I am currently studying Ho-Chunk history, beginning of all things to 1634 to 1900. Too much, I know, but my thesis team members said it was time that I learned about our history. While I considered the voluminous material and resources I felt that there was no way to do it justice. As I finished the beginning to 1634, it dawned on me that my Choka used to talk about what it must have been like to live in the old days. I added his thoughts to the end of the section in narrative form. Suddenly I had an epiphany. Why not do this for each section? So I did. I added the stories and comments and oral history that I have garnered at the end of each time period. It was great!
Later in the day after spending hours on this paper having gotten through the 1700s' to 1800s', I went to pick up Amalia from school. As I traveled down River Road Parkway I saw an eagle. I was traveling west to east and it was traveling south to north. I felt so invigorated at seeing this eagle and grateful that I made a breakthrough in my massive paper, that I rolled down my window and let out a ladies war hoop. The eagle turned 180 degrees and circled so that it was over my car. Seeing that I had its attention I yelled out again. It hovered over me, flapping its enormous wings. I sped along my way and didn't see it again. I felt as if my ancestors were saying something to me. It was as if they were spurning me on.
It was a good day.
I love this post!
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