Ponca Pow, 2008, Thing Gay
Ponca Pow Wow, 2008, Thing GayAugust 31, 2008
As our car drops off the ridge into the lower regions of the pow-wow grounds it is as if I am transported in a Brigadoon sort of way, into another time of long ago.
Visions of my Uncle Franklin No Ear flash through my mind. I see him sitting on his chair, elbow resting on one knee, while visiting with us. He always seemed so happy, but most of all, he loved the children. Jokingly he points out our small faults and we are drawn to him, and as a modern Native friend speaks of the deceased. "Franklin No Ear, Thing gay" (gone).
Aunt Josephine looks up from where she is ordering her children to get the chores of camping done and she smiles at me. "Aunt Josephine, Thing gay."
Cousin Warren Little Cook throws a ball and his dog, Boy, chases after it. "Cousin Warren, Thing gay.(gone)"
Instead of green grass I see snow on the ground and Aunt Marion's foot prints in it as she goes out to pick up wood for the fire. "Aunt Marion, Thing gay."
Henry Big Snake, the pow-wow clown, dances on,
long after the drum beat has stopped, and then, confronts the judges because they have ignored him. His flour sake britch cloth has the audience in tears of laughter. When his foot just wouldn't stop at the end of the dance, he
held it down, and the audience again roars. Henry
Big Snake, Thing gay."
And so it goes. Today, there are less and less interchange and visiting between camps it seems. We are okay with that. Our family trials make us happy just to
be together, for after all, the realization of what tomorrow must bring for the ending of all life or lives is as sure as taxes, it is told. Into the modern world we must live for 360 days a year until we, indeed, must admit;
"Our old ways, Thing gay." And to mention that taxes are more sure, because the realization of that thing brings to our mind, "Back to work, or taxes will make everything, Thing gay."
A special mention I must make for my Sister, who, while caring for my aged mother, her grandchildren and great grandchildren, single handedly ramroded (to use a western colochialism) the whole thing for four days with a different menu everyday. And although, we fed a doctor from California, entertained a Dentist from here, greeted a retired bank president, and the total members of several branches of family, she went through it all with the grace of a princes (forgive my reference to the monarchs). I told her I would open up a café for her and she replied.
OH NO, YOU ARE NOT.
Here's a recipe from my list I thought would work for some quick
cupcakes. I haven't tried this, but if you do let me know how and if this works, since there is no baking powder to make the the cake rise. Maybe the egg and the beating works. Anyway, I am going to try this recipe.
5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake
Most Dangerous Cake Recipe in the World
4 Tablespoons cake flour (that's plain flour, not self-rising)
4 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons baking cocoa
1 egg
3 Tablespoons milk
3 Tablespoons oil
3 Tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
Small spash of vanilla essence
1 coffee mug (I will use muffin tins)
Add dry ingredients to mug and mix well
Add the egg and mix thoroughly
Pour in the milk anoil and mix well
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla essence and mix again
Put the mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes. The cake will rise
over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed.
Allow to cool a little and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slight more virtuous)
And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because new we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or
night.
Scripture:
Mat. 5:9 from the Sermon on the Mount.
"Happy arae the peaceable, since they will be called 'sons of God' " Jesus said