My beloved Mom

Memories of Mom

My mom Esther was a woman filled with love for God, and her family and friends. There are so many good memories, of my mom and our family it is hard to choose just a few. There were numerous camping trips, and family vacations. All filled with laughter and fun.
I think I could write at least three books, if not more of the way she touched so many of our lives. Unfortunately I can only share a very few right now.
This is the first memory I would like to share with you. I’m glad we did not always have a seat belt law our block would have never made it to school if there had been one in the early seventies. We were having major cold spells and freezing temperatures. My mom and dad would go out to start the vehicles so they would warm up before taking us to school. The car wouldn’t even turn over so mom would tell dad, “can you see if old blue will start. We had an old fifty-nine ford pickup one setter and low and behold it would start when all other cars would fail to do so. I remember all the neighbor kids and my mom, with my sister and I, we would all pile in together to ride the four blocks to school. There would be kids on top of kids with a tiny spot for mom to squeeze in under the wheel thank God the standard shift was on the steering console or she wouldn’t have been able to haul anywhere from five to twelve kids to school.
I remember the rides on our horses with my mom riding on Star, and dad and us kids riding along beside her on our other horses. Mom and dad taught us girls to love and respect all animals, except for maybe snakes and spiders.
One day my mom went out to the garage to get a screw out of my dad’s tool drawers and she found this big old black spider in a drawer, she called my dad home from work to kill it and told us kids not to go into the garage. Dad came home, to kill the spider, he walked into the garage and seconds later he walked back out with this huge spider in the palm of his hand, and said. Janeal I think this belongs to you! I loved that spider, and use to terrorize Jan with it, so she had hidden it a few months before and forgotten it.
One night after us kids were in bed, a friend of my parents’ Nadine Garbez called mom and asked her if she and dad could come over to J and N shoes, she had a bat upstairs and Joe was out of town. So mom got us kids up and dressed and we all went to help Nadine get the bat captured so she could finish her paperwork and open the store the next morning.
Mom took part in the PTA with Dorsalie Jones and a hundred other parents. So many memories there are too many to tell. She helped with Chili cook offs, cakewalks, and was always active in town affairs, working right along side so many others. My mom was very out going, she would fight for what she believed in, and stand up for what she believed I don’t ever remember her backing down.
In eighth grade I quit school because a teacher was treating me unfair. I walked home and told mom that I wasn’t going back. If my daddy only had an eight-grade education it was good enough for me. Oh no it isn’t she said. And drove me right back to school. We went to my locker, grabbed my math book and walked down to the library where Mrs. Gallagher’s room was, where the rest of the afternoon Mrs. Gallagher and her worked over all my math problems to determine whether my answers that had been checked wrong were actually wrong or right. After the bell rang she headed for the principal’s office and told him to send for my math teacher. When he showed up my mother politely inform the man and principal what she actually thought of him and his teaching certificate and where he could put that certificate. The next day I was switched to a new class, with a good teacher and received the (B) I actually deserved.
So many memories so little time to tell them, so I will finish up with my favorite and one she loved to tell. It is about a poem I wrote just after my ex-husband and I split up.  Money was truly non-existent and Christmas was just weeks away. Of course my children were like all others and wanted this and that as well as the other new toy on the market. I had talked to my mother, about my worries and she told me about all the times while she had been growing up that money had never been enough to buy all they had wanted, so she had sugested I do what they did way back when, and make gifts for everyone. That night I made up this poem after watching one of my favorite Christmas movies.

The Empty Christmas Stocking


By Janeal Mulaney

I’ve noticed every Christmas, presents get more expensive

Everyone wants more and more.

Are we forgetting what Christmas is all about?

On the twenty-fifth day of December, we celebrate our Savior birth,

Jesus Christ was born.

Do we remember that it’s His birthday we celebrate?

Do we put a gift for Him beneath our Christmas tree?

Do we hang a stocking for Him for the entire world to see?

