Cornerstone - 2009

What a festival!  This was my first ever Cornerstone and I spent it as a Staff person... which was awesome!!!  We were assigned to help out at the Asylum Tent, which is a safe haven for subculture folks. Many of our friends including Mo, Cecily, and Skot and Rachel of Leper hang out/worked at that tent so it was awesome.  We also camped behind the tent.  I am sooo thankful I brought my bike, "Meg", as she helped me get around the fest much faster.  Thus I was able to see and do more on my breaks.



I was exposed to so many bands but the three that stood out the most were Leper, Crossing, and Men As Trees Walking.  Yes, I know that is a strange mix, but then when has my taste as a gypsy gal not been strange?  
I also found us: a didgeridoo for Robby, a clay drum from India for me, plus a Celtic Wedding/Hand Fasting Tapestry (based off a drawing from the Book of Kells) for our wall, plus some assorted small items, all in the vendor tents!  ^_^

But I think my favorite part was the rain coming...  For one it cooled everything off; it had been stinking hot before and playing with my health.  Secondly, it meant I could do more.  Thirdly, it meant so many went mud bathing and mud sliding. LOL.  That was a blast.  I just wish I had time to do the mud sliding.  Maybe another time.

~ Morria

Misty Morning

'Tis a gray misty morn, and I am on the Road again!  I am heading out this morning from Chicago to St. Louis, to Columbia, MO, and then to Kansas City.  From Kansas City, it will be on to Wichita via a ride with my Dad.  I got a front top row seat on the Megabus so I have windows on three sides.  All I have with me this journey is my carry on (army green backpack) and purse (the green army bag).  As my little black mp3 player plays the music of my gypsy goth soul, I watch the land scapes change before me... as Chicago gives way to country.

'Tis so hard to leave Robby behind, even just for a week... But to be honest, he will have a blast at Ichthus Festival.   The strange whispers of the wind are like the sound of my heart crying as the wheels of the Megabus carry me farther and farther from my love.  Yet the green of the grass and the trees, both so long unseen, bring comfort to my heart.  Journey onward!

~ Morria

Silvery Night

Alone have I stood on the journey
No one who could share my heart
Alone have I been in my sorrows
No one who could share my joys

On a silvery night, love did come to life
Two hands to join as hearts do sing
On a summer's eve, love found me
Two now to journey on
Together in heart and thought.

© 2009 MMN

~ Morria

A Goal: Holiday Work

Snow hath come this Christmastide as of yesterday.  At last, we have good white snow.  The city looks so white and pure, thought that most likely will not last long.  Even my bike, "Meg", loves this... though I dont dare taker her out on the streets in this weather.  It looks as if tis finally time to rest her for the winter.  Until we meet again in the spring, dear "Meg".  I am sure the bike shop will care for you well.

As everyone left for Thanksgiving, and is now preparing to leave for Christmas, Robby and I are being able to pick up a bunch of extra paid work.   And that is a good thing, as in January we are journeying to Dine Bikeyah for about a week.  Other than Aaron, Skot and Rachel, and a few other families, we are not close to many anywhere...  And our Christmas was spent with Rob's family over Thanksgiving...

I love how they have made the L and other lines all festive.  In this busy bustling city, it is nice to have some good will and spirit of cheer.  I just pray that everyone, whether traveling home, journeying through the city, or snug as a bug with their computer and a cup of Zhena's Fireside Chai Tea, never forgets the Babe born on Christmas morn.  We ought not celebrate Him one morn, but all 365 days of the year.  Let us not blot out the lesson we have learned on the journeys way, and share His love all the more with those about us.

~ Morria

Wedding Bands

A ring, a promise, a pledge.
Some would ne'er understand.
One piece of metal a symbol true.
Of my love of thee.

© 2008 MMN

I surprised Robby with more lasting wedding bands for our first anniversary... They are Navajo made, done in Zuni style settings. The stones are onyx and mother of pearl set in sterling silver.  The rings are just perfect!  Robby was so surprised, and it was perfect timing as our temporary rings are nearly worn out after a year.

Happy Anniversery, my love!

~ Morria

Kentucky Thanksgiving/Christmas

Mom and Dad Nickles moved to Kentucky as planned soon after Robby and I loved to Chicago.  So, as we had to pick which holiday we went home for, we picked Thanksgiving when the roads should be better.  But then this is Greyhound, and we are dealing with Kentucky to Chicago... so who knows?

This is to be both our family Thanksgiving  and our Christmas, so we have to make the most of it... And what fun we are having.  We ate the roast beasts (turkey and ham)! We helped put up the tree at their new place.  We exchanged gifts.  And now we are just enjoying family.  It is good to have a break.

~ Morria

Reflections on Chicago...

Here I am age 25, