We have just returned from a trading trip, one that took us to a Mountain Man Rendezvous!

I think we represented ourselves pretty damn well.

I have been involved the last few months with politics, at a political blog website.

This has been an interesting experience, one which I may share here, at a later date.  There is much to still get my mind wrapped around, so it will have to wait.  I might start sharing my thoughts here, too.

Here is a sample of a recent post of mine:

Drug Use a Victimless Crime?  NO!!!

We have a problem in this country of equating legal/illegal with moral/immoral, legal/illegal with ethical/unethical.  Until this is corrected, we will have a lot of problems.

This misbegotten turning away from ethics and morals, not only fosters an environment for the drug abuser, but also keeps proper punishment and effective law enforcement from occurring.  Corruption is one of the key ways in which liberties are lost for the majority by the actions of a minority. Statists of all flavors thrive on the corruption and immorality of a society.

This moral and ethical equivalency and degradation is encouraged  purely for the benefit of the Leftists and 99 other flavors of Statists to justify oppressive response.  Irresponsibility does nothing for Liberty.  The selfish people in our society whine about their rights and privileges without once talking about what their responsibilities and duties as a Free Person are!

If people base their decisions solely from a selfish, loophole oriented perspective, you end up with a decayed society, much like the one we live in.  The society and individuals relinquish their own self-responsibility to another authority, for bad or worse.  A Free Person must evaluate their decisions not only from a rights and privileges perspective, but also from a responsibilities and duties perspective. 

Authority without responsibility is a very, very stupid way to run a society.

For narcotics, much less any drug to be other than illegal or regulated, requires a population which has a tradition and accepted duty towards self-responsibility or otherwise, society will suffer.  A society which would not be destroyed by drug abuse is one in which it would never cross a person's mind to abuse drugs..

I do not use narcotics, nor do I drink to excess or abuse tobacco.  Why?  Because of legality or illegality? Heck no!

I am a Free Man, and as such, I not only recognize my rights and privileges as such, but also my responsibilities to my Nation and community.  If I incapacitate myself, I become a burden upon not only myself and family, but to my fellow man as well.

If I do stupid things while so incapacitated, I risk not only damaging another, but also damaging their Liberty.  I have the freedom right this minute at use and abuse all manner of things, legal or not.  But because I am a Free Man, I will not damage another person's Liberty for the sake of my own selfishness.

The sort of people given to drug abuse, legal or illegal, not only make a selfish decision right from the start, but are also engaging in a behavior which will increase their selfishness and diminish their judgment and responsibility. Legal or illegal, society will degrade.

What in the world makes anyone think that an irresponsible person. acting in an irresponsible fashion will be anything other than irresponsible?

It has been stated that narcotics are a victimless crime.  Up the thread and probably later down the thread, it will be contended that the drug abusers, illegal and otherwise, are only committing a crime when they commit a crime, ignoring the decrease of responsibility and increase in selfishness demonstrated by drug abusers.

When a drug abuser, illegal or legal, injures themselves or another, does that not potentially affect my insurance rates, my taxes, my quality of health care and run the risk of legislation and regulation being increased on otherwise legal activities, all because of a drug abuser's selfish lack of responsibility?

When a drug abuser, illegal or legal, damages property (even their own,) does that not affect my insurance rates, my taxes, my law enforcement availability, my piece of mind, my sanctity of property and does this also not risk the increase of regulation and legislation potentially affecting my property?

When a drug user, illegal or legal, commits a crime or is irresponsible with a gun, does that not affect my chances of keeping my own lawful and rightful ownership of weapons?

The list goes on and on.  I am very much impacted, in many ways, in serious ways, by drug abuse.

Encouraging the abuse of drugs, illegal and legal, in an atmosphere of "do what you feel moral equivalency" does nothing more than increase the chances of irresponsible behavior, thereby giving the Statist mentalities room to justify the removal of my liberties.

Victimless crime?  Heck no!

Drug use, legal or illegal is only victimless if I never see it, never deal with it, never have to see the aftermath of it and don't have to fund it.