You might wonder what we’d give him even if we did.

Well, here are a few ideas to fill His stocking with.

There kindness toward each other, and the rest of our fellowman.

Peace on earth, and joy throughout our land.

We could also reach for understanding and forgiveness,

For the people we feel have done us wrong.

Compassion and caring we should give throughout each year.

Is his stocking getting full, or do we still have room for a whole lot more.

We could put in gentleness and tenderness, for they should go hand in hand.

Let’s not forget the love he gives us each and everyday

I still feel LOVE is the most important gift of all.

So, hang the empty stockings on the mantelpiece.

But don’t forget the most important one.

The empty stocking you hang for Jesus Christ.

Don’t forget all the items that make our Christmas bright.

Our Love for the Heavenly Father and our fellow man

For each time we show our love for another.

We show our love also for our savior

Let’s add all the other feelings that God gives each of us everyday.

Not just once a year.

We all love you mom and you will be missed.

Pillow Fights

Pillow Fights

By Janeal Mulaney

It was just days after my children and I moved out of my ex-husband house, the movers were do to unload our beds and other furniture on Monday, but until then my children and I had slept on the floor of our new apartment for the last two nights. My children and I had a lot of emotional baggage weighing us down with all the hurt and differences that were accruing in our lives. My oldest and youngest had been at each other’s throats all day. My oldest son decided to be the mediator as usual, but it hadn’t been working so as we got ready for bed the other two were still fighting.

The first blow came and Mitch hit both his sister and brother with one swing of the pillow. Before long we were all whacking each other with my old feathered pillows. We ended up tearing two of them apart and the feathers were flying everywhere, we were laughing so hard our sides were hurting, but we keep letting off steam and stress as we’d pick up another pillow and start up where a torn one left off. The pillow fight went on and on, the kids were laughing so hard they couldn’t even hit each other anymore. They were missing more then they were hitting someone, but the exercise was therapeutic for four people that had their whole world turned upside down in the space or one afternoon.

I was never so thankful that I had bought pillows every chance I got. We had gone through seven feathered pillows that night throughout our pillow fight. The stress was gone, but the mess was left to clean up before we could go to bed that night. The kids shook out all the bedding and I used the vacuum to suck up all the feathers from the carpet.

As the kids chatted back and forth about who got the best of whom, I vacuumed up all the feathers from the broken pillows. Then made out our temporary beds again. After laying down the kids talked to me about all the things that had been going on inside their minds with the separation, and us moving out of our family home. I tried to answer all their questions truthfully without putting all the blame on their dad. I tried to make them understand how couples some times grow apart, and how dreams can and do change throughout the years, and how some people want one thing and then for what ever reason those feelings aren’t there anymore. I’m sure if I talked to some professional about how we worked through our anger and hurt over the separation of our family, I would be told that I had handled it all wrong. I don’t know what the right way is, all I know is my kids and I bonded that night. That night they learned they had the freedom to ask questions, and talk to me about how they felt about any subject they wanted or needed to talk about.

We had many pillow fights after that, and I learned to buy some foam pillows just for the pillow fights, but that was truly one of my favorite pillow fights.

Artist and Writer

Get to know Janeal through her paintings and writings. Mother of three plus two special children that never gave her labor pains. Grandmother of four beautiful grandchildren who are her pride and joy. She learned how to Love, fight, and enjoy life through her parents. Seeing the world through her eyes is sometimes twisted, other times neon, but always intertaining.

in reference to: Facebook | Janeal Mulaney (view on Google Sidewiki)

Goals and Home

This past month has been hectic, with Tara starting college and the kids going to school I thought I would be able to stay up with the goals I had set for myself but due to unforseen changes in life, I'm sorry to say I'm running a tadbit behind my goals. I'm hoping next month all will be alittle calmer and I'll be able to make my goals plus. For all my readers out there I'm sorry I haven't had anything new for you this month, please continue to return to my blogs and see what gets posted soon. I have quite a few articles in the works and hopefully they will be up and running in time for next month. Thanks Janeal.

