Pine Ridge
LOG – DAY 2
We awoke to the sound of Lakota flute music again this morning. Ben had been ill overnight and was still not feeling very well so he stayed at the center to rest and try to get well.
The playground group left first to get things ready for putting up the swing set structure. They needed to haul 100 60lb. bags of cement to the area where the holes were dug. David left for the hospital and the computer group and school group went after that. Neal and Bud dropped Ellen off at the college and then headed to Our Lady Of Lourdes school to help hoist the equipment into place. With everyone working together they were able to get it into place and prop it up to the correct height. After that was done they poured the cement and water into the holes and left it to set. While they were there, Neal and Bud dropped off three computers donated by Ron Hammers' office. They were given to Sister Susan for distribution.
The computer group had a steady stream of people to tutor today. At the end of the day we were fortunate to have Darwin Apple come in. He did have some questions about how to do something on the computer but the best part was when he shared his story with us. He is a carpenter and has tried to do some things to get dome shaped houses built on the reservation. He is also in the process of trying to get another project going to help raise money for the reservation that does not involve gaming. It sounds very interesting and in keeping with preserving nature. He also spends some time in Florida during the year and likes to talk to people about their religious beliefs and share his with them as well. It was wonderful to hear all that he had to share with us.
We all went to Bette's Kitchen for lunch today. It literally is her house and the food is prepared in her kitchen. We were fortunate to be able to sit outside on a covered porch area to eat. The view and the breeze were wonderful as was the food. Most of us had the buffalo burger. Yum!
The school group worked diligently packing library books into boxes. They packed until they ran out of boxes. They and the playground group had the afternoon off to explore or go back to the center and relax. Ben was feeling better by the time people came back to the center around 3:00 pm. He is thinking that perhaps his problem is stemming from a change in medication. It is something he takes every three days and that is when he feels ill so he may be on to something.
David had a nice steady steam of patients today. He finished again around 4:30 pm.
Nancy provided us with another wonder meal after which Tom (from the center) came in and gave us the Wisdom of the Elders for the day. We are learning so much more about the culture this year both from the center and from the people we are working with. We went with Jerry to the workshop here to see where they get the components ready to make bunk beds to install in peoples homes. It is quite an operation that they are always tweaking to fit the needs of the materials that are donated or to make their own design better. We had the opportunity to talk with Megan, who was here for Spring break and came back to work as an intern to get ready for the summer season, she will be leaving in a week. She is from Sheboygan, WI and told us she would be glad to come to Pilgrim and talk about her experience here at Re-Member. There are many dedicated collage students working here with other staff. Next week the groups start coming.
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