To`na Wanagi

But don't add salt to beans until they are thoroughly cooked. Salt will make them tough and takes longer for them to cook.

Ohhhh....great! Now you tell me!! ..Uhhh. ...There's nothing wrong with me .... wrong with me .... wrong with me!

I'm curious if anyone knows this. I know that overheated teflon pans can be deadly to birds, but is this also true for our household mammals?

I had this discussion with God once, and only once, and during this lifetime. I told the Creator that I suspected I had been here before as it was vaguely familiar and that I really loved the diversity of the planet but did not enjoy much of the human's condition and their cruelty to one another. While I stated I would love everyone no matter their condition I was adamant that the Creator not have any ideas about sending me here ever again and that if It did, Armageddon would look like a tennis match.

I will take her, and you, into the Medicine Wheel with me as the morning sun rises! May you both find God's Peace in times of trouble.....God's Peace....To`na Wanagi

After nearly 11 years free of tobacco, in certain environments, I still have an occasional,"Hmmmm....one cigarette might feel good right now..." moment....But fight it, recognize the insanity, and don't ever do it!!!

Nya'weh tiblo! Thank you brother!

I will carry both of you into the Medicine Wheel today. It sounds to me that you have both been enlightened to many lessons. And having learned those lessons you will continue to receive many messages. And as you have shared this message today with all of us, I for one, am very appreciative of your words as they cause me to look at new perspectives from your own vantage points....May the Creator of all that is continue to guide you and direct you both as you walk the sacred path of peace........God's Peace.....To`na Wanagi

85 year old Sonola by Rivoli full sized Red marbled accordian; I have played this instrument for 50 of its 85 years, several (7) harmonicas, 2 Native American ceremonial drums, 1 Native American flute similar to the one Kingfisher has, but plain for ceremony. Yep! When I was a kid playing the accordian I was the laughing stock of my neighborhood. It made me stronger and I still play it occasionally....God's Peace......To`na Wanagi

Dear MRG; We are, and we aren't. Just as we are all derived from the same root, some of us have decided to walk a different path. As in most faiths or denominations, there will eventually be differences in doctrines, rules, idealogies, philosophies and beliefs. As well, there may be hurt feelings when it comes to separating from the "mother", so to speak. Technically we are all one, but we are after all, fallible humans subject to err and human emotions which often divide us. Think of us all as the prodigal son or his brother........God's Peace.....To`na Wanagi

My unusual background and history with adversity created a powerful relationship with me and my spiritual search. The work I do in the community with the misunderstood members of society indicated to me that, having been where they are now, and knowing the many times I myself cried out for just one person to hear my story, compelled me to advocate for them. I saw my own dilemmas in life directly related to a spiritual bankruptcy and I thought the same may be true for others in similar life circumstances. Being ordained simply helped me to commit more strongly to the mission and vision of ministering to those who felt helpless, hopeless, and hapless, while speaking at conferences about stigma and stereotypes which serve no good purpose but to marginalize others and diminish their spirits. My success in this work was directly related to my willingness to listen to the stories of the oppressed, the homeless, mentally ill, alcoholic/addict, and prostitutes as well as becoming politically reactivated for human rights and equality. I found a very integrated path that worked for me and I believed it could work for others. Today I am disabled, semi-retired, but still do speaking engagements, perform weddings, funerals, baptisms and teach that there are many paths to resurrecting ourselves from our old selves. Every one of us has a story!And I want to be able to listen to each one. I belong to this forum as well as the monastery. When I see the word "minister" bantered around on these sites I often wonder who these "ministers" are ministering to. A church ministers to its congregation, a witch to their coven and prospective candidates, a Medicine person/Shaman to the members of their tribe,a doctor ministers to his patients, a social worker ministers to her clients, even a plumber ministers to his customer's needs. But in many cases I'm really not sure who some of the ministers on all these sites are ministering to. I like to come here and listen to the various perspectives so I can better understand the diversity of life. I think the myriad cultures, traditions, philosophies and faiths are the most beautiful things on our planet....until they are used to hurt others physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. We see way too much of that in our world today! At that point I become intolerant of those who are intolerant.....Eh, what can I say? I'm human too! And that is my biggest defect! .......God's Peace......To`na Wanagi

Well, it's either six hundred sixty six, 216, or 18 Ha!