In the midst of this busy summer, it’s a good thing the take some time to smell the flowers. Since we don’t have smell-a-vision quite yet, we’ll just have to ‘set eyes on them’ instead. The first three beauties are lilies that Barbara Bouwkamp spotted and decided to share with us all. I’m not certain of their actual names, but I think they may be Daylilies. They’re all quite pretty, but that second one is gorgeous with that deep purple coloring.

The bottom two photos come to us from Judy Byykkonen and are snapped in her backyard garden. The yellow flowers are called Potentilla and is considered a rock garden classic. It is also referred to as shrubby cinquefoil or bush cinquefoil. I have to admit, I always admired them, but never knew their name. Judy’s bottom photo is of course the ever beautiful Hollyhock. They come in many colors, but this deep pink is quite the beauty for sure!

The weekend of July 21 – 23 was the 45th Annual Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Pow Wow in Baraga. Nancy Haun was on hand and recorded a video for those of us that couldn’t attend. It’s just short of 24 minutes, so sit back and enjoy. Nancy said: “A great PowWow, good sound system and fantastic announcer! In view of the clear announcing I added a couple short videos at the beginning before Grand Entry started! There were over 300 dancers with more to come on Saturday! I personally like the traditional regalia best, but love seeing the dancers in their amazing regalia!”

WOW...what a great Video. (I love the lilies
too)...did get to see a couple of friends dancing
through..I loved Pow Wows..but just can't do them
anymore.

The Regalia is beautiful..I saw the Bear go
through again. That's gotta be a hot one to wear.

There are Natives that travel the "Pow Wow
Circuit"..going to Pow Wows all summer long...

One year, a bunch of us went to a Sweat Lodge in
Rapid River. Typical Native Tradition doesn't
allow women to drum. The men that ran this session
don't believe women are second class..they believe
the "Life Givers" belong at their side. They
allowed us women to take turns drumming...Just
wow. What an amazing opportunity that was...they
told us that a Sweat Lodge is a round building,
with half being underground....and while drumming,
if you felt vibrations under your feet...that
meant the wolves were running. I felt that. I
cannot tell you how awesome that day was!

I LOVE Pow Wows~!

Simply beautiful! It encompasses the essence
of summer.

The entire side of my garage is occupied by orange lilies. They are not alone though. It seems to not matter what I do or don't do in that area as they just keep coming back. The deer love the flower buds so in some years they are scarce.

Great video. I found it interesting to see quite a wide range of effort put into the cultural clothing (or not) and also the range of enthusiasm during the dancing. All the little ones were very cute.

Nice set!
“Suddenly, the sun broke through (see the sun)
I turned around, she was gone (where did she go)
And all I had left
Was one little flower in my hand.”
(I Love the Flower Girl)

Alex, I love the Cowsills. We saw them in
concert with a bunch of other 60's groups at
Wisconsin Dells. They were old, but the
Cowsills still sounded so good. (You sounded
good too.)

Donna,

Did you take the Sweat?

Was it similar to a Finnish Smoke Sauna?

Very colorful!