A History Walk

Today was a free day with nothing planned and the temps were cool and comfortable so I decided to take a drive to St. Peter, Minn. and visit the Traverse des Sioux History Center and Treaty Site.  This was where the Sisseton and Wahpeton bands of the Dakota Sioux signed away 21 million acres of land, roughly half of the state of Minnesota, to the government in 1851 with the promise of  cash, goods, education and a reservation.   Long before that, it was where fur traders stopped and traded with the Dakotas and European immigrants settled and farmed the fertile land along the Minnesota River.  In 1853 the village of Traverse de Sioux was established with a hotel, livery, saloon, church, a gathering place busy with commerce from the fur traders and immigrants.

There's a self-guided trail down to the Minnesota River with informative stops along the way.  Here are some images I took.

 This is the start of the trail which is approximately 2 miles or so round trip.  You start off walking through prairie grasses and wild flowers.

 The view to the west

The view to the north.  Just beyond the trees is the river.

There was a bench to sit and rest and enjoy the view

 For centuries animals and people used the solid footing and shallow waters at Traverse des Sioux as a natural river crossing.  The crossing became a place for people to meet and trade goods.  European fur traders were quick to see the advantages of the location and set up trading houses.

 The river didn't look all that shallow to me.  I don't think I wanted to test it.  With all the rain we've had this year, the current is pretty fast.  But it still looks pristine, doesn't it?

There were signs like this on the trail indicating where buildings were located in the village.

The walk was beautiful and serene.  I tried to imagine what life was like in 1851 in this place.  I'm sure, for the most part, it was very harsh. Even though the surroundings were woodsy and prairie-like, there was no getting away from the noise of traffic on Highway 169. 

 Once the Treaty was signed, the Dakota were moved to a ten-mile tract of land along the Minnesota River.  There was a lot of skulduggery after the Treaty was signed and the Dakota didn't get what was promised.  Thus the cause of the 1862 Sioux Uprising  and the ultimate demise of the Dakota 38 in Mankato, Minnesota. 

When I finished the hike I visited the museum.

I have just recently learned that I have an ancestor that was a member of the Dakota tribe and was on one of the raids around Fort Ridgely in 1862.  I guess that must be where my interest of the Native culture comes from.  This Treaty site is only 15 miles from where I live.  Why wasn't this piece of local history taught when I went to school?  Look around, there is history all around us if we take the time to learn.

He sei ci nihi

Frustration

I thought this was going to be a productive day.  Why do I expect every day to be productive?  Well, why shouldn't I?  My frustration stems from wanting to get a painting project finished.  I wanted to paint the area leading downstairs.  I could manage the bottom portion but not the upper.

I considered it but remembered I'm not as good as I once was.  I asked around about a reasonable professional painter with the proper ladder to do high places in stairways.  I called him 10 days ago and it took him six days to look at the job with the start day 3 days later.  Now, his kids have the flu and so does he.  Nothing will happen until next week...maybe.

I know he can't help it but my frustration is that I can't do this job myself.   

The turkeys are getting bolder.  Not only are they in the back yard everyday but now they have ventured in the front yard, too.  This is what I saw in the driveway when I came home from the gym this morning.

This is practically at my front door.  Yes, that is fresh snow and it's coming down pretty good this afternoon.  A fresh coating is needed to cover all the Minnie poops.

Two more sister bears are finished.

 The red and black was from a tank top and there wasn't enough material to do the entire bear.  I had to borrow from another garment. 

  This was made from her white sweater and the "dress" is from a pink camisole.  The outfit was ordered by her 9 year old granddaughter.  She was very specific about what she wanted and how she wanted it.

It's still snowing big white flakes so I guess I won't venture down the road too far as planned.  I'll make some tea and go to the sewing room and see what I can accomplish.  Hope your frustrations are minimal.

Another Sister Bear

Another bear finished from my sister's clothing.  The tee shirt had three hot-fix sparkly hearts on the front but only one fit on the bear.  I think this one came out pretty cute with the eyelashes.  Four to go.

 

Saturday Morning Bark

It's been a while since I've posted, which is unlike me.  I've been busy sewing teddy bears for one thing.  With Christmas approaching, I have orders to fulfill and spending hours at the computer reading and writing blogs takes a bite out of the day.  Not that I'm ignoring my blog friends.  You are all important to me.  I visit lurk your sites daily but am not leaving comments as readily.  