A Cherokee Legend

The Great Bear Story

A legend from the Cherokee people about Autumn
rewriten in my own words.
 by Janeal Mulany
Even though my great grandmother was full Cherokee, I have never learned the stories or the legends of the People. She had moved from her reservation when she married my great grandfather, and as far as I know she never really talked about her Cherokee heritage. I’m interested in my entire heritage, and wanted to check out the story and the song of the bear. I will still have to shorten the story for my article I found it is very interesting so please look it up on you own so you can read the entire story it’s well worth the time.
There were four brothers who were known to be the best hunters throughout the tribe. For once they started tracking their quarry they never stopped until the prey was caught. When the cold nights had returned, one day an urgent message arrived at the village of the four hunters. A great bear larger and more powerful than any others had appeared, the people whose hunting grounds the monster bear had invaded were afraid. No longer were their children allowed to play in the woods, and they had all started staying in the long houses with warriors guarding the entrances at night.
Even with extra security in the morning they would find more huge tracks within the midst of the village and each night it was apparent the bear was getting bolder.
The next morning after gathering supplies, their small dog and their spears the four hunters headed to the village, which was close by, as the hunters reached the woods they noticed how quiet the woods were. There was no signs of deer, or rabbits, even the birds did not sing their songs in the trees. While on the path the hunters spotted a great pine tree with scars from the great bear; as he had reared up on his hind legs, and clawed for his prey leaving deep scratches. The tallest of the four brothers tried to touch the highest of scratch marks with the tip of his spear, but it still fell short, “it is as the village people feared, this bear we hunt is ‘Nyah-gwaheh’, a monster bear.” Said the first brother.
“But it is said, that the Nyah-gwaheh has great magic?” Said the second brother.
“Yes, but it is also said the magic will do it no good if we find its tracks” The brother said shaking his head.
“That is so, the old people have told the creatures can only chase the hunter that have not yet found its trail. When we find Nyah-gwaheh tracks and start to hunt it, it has no choice but to run from us.” The third brother put in.
As they started back on their way the forth brother hunter, whom was the fattest and laziest asked. “Brothers, did we bring along enough food to eat? It may take a long time to catch the monster bear, and I’m getting hungry.” The other three brothers ignored him.
Before long they had reached the village, and it was a sad sight in deed. No fire burned in the center of the village and the doors to the long houses were closed with warriors standing guard. No game hung from the racks and the people looked hungry. The elder sachem of the people came to talk to the tallest brother.
“Uncle we are here to rid you of the monster.” The hunter said.
The fattest and laziest brother spoke up. “Uncle is there some food to eat and a place for us to rest before we have to head out to find the great bear? I’m hungry and tired.
The first hunter just shook his head and smiled at the elder. “My brother is a jokester, for we head out now to pick up the monster bear’s trail.”
“I’m not sure you can pick the trail,” the elder sachem said. “Our warriors have tried to follow the tracks that are amidst our village in the morning, but all to soon they disappear.”
The second hunter said. “With all do respect, uncle you warriors do not have a dog such as ours”, he knelt down and pointed to the black circles above the small dog’s eyes and continued, “Four-eyes can see any tracks even if they are many days old.”
“May the Creator’s protection be with you,” said the elder sachem.
“Do not worry Uncle, once we start our hunt we do not stop until we have caught our prey.” The third hunter said.
“That is why I think we should eat first,” said the forth brother.
Once again his brothers ignored him, and they nodded to the elder as they took their leave of the village. They continued to follow the little dog, he kept lifting his head, to look around with all four eyes, but the bear’s trail was not easy to find.
Soon the laziest and fattest hunter started to whine, “I think we should rest, we’ve been walking a long time, brothers.”
His brothers paid him no mind, though they could not see a trail yet. They could still feel Nyah-gwaheh’s presence and did not want to fall too far behind him, or they would be the ones who would be hunted by the bear.
After his brothers ignored him the laziest brother took out his pemmican pouch, at least he could eat while they walked. He opened the pouch to shake out the food he had prepared so carefully by pounding meat and berries together with maple sugar into strips to dry in the sun. But instead of pemmican, pale slimy worms fell out into his hands. Nyah-gwaheh’s magic had changed his food into worms.
