrived in the evening, just before sunset at the buffalo tipi in Hot Spring, South Dakota. I had enough time to walk the land where I was staying to gather cedar and sage before the sun went to bed. I made a small bundle that smelled of Earth herself, absolutely divine. Hmmm, amazing.

A quick check-in with the host of the property and found the indoor bathroom and shower that would be mine for the evening. The tipi was well equipped with electricity, and king size bed covered with feather duvets and sheep skins for warmth. Goddess knew I would need it. The fire pit was what caught my eye as I was walking the land. Knowing that would be the perfect anecdote for connecting back to my body and the earth - a fire. I placed kindling, cedar, and some torn-up poster paper of a past retreat I facilitated, in a tipi-like fashion in the pit. I placed different types and sizes of wood continually in a tipi circular pattern. I lighted her up, scooted the Adirondack chair closer to the pit to feel the warmth, and allowed myself to sink in. Hanging around a fire does something to me that fuels my soul and ignites my spark. After forty minutes I realized I still needed to unpack some of my belongings from the truck. Zip Zip up and down the zipper went as I carried food, clothing, and what I would need for the night. A hot, hot shower, one that you could melt butter for the popcorn in, I allowed myself to linger in the soothing water for quite some time. I knew that the tipi did not have heat and the temperature was dropping fast. Zip Zip one more time, to cozy in with my quick dinner, which consisted of heated-up cheese curds (courtesy of a farm in Wisconsin) and dolmas. The air felt even colder in the tipi than outside. I cozied into the bed with a stocking hat, down blankets, and skins atop of me. With a flashlight and a few reading materials, I created a mini fort under the covers and drifted off into the 29-degree night. EEK. I woke up with the heavy covers engulfing me and knew I had to move quickly once I got out of bed. I packed up at the speed of space pace and had another very hot shower. Zip Zip went the zipper on the tipi one last time as I set out to the local coffee shop for pancakes and HOT coffee to warm up.