Gentians on Pelican Nature Cabin Beach

Here is a sign of late summer at Pelican Lake. The bottle gentians and their wonderful purple-blue color showed themselves here on the sandy beach. Over the years, they have become a familiar and beautiful part of the late summer pageant here in the mid Minnesota Lake region our family has connected with since the early 1940's. I so well remember, John and Bern Foster, my parents mentors from Faribault, who sold my parents the 100 ft lot in the 40's, for $250, what was then a considerable sum for a new small town doctor with a growing family. The beauty of energy of the plant nation, were so important to my parents, Peg and her passion for identifying plants, especially fungi That energy is still so much of my passion for being in the natural world.
Enjoy the beauty of mother earth and the growing Creation!

Weber Oil Paints - Pete Weaver's Art Oils

When sorting through Peg and Pete's estate, one of the things that struck me, is the incredible variety of interests they both had. Pete, my dad, had paintings going, both at home and at this office (according to Adie Langevin, who was his office manager up at the Faribault Clinic on the East side). These are some of the oil pigments he used. When searching on line, I found the site:www.weberart.com " For a century and a half, the name Weber has been synonymous with quality art materials. Established in 1853 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Martin/F. Weber Co. is the oldest and one of the largest manufacturers of art materials in the United States. Originating in 1853 as Scholz & Company, a sales agency, the company evolved through a series of growth partnerships to become F. Weber and Company in 1887, under the leadership of its owner, Frederick Weber. ........ In the 1930’s Mr. Weber introduced new pigments to the industry with excellent lightfastness and reduced toxicity to the artist and synthetic varnishes to replace the less stable natural materials used in the past. Turpenoid, an exceptional odorless turpentine replacement which is still the finest available, was introduced in the 1950’s. This remarkably early commitment to the development of safer art materials continues to the present." My sense it, that dad, wanted the best pigments that were less toxic. I wonder if anyone at Weber can tell me when this product might have been purchased? I will send them an email to find out! Glad for the creative artists that continue in my extended family! Mitakuye Oyasin

Potato Eaters Gallery - Jesse Weaver, Amy Brown, Jane Newell

With some of Amy's paintings in the background, here are Jesse, Amy and Jane relaxing after Amy did are talk about her first art gallery opening. Amy's friend created the sheep outfit, I think is a some kind of metaphor for folks who buy a lot of artless stuff, like a materialism statement. I will await more wisdom from Amy as the story settles in. Jess, Jane and I drove down to Willmar from St Cloud Friday and arrived just in time to hear the other artist Paula Pena speak, before Amy shared her work in the gallery.

Potato Eaters Gallery - Amy Brown Art Opening Aug 28

Here in the black low cut dress, is Amy Brown with her premier art opening she did with Paulo Pena of Willmar. In the back are some of Amy's paintings. To Amy's right is Jane Newell and her left, my youngest son, Jesse Weaver, the bearded tall guy. Jane, Jesse and I drove down to Willmar from St Cloud Friday afternoon to support Amy in her debut on the Willmar art scene. Very multicultural with Latino's in this mid Minnesota town. Gracias Senorita Amy.

Fred Harvey Tour Leaving La Castaneda Hotel ca 1920

When walking through the present day Amtrak station, this black and white photo taken during the hay day of railroad travel, beakoned me back to the times my mom, Margaret Glessner, and her parents, Inez Chase Glessner and Harry Glessner traveled on this line from Chicago to LA. In my Mom's autobiography she pubished at age 83 for her grandkids, she writes
"TO CALIFORNIA WITH MY PARENTS
My first trip to California was before I was school age. Some one, probably Grandpa Glessner or Aunt Mary, drove my parents and me to Mortimer, a few miles north of Findlay, where the train conductor of the yelled: "All aboard!" We left on a steam-engined Nickle Plate Railroad train bound for Chicago. There we transferred to the Santa Fe Railroad where we enjoyed a drawing room, playing games and watching the scenery roll by. In the evenings we often sat outdoors on the rear platform of the train listening to the click-clacks of the train going over the joints of the rails. When I was awake in the sleeping berth during the night, I heard the ringing of warning bells at railroad crossings in towns. Disembarking at a train-stop, the strap of my toy bag broke, spilling everything all over. I burst into tears.
For my second trip to California, when I was in the fifth grade, my parents took me out of school. Again we took the Santa Fe from Chicago. The train became uncomfortably hot, but if we opened a window for air we might get cinders in our eyes. At Flagstaff: Arizona, our train car was switched off for a side-trip to the Grand Canyon. Because it was snowing hard, most of the day was spent in a smalL stone lookout building with a warm fire in a large fireplace and a wonderful view of the Canyon. Going through Arizona I had a glance at a large meteor crater as the train traversed its edge. On this, or our earlier tIip, we got off the train to eat some of our meals at Fred Harvey Restaurants next to the train depot. (I suppose some trains lacked dining cars.) " So here is our families recollection of the high times of rail travel. I am blessed by the spirits of Harry Chappelear Glessner and Inez Chase Glessner, as well as that of my mom, Margaret Mary Glessner Weaver, who gave me the love for enjoying travel, and understanding, "whereever I go, there I am" Peace love and joy of the journey of life. I wonder if they just ate at the Fred Harvey place or went on one of his tours...Hmmm. Imagine..:-)