The hunter shouted to his brothers, “Let’s hurry up and catch that big bear! He did away with my food, I’m angry now.”
The Nyah-gwaheh had circled around and was now a pale giant shadow lurking through the woods tracking the hunters, with eyes that flashed red and huge sharp teeth he would soon be the hunter, if they did not pick up his trail, quickly.
As though sensing his presence the little dog lifted its head and yelped.
“Eh-heh!” The first hunter yelled.
“Four-Eyes has found the trail.” Shouted the second hunter.
“We got Nyah-gwaheh on the run now.” Cried the third hunter.
“Big Bear, we catch you now!” the laziest and fattest hunter snarled through clenched teeth.
For the first time the great bear felt fear in his heart and he began to run. As he left the cover of the pines trees all four hunters spotted him for the first time his gigantic white shape seemed to glisten in sunshine as he cumbersome body stretched out his stride to run faster then the deer of the forest. The hunters quickly followed him with the sound of their loud hunting cries. The bear lead them through swamps and thickets trying to lose the hunters, but they ran swiftly too with the little dog leading their way, The trail was easy to follow with the bear in a hurry he was shoving everything aside no long was his path and tracks hidden. On and on they ran, over hills and through valleys, they ran up the slope of a mountain as they followed the trail higher and higher the bear climbed with them close enough behind to catch a glimpse of him here and there.
The fattest and laziest hunter was getting tired so he decided to pretend to fall and twist his ankle.
“You must carry, brothers, for I can not go on otherwise.” He called to them.
So two of his brothers took turns carrying them while the other carried his spear. They ran more slowly, but the bear was tiring also so they didn’t fall far behind with their extra load. As day turned into night, they were still able to see the glistening white giant bear ahead them, and they had reach the top of the mountain now the ground below them was pitch black as they ran across the smooth surface. The little dog had closed in enough that he was leaping up to nip at the bear’s legs and tail as he ran.
“Brothers, I think my leg is better now you can put me down.” The laziest one said.
“The brothers anxious to be rid of their heavy load, put him down, and since he was well rested unlike the other three, he grabbed his spear and ran ahead of them. He leveled his spear and thrust it into the heart of the bear, and Nyah-gwaheh fell dead. By the time the other brothers had arrived he had a fire built and was cutting up the skinned white bear.
"Would you like to join me in this feast, brothers for I am hungry and can wait no longer to eat.” The fourth hunter said as he speared pieces of meat to roast over the fire.
As the meat of the great bear cooked the fat sizzled and dripped from their fire, they ate until even the fattest and laziest one was satisfied.
They leaned back in contentment, and the first hunter looked down at his feet and exclaimed. “You need to look below us, brothers!”
The other three looked down to see what their brother had seen, below them were thousands of sparkling lights shining brilliantly in the darkness, which they realized were not only under them, but also all around them.
“We aren’t on the mountain, we’re in the sky!” The third brother stated.
The great bear’s magic had let the bear climb up into the sky to escape the four hunters, but due to their determination to not give up they had also been allowed into the heavenly sky. Just then the little dog yipped twice.
Look, at the great bear!” The second hunter exclaimed.
Where they had piled the bones of their feast, now stood the great bear once again. As they watched, the bear turned to run the small dog took off without even thinking. Once again the four brothers grabbed their spears and took off after the great bear the chase once more was on.
So over the years, the generations of our people have told this story. For each autumn the hunters chase the great bear across the skies and kill it. As they cut up the meat to feast the blood falls from the skies covering the leaves of the maple trees it changes their color to scarlet, while the fat drippings through the fire colors the grass yellow and white.
If you look closely at the skies when the seasons change, you can read their story. The great bear is the square shape of the bowl of the Big Dipper, the hunters and their dog make up the handle. When autumn arrives the constellation turns upside down and that is when the laziest hunter kills the bear and his blood drains upon the earth changing the colors of the leaves and grease changes the color of the grass. When it’s spring the bear rises again to be chased once more.
This story tells the people how autumn came to be.
I would also like to think the Cherokee people for the wonderful legends, making this article posible.
Also my thinks to National Geographic for the original picture of the polar bears.
http://www.ibiblio.org/storytelling/cherokee.html
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/stories/animalsnature/polar-bears-threatened/

