The Fire and the Spider

The Fire and the Spider

From - Myths, Legends and Old Sayings, by Hastings Shade

Many, many years ago when the earth was still cold and dark, animals, birds and insects could still communicate but there was no fire. The Indians needed fire to stay warm and to cook with.

At this time, however there was a race of giants who had fire and were called The Fire People. All the animals got together and decided that they should get some fire from the Fire People. The bear went first since he was the strongest. He came back and told the other animals that he had indeed tried his best, but that he had been unable to get any fire. Just then, the animals heard a tiny voice,

"Let me try," said the spider. They laughed and said, "You're too small."

But as each animal tried and returned with the sad news that they had failed, the spider's small voice was still heard saying, "Let me try". Finally she was the only one left, so they agreed to let her try. Spider fashioned a small clay pot with a lid on it and put it on her back as she started toward the fire. As she approached the fire, it began to grow light. When she finally reached the fire, she put a small ember into the clay pot.

Immediately the fire was missed by the Fire People. They looked all over for the missing fire. The spider would run a little ways and stop until she got right to the water's edge. The Fire People were almost on top of her, but they were afraid of the water, because they new it would put them out. Spider slipped into the water, so the Fire People figured that the fire she had stolen had been put out. So they went away thinking that their fire was safe. What they didn't know was that the ember had baked the clay pot to be water proof. So when the Fire People left, the spider came out of the water and brought the fire to the Indians. This is the Sacred Fire of the Cherokees.

Ormond Beach, Florida Pow Wow

 January 21 - 23, 2011 ~  21st Annual Native American Festival The Casements ~ 25 Riverside Drive ~ Ormond Beach, Florida Info (386)676-3216 Sponsored by The Department of Leisure Services; Intertribal Native Dancers, Aztec Dancers from Mexico, Reptile & Wildlife Exhibits, Native American Cuisine, Over 30 Trading Booths; Friday 10am-9pm, Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 10am-5pm ~ Daily Admission: Adult US $6.00; Senior US $5.00; Child US $4.00

If you are in the area, check out this pow wow.  There are a LOT of Great things to See, Learn, and DO.  Plenty of Great Artisans and Entertainers.  They have Gators & Hawks and Tons of FOOD!! 

We will actually have one of our Distributors Vending at this pow wow, so if you are planning on attending and want to save some shipping, just let me know and I will be sure to send those items.  This pow wow is Definitely one of the Finer pow wows in Florida.  So be sure to visit Native Heart, Joey & Janell ~ Silversmith; Veterans:Caps, Patches, Pins, Decals, & T-shirts; Tribal Hats, Native Crafts, Handcrafted Gourd Art (and Beadwork by Six Directions Traders)

For more pow wow listings in the southeast United States be sure to visit www.SixDirectionsTraders.com and click on the pow wow page.

Some tips on better camping

Going Camping?

Some tips on better camping:

-- When using a public campground, a tuba placed on your picnic table will keep the campsites on either side vacant.

-- Get even with a bear who raided your food bag by kicking his favorite stump apart and eating all the ants.

-- Old socks can be made into high fiber beef jerky by smoking them over an open fire. -- When smoking a fish, never inhale.

-- A hot rock placed in your sleeping bag will keep your feet warm. A hot enchilada works almost as well, but the cheese sticks between your toes.

-- While the Swiss Army Knife has been popular for years, the Swiss Navy Knife has remained largely unheralded. Its single blade functions as a tiny canoe paddle.

-- Lint from your navel makes a handy fire starter. Warning: Remove lint from navel before applying the match.

-- You can compress the diameter of your rolled up sleeping bag by running over it with your car.

New Year and on to New Things

Thank you everyone for all the cards and prayers sent over this holiday season.   I don't celebrate them much but it was nice to be thought of  whilst we make our way through the end of another year. 

I haven't blogged much, due to the fact that we are  not travelling this winter.  I try to post encouraging articles ever so often, to let you all know that I am thinking about each and Every one of you.  I have several New things in the works for this year.  First of which is my online shop, which I am happy to say is doing well. 

http://www.artfire.com/users/SixDirectionsTraders

 In fact, I was able to open an Etsy shop as well.  The Etsy shop will be mainly to sell beads, pendants, and components.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SixDirectionsTraders

Recently I have been designing and beading brick stitch picture earrings.  I am trying to make a couple of the same pattern in different color schemes to fatten up the store inventory.  As I am listing them in the online shop, I name the different color schemes and designs, so I can keep track of them.  My good friend Tarponjuli was so honored that I named the Lizard pattern after her, that she purchased the first one!  Thanks so much Juli, it means a lot to me.  So, above is pictured the next pair I made of the Lizard Tarponjuli earrings, and after putting the loop for the ear hook I realized it was upside down.  So I cut the thread tied it off and started another thread to re-do the ear hook loop of beads.  Then as I am finishing the last knot, I notice that I did the same exact thing!!! It was still upside down!!  LOL  Ok, so do I just keep it that way?  Or try for a third time to put the loop where I want it to be?!?