La Castaneda Hotel Las Vegas NM 2009 - Reflections on the boom years of railroads

One of the hotels my grandfather, Harry C Glessner, referred to in March of 1929, as "another one of our hotels" in a post card to my mom, then written to as Margaret Glessner, a second year student living at Grey Gables, Oberlin College, Ohio.
When I asked in the local train station next door, the woman at the Amtrak station said "Back in the day, we had 40 trains here a day, with many passengers stopping on the Santa Fe for lodging at the La Castanda. From the Las Vegas Citizens Committee for Historic Preservation website: http://lasvegasnmcchp.com/tours/railroad.htm

"As the AT&SF Railroad steamed into Las Vegas on July 4, 1879, hundreds of new citizens descended on the "City of the Meadows." Overnight, a new town was born a mile east of the Plaza populated by families, merchants, professionals, desperadoes and dance-hall girls, all hardy pioneers seeking their fortunes. All told, several thousand people came to Las Vegas that year, making it one of the largest towns in the Rocky Mountain West, rivaling Denver, Tucson and El Paso in size. At first a town of tents and sheds, the new town, "East Las Vegas," was laid out within six months and lots were sold at a brisk pace. Las Vegas as a whole became an economic boomtown. Trade here earned the railroad $2,5000,000 from shipping and $500,000 from passengers between 1886 and 1891. The railroad provided direct jobs for track construction, maintenance and locomotive crews, and headquarters officials, as well as seasonal employment in the ice industry.

Not only a bustling mercantile center, the railroad district also boasted hotels, saloons and dance halls with notorious characters to match. In 1879, Dodge City's most famous dentist, "Doc" Holliday, bought a saloon on Center Street (now East Lincoln) and fatally shot a man named Mike Gordon. Holliday fled back to Kansas the following year.

The railroad brought modern technology to Las Vegas through improvements in communications and transportation, and new building materials and designs. Local businessmen and professionals installed telephones in their stores and offices the same year the railroad came to town. By 1881, the Las Vegas Street Railway was operating streetcar service between the train depot and the Plaza, west of the Gallinas River. The most visible legacy of this technology can still be seen in the use of fired brick, structural cast iron and pressed-metal in "new" construction. " Accoring to the woman at the station, today, the owner opens up a bar for a few drinks regularly. Hope they can find a long term use for this huge building...my the spirit of Fred Harvey bring folks together again. Cheers!

Elephant Butte Reservoir - Low Water

Here is a photo of the butte that to some, looks like an elephant. Well, perhaps I see ears there. Becky and I traveled to this lake, that is created by damming up of the Rio Grande. I learned from Becky, it is mostly used for irrigation of lands below in NM and Texas. Nearby is a marina and many folks seem to use it now for recreation with motor boats and all, and evidentally there are sandy beaches as well to check out on another visit.

Elephant Butte Dam - Rio Grande built ca 1914

Here is the dam north of T or C where Becky directed me to see the CCC Camp buildings that a group hopes to rehab soon. Also there is a big building with windows where we shared a beverage and food may be served. Fun architecture. According to Becky, traffic stopped on the bridge after 911. Per Wikipedia "At the time of its construction, the dam was the largest irrigation dam ever built with the exception of the Nile dam at Assouan, Egypt.The name "Elephant Butte" refers to a volcanic core similar to Devils Tower in Wyoming. It is now an island in the lake. The butte was said to have the shape of an elephant."

Rebecca Speakes - BeDassling Quilts and Mug Mats !

Here, in the Pink House of T or C, sits Rebecca Speakes who moved from Minneapolis a while back and who has become very connected with the T or C arts and social community. The Singer sewing machine where she makes her colorful mug mats, looks just like the one my mom used for years. I suggest checking out Becky’s BeaDazzling Quilts website–Patchwork art quilts designed for the 21st century. http://www.beadazzlingquilts.com Thanks Rebecca for your kind hospitality in the south of New Mexico! Peace

Hot Springs Mandala - Orange Lotus and Hummingbird Medicine

I had a vision to set in the healing waters here, prior to coming to T or C. Becky and friends guided me to one of the "flow through" stream hot baths near the Rio Grande after we returned on our Cliff Trip. After settling in for a 1 hour session, I lit a candle and breathe into my bodily container, and went to a place of deep relaxation and centering. Here on the wall of the 4th room where I was led to cleanse, is a mandala of what I experienced as the orange lotus and the hummingbirds. I smiled in deep gratitude for the many hummingbirds who have been in my presence on this trip. First at the Village of Shining Stores, then so many at the Gila Cliffs Visitors center. Thinking of the medicine wheel and the teaching of the persistence of hummingbird medicine. And the beauty way of the lotus in Buddhist mediation tradition. Pidamiya Wakan Tanka for the many blessings on this beauty way...More shall be revealed in spirit...

