In the Beginning 7.::Native American Frame Drum::.Part 3.

Now with love and compassion I continued pulling the fur and making sure all was clean and soft.  At last I have finished.  I was amazed on how time flew by.  I think it was due to my change of heart and its essence of this gift to me.  Now what I looked like, was a different story! I had fur all over, my pants, jacket, hair-actually it matched my hair HAHAH!, on the ground and of course in the box. And the musky smell? Lets not even go there!  But it did not bother me, it did not matter…it was all about this gift this dear animal had given me…it was sacred and special.

I took the skin to Stan and he guided me to a huge barrel of water and told me to place the skin in the barrel and let it soak for a couple of hours…”A couple of hours! Huh?”  But moving forward. I have faith, lots of it…I am not one to give up…easily…for I know the end result will be perfect. So I pushed the skin into the barrel filled with water, made sure the entire skin was covered.  Now a couple of friends were sitting on the steps of the porch with their drums playing and I said “Okay! Break time”…went to my SUV and took out my drum, tambourine and a shaker “Yes!” I brought them with me…one must always be ready! right?” and joined them in playing. A little fun within this hard labor.  I totally believe in this…HAHAH!

After a little jamming, the glue had dried around the frame and now I was able to stain it. That went smoothly, I wanted to stain it again and sand paper but time was against me so I had to settle. . Stan came over to me and said “go over to that box and pick out a horn which will be the handle for the drum” I went over to the box and looked in…there were only four horns…the pickings were very slim due to everyone else picked their horn on Saturday.  I looked around…I did not want a big horn that looked like a giant bird claw.  HAHAH! I picked a very simple small horn.  I took it apon my hand, held it, felt it and it felt real good.  I made a connection.  I said to myself “This is the one, you will be with me”  then I sand papered it a bit to smooth any rough spots and put it aside.

I took out my wood burning tool and tip.  I wanted to wood burn two bear claws on the inside of the frame.  In Native American, I am the bear. Which means Strength, power, self-awareness, survival, courage, discernment, caring, protector and spiritual symbol of healing.  I would agree, this really does describes me but in a humble way!

I went ahead and burned the bear claws and that went smoothly.  Then I cemented the Ten Native American Commandments that I burn on leather to the inside frame next ot the claws.  Perfect! So far so good…now it was time to eat my lunch which I brought from home and talk, laugh with Bruce some more, plus see what the others were doing and their encounters.

After lunch, two hours have passed  and I was able to pull out the heavy wet skin to rinse it.  More  like a power wash to get any loose fur off.  After, I dragged the skin on top of my table and stretched it flat.  Nothing like wet animal skin…slimy, fleshy, wet, blah!. Not so nice! But then I was raised with three brothers which makes me a bit of a tom boyish…not to girly but not to boyish, just right in the middle…so I learn to do their stuff and hang out with them plus not be afraid. I love my brothers very much…Oh! Wait! that’s another story! HAHAH!

Stan came over to look at the skin and stayed quiet for a bit and just kept looking at the skin.  I also stayed quiet, waiting.  I thought something was wrong…Then he said “Milly, this skin is very special, because you see this corner right here, this was where the heart was.  The dark staining on the skin is the blood, the muscle stopped the blood from reaching the pores of the skin…so here you can see where the heart was…at that very moment I was in awe and felt teary eye.  I knew right away where I was going to place the frame with the commandments. Right next  to the heart! Perfect! So grateful! …Then Stan asked for the horn, I gave it to him and he held it, looked at it and of course I know nothing about horns…and said this horn was not cut off like many of the others, it was found naturally as is…then we looked at each other in silence.  Then he proceeded to say “This is a very special drum” “Its quite Spiritual”  “It’s coming together”. I was numb and stayed quiet for awhile as I discern all of this…this drum is coming together in a very spiritual way, connecting, calling, to be together as one.  Plus I stained the frame in red…not knowing.  I was and still am-very humbled. (To be Continued…)

–The feel of the fur, a horn that was dropped naturally, the markings of the heart, the color of the stain, the commandments on leather, the bear claws and being able to place the frame next to the deers heart.  This for me are little miracles that one can see and feel within the flow as it comes together.  Its like the flow of life.  One lets go and allow the strings to weave itself.  Yes! there were some mishaps, extreme hard labor and heartships  but when one desires with passion, love and tenderness…one does not give up. One moves on, focus, push forward with faith, trust and confidence as one flows……………

We see with our eyes. We know with our hearts. Outside…Inside.

~~Cantus Fraggle

**I write how I think and feel…