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BuFoons, it’s been a long while since I found a book I actually wanted to finish. Maybe I’m just losing focus; jaded from a lifetime misspent reading when I should have been outside, doing yardwork or rotating the tires.

Whatever. I have finally found a book (see above) that I will finish. In fact, I’m metering it out a chapter at a sitting, because lord knows when I’ll find another book this entertaining and, as a bonus, edifying. You and I both know that a book with the words “Slut” and “Friend to Man and Dog” in the title must automatically be presumed to be edifying.

Imagine how astonished I was to find the following passage in a chapter called “The Devil I Know Is the Man Upstairs:”

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Imagine my delight when the author, Diana Joseph, took the time to respond to my e-fan-mail the same day, promising to have a look at the blog.

You’re going to want to read this book, and you’re going to have to buy your own darn copy. HERE.

Cheers,

BuFoon Steve

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Here’s a special message from BuFoon John (Itchwoot) freshly returned from SunDance 2009:

Native American Sun Dance is perhaps the most significant event that has taken place in my life. I have attended eight of the ceremonies over the past dozen or so years and I have danced at all eight. This being my ninth, I had decided not to dance.

Apart from the spiritual gifts that often turn into physical ones, from the Creator and the Helpers, there are other events that take place from our brothers that inhabit the animal world and often provide experiences that seem to implode ones mind.

This year, on the first day of the ceremonies, I awoke just before Sunrise and found a place a little away from camp that faced east, so I could do my prayers and greet the sun, as I try to do most days. When at home it’s not hard to do at all. I have a place not far from our home, on the property I have been honored to care for these past 12 years. But when I’m away from home, it takes a bit of searching to find the right place away from the noises of the rest of the industrial world waking up and starting the wheels of enterprise – and often destruction to Mother Earth – with no greeting to her or Grandfather Sun or any regard for Mother Earth, the giver of life through the Creator. Only that she is here to be trod upon, burned, dug into and covered with concrete, not to mention all the other abuses. Yet she continues to provide for us and continues to give us life with unconditional love. But these atrocities are not what I want to talk about at this time.

I found a great spot to do my morning greetings, spread my blanket, set out my canning jar of water, my ceremonial pipe, shell filled with sage, tobacco, and sweet grass. I sat cross-legged facing East, somewhat chilled, as Grandfather Sun that caresses Mother Earth and who gives us life had not come over the distant hill. Early morning in the Rocky Mountains can be cool, if not cold, even though the temperature gets into the 90 degrees during the day.

As I was quietly singing my sound songs, I lit the shell filled with the gifts to the Creator and watched my songs and prayers being carried in the smoke, as I smudged myself with my eagle feather fan. Sipping lifegiving water from the fruit jar, thanking the Creator and the the ancestors for all of my life’s gifts. Why the fruit jar and not a fancy cut glass or fancy goblet? When I was a boy, my mother would often hunt for canning and fruit jars at second hand stores and even at the local dump, whenever we would go and empty our garbage. The fruit jar is a symbol that reminds me of the days when we were very poor in material things. It reminds me to be humble. It reminds me of the gifts I have received and how fortunate I am in this material world and not to become greedy.

Lost in my thoughts of what once was and what might happen at this ceremony, lost in my sound songs, I noticed some movement about 10 feet in front of me. It happened just at the time Grandfather Sun burst his first rays of light in broad streaks over the eastern hills. The movement was a Red Fox, beautiful, sleek, with a long bushy tail. Definitely decked out in its finest regalia. I whispered his name in a sacred language. It was the first word that came to me in the secret of languages shared by shamans of all levels: “Tokala.”

I can only guess Tokala was a male, although it very well could have been a female. I was not privileged to be able to distinguish gender and it really doesn’t matter. What does matter is Tokala sat and looked at me, as we exchanged thoughts on a mind/spirit level not unlike E.S.P. I refer to it as M.S.P, Mind/Spirit Perception, or M.S.C., Mind/Spirit Communication. It can happen on those occasions when time is of no importance. The connection between man and his cousin is significant, in that the M.S.C. has a purpose as a gift from the Elders. We have all experienced a time when we were just thinking of someone special in our lives and the phone rings. And guess what? They’re on the other end of the phone line. Or you just get that feeling that something is happening to someone you love or know, and sure enough, the phone rings and they’re on the other end telling you about the event that has happened. That’s the kind of Mind/Spirit Communications I’m talking about.

“Good Morning Tokala.”

“Good morning Man,” comes from Tokala. And so the dialog began. How did it go and what was said can’t really be put into words. It was a feeling of understanding, respect and gratitude for the opportunity to visit with each other. Not to say there wasn’t dialog, but the dialog was Mind/Spirit, not vocal, yet understood in the same way as words are. Yes, every bit understandable on the level in which the communication happened.