I have been hard at work on the web sites, there are updates beginning on the NEW 2011 pow wow page.  There is another section of my website that is a feed from a pow wow listing site.  PowWowTime.com started out listing pow wows in the Western half of the United States, and they are expanding to listing the entire country.   

The Printable Florida Pow Wow List for  Spring 2011 is updated Here:

http://www.sixdirectionstraders.com/spring2011list.doc

Listings in red do not have confirmed dates as of yet.  And as we have seen recently in Florida, some pow wows have gotten cancelled or changed to different months than they used to be held on.  So, as always, I will do my best to provide as correct information as possible on these events.  But it would be in YOUR best interest to contact someone from the pow wow yourself for more specific questions.

 

Thundering Spirit Family Pow wow website has begun being updated for the year 2011!  This year is dedicated to:

*Returning to the Old Ways*

~ Dance to Remember ~

March 4 - 6, 2011

Renninger's Twin Markets

20651 Highway 441 Mount Dora, Florida 32757

Just East of Mount Dora ~  Just 30 miles  North of Orlando  ~ East of Mount Dora, Leesburg, Inverness ~ Just 30 miles North of Orlando ~ West of Deltona, DeBary, Sanford ~ South of Gainsville, Ocala, Umatilla

Friday March 4th 2011, Grand Entry at 7:00pm  Saturday March 5th 2011, Grand Entry at 1:00pm & 7:00pm  Sunday March 6th 2011 Grand Entry at 1:00pm ~ Gates Open at 10:00am Daily

Friday March 4th is Children's Day from 9:00am - 2:00pm with special Demonstrations, Games, etc.   

Please join us for Traditional Native American Culture Including: Drumming, Dancing, Crafts, and Food.  Bring the whole Family and spend the day,  Don't forget to bring Chairs and/or Blankets to sit on

Admission ~ Required Donation: Adults $4.00 Children Under 12 FREE ~ Active, Retired or Service Persons Admitted FREE

MC: Ric Bird Head Veteran: Bob 'Walks with Fire' Head Man Dancer:  Bobby DuBose Head Woman Dancer:  Sandra DuBose Host Drum: Southern Echo, Family Drum Singers, and Bird Chopper Bird Family Drum Firekeeper: Ken Cloudwalker Color Guard: Local Veterans

We are proud to announce that the following Native American Performers will be at our Pow Wow:

Award-Winning Celtic / Native American Violinist: Arvel Bird  Hoop & Fancy Shawl Dancer, Artist, Singer/Songwriter: Jackie Bird   Three–time Grammy award-winning songwriter and musician: Bill Birdsong Miller   Aztec Dancers: Tlatlacayolotl ~ Earth, Heart, Man   Guest Elder: Kashka - Tlingit Legend Keeper - Storyteller  Story Tellers: Sarah 'Sunshine Badger Woman' and Grandma Coyote Flutist: Utah Farris   Special Animal Appearances: 'Thunder' the American Bald Eagle

An outstanding collection of Native American Artisans and Traders will be bringing their Creativity, Culture, and Crafts to our Pow Wow.  For a complete listing see our Artisans Page

Host Hotel: E.com Lodge  E.Com Lodge ~ 18730 U.S. Highway 441 ~ Mount Dora, FL 32757 Tel-(352) 383-2181    Fax-(352) 383-1310 ecomlodge@comcast.net

For additional Information or to become a sponsor, Call Tony Ledford at: 352 636-4271 or 352 589-0045   ThunderSpiritFam@yahoo.com or write: PO BOX 1141 ~ Eustis, FL 32727 http://www.thunderingspiritfamily.com/

 

Encouraging Predictions For 2011

ENCOURAGING PREDICTIONS FOR  2011

With all the problems the World is facing, it can be unsettling to the mind. Today, I will share with you ten predictions that are true!

       1.  The Bible will still have all the answers.

       2.  Prayer will still be the most powerful thing on Earth..

       3.  The Holy Spirit will still move.

       4.  God will still honor the praises of His people.

       5.  There will still be God-anointed preaching.

       6.  There will still be singing of praise to God.

       7.  God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

       8.  There will still be room at the Cross.

       9.  Jesus will still love you.

     10.  Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him. 

Isn't it great to remember who is really in control, and that; "the Word of the Lord endures forever." (1 Peter 1:25)

 I hope you found this encouraging!

I sure did, sometimes we need the reminder of just "WHO" is really in control.