Matters of Grace

The Karuk Indians lived in Northern California and were known as the Upper River People. History is not fair; like countless other cultures, the Karuk are now all but forgotten by the masses. The following is from a conversation between two Karuk elders, c: 1900. Translated by Julian Lang; I found it interesting and post it now for your edification: The Old People were following the Ikxareeyavs , the Spirit People , all the time. All the People did the same long ago; whatever the Ikxareeyavs did, the People did. And the things that the Spirit People ate, that was all the Old People ate. That's what they were told, "You must eat this kind of food" So the Spirit People ate salmon and they spooned up acorn soup, eating salmon along with acorn soup. And they ate deermeat. And the Old People claimed that the Spirit People ate two meals a day. And so that's the way the Old People did as well. When the white people came, the Old People said "they are eating food ...

One of the easiest ways to connect with the Earth and her wheel of the year is to eat local foods. There are the obvious benefits to eating locally, such as cutting down on the amount of toxins spewed into our air because the foods do not have to be transported half way around the world. Also, local produce tends to have a fuller, richer flavor having been picked fresh and ripe from the trees. But there are subtle benefits as well. To me, there is something heart-warming about supporting small farms; the act of buying a few apples not only helps a family to earn a living, it somehow offers a connection to my own family history, and the history of all mankind. Working the earth with one's hands and seeing those efforts come to fruition brings satisfaction on a deep, deep level. “ Burn down your cities and leave our farms, and your cities will spring up again as if by magic; but destroy our farms and the grass will grow in the streets of every city in the country. ” - William J...

Last week I had to be picked up via ambulance - in front of my children (not good) and taken to ER for seizures (also not good.) To suddenly have your body stop working as it should and basically tweak out was scary enough, but in front of the kids, let me say that it makes one feel powerless. After much testing, the doctors believe it was just another migraine, albeit more severe than usual. My neurologist was thinking that beta blockers might help. Since there are side-effects (as with any med) I'm not in love with this idea, so I googled and found that the humble banana containes natural beta blockers. So I've been blendin' the smoothies (and taking my vitamins, getting good rest and exercise) and after a week I've got to say that I do feel better and am starting to believe that the banana is one of God's more perfect creations. After all the Banana comes in its own case, is easy to transport, gives a good burst of energy, and tastes great dipped in chocolate, ...