In my thoughts I wished I had my camera, but it is not one of the implements one usually takes when he is doing morning prayer and greetings to the Creator, Mother Earth and the Ancestors. But I got the feeling it would be OK to get up and go to my camp and get my camera. I slowly got up and Tokala did too. I thought my movements were being interpreted as aggression. I whispered over and over that I wished to take his picture and I would be grateful, and prayed he would stay so I might capture his image as a memento of our spirit connections together.

The spirit wall of the Shaman flashed before my eyes, as I moved back to my camp. Visions are not new to me, but this one was a puzzle. Why the Shaman’s wall now? Why the live visit with the fox?

I got my camera and returned to my prayer blanket. Tokala had observed my every movement and waited for me. He posed as I took several pictures and then put the camera down.

We continued our exchange of Spirit/Mind Communications as part of my greetings and prayers to Grandfather, Mother Earth and the Ancestors. The process went on for several hours, not minutes or just glimpses of the fox as he ran off, but several hours. To be honest, I lost all notion of time. I was aware of my skin beginning to get hot, perhaps a little sun burned. I was aware of thirst, since I had finished my canning jar of water, and I was aware of beads of sweat on my face as the day warmed up. I was grateful for the heat, since sitting naked before sun rise, facing the place Grandfather will come, was pretty cool if not downright cold at that time of morning.

Tokala too was feeling the thirst, and I am sure hunger. I didn’t bring food, so had none to share. Besides I don’t think yogurt and soy protein would be his idea of a breakfast. I think he would much like a nice fat ground squirrel or several mice. He gave me one last greeting, stood up and wondered off to hunt mice and to get a drink of the life giving water from Mother Earth.

I am still enjoying the experience of the Spirit/Mind Communications with Tokala. I am still playing the thoughts, over and over, of what took place, and am asking the Creator and the helpers to help me put it all in perspective and give me some understanding as to the meaning of this incredible gift.

It will all come together. In the meantime, I will let my mind rally in the glow of this life-changing event and be grateful for the gift.

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(Had too much fun with this to wait till Sunday.)

Got this email in from BuFoon John/Itchwoot:

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I have a BuVu do goodery to do on Thursday. One of the volunteers who is an electrician had a surgery a couple of weeks ago and has had nothing but problems and can’t get out in his garden and yard. I have organized a small group to go up to his place on Thursday and weed and mow and get his yard back in shape for him. He such a great guy and is always doing for other this is a great time to get in a little pay back to him.

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Followed up by this email:

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The work party at my friend’s home went well. We got the place looking like a park in about 4 hours. There were 10 of us working so it really wasn’t bad at all. I have had my fill of pulling weeds however. I have no doubt it was a true gift of joy to my friend and he feels much better that his garden has not gone by the wayside. After all, it only needed a little gift of tender loving care. He does so much for for anyone who asks and even some that don’t ask. He is always cutting wood for the local service club who then gives it to folks that need it to say warm during the colder months. He volunteers his electrical master skills to those that need it and has never asked for a penny in return. He often buys what is needed for any given project out of his own pocket. The man is a true gift to humanity. It was great to to be able to give a little back his way.

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Now that speaks louder than any sermon.

(Just having a little fun with the bogus “work-party picture.” But, knowing John/Itchwoot like I do, I suspect he and his buds did have some fun with this piece of do-goodery.)


BuFoon Steve

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Our peripatetic (look it up) BuFoon has returned from a three-week RV tour of the midwest, bearing pictures and stories. Perhaps the stories will come later, but we have some pictures right now.

Here’s John J with the kiddos, Jonathan and Lindsey:

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Here are the members of rock group, The Dead Presidents. ROCK Group? Get it?

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John didn’t send this picture, but he did visit the Crazy Horse Memorial, and I think it’s a wonderful thing happening in The Black Hills of South Dakota: the World’s Largest Mountain Carving. Read all about it.

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Welcome back Itchwoot!

BuFoon Steve

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Minutes of last Meeting of Board of Director available HERE.

Important new policy: Male and Female BuFoons may call themselves either “Priestess” or “Priest.”

BuFoon Steve

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Readers may recall that BuFoon John undertook a Bu-Vow to do his part to Save the Pool in nearby Port Angeles, where he likes to go and exercise his BuFoon Bod on a regular basis. [Read all about it HERE.]

Tuesday Last was the Day of The Big Vote. B-J writes:

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The Pool Passed by 67%.

It was all done at 8:30 Tuesday night. The first 9500 ballets counted out of the 19000 that were cast. There were only a little over 3000 that were no.