I have yet to meet a self-responsible drug abuser, and I have lived a long and interesting life.  So as soon as a crack-head can show me that they are a stand-up citizen and are not incapacitated by what they are doing, I will be more "open-minded" about it.

The bottom line is that every time someone is irresponsible, I end up paying the bill.  Increasing potential and allowing, as a society, for irresponsibility is beyond stupid; it is suicidal.  And very expensive, not only in terms of money, but also in terms of other rights abridged and in areas of domestic tranquility.

Before worrying about getting more privileges and helping the Leftists and Statists get more justification for oppression, try educating the populace as to their rights and responsibilities as citizens.  You need to get people back to understanding the difference between rights and privileges and remind people that privileges are earned and can be lost.  Accountability must be restored, corruption crushed and dignity made a priority.

Talk of increasing privilege without obligation is truly stupid.  It serves no one.

People want the privilege of drug abuse, legal and illegal.  Okay.

I want the privilege of horsewhipping them for their stupid, selfish, jackass behavior that I end up paying for.

For all our love and understanding, our compassion as caring human beings, we need to recognize that drug abuse is a selfish choice, a choice made by an individual. Drug abuse is a jackass thing to engage in.

As much as we may love and care for someone, however much we might want to help them and work with them, the choice to stop will also be theirs, and theirs alone.  They chose to be a jackass and have to pay the many penalties accompanied with not only being a jackass, but the long road back from such behavior.

We can help, but the best way we can help is by getting a grip on our common sense as a Nation again and get back to some basic standards.

To add a little to this:  I understand that some people get caught up in use and whatnot.  I do feel empathy for them, truly I do.  What I will not do is tolerate the idea that weakness of mind and spirit, cultivated oppression, or irresponsibility serves people in any way that is good.

People have to be accountable.

Some of you are thinking of the song. Some of you are thinking a passage in a book of the Bible.

Turns out you would both be right, as the Bible is where the song came from.  But either way, there is a lot of truth to this.  One does not plant in the dead of winter, nor harvest before the plant has matured, nor till in the summer.  Everything we do has its time and place.

For us, this is true of the times not only for mundane things, but the spiritual as well.  A few days ago was the time of the month my people call The Growing Light. Of course this time of the year, the Spring, also holds that message and truth. It is a time for beginning and ending things.  A number of activities were enjoyed throughout the day, including garden and orchard work, fellowship and time in spiritual reflection.  The day left us tired, joyful, empty and filled, ready to start and continue the goodness within and without, ready to put to rest those things about which we find unhelpful, for ourselves and around us.

For many people, the current climate of this our nation is one of despair.  And such feelings grow daily, justified by the events which have occurred.  Unless things are put back on track soon, and we turn away from the willful self-destruct of a great nation, the suffering will be far beyond what most people have known in their life.  While it is true that adversity builds character and strength, too much, too soon, for a person not ready or steeled to it, can destroy instead.

While this nation has been slowly being picked apart for a long time, compromising freedom for the illusion of security, the last few months have surprised even the pessimist in me.  I expected this turn of events, but I thought it would take longer, slowly backing us into the corner of tyranny.  It seems instead that we have and are being herded quickly and efficiently to that destination.

In my European blood, I am the 11th generation of this Nation, my children and grandchildren are the 12th and 13th, respectively.  In my Native blood I am the descendant of countless generations of a proud tradition.  Both bloodlines have a proud Tribal tradition, which has become one in the history of my family.  I have sometimes said that the history of my family is the history of this Nation, sometimes even the history of the world. 

All our history shows us some things, one item in particular. We are shown that time and time again, there are bad times.  And that just as surely, good times will come again, as the the sun will rise to destroy darkness.

Our history shows that people will suffer, survivors will survive and that those who make it will be stronger. 

The tragedy of history is that we will not learn from what happens, as times get easier, we lose our edge, place comforts before thought and promote false ideas.  The wheel will turn, we will dance this dance again.

Times are tough. They will get harder, beyond imagination, before the sun rises again.  Stay strong, get practical.  Remember those old lessons at grandma and grandpa's knee.  Remember that this too shall pass. 

