Category: Family

Starting young.

I sit here contemplating the short distance to the studio and think that I should use the wovel to clear the path from mom’s front step and then mine to the studio.  I pick up two pieces of soapstone.  Turning the first over in my hands,  I cup the rounded edges of a flower, studiously crafted by the hands of an 8 year old Laresa.  Smooth, with the beginnings of a shine on the surface, a process that takes hours and days to complete. 

The other, still a rough rectangle with slightly smoothed and rounded corners, made by SP when he was 6, shows the beginnings of carving techniques, and also the impatience of youth, as the object is turned into a ladybug with the addition of paint to create color, legs, head, and antennae. 

And, yes, I am on my soapbox again.  Starting young just opens the mind to creativity which is so necessary for productivity.  Plus, as my mom says, working with someone else also bears the fruits of creativity as you bounce ideas off one another. 

Gert's alabaster and Laresa's acryllic.

 Enough said.

After three days of sick….

SP spent three days home sick last week.  It was one of those snotty colds where you feel horrible in the morning, then progressively get better as the day goes on.  Well, by Friday, we were both chomping at the bit…he had his little corner and his routine down pat.  Then he decided that he had too much energy built up and no matter how many times I said “Not in the house…”, he couldn’t help himself. 

Don't 'cha just love the hair?

His mom made it home on Saturday, and wouldn’t you know it?  This morning we had a blizzard and they called off school.  So…..

Nawan Alaxsxan Ax^anan helps Unalaska celebrate MLK Day

Unalaska celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, by celebrating diversity.  In a program presented on Monday, January 18, I inadvertantly captured the Nawan Alaxsxan Ax^anan (The Unalaska Island Dancers) on video, and then did it again, and again.  Unfortunately my captures are quite unprofessional…I will have to practise.  I like totally forgot that my camera did video…hahaha…old timer!

So this is a clip of Qalngaagin, or Raven.  It was composed and choreographed by Laresa Syverson.  The unfortunate part of this clip is that I cut it off before the dance was totally complete…just a few seconds, but…  The song sings about the ravens seeking food near the beach, flying and performing in the sky, chasing each other.  Then flying toward the mountains, landing in the snow and sliding.  Just typical raven behavior!

Drummers from right to left:  Jacob Hawthorne, Nicky Hawthorne, James David Gregory.  Dancers from right to left:  Delores Gregory, instructor Laresa Syverson, Ariel Gustafson.   (Unalaskans:  After it buffers through, you can hit replay for a smooth version!)