Painting redone in adobe art Butte 2

Through the Eyes of a Child


By Janeal Mulaney



In the midst of a summer sunny day I sat and watch all the little children outside at play. Some with fair hair, some with dark, swinging on the large swing sets, down at the park. How sweet and innocence they all appear. Within his or her heart there is no fear, hate, or prejudice of any kind. They’re just happy to be playing with others or alone. They laugh and they smile, while enjoying their play. Some slide down the slide or go around and around, some pair up to go up and down. Blessed are the children for they know not better, but to love everyone as well as each other.

Every adult needs to look through the eyes of a child. For we forget to see the beauty of each precious day, that the lord has granted us. Their caring, thoughtful, and loving ways help to show us how we need to live each passing day.

A child’s pride does not keep them from asking, for the help they may need, or the love that they grave. Grudges they hold not for more then a day, to them it is wasteful to spend their life in that way. Right now they know not, whether they are rich or poor, neither do they care if a wolf is at the door. For they are children they’d just invite him in, feed him leftovers and let him stay within. Life is fascinating, and something to cherish, while young and carefree children wallow away the day, with dreams and play. They do not worry what tomorrow may bring, for today is all that matters, and yesterday a past dream. Their hopes, wishes, and wants aren’t very many for most of them receive their happiest moments, through the games that they cherish.

Now as they grow they learn by example serious, and business like, they no longer smile. Their job will come first, maybe their family second, but now they hurry all through the day. There is no more time for play, too many worries, too many bills that must be paid, that’s what it takes to keep the wolf away. Somewhere in time the dreams were long forgotten, the carefree days of their childhood gone. Some now know they are poor, while others are rich. Now fear, hate, and prejudice dwell within their hearts, while leading them on their way. For now the all mighty dollar has replaced their cherished days. The more they make, the more they want, and independence is highly valued, by everyone. There is no more us, nor are there we. The thought they now have is what’s good for me.

Most adults are too busy or maybe we’ve just lost our way, to remember the peaceful and happy times we’ve all had at play. Too often we forget that there is life after work, no time to appreciate our family and friends. Our spirit is broken; we’ve forgotten what love truly is. For yesterday was not enough, today is too short and tomorrow will bring only despair.

Every adult needs to listen to what their children say, for one day they will be just like you. Are you sure that is what you want for your child to do? Or do you wish for them to look at the world through the eyes of a Child?
http://www.helium.com/users/edit_show/93000

In The Rain

In the Rain
By Janeal Mulaney

I love to take a walk through the rain

The fresh air, the gentle drips that splash in puddles at my feet

The gray clouds with an electric currant running through them opening for more to fall

The sound of rolling thunder, as though God is speaking to those who want hear

As I wander in the rain

Just a tad of suspense and fear of the unknown

Icy fingers reaching out to lick my skin through the clothing I wear

Flashing light beyond the trees, as I count until the crack of thunder comes

The energy I absorb from the air that swirls the drops of rain all around me

As I wander through the rain

I see the flowers reaching out to drink

The grass turns greener with every step I take

The leaves flutter with the breeze that brings the drops onto my head

I breathe in to absorb the wet cool breeze as I search the sky

As I wander through the rain