Prioritize, consolidate your position and families, put your shoulders into it.  Your ancestors survived and triumphed over greater odds; take strength from them.  Take strength from your faith in your Divine.  Give strength to those who need it.

An interesting quote comes to mind. When asked why a person was so tough, why they did things the way they did, they responded, "Ask me again when the tide is high and the water is still rising."

The tide is high and the water is still rising.  But if you think you are lost, think you are going to lose, then you won't survive or win.  When things are their worst, when you are on the ropes you have got to get mean, refuse to go gently.  Die hard.  Make your enemies pay for every inch they get.  When it looks like there is no where to go, no way to win, all hope is lost, then advance.  Charge straight into it. You might not win, but then, you might not lose.

We are overdue for bad times.  We can make it.  We were once a practical people.  We can be again.

For everything there is season.  Now is the time to find who you are, deep inside.  To connect with your ancestors and your descendants. Please know that when you struggle against the darkness, you are not alone.  We are there with you, we are still here, there are others in this battle.

Another quote:  "It is not how hard you can hit, but how hard you can get hit, how much you can take and still keep moving forward.  That is how winning is done."  In his battle there is no blue ribbon, no trophy, just the knowledge that if you lose, if you don't fight, all that you believe in will be lost.

I believe in this Nation.  I believe in the ideals of Liberty and Freedom.  I see a Nation of the Eagle, wounded, but ready to once again take to the skies.  I believe in the Constitution of the United States.  We will not go gently, we will survive, this Nation shall not perish.

We can overcome the forced march to tyranny being perpetrated.  No more Trails of Tears for my people. Or yours!

Remember, your money is not you.  Money is not wealth.  Keep yourself happy, your children healthy, keep your faith, believe in our Nation; that is the REAL wealth.  They cannot take that from you.  Money can be made again.  Your ancestors started with nothing.  Do not let the fearmongering of those in authority make you feel helpless.  You are a great and powerful creature, capable of anything you set your mind to. 

A person with a heart of faith and an agile mind has all the wealth they need to make their life a good one.

Stay strong.

It has been quite awhile since I did this.  And ultimately, that is a very cliche opening.  Sometimes cliches are true, though. And sometimes they are an oversimplification. 

There are many things that have gone on of some interest to some who may read this.  There are thoughts which may connect with someone out there which have rattled around a bit here.  We have had several attacks to this site, which leads to unfortunate results emotionally for us here.

I would like to clear a little air concerning these attacks.  The first item is that I am not afraid to post because of them. I do, however, find myself editing joyful announcements and progress reports out of prudence.  These are not the first attacks we have received (both online and in person) nor the first threats to ourselves and our children.  So, much thought and reflection have gone into this issue.  I have no perfect answer thus far, but I may be ready with a workable solution.  It is tough enough to do this amidst all the things and projects we have underway, but if it is going to become a harassment point, then it becomes that much easier to NOT write this.

For those of you with gentle dispositions or tender hearts, please skip this next part.  Those of you who would threaten our children, virus our data or wish us ill, ignoring the goodwill we extend the world, please, continue reading...

Go fuck yourselves. I know, I know, pretty low-brow of me. 

If you wish the dignity of discourse, you have crossed lines to ever again be treated as anything but a wild, sick creature, to be dealt with as vermin are to be dealt with.  You who would treat us in such a matter deserve much lower than I can go.
 
The words will never truly hurt, the data can be repaired, our children will be defended to the bitter end but they will never become your prey. We do not wait in fear, but in preparation.  For you kooky, snarky, smarmy little internet dipsticks, with no original thought or depth of tradition or character, we hold nothing less than you. 

You are not important. 

This is not a knee-jerk defensive reaction.  It is instead a long-meditated, carefully considered response.  We may be spiritual, but spiritual does not necessarily mean wimpy. 

We are a tribal people. 

People of the Sun and The Moon. 

We come from a long tradition of Warriors.  We will live in peace if we can, but if we fight, we fight to win. The Way of the Arrow and the Path of the Blade are still open to us.  Attack us with words, will will return in kind or in silence.  Attack us in other ways we will respond, similarly, with greater accuracy and overwhelming ability. 