Gila Cliff Dwellings -Drying tower for skins, food?

This tower like structure had a chimney outlet above and a place to feed a fire below, and with a glistening rock surface below, it is thought much was processed to take care of the people here. Testing done on the glistening rocks recently revealed a lot of urea, likely from animal urine, which is part of a traditional processing to make hides soft. Many have surmised that the people living here in 1270-90 were able to dry game, corn as well as hides here. So grateful to have been able to experience the energy of what appears to have been a crossroads for indigenous peoples here.

Gila Cliff Dwellings - Mogollon Peoples here - Transition of 1270-1290!

Reaching the protected cave dwellings we learned from a volunteer guide that a group, labeled by the archeologists a the Mogollon ("Muggy-own), were here only from 1270-90 according to the tree ring dating from the wood in the structures. Attempts have been made to link the droughts that affected the Anasazi and Hohokam to the north and west and how these people had likely an oasis here along the Gila River to sustain them in a good way. One of the chambers has a lot of soot, and there are visions that this was a ceremonial space for the people. I felt very much at home and safe here, even though this is a fair walk (180 ft climb) from the stream below. Grateful for the connection to the spirit of the ancestors here.

Gila Cliff Dwellings Walk with Becky

After stopping at the visitors center near the Gila River, the river that goes to the Pacific and is on the other side of the Turtle Island Continental Divide, Becky and I shared a fruit, water and sandwich picnic lunch at the trail head. Here is Becky rejoicing climbing up the trail and our ability to be in our young bodies on this trail! I had a lot of gratitude at the visitors center come up for me as I purchased for a mere $10, a lifetime pass (red cactus flowers on the card, to celebrate this trip to the SW) for those US Citizens who have reached the age of 62. I was able to thus cover for Becky (she is so much younger and youthful as you can see) and will be able to treat others for years to some to Federal Sites all over this nation called the United States of America by some. Thanks Becky for your spirited presence and artful eye as we ventured on this day trip from T or C.

Sycamore of the desert, Animas Creek Canyon

Here is a wonderful tree being, that Becky called the Arizona Sycamore. My corporal container is shown here for scale. Its not the heat, rather the humility :-) When I heard there were sycamores in the area, we took a short detour down into this canyon. I found it peaceful to be in the presence of this great tree elder relative whose roots go deep into the waters of life here on the southern NM desert. Thanks Becky for your wonderful sharing of this colorful and deep watered part of Turtle Island. The spirit runs deep here!

Mimbres Mountain Pass View looking east

Becky was gracious to lead me on a journey, day trip to the National Monument at Gila Cliff Dwellings on a fork of the Gila River. On our way west, she talked about the old silver mining towns of Hillsboro and Kingston and the history of the ghost towns and art communities along the way. Our first stop, when I talked of my connection with sycamore trees, was the canyon of Animas Creek, when I found some of the big tree people (see next photo). Here, we stopped to look at from where we had come before our decent to the Mimbres River Valley and Silver City. We then took a woods road Ste 15 through the mountains going over the Continental Divide to the Valley of the Gila River. It is said the Geronimo, the Apache Warrior was born in the headwaters of this river, that goes west into the Colorado River system toward the Pacific. Pacific and Peace.

Pink House Welcome to T or C - Becky and Bicycle

Here is the quintessential southwest artistic home of Becky Speakes, a woman from Minnesota who has fallen in love with the sites, colors and sounds of New Mexico. I met Becky through Steve Wolfe of Minneapolis some 10 years ago, and when I received the vision to attend the First Peace Gathering near Abiquiu, I discovered that Steve had Becky's bike from her youth in Minnesota and that I could carry it on my green pony with my mountain bike. So here is the bike being delivered to the desert southwest and the pink house on Pershing in T or C. I remembered the thread of Gen Pershing from WW I, who was honored at the WWI Freedom and Peace memorial across from the Union Station in KC. My Mom, Peg Weaver had shaken his hand after WW I, the war to end all wars! Today, I hold peace in my heart for my visit to the beauty and sweet energy of T or C, the Hot Springs and the spirits of the mountains. Wopida tonka. Big Gratitude from my heart.

World Launch Discipline of Peace - Global Dreaming

Here is part of the circle of world peace dreamers that joined in the launch at the Village of the Shining Stones near Abiquiu for 5 days of ceremony in the high desert. On the back wall are 8 images created through Rainbow Hawk of the Eight Universal Principles of Peace. This work builds on the understanding, of Black Elk, 18th Century spiritual leader of the Oglala Lakota Nation. "The First Peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the Universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the Universe dwells, Wakan Tanka, the Great Spirit, and that this center is everywhere, and it is within each of us. This is the real peace and others are but reflections of this. The second peace is that which is made by two individuals, and the third is that which is made between two nations. But above all you should understand that there can never be peace between nations until their is known that true peace, which, as I have often said, is within the souls of the people. " Check out wwwdisciplineofpeace.org for more information and how to connect. Mitakuye Oyasin

Also check out on U Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uj9wg9i3NDQ&NR=1

Carl Damm, Spokesperson for The Discipline of Peace Youth - Launch at Abiquiu

During my week of ceremony, I learned about the Danish Group of young people that shared a vision to bring this work to youth. Here is visionary, Carl Damm, sharing his vision about The Discipline of Peace Youth and the launch during this ceremony. Please check out the links at www.disciplineofpeace.org and consider joining this growing circle of teaching and mentoring in a good way. He is supported on stage by some 12 youth leaders from Denmark, the UK and Turkey who share the vision. Powerful testimony for this author! I chose to buy a $100 Share in World Peace to signify my commitment for the next seven generations of humans to care for this beautiful blue orb that is mother to us all. Mitakuye Oyasin! "we are all related"

Canyon Land Beauty of Abiquiu and Village of the Shining Stones

One vision I had before driving to New Mexico for the Launch of the Discipline of the First Peace teachings, is how my mission of service as an elder, is supported through loving relationships with souls who "do our work". One of the stories that touched me deeply as I learn more about the 8 Universal Principles of Peace, is the one that supports the 8th: Guarding the Spirit Fire. It is about dealing with hardship, depression, loss. It is a Lakota story, and is called David and the 10 sticks of happiness. I am holding this story in my heart to share face to face, around the fire, with those who are willing to learn how to feed their person fire, that brings true happiness. Each begins with "I am learning" The first: "I am learning that I am a most unique, special and beautiful manifestation of Creation." Here on the side of the canyon, I have rested the diamond willow staff I carry as a gift from one of my elder teachers and the heart bag created by another elder teacher that carries the channupa and teaching pipe that was gifted to me after competing my forth sun dance in the 1990's. Peace love joy and beauty on our earth walk!

Navajo Wisdom from Elder Chester From Houck Arizona

Here, during one of the teachings of our ceremony, is Chester from the Dine', Navajo nation. With the facilitators of the ceremony in the background, and Maja from Denmark holding a Navajo Blanket, Chester explains the prayers that the weaver envisions to create the rug. One of the threads as it were, or themes is how we are beautiful humans are part of creating the dream that is this world. Chester exudes the peace, love and respect for beauty I have learned many of our treasured indigenous elders carry in their very being. Pidamiya tehanshi Chester for your great beautiful sharing..

Medicine Wheel - Village of the Shining Stones Abiquiu NM

I arrived at the Village of Shining Stones, an intentional community and healing land, envisioned by Rainbow Hawk and Wind Eagle of the Ehama Foundation. I learned that the first center they co- created was in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California and that many of that community further to the west, followed Grandfather Rainbow Hawk and Grandmother Wind Eagle to this place.
Notice the 8 colors of the medicine wheel, each flag protecting a door into the medicine wheel. At the Launch of the First Peace I attended here from Sunday Aug 16 - Saturday Aug 22, I sat with mostly 64 fellow journey persons of many nations. Here in the center are a few of the youth from Denmark who at this event launched The Discipline of Peace Youth, which is part of the World Wise Peoples Movement Of The Discipline of Peace. Check them out and maybe send a check for Stock in World Peace! Blessings

South Park Colorado Tom W and George Foster from Silverton

Leaving Denver, I drove up into the mountains, passing Indian Hills where I did my first inipi ceremony back in the early 1980's on my journey on the red road of balance. Passing Bailey, I saw a young man with a banjo case and pack hitching along the road. So flashing back to my 60 and 70's days hitching all over the US, Canada and Mexico, my inner voice said "this will be good" So trusting the process, George Foster, a student at Ft Collins and native of Silverton Colorado, joined me in my green pony. By the time we entered the expanses of the open flatness of South Park, we had talked of music and I played the CD I just recorded of a few Lakota ceremonial songs. So here we are celebrating the real "South Park". Kenny was not to be seen nor Cartman as I remember some of the characters of the South Park series my sons introduced me to "back in the day". Grateful George was willing to join Sandy and Jim Swett of Salida and myself in a lodge near town, before we parted our ways, he west to Silverton and I to Alamosa and then Abiquiu NM. May the blessings be.

Greg Larsen and Church of the Ascension Organ Denver

Here is Greg at the organ keyboard at the new organ at this church. Greg has been the spark plug in supporting a variety of churches over the years, from Shattuck School and the Cathedral in Faribault, St James on the Parkway in Minneapolis and other venues in the twin cities. He and Laurie moved here some six years ago when he was hired as the artistic director of Graland School in Denver.

Greg Larsen and his home in Denver

Here is my longest term friend from my youth in Faribault, Greg Larsen. He had a paper route in my neighborhood that I remember walking and riding with him, to such notarties as the George Kingham family a couple of blocks away. I arrived tired after my long drive, some 400 miles at his home and he and Laurie had a great meal prepared, including a green vegie soup with almonds on top. So refreshing sharing stories of our some 55+ years on the planet. They have two sons, Peter and Joe who are in their 30's and we share raising sons stories. What a pleasant home and inviting place to stay on my journey SW. Thanks Greg and Laurie for your kind hospitality...Hot shower!

Leaving Kansas and the images of cattle feed lots

After the long Friday drive across Kansas, following first the route of the Santa Fe Trail and the Santa Fe Railroad, I joined the valley the Arkansas River in mid state. One of the images and experiences I noticed more and more, are the giant feed lots of cattle with an amazing stench! Here is an image from Garden City in western Kansas. I flash on Michael Pollan and his expose' of "inflammatory beef" in The Omnivores Dilemma and how beef cattle without free grass ranging are often force feed corn. Corn products that are so abundant in the American diet today, create an imbalance in the Omega-3 to Omega - 6 fatty acids ratio for humans. And I wonder how the cattle feel, penned up in these confines. Anyway, about the inflammatory fatty acid ratio. Best around 1:2-3...with all the corn for Americans who are unconscious of the role of corn added too much Omega - 6 1: 17-23. (Pollan, Michael, The Omnivores Dilemma, Penguin Books, 2006, p. 18). So educagion and awarenes beyond hype are important. I see the "Eat Beef Keep Slim" sign as well, not very deep. With all the corn feeding, I was hoping there was more grass fed awareness here. Sigh! And the cowboys I saw were not as slim and I was hoping to see :-) Obesity is alive and well on the southern great plains!

Dodge City Santa Fe Station - Gun Slinging Logo for History

Dodge City was the setting for Gunsmoke, a popular TV show back in the 50's and 60's. James Arness, from Minneapolis, played thely hero, Marshall Matt Dillon, while Dennis Weaver from Joplin MO, played his side kick Chester. So this is a childhood fantasy made real here. Boot hill and Bat Masterson and others play big in the lore of this town still today. The Chamber of Commerce would have it that I have not really "done" Dodge City yet....despilte the fact that my ancestor Elizabeth Ewing Chappelear was bureid in an unmarked grave in Easton KS, after she died during the time of "Bloody Kansas" and the fight in the 1850's in Missouri for either being a slave or free state. My the family was caught between a rock and a hard place, even back then!

Dodge City 2009 - Two sundials, the author moving!

Here are the two re built sun dials, in the same location without the trees in the background. The caboose in the back honors, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe with the original logo I remember as a kid.

Dodge City Two sundials - Where Central Time and Mountain met in the past.

Here is a display that describes the two sundials located just east of the station. Here is where the crews changed that went east and west on the Santa Fe. My grandmother Inez Chase Glessner called this the "two faced" city. The postcard describing that in the hand of Harry C Glessner is in the lower left. Timely.

Dodge City Tour of Fred Harvey Space by Herr Stinemetz

This is the space once occupied by the Fred Harvey Restaurant. My guide, who has worked with the local theater, the historical society, is a native to the area, has expertise in fire safety regulations, having attended a two week training at the national school in Maryland. My friend Jon Nisja, who works with the Minnesota Fire Safety prevention groups is quite familiar with the school. Here I learned more about the times and legacy of Fred Harvey and how he mobilized many women to come to this part of the wild west and the incentives to keep them working and not married before their time. Very interesting. Gosh, that might be creative energy for a play at the theater here.

Dodge City 2009 - One Santa Fe -Fred Harvey Building Being Preserved

Feeling sad and connected to my Grandfather Harry C Glessner, Grandmother Inez Chase Glessner and my mom, Margaret "Peg" Glessner Weaver on my drive across Kansas, I found the work here "Getting into Dodge", not just Out of Dodge, was refreshing, as I walked around the building and saw the Sundials, that led Inez to quip "This is a 2 faced city", I ran into a kind fellow named Stinemetz who had been working on the rehab of the building AND who gave me a great spontaneous tour. So here is my green pony, parked beside the station.

Hutchinson KS The Bisonte Santa Fe Hotel 1929

Here is the Bisonte Hotel which was built in the Elizabethan style during the peak train era. Named after the Bison of old Bisonte is Spanish for bison, when I visited this town of salt fame, I learned by driving around the downtown by the tracks, it must have been torn down. Written to Miss Margaret Glessner, Grey Gables, Oberlin College, Oberlin OH, with a 1 cent stamp March 1929 "An extra stop, next Newton, just like summer. Dad" Post marked Newton Kans March 18 1929.

Newton Kansas - 2009 Station - Multiple Use Downtown

Here is the site I captured as I found my way off of US 50 into the center of this prairie town. The Santa Fe tracks go right through the center still. Compare to the old station setting and I could image my grandfather sitting down to a meal at the Fred Harvey Restaurant with others from the train back in the golden era of the railroad. As I was sharing with Mr. Stinemetz in Dodge City, my granddad Glessner was so passionate about the Santa Fe, he would have me count Santa Fe cars when I was a youth, and give me a penny for each one! Kept my attention. Also he gave me a nickel for each white horse. Always wonder if that was a rural Ohio thing or even a Lady Godiva thing.

Newton Kansas - Card of Old Station - Gone by 1929

On the back of this card, Harry Glessner wrote to Margaret Glessner at Oberlin. "This is the place I "ett" once. Has been torn down for building a new one" Postmarked Emporia, which was the next stop east. When I stopped here in downtown Newton, there is a newer station that still stands and like many, has multiple uses. As an Amtrak station and looks like rental areas for living too.
I took this card into the local Chamber of Commerce and the woman there took a copy of the card and remembered "We had one of Fred Harvey's daughters speak of that era and how many woman of that time were employed in the small Kansas towns cooking for the railroad. "They had white table clothes and good china and brought culture to the western prairie"

Dr Satpurkha Morning Light - Okra and Stir-Fry guy

Here is my friend Dr Satpurkha DeRigne Friday morning holding okra and the leftovers of our big stir-fly. He hosted a group of men for a fresh stir-fry and gentle music and poetry gathering in his home upon my arrival. I had stopped by my friend Bobby Schaurhammer's garden Thursday AM, and was gifted with fresh German stripped heirloom tomatoes, thin eggplants, summer zucchini. Satpurkha, a native this part of the world added several fresh okra fruits to the mix. So we had a pot luck of salad, rice with tuna, and sautéed Alaska salmon. Thanks Dr S for your warm hosting!

Santa Fe Railroad Map - Fred Harvey Era ca 1929

Yesterday, August 14, a Friday, I left my friend Satpurkha's quiet abode in Overland Park KS at about 7:30 AM to make my trek and pilgrimage to revisit the life and times of Harry Chappelear and Inez Chase Glessner. I learned more about how train travel bridged the generations of the Glessners. From Union Station on Thursday, with its high vaulting ceiling, an epicenter of that grand era of the ribbons of steel to the smaller town of Newton, where a newer station sits, different from the photo Harry sent to Peg. This card, with the “X” on Dodge City KS, for me, is a great overview map of the extent of Fred Harvey's influence in the RR era, and fortunately for me, I got a tour of the modern station in Dodge City by a Mr Stinemetz, who is involved in a theater troupe and as a trained fire prevention specialist, knows the story of bringing the old building up to code for current insurance standards. Read on for yesterday’s adventures!

Union Station 1929 Fred Harvey Post Card - Harry Glessner to Margaret

This is the front of the post card mailed by my grandfather, Harry C Glessner in March of 1929 to his wife, Inez Chase Glessner in Findlay OH. "Thinking of Margaret" his only child, who was my mother, and then a student at Oberlin College in Ohio. This station was an icon for American train travel and a stop on the Santa Fe, Sky Chief that my Glessner Grandparents took to Arizona and California during the hayday of rail travel. I offer this as the beginning of a series of Santa Fe stations that were connected to the Fred Harvey tradition of dining on the trail of rails. Thanks to the spirit of Peg Glessner Weaver and Harry and Inez Glessner!

Union Station Kansas City 94 foot ornate ceiling

Imagine coming to board a train and walking into this space! Largely empty when I arrived about 5 PM, the 21st C rendition of the old Fred Harvey Restaurant, filled in the days of Harry Glessner travel, closed at 4 PM. Happy I could connect wirth John Cannon here who is a friend through Satpurkha DeRigne, with whom I am staying in Overland Park. Beautiful summer green here in eastern Kansas. Soon, I will travel across Kansas to Colorado!

