Greetings to friends near and far. I hope your Spring is starting out wonderful, like ours, in Washoe County, Nevada. I have been watching all the birds busily flying around, gathering nesting materials and it is so fun to watch them. We live in a migratory zone, so there are many types of birds here. Out back, every morning, I watch the Northern Flicker Woodpeckers. They are such busy little guys and so pretty. We also have the Black-Backed Woodpecker, finches, robins, ravens, crows, desert hawks, red-tailed hawks, turkey buzzard, golden eagle and sometimes we spot a Bald Eagle or two and so many other birds. It is such a joy to watch them.

Every time I see an eagle or a hawk, I feel so blessed. One of my favorite poems is:

The Eagle

Bird of the broad and sweeping wing
Thy home is high in heaven,
Where wide the storms their banners fling,
And the tempest clouds are driven.
Thy throne is on the mountain top;
Thy fields---the boundless air;
And hoary peaks that proudly prop
The skies, thy dwellings are.

And where was then thy fearless flight?
"O'er the dark, mysterious sea,
To lands that caught the setting light,
The cradle of liberty.
There on the silent and lonely shore,
For ages I watched alone,
And the world, in its darkness, asked no more
Where the glorious bird had flown.

"But then came a bold and hardy few,
And they breasted the unknown wave;
I caught afar the wandering crew,
And I knew they were high and brave.
I wheeled around the welcome bark,
As it sought the desolate shore;
And up to heaven, like a joyous lark,
My quivering pinions bore.

"And now that bold and hardy few
Are a nation wide and strong;
And danger and doubt I have led them through,
And they worship me in song;
And over their bright and glancing arms
On field, and lake, and sea,
With an eye that fires, and a spell that charms,
I guide them to victory."

- James Gates Percival, 1795 - 1854
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AROUND THE NATION

Sequoyah Students Win At 5 Tribes Art Show
Check out the full story at the following link:
http://nativetimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1319&Itemid=0

Eastern Band of Cherokee battle Runway Expansion
Check out the full story at the following link:
http://nativetimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1323&Itemid=55

Seminole Nation to discuss Adam Walsh Act
Check out the full story at the following link:
http://www.indianz.com/News/2009/013788.asp
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My mother makes the best chicken and noodles supper. Unfortunately, I do not have her permission to give out the age-old family recipe. However, here is a really good one for dumplings or noodles:

Blue Grape Dumplings

4 egg yolks (or two eggs if you prefer)
About 4 Tbsp cold water
White flour
Salt to taste
1/2 gallon unsweetened grape juice
2 cups sugar

Add salt to egg yolks, beat with fork, add water and beat well. Add just enough flour to make a dough that is easy to knead, not too sticky. Knead for about 5 or 6 turns, roll out on floured board, dough should be thin. Cut small squares with knife dipped in hot water.

Blend juice and sugar in large pan and bring to a boil. Drop cut dough pieces in, just a few at a time, to keep the mixture boiling. Boil for 5 minutes, remove dumplings from liquid and add more pieces to boil. When all are boiled, return to pot and simmer for about ten minutes. Serve hot or cold with cream.
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Till next time, may your your moccasins and heart always find a happy path. Blessings and Walk in Peace and Beauty.
Phyllis
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Here's the latest article from the Native American site at BellaOnline.com.

Echos Of The Drum 2009
It is that time of year when the people of the "First Nations" start getting together their finest regalia, practice their songs and dances and prepare for the "Gathering of Nations".

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art23965.asp

Please visit nativeamerican.bellaonline.com for even more great content about Native American.

To participate in free, fun online discussions, this site has a community forum all about Native American located here -

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=140

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback!

Have fun passing this message along to family and friends, because we all love free knowledge!

Phyllis Doyle Burns, Native American Editor
http://nativeamerican.bellaonline.com

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