Hurt us and you will lose.

So simply put, go fuck yourselves.

For you bleeding hearts who don't understand, please try.  I have a bit of a softness and peacefulness myself.  But our people have not survived this long by going gentle. 

I have not beaten my swords into plowshares.  My Blades hang upon the wall, heirlooms, symbols of a long struggle survived and a willingness to see my descendants survive.  I till my fields, I raise my children, I live every moment with the hope of peace for my people.

And we live in peace, with much laughter and celebration. 

We enjoy the gifts of the Divine, the great and small of all things.  We hope that our conflicts may be solved around a fire, sharing food and drink.  If my Blades never leave the wall except for ceremony, then so much the better.  Tribal Spiritualism is no flaky cousin of peacenik Liberal New Age silliness.

Onto other topics.  Religion.  Now there is a fun one.  I am not a Christian.  Obviously you say, look at the name of our site and the content.  Look at the art you work on.  I do however hold as one of my Divine Jesus Christ.  Not Yahweh, not Jehovah, not monotheism in any way.  Just Jesus Christ as Bringer of Light and a Warrior for Good.  How anyone could claim that Jesus is the "God" of the old testament is beyond me. 

Frankly, if I am wrong and the Petty Child "God" Jehovah is the "One and Only", then I will prefer Hell; at least I know what the score is and I don't have to spend eternity with the cosmic equivalent of Eddie Haskell. 

But my beliefs are strong and I know them to be the truth of my existence.  Jesus is not alone in my Pantheon (each member of our Tribe creates their own Pantheon of gods and heroes), but more on that another time.

So, when we go to shows, I get hit with bullshit from both sides; the bible thumping sheep and the hedonistic "pagan/new age/whatever".  Our people offend everyone, not through intent but through honesty and decency. 

We have no dogma, no church, no collection plate, no heaven, hell or preachers.  Yet, time after time, we demonstrate a stricter adherence to ethics and morality, deeper meaning and joy in life and decent openness that most of the "One-True-Faith" types are ever able to.

We are a proud people, full of respect for ourselves and respect for those who would at least meet us halfway.  Not try to control us, judge us, own us.  If I want to make knives and wands and at the same time make icons of Christian, Jewish, Taoist, Shinto, Egyptian or whatsoever I am called upon to make, I shall do so.  These are all worthy beliefs and a part of the history of humanity. There are dark faiths out there, I will never make symbols for them.

So before you put me in a box, harass our people or pass your judgments, remember that I do not require your approval to exist.  Think of this: if you showed up at my house, regardless of your choice of Faith, as long as you comported yourself with kindness, respect and dignity, you would receive the same. 

You would be invited to dinner, time and time again. 

Discussions, even arguments could be held, within the context of polite society.  You would be invited to share in or simply observe our ceremonies.  You would be able to ask us the how and why of what we do.  In all this and more, we have been and always be open to, provided it was done with kindness, decency and respect. 

You could warm yourself by our fire without ever having to subscribe to our beliefs.  Impossible?  Not for a people who know who they are, where they are from and what they believe.  We are a proud people. 

After all that has been done to us, we greet each dawn, saying:

"We are still here!"

There is more to come.  Politics, Art, you name it, I think about it.  In the meantime, I do hope any who read this are okay, that their life is something they can be proud of.

Onto announcements:  our new daughter born last month, very exciting!!!! And no, I was not disappointed that she wasn't a boy.  Why do people keep asking this?  I already have three sons, four daughters, a couple grand kids and another on the way. I think a little girl is a fine gift, a giver of life.  A tribe must have daughters.  Our greatest magic and highest offices are held by women.  She will be a great Warrior and a Noble person.

We are prepping the garden and orchard for another season.  We have also switched sources for fresh milk. Our home cooking continues to be such a hit that our friends call dinner at our house "eating out!"

My cancer is still present, but I seem to be holding my own.  I am struggling and my wife has me headed to a political blog out there to see what I can add, distract my mind and keep me active at a time when I am just a bit incapacitated.