These are the three bears that are heading to Omaha to their new home.  They are 15 inches tall with movable legs and head like all my bears.  I used a full-length mink coat and used it all except for the collar.

 Also, I'm keeping up with Barbara Brackman's Grandmothers Choice: Votes for Women Block of the Week.

  Most of the blocks are fairly quick to do so if I clear a couple of hours off my daily schedule, the block is done.  I see the new one is already posted so I'll print it out and tackle it come Tuesday.  Instead of the 8" blocks, I'm making mine 6" with the help of 

 

This is stand-alone software made available by The Electric Quilt Company  There are over 4,000 historic block patterns which can be resized and printed with rotary cutting instructions and/or templates.  You do not need the EQ program to make this work  that's why I like it so well.  I cannot afford  EQ at this point.  BlockBase is very affordable and I highly recommend it.  

Minnie is almost back to her feisty ways.  I wish I could say the same for my back.  Prolong sitting irritates the sciatic nerve and that's another reason for not being at the computer as much.  I guess it's too much sitting at the sewing machine..do you think?

Okay, that's what's happening here.  I have special company coming to my house on Monday, book club is meeting on Tuesday night and quilt guild meeting on Thursday night.  Good Lord, the month is half over by then.  Hope your week is as fulfilling as mine.  I'll be visiting with y'all again, maybe sooner that you think.  

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by.  

Joni's Bears & Minnie

I promised some pics on those bears I'm doing from my sister's clothing.  I told her children to pick out a clothing item and I would make a teddy bear for them as a remembrance.  I was handed several bags with a clothing item and the name of the recipient.  Eighteen bears to make in all.  This was the first one I made from Joni's sparkly jacket.

I have five more done.

 My sister was a fan of red.  So, six down and 12 to go.  

I'm almost finished with the doll quilt for October.  It needs to go to Germany so I'll have to get in finished and sent off real soon.  I've been away from quilting too long because I felt a little rusty with this piece.

Minnie is spending 24/7 on her bed(s).  I have one in the living room, one in the sewing room where I quilt and one in the bear den downstairs.

The prednisone has taken hold and the pain meds keep her comfortable.  She cannot walk yet and I have to carry her  outside to potty.  Actually, she has no bladder control and doesn't know she has to go potty so,essentially, I'm dealing with doggy diapers.   The first two nights I slept on the floor beside her but last night I went to my bed and her bed was next to mine.  I've gotten advice from a few friends saying that she will eventually recover but it will take some time.  I hope they're right.  I'm afraid my back may blow out like it did in March and then what will we do?

Hope everyone has a good week.  I have no major commitments scheduled except a trip to the vet on Thursday.  But, that could change by tomorrow.

Minnie's Setback

I'm almost at my wit's end with stuff that has happened lately.  Last night Minnie got off the couch as usual to go outside and gave herself a shake and fell down.  Her back legs were nearly paralyzed.   It was my worst fear..she ruptured a disc.

We were awake all night as I was cuddling her and she was scared and in pain.  I called the vet one hour before they opened to be sure a doctor would be available and was in the door when they turned the key.  She had an xray just to be sure there are no tumors causing this.  She will be treated  first with anti-inflammatory medicine and pain killers. I was told it will be a long recovery period if she responds to the treatment.   I so hope she recovers without surgery.  I would not be able to go through another trauma and I need my Minnie.

Thursday Morning Bark

Life is good for Minnie once again.  She got through her surgery on Monday and is back to her favorite pastime, inspecting one of her best toys.

She got three stitches.

I'm surprised that she doesn't worry about it.  I thought she'd have to wear a cone but that wasn't necessary.  She also had her teeth cleaned and nails trimmed while she was down for the count.

 She actually looks rather proud of her battle scar.  It gets her lots of treats.

The fickle Minnesota weather is rapidly changing.  Temps in the high 70's and low 80's the last two days and it's snowing in northern Minnesota this morning.  That's a good thing because of wild fires in that area.  Where I live the temps will be falling throughout the day and it's very windy already.  There go our beautiful fall colors.  I did enjoy them while they lasted.  

Enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by.