We are grateful to be able to keep our pool for sure.

HIp HIp Hurray

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Since we don’t have an Official Deity in The Church of BuVu, we’ll just go with: Thanks to the Supreme BuFoon! and hope He/She/It doesn’t have a problem with it.

BuFoon Steve

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Email from BuFoon John:

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Good Morning Opoots and Keekwullie

[The Native names given to BuFoon Lin and me by BuFoon John / Itchwoot.]

At the writing group there is a black lady named Louise. She was telling us about the time she went home after being out of the country for a couple of years and asked her mother to make her all time favorite, an apple pie.

She and her mother went to the store to get the apples and the other things needed for the apple pie. To her surprise her mother bought frozen pie dough and canned apple pie filling.  Needless to say, she was very disappointed in the pie but didn’t say anything, and put on the act that she loved the pie. 

I made her one of my infamous upside-down pecan apple pies. it was the winner of the New York Fireman’s pie contest.  (I didn’t get a picture and sure wish I had. It turned out beautiful.)
   
Here’s the recipe:  I think this would be considered a BuVu Do-Goodery.

[Amen, BuFoon John / Itchwoot. Or, it may fall into a new category: Taste-Goodery. Come to think of it, all our Do-Goodery should be Taste-Goodery, in some way.]
 
Line a glass pie plate with a thin layer of brown sugar, then put a layer of pecan halves over the brown sugar. Be artistic,  place them with precision so as to form circles, covering the entire area covered in brown sugar.
 
Make some Carmel.
 
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk ( Eagle Brand)
1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Cook on medium heat to soft ball stage using a candy thermometer about 245 degrees F.

I double this and then what is left over mix in a cup of chopped pecan nuts  and poor into a well buttered glass pan. When cool, cut into small pieces and wrap in wax paper to hand out as Carmel chews to the kids, as rewards for whatever.
 
Next make your pie dough using:

3 cups of all purpose flour
1/2 cup good old fashioned lard
1.2 cup butter flavored Crisco
1 teaspoon salt

Blend salt and flour, then blend in the Crisco and lard using a fork or dough blender. Even the CuisineArt works well for this stage.

After the flour is corn meal stage, from blending in lard and Crisco, add 1/2 cup ice water and mix in with a fork. Don’t over mix: just enough to get all the flour mixture wet.

Makes enough Dough for two large pies.
 
Roll out bottom crust and place over the top of the Pecans and brown sugar.
 
Add apples lightly dusted with flour, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Arrange the apple slices so as to have a nice full pie. I use half Granny Smiths and half Braeburn apples, about three each.

Poor one cup of carmel over the apples and cover with dough lid for pie. Be sure to slice small vents in the dough lid.

Put the pie on a pizza pan to bake at 350 degrees  F.  for about 60 to 70 minutes. Guaranteed to spill over. The spill over is easy to clean once the candied brown sugar is cold. Chips right off and then hot water finishes the clean up.
 
This is very important:  Once the pie is done,  remove it from the oven and let it stand for only 3 Minutes. Only three minutes. TIME IT.
 
If the brown sugar is allowed to sit too long you will not be able to get the pie out of the pie plate.
 
Place a large plate over the top of the pie, using care turn the pie upside down onto the plate IN A QUICK FLIPPING MOTION. 

What you will see is a BEAUTIFUL SUN BURST OF GOLDEN PECAN CANDIED IN BROWN SUGAR, ATOP A FABULOUS APPLE PIE.

Let the pie cool. With a sharp knife, cut pie and serve with a little ice cream.
 
There you have it:  the pie I made for Louise. Needless to to say, all of the group were delighted with the pie and there was only one small piece left over.

Louise guarded it like a junk yard dog, so she could take it home. 

I wrote the attached poem to go along with the pie, as my writing for this week.

Love ya
Itchwoot.

Change
John Joseph 5/6/2009

For Louise

Standing only knee high
To all the Giants of the world

We see all kinds of knees,
Fat ones, Skinny ones, Round ones
Bony ones and Sagging ones
The Sagging ones are usually nylons
Not pulled up high enough.

There are old knees, covered by coarse and thick fabric
Pulled up above the knee and twisted
Into a knot and tucked back in
On itself to hold ‘em up.
Grandma stocking I think.

Hug Mom’s leg
Just tall enough to press your nose
Into her apron at thigh high.
Smell the cinnamon and nutmeg wiped from
Her fingers as she makes an apple pie.
My favorite of all the pies she could make
Home made pie dough
Peeled and cut up apples
Covered with sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg
Laid in the pie pan with precision and accuracy
As if a work of art
Done with huge amounts of love.

