[Bit]

PS, lol....didn't answer the rest of your post!

Originally Posted by foxyshaman

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Sunshine}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} a heat warning!!! okay we never get those. We get cold warnings and blizzard warnings, but nope no heat warnings. And I can't honestly say I am sorry about that!!! I can't even imagine that. We had floods in southern Alberta this weekend that have wiped out roads, entire crops, cattle herds and lots of farms. And yet in Northern Alberta where we were camping it was quite warm and no rain at all.

{{{{{{{{{{{{Foxy}}}}}}}}}}}}} Oh hon, I had to get used to blizzard warnings when I moved here, but heat advisories have always been part of my life because I grew up in the desert. What astounds me here in Wichita is that they issue the heat advisories and warnings when the heat index goes above 100 degrees F (38 C)... heck, they didn't issue them in Phoenix unless the actual temperature itself went over 115 (46 C)!!

I still think it's crazy for anyone to live where it gets that hot... and even crazier for people to just blindly accept it, as if that kind of climate were not completely made by humans! If the trees had been left in place rather than burned to smelt copper, gold, and silver, if the rivers had not been dammed, if the land had not been bulldozed for the convenience of cattle ranchers, Arizona would be covered in forests and marshlands to this day. Forests and marshlands don't get to 122 degrees day after day in the summer, nor do they build up such intense heat that the rain routinely goes around them. It's trees that call the rain down to earth; scientists haven't thought of that yet, so they haven't studied it--but I have lived where there are trees and where there are not. I have seen what happens when old growth forest calls the rain. I have seen what happens when city trees call the rain. I have seen what happens when there is no water near enough to bring that rain.

We have done this to ourselves. I don't understand why no one seems to understand that. We have done this to ourselves.

Originally Posted by foxyshaman

can be hard work. It really does take time to build up the small muscles in the arms to beat the drum and hold it. Drumming for a fifteen minute journey always takes newbies by surprise. There are some that can't do it. So, you are not an anomaly rather you are the norm!!!! Nice to know you can fit into normal once and awhile!!

Ah well, what surprised me about being able to drum is that my carpal tunnel syndrome is pretty badly flared up. I have no speed or finesse at all, am only good for a simple bass beat at this point--but that's more than I expected to be able to do. I doubt I could go fifteen minutes at a time though!

Originally Posted by foxyshaman

The sundance should be interesting. I will write more on it when I get back. I have several drums and some I would not take into a sweat they are made of goat hide. I have a cow hide drum that is exceptionally thick and takes a long time to change tone and lose its tightness. I have never taken a drum into a sweat either, so it is a learning experience for me too. I am looking forward to the experience. Now this is my totally human voice... god I hope it does not rain lots. I hope it is not too hot, cause that will be just tense for the warrior dancers. They start water and food fasting Wednesday. I think it will be a complete honor to share my energy and support them in their dance.

The cowhide drum sounds like the one I would try, for sure! And hey to that human voice, I share those concerns. I had no idea the dancers don't drink water and the medically aware part of me is screaming inside about that.... but I know it's a spiritual thing and that they should be okay. I'm looking forward to reading about your experiences, whatever you can share.

Blessings!
Sunshine