We cut back on shows this year as so many have been canceled, but we will make some and we continue to host events here at home and we can use the time for other endeavors, such as the Great Gathering.

We have built a very nice steam house/sweat lodge and it is a fantastic feeling to have one again.  We have set up numerous Altars throughout our house, which we have worked on for months,and we now finally feel like we have gotten them to a good point. 

With our travels, it was hard to have some many up a once, so most of our things languished in storage while we maintained traveling centers and one large central sanctuary.  We continue to work on our Temple as well.

All are well, happy and healthy.  Even I with my illness have no health issues otherwise.  In time the illness will pass as well.

Best wishes to all our friends and fellow travelers out there.

"The First Principle of our Warriors is to Die Hard"

Greetings to all whom we would greet.  I cannot say as to how often I will write this, as many matters of more pressing concern are a daily event.  But I will try.

I would like to thank my wife for the time she has put in to maintaining this blog and the accompanying website.  She has done a great and patient job with this as she does with all things.

The past year had many great, happy and exciting events.  While there certainly times of trouble and moments of tragedy, such is life.  Which is more important?

So we roll into the new year, looking to the future, new family, new friends, new conversations.  Opportunities to bridge the gaps between people.

So, we are busy building and creating, preparing for greater travels.  The time to set sail is coming soon. 

I will let it go with that today.  Best wishes for this coming season!

I have to say I am extremely embarrassed by the length of time it has taken to me input an entry. In the past month we have celebrated Thanksgiving, the Return of the Sun and Christmas. We also participated in a craft fair and John created many, many great arts of work.

Thanksgiving was exciting as we had then entire tribe here for the celebration. We ate and laughed and started to feel good about the festivities.

Last weekend the family celebrated the Return of the Sun with the Solstice and talk about a wonderful weekend!! We had feasting, drumming, archery, played games, danced, sang, read poetry and did a number of spiritual and wonderful activities. We had a pretty good turn out and I am looking forward and making plans as to the next gathering in March. Speaking for me the Solstice was a moving experience as well as an amazing spiritual endeavor.

Seeing people from different backgrounds and even different beliefs getting along, engaging in conversations, participating in activities and enjoying what the weekend brought was a magical experience beyond what I can explain. It was one of those experiences that you needed to experience as words do not begin to describe.

The Return of the Sun was wonderful but there is a part of me that is sad that we live in a world where people can't get along like that anymore. There are a few who do, however the world itself is rooted in chaos and intolerance.

What really makes me sad is that people who were oppressed for having a certain belief get majority and then oppress everyone else the same way they were. It's not right. When one group experiences something like oppression and hatred, it is within us to be better than our nature, to be truly thinking human beings and know that treating another group with oppression is wrong and do everything they can to not allow the cycle to continue. Instead the majority gives into the dark side of us and makes life worse. How can someone want bad things to happen to someone else, including children because they are so short sided and selfish?

I hope for more celebrations like the one we recently had and the great hope comes with a growing population who can experience something wonderful inside themselves and in other people. The numbers of the participation will keep growing and we will do our part to bring a little more light to world that is growing in darkness.

I hope the Solstice and the Return of the Sun brings a little more light to people and that we can smile and move forward in the face of adversity instead of crying and being angry.

Blessings to all.

Good Day,

Bria

Well, what a weekend. We made an appearance at the local craft fair, celebrated our middle son's birthday, my husband and family members went hunting, played some games and did what we could to enjoy the day.

This past craft fair was quite the same politics we usually deal with. It was somewhat sad to experience the same  stuff again. It was the attitude that really got to me. People looking down on me and my family not so much because of what we made or what we do, but because I was different, I didn't look the same as them, I don't believe the same as them. I am me and no matter how hard they try to oppress me, I am free.

Every time someone would snub their nose at me it just made me smile even more to the world. They can do everything they can to make sure we feel like crap and are not successful in a venture, no matter what, no matter how well I did, my family and I went home and are still free people. I don't have to wear the greatest fashion because I fear I won't be in, I don't have to wear my hair so short people wonder why I look like a guy but do it because everyone is doing it. I don't have to be cruel to people and double talk to make them do something I really want them to do. I am not afraid to be me.

