Mike Buck July 11th , 2017





Day three: People of the Big River Field Class



            This morning was started with the sound of a beating drum. It was decided the day before we left Heritage University that a drum would be brought along. It made sense in all aspects. Cristy Fiander is a fellow student and close friend; the drum as discussed today while cruising the Deschutes National forest backroads was made by her hand at a small conference in Toppenish Washington. Cristy was fond of her work and enjoyed telling the members of our vanload (S’Mores van, over the radio) that the drum came about as her daughter was born (cool story).  Breakfast was announced with the beat of that  drum at 625am by myself. We had been rushing around the morning of departure from HU and in a quick morning text had questioned “What to Bring”? I mentioned bringing her drum, this would be like a good luck charm and a prayer would be carried to each and every new land entered, it is our way to introduce ourselves not only to the people of the land but also to the plants animals water and ground.
Aside from my own personal highlights discussed earlier at dinner regarding Soda Creek restoration work; I felt good that Monet and my new friend Diana mentioned aloud that it was a good feeling to hear the Native songs sang by Cristy and Myself while driving. Not only was the drum handy in breakfast and wake-up call but it is now clear  that the drum holds a Good Place in our well-being as a group, and that makes me feel good and has made my day today.  

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