How Raven Created the World

Raven

 A Tlingit Legend

In the beginning there was nothing but water, darkness, and Raven.  Raven flew through the darkness with a bag that he had hung around his neck.

Raven flew and flew.  As flew, he grew tired, and so he removed a rock from his bag and dropped it into the sea.  That rock became the first land.

Raven flew down to the land to rest. As he sat, he removed more stones from his bag and dropped them into the water.  Those became the rest of the land.

Feeling rested, Raven picked up his bag once more and took to the sky.  But soon he grew tired again.  He perched on a rock and removed more items from his bag:  the fir, the pine, the spruce, the redwood and all the trees of the world.

Then he removed the wild strawberry, and the huckleberry bush, the grasses and plants of the world and those of the sea.  He scattered these across land and water so they, too, could grow.

Raven placed the bag back around his neck and started to fly again, through the darkness.  When he tired, he perched on a rock and reached into his bag.  This time he pulled out the animals of the world: the wolf, the salmon, the eagle, the bear, the deer, and all other animals of land and sea.

Raven looked around him at the world he created.  It was a good world - one in which there was much peace and happiness.

But Raven could feel something else inside his pouch.  He looked and saw that there was one thing remaining.

Raven reached into the bag and removed man.  Raven placed man on earth to care for and respect all of Raven's creations.

The ravens in these earrings were crafted by Lauren Bramble of Crowbirdie Beads.  The earrings are wire-wrapped with sterling silver wire.  The charm is sterling, as well.  The earrings drop approximately 1-1/2" (3.81 cm) beneath sterling leverback earrings.

Cost is $65.  Shipping within the US and Canada is $2.00.  Elsewhere, shipping is $5.

More Halloween delights can be found at the EHAG Emporium.

Dancing for the Day of the Dead on a (Nearly) Wordless Wednesday

(Mine, which are easier to wear, can be found on etsy.)

I Never Saw a Purple Dog...

My Neighbor's Dog is Purple

by Jack Prelutsky

My neighbors’ dog is purple;
its eyes are large and green,

its tail is almost endless,

the longest I have seen.

My neighbors’ dog is quiet,

it does not bark one bit,

but when my neighbor’s dog is near,

I feel afraid of it.

My neighbor’s dog looks nasty,

it has a wicked smile…

before my neighbor painted it,
it was a crocodile.

Your own purple dog and alligator can be found here.

Hippos Dancing in Fantasia

Last week, to celebrate my birthday, a group of us went to the Hollywood Bowl.  They were showing Fantasia with the Hollywood Bowl orchestra playing the music and John Maucieri conducting.  We all brought food and wine to share.  My sister made two amazing cakes, which we managed to light up before the ushers caught us playing with fire, and we had a wonderful night, complete with fireworks and a visit from Mickey Mouse.

One of my favorite parts of Fantasia is the hippos.  (In fact, you may have noticed my fondness for hippos is the past.)  And one of my favorite rhymes for the hippo couplet contest was when Donna rhymed Fantasia and dysplasia.  I believe her couplet said:

Hippos dancing in Fantasia Often suffer hip dysplasia.

So here, to share some of my birthday fun, are Fantasia hippos and a few of my hippo charms, which can be found on eBay and on etsy (or by messaging me here and telling me you desperately need hippos).  because, well... who doesn't?!

Kitty Sings the Blues

Saw me a mousie.  Couldn't bite his tail.

Saw me a mousie.  Couldn't bite his his tail.

When I catch that mousie

He'll have gone all stale.

Tomcat at the window but my mama had me spayed.

Tomcat at the window but my mama had me spayed.

I would bear his kittens

But my fixin's fully paid.

Want to get some sushi and some sashimi, too.

Want to get some sushi and some sashimi, too.

That's why I snub kibble

And that's why I'm feelin' blue.

Had a catnip mousie.  Now it's dead and gone.

Had a catnip mousie.  Now it's dead and gone.

Stupid dog just ate it

And that's why I meow this song.

Had some kitty liter but my mama done changed brands.

Had some kitty littler but my mama done changed brands.

So I peed the sofa.

My mistake's on Mama's hands.

Lotsa kitty earrings.

Rose the Rosy Manatee

by Cornerstoregoddess

There once was a pink manatee.
Her color was all you could see.

She always wore roses.
That's why, we supposes,

She swam in the West Floral Sea.

Rose the Manatee can be found here and here.

The Hitherto Story of Witchy Poo

by Cornerstoregoddess

Here is the story of poor Witchy Poo
Who lost her black cat and was feeling quite blue.

She mixed up a cauldron of herbies and goo
To make a familiar all shiny and new.

She added some toenail of ox and of of gnu,
Then stirred it all up with a lot of to-do,
She sprinkled in tongue of a ratty old shoe

And out of her cauldron a Pumpkin Head grew.

"Alas!" cried poor Witchy Poo, "This just won't do!"
So she got out her cookbook and started anew,

Stirring in twigs and some ash from her flue
Until she created a ghost named Babboo.

Babboo and Miss Witchy Poo picked up and threw
The cauldron's dark contents (which resembled glue),
Right out the window and in a bat flew

Who told Ghost and Witchy he knew what to do.

He dressed them all up, then he played his kazoo
While Witchy and Company danced in a queue,
And practiced some moves better used in kung-fu
Until Witchy's black cat and and owl joined the crew.

The five of them sat down to sup on some stew
That Witchy had thickened with a creamy roux.

They drank up some wine, a fine vintage brew
So glad to be done with all that bally-hoo.

 
Plenty of Halloween goodies to be had here and here.