Union Station Kansas City MO Begin Adventure to Southwest

I drove from St Louis Park to Kansas City through the 90 degree heat and my green pony, 99' Dodge Caravan performed well. Met John Cannon here after I walking across the street from this largely empty grand building. This had been an icon of American Railroad splendor having been build in the nineteen teens and it served as a hub to much of America's travelers, much like airplane city hubs do today. Harry Glessner, my Mom's dad, had sent a postcard from here, during his 1929, trip west while his "Margaret" was a student at Oberlin College and his wife, Inez Chase Glessner lived in their home at 204 Glendale Ave in Findlay Ohio. One of my goals on this trip is to follow the spirit of my a ancestors as they loved to travel the Santa Fe Railroad from Chicago to LA in California. Hope this will be a fun trip down memory lane!

Glenwood - Lake Minnewaska Cabin Porch with Harry McLachlin's Family

I drove from Pelican Lake, to Nisswa, Little Falls, west on MN 27 and MN 28 to Sauk Center and then to Glenwood, on a sunny day through the deep green woods and prairies of central Minnesota. I arrived with my bison burger and quickly added some Worchestershire and put 4 on the grill that Harry started. Judy from St Louis MO area and a regular visitor and caretaker of this property, Harry and I were the only carnivores to eat the bison. The next morning here is the group sharing breakfast coffee and fruit, over the Star Tribune and the Polk County Local News. Bill Clinton had just gone to North Korea to bring back two journalists as a headline. From left to right Judy, Marjolein, Dana (Sr in High School), Margaret (Harry's 91 old mom who lives in Alexandria), Harry, Mariella (St Olaf Student) and Daisy and Winston the 2 four leggeds. I am reading Storm's Thunderbolt, the book at my place in preparation for the Teachings of the Discipline of Peace Launch I am attending in New Mexico, sponsored through the Ehama Institude if my green pony carries me well!

Raspberries with Madeleine and Jim

Here I am holding out some of the berries we all picked in the woods. I am holding some pearly everlasting flowers that I am drying for a winter bouquet with the berries. In addition to Miss Maddy, Madeliene Grosso and Grandpa Jim Weaver pictured here, we were joined by Val Weaver Grosso and Melanie Brick Weaver on the raspberry picking adventure walk.

Jim Weaver, Miss Maddy (Madeleine) and Val picking raspberries

On Tuesday, Jim Weaver, Madeleine Weaver Grosso, and Val Weaver Grosso, are pictured here on the old CCC land, the part now on the state property managed by the DNR with the Lougee Lake boat landing where we discovered many raspberry bushes. Jim carried his 2 1/2 year old granddaughter in a back pack, where she was alert and joined in the picking for a while. Later on she fell asleep in the backback on our walk back on the Crow Wing State Forest road.

Ken Glessner Weaver, The Grill Chef - Musings on Haeberle-Foster and Palmer Connections

Here is Ken, watching the steaks and burgers for our evening meal on the front porch. It has been a long family tradition to share stories over food with Pelican Lake and its sandy shores on the southeast side of the lake as a backdrop to our activities. I flash back to visitings the Palmer's here in the 1950's when I would take the small Evenrude motor on the 14' Crestliner down to the "swamp" where there were long sandbars out in the lake, and walk up to their door facing the lake and knock to "say hello" to the Palmers. Wonderful that this cabin, built in 1912 by Haeberle who worked at Shattuck School in Faribault, could be so well used by those who aspire to connect with, and love and respect Nature. Mr Haeberle, I hear died suddenly in the cabin from a heart attack in 1940 and is buried in Brainerd. Somehow the Palmers found out about it. Was it John Foster, an insurance real estate person from Faribault, who platted Sunset Beach, who might have met Palmer at a convention in Indiana? Foster I remember was a Purdue Football guy who coached at Shattuck and perhaps influenced Palmer from Indiana to come here. I wonder about the connections. I flash back on the 80th and 90th birthday parties we created her for Peg Weaver and all those who attended.

Val Weaver Grosso, Ken Weaver and Madeleine Weaver Grosso Pelican Lake Dancing and Grilling

Here are my niece, nephew and grandniece at the back of the Haeberle-Palmer Cabin, that the three Weaver brothers purchased together in 1967. I drove up to Pelican Nature Cabins on Monday to visit my Weaver relatives who came from the East Coast. I picked up some grass fed beefsteaks, hamburger and bison steaks and bison burger at the Wedge Coop in Minneapolis where I am a member. After talking with Melanie Weaver about her want for whole wheat buns and bread and a vision of eating around 7 PM, I picked up the various foods as my contribution. Upon arrival, I learned that Ken had done the grilling the day before, and here he is with the beef and bison steaks, and some of the beef burgers I put in a marinade of Worcestershire Sauce and shallots an hour or so before they went on. Thanks Ken for your good work! Madeleine, whom I enjoy calling "Miss Maddy" sometimes, and I, did a dance here where we pretended to want to step on each others toes...ah, learning about boundaries and dancing at 2 1/2 and at 62. Fun to reciprocate for me.

Lunch at Monte's Downtown Faribault - Burgers and More

After a tour of Faribaults east side schools and driving by the family home at 425 SW 3rd St to see "Tatepaha", the windy hill, we stopped at what I knew as the Landkamer Furniture building downtown, across from the Post Office. My parents visited the post office often, with there extensive world stamp correspondence and I remember dad getting Pravda during the cold war and his wondering how the locals looked at him during that time. While reading the menu I was reminded of the Shaft- Pierce Shoe Company as well. The Shafts had owned the Carufel home at 425 SW 3rd and added the sun porch I recall, prior to the Tim Powers Family who then sold it to my parents in 1943. Here are Amy and Jesse enjoying the famous lunch burgers that the locals invited us to try out. And the tap beer was to Jesse's liking. Classic midwest American food, right here in scenic downtown Faribault. Bon appetit! Thanks for Jane, Amy and Jesse's great support on this journey to celebrate the lives of Paul H Weaver and Margaret Weaver through committing some of their ashes at the Cathedral.

Redbud Tree thriving since 2007 planting. Jane, Amy and Jesse

Here are the classic heart shaped leaves of the tree, native to Ohio, that Peg and I came to the Cathedral in the spring of 2007 to dedicate to the life and values of Paul Henry Weaver, 1910 - 1982. He was a strong proponent of learning from nature: He often took photos of mushrooms to support Peg's passion, with a small ruler with the classic quote from Louis Agassiz "Study Nature, not books". Someday, I would like to create a monument in the Cloister Garden dedicated to those values honoring both parents with Peace Poles to honor in many languages the value of peace in the hearts of all peoples throughout the world. Here are Jane Newell, and Amy Brown checking out the leaf shapes when Jesse looking on with the cathedral tower in the background.

Columbarium Rev Henry Doyle, Tom reviewing contents of ashes boxes

This photo, taken by Jane, shows the engraving on the front of the niches, for Paul H and Margaret Weaver in the front, and for other families prominent at the Cathedral during my parents era of being active in the church. Both of my parents sang in the church choir and were friends with the Onkkas and Waflers. Greg Larsen's parents, Helen and Homer, lived just around the corner from our home on the hill in southwest Faribault, called "Tatepaha". windy hill by the Dakota. Here Henry and I are reviewing the service leaflet from the larger ceremony we had in 1992, ten years after my fathers passing. We left some papers with the boxes so future generations might learn something of the times and life of Peg and Pete Weaver. Henry shared that he is from Colorado Springs, and 4 years junior to my friends, Greg Keiffer and Greg Larsen who have worked with him at Shattuck in the past.

Columbarium Rev Henry Doyle, Tom & Jesse Weaver, Amy Brown

After a fun tour of the Cathedral, including the bell tower (we were informed by Russell, the sexton, that due to construction we could not ring the bells today :-( ), we took the small stairs down to the crypt where Bishop Whipple's remains sit. Here, with name plates familiar to my era, Wafler, Onkka, Larsen in the background, Henry and I are reviewing the contacts of Peg and Pete's boxes, along with two empty boxes that are reserved for me and perhaps a partner to join when that time comes. Henry is such a warm hearted man, and very compassionate to share stories with us during this time. He is the chaplain at Shattuck, and later when I drove around town to give the tour of the city, Henry was leaving his home on the campus in his white PT cruiser to make a home visit to Rita Orr who I visited serveral years ago in her home by the Shattuck golf course. Ah, the memories of small town Faribault and its great focus on education and Episcopal history. Thanks Jane for taking the photos. I appreciate having my spiritual sister to witness important events in my life's journey. May the sprits of Peg and Pete continue to rest in peace. Thanks for the memories!

Cathedral Organ Jane Newell, Amy Brown - Jesse Weaver

Amy and Jesse drove to my apartment in St Louis Park Saturday morning where Jane Newell joined us for a breakfast on my porch. Scrambled eggs, fresh fruit were shared for a beginning to a wonderful summer weekend celebration. I had planned the ashes committal ceremony to include other Weaver's from Wisconsin, California, Massachusetts and New York at a time when Pelican Lake vacations might coincide, and due to circumstances well beyond this authors control, other Weaver family members were unable to attend. Here are Jane, Amy and Jesse in front of the organ, that my friend, Greg Larsen, Faribault Class of 1965 and fellow Episcoplian growing up here in the 1960's, was instrumental in restoring. Greg taught at Shattuck with Bob Neslund, the author of histories of the Episcopal educational community in Faribault. It was fun to me, to relive some of my memories with my son, Jesse and share in bringing the boxes of ashed to rest here, where my parents lived from 1939 to 1976.