It was not a total drag as  we did have some good conversations with like minded people and met some new friends on our path. If we only have one good converastion, we have succeeded.

We are looking forward to the next fair in a few weeks and I know through whatever happens I will learn a little about myself as well find good people to have a conversation with.

Blessings to all and don't be afraid to be who you are.

It's been more than a week since my last post and time sped up on me again. We are more than half way through this month and Thanksgiving is around the corner. This weekend we look forward to our family coming for the Thanksgiving holiday. We are getting ready for a craft fair this weekend and then have another fair a few weeks later.

With the holidays right on top of us (major store chains have already been playing X-mas music the day after Halloween) means the solstice is soon upon us as well.  We are planning something more traditional for our people in this and it's interesting at this time to see what everyone else has as tradition for this time. Most people it's getting a tree at a certain time, baking a certain dish, giving a certain present, and a number of other what people call traditions. While any generation can begin a tradition to pass down to the next generation, our traditions are actually rooted in many, many generations dating even before how we as a country celebrate the holidays. My family will get back to nature and earth and feel the rebirth of the Sun  at this time.

It saddens me a lot at this time when people at the stores are so busy and angry and rushed and many other negative emotions while they are shopping for something to give to a loved one. It becomes such a hassle, so much so that they act rude, they cease to treat people like human beings even more than any other time of the year.

The retailers really forget what customer service and helping is as they are the first to allow rude and disrespectful behavior from 99% of their employees. It's OK right because the employee has to deal so much from the customers. Of course it's not OK, of course this is the time when people should be smiling more. People should be happy to be going on that quest for that right thing to get someone, people should be filling their hearts with happiness and joy, not bitterness and anger.

The holidays are always so sad for me anymore because of how it brings out the worst in people. Once in a long while I will get to see someone truly embrace what it means and will smile at me and say "Merry Christmas" with such joy and excitement it oozes from them and I so glad. Too bad most of the people  someone says that it is met with scowling and bitterness.

With the holidays closing in may everyone feel the true joy of the happiness of the season especially with the return of the Sun and may people smile instead of scowl when they are celebrating these days.

Blessings to all.

Good Day,

Bria

The weekend went past and I was surprised to see that I didn't have a feeling of the weekend just totally disappearing on me. It was like time for a moment kept what I would consider to be normal time pace. In one day I spent with my kids, I shot 32 shots with a bow, expanded my knowledge through studying, housework and a bunch of other stuff and it felt like the more I did, the more time I had to  do more.

I even watched a movie with my family and had a wonderful dinner. Days like that are cherished and I am glad I seized every moment I possibly could. I woke up today feeling filled and went into today as an opportunity to make today feel the same as yesterday despite some setbacks this morning. I hope others can experience the same or have experienced the same.

As my title states, don't forget about the Veterans tomorrow. Actually you should never forget them. We don't do enough in this country to honor our warriors, both alive and passed and I think that's a tragedy. It is because of them we have the freedoms we have. It is because of them we live in the great country we live in. It is because of them that we know there are still good men left in this twisted world. I salute all of you and in my heart I hold all of you so cherished and dear. 

I hope that many will celebrate our warriors and victorious dead for the great sacrifices they made and continue to make for what the day was meant to be, not just a day to get off of work and go shopping. May you feel it not just when you see an American flag flying on the 11th, but also always in your heart.

Blessings to all.

Good Day,

Bria

 

It has been such a fast week. I have to sit down and think about what I did this week as I don't know if I really had all the days. This time of year everything really speeds up. Time moves faster so we have to move faster and do everything we can to stay ahead of it.

Well, I have lots of thoughts, but nothing to really say today. The only thing that comes to my mind is the quote, "It is better to remain silent and be thought of a fool, than open one's mouth and remove all doubt."  Samuel Johnson.

I choose to be thought of a fool.  May everyone seize the day and feel the warmth before the cold starts to chill us to our bones.

Blessings to all.

Good Day,

Bria