Teen age years
I think I’m a Vegetarian
That is until my best friend tells me
Elephants are Vegetarian look how big they are.
I miss the smell of Mom’s apron
The smell of pot roast in the oven
The smell of fried chicken for Sunday dinner
And the smell of
Mom’s apple pie.

I left home to find my way
On my return I only wanted
Mom’s apple pie.

Off to the store
What’s this?
Frozen pie crust
Canned apple pie filling
No smell of cinnamon or nutmeg.

When Mom wasn’t looking sneak
back into the kitchen
Find her apron
No good smells of apple pie
Just the smell of the fabric softener
From the dryer.

What has gone wrong?
Not what I remember as a child
But then nothing is the same as it was when I was a child.

Enjoy the new twist to apple pie.

Brown sugar
Pecans, and yes
Home made pie crust
And cinnamon and nutmeg.

This is not your MaMa’s apple pie.

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BuFoon John / Itchwoot, this reminds me of my favorite Tom Robbins quote:

“There are only two mantras. Yum and yuk. Mine is yum.”

BuFoon Steve

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BuFoon John writes:

Keekwullie: (That’s my Kola Tribe name)
Here are a few pics of the poets’ event, the sunset on Willapa, and the elk herd on Bone River. Had a great time. I read Jonathan’s Bear and the Man story and they loved it. Got to read a lot and had a great time. Heard a lot of good stuff and really just had a great time.

Love ya
itchwoot

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In case you haven’t been hanging on every word you find on the blog, and missed an earlier post about this:

BuFoon John was invited to read at the 2009 Fisher Poets Gathering in Astoria, Oregon. This is a pretty big deal. Check it out HERE.

Hey, John: A pleasant surprise was to see a Port Townsend acquaintance, Wayne Chimenti, listed for the event, too! Maybe you had a chance to meet him. I know he’d love to meet you.

Why is it that every email I get from BuFoon John has about a dozen variations on the phrases: “had a great time” and “loved it?” Hasn’t he been paying attention to the news? Nobody is supposed to be “having a great time” and “loving it.” What’s up with that?

The only thing I can figure is there’s some kind of connection between creativity and joy.

Here are some of BuFoon John’s pictures of Creativity and Joy:

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BuFoon Steve

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BuFoon John writes:

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I got an e-mail from the folks that publish Rain at the College in Astoria that they are going to publish my Poem “Survived,” that I wrote for my buddy Ray: in “Rain 2009.” Boy am I excited about that one!

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As well you should be, BuFoon John. On behalf of all BuFoons everywhere: Congratulations!

Having lived near Astoria for awhile, a couple of decades ago, with permanent moss stains to prove it, I know you know there will also be Rain 2010, 2011, 2012, ad infinitum. So, may there be many more of your good poems and stories published!

BuFoon Steve

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I asked BuFoon John “Itchwoot” Joseph to tell us a little about the Free Clinic for which he volunteers. He emailed the following information, along with some photos. Since he took the photos, it was necessary for me to “photoshop” him into the picture of the clinic office.

When I was finished, the photo confirmed what I have known all along about John’s celestial origins.

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The VIMO (Volunteers In Medicine Organization) Clinic is located at 909 Georgiana St. in Port Angeles. The Organization is sponsored by the State of Washington. Medical Care is provided by retired and volunteer Doctors, Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants. There are also volunteer Registered and Licensed Nurses and volunteer office staff.

The Clinic sees folks who have no other access to medical care. Working folks with no insurance, Veterans, and the Homeless. The Clinic is open every Monday from Noon to 5:00 pm and on Thursday evenings 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm. The number for an appointment is (360) 457-4431 and sometimes there is space for a walk in.

We provide general care and screening, we can get some laboratory tests, some X-rays and once in a while even an MRI. Once in awhile one of the Medical Specialists will do a free consult. We are fortunate to be able to get folks into the University of Washington Medical Center on an Ability to Pay status.

Wal Mart and some of the other pharmacies have started providing us with a list of medications they will fill for a low fee of $4.00 for a month’s supply. They have just started offering a 3-month supply of medications on their list for $10.00. The list is fairly extensive and we are able to find most things on the list to meet the needs of our patients who have heart disease, diabetes, thyroid conditions, high blood pressure and a variety of other medical conditions.

The Local Hospital will do some of our tests on an ability to pay scale. We are able to get folks into the hospital and then have Welfare start the process to get them assistance, with most of the care covered retroactively.

John

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Note to Barack O: I think this is the sort of thing that should be encouraged, don’t you?

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I trust that angelic smile isn’t because you just renewed your prescription for that medical wacky tobacky, BuFoon John.

BuFoon Steve