Jan's jottings

I have had the longest blogging break since I started this blog in 2007 by going to and returning from New Mexico. I have lots to tell you about, but still have not labeled my pictures. And I seem to be rushing around, getting back into the rhythm of life at home.

• My grandchild is now the size of a kumquat. In the past few weeks she/he has been the size of a blueberry, a kidney bean, and a grape. These images help as I pray everyday for this living being within AA. The next doctor's appointment is in one week--when DC and AA are hoping to hear the heartbeat of their future child.
  

• Nancy has given me permission to use her name instead of merely the initials of "NKE." I appreciate that since we have been friends for the past 49 years! (Isn't that a shocking figure for you younger readers??)

• While in New Mexico, Nancy was seeking mountain lion fetishes. Looking with her, I became interested, too, and found that I love the corn maidens. I seem to be collecting them now, as you can see from the picture below:

• I have four corn maidens, plus a storyteller and an Acoma Pueblo pot. I was told that the tallest corn lady is "very Zuni." The coyote was bought from a young man outside a trading post and may be a belated 25th birthday present for son BJ.
  

• I was told that the Corn Maiden represents a good life and happy future. Cornmaiden emerged with the Zuni from the Underworld and assures her people of a plentiful harvest. The story of the Corn Maidens ends like this:

"Ever since these days, the beautiful corn maidens have dwelt in the Land of Everlasting Summer. This we know. For does not their sweet-smelling breath come from that flowery country, bringing life to their children, the corn-plants? It is the south wind which we feel in spring-time."

• "In the Pueblo Indian culture, corn is to the people the very symbol of life. The Corn Maiden brought this gift. The Corn Maiden brings the power of life to the people. As the corn is given life by the sun, the Corn Maiden brings the fire of the sun into the human bodies, making them as the creator designed them to be. The Great Spirit has given man many representations of His love and power through nature. The Corn Maidens are said to have been created by the Great Spirit in the palm of his right hand. Each Maiden brings one seed of corn that is nurtured with love like that given to a child, that this one seed would sustain the entire tribe forever. With love and strength from the tribe, the tiny seeds mature and grow tall and strong, soon offering mature ears of corn for an abundance of crops for the people. The spirit of the Corn Maidens is forever present with the tribal people. The Corn maiden is the ' Grandmother of the Sun and The Grandmother of the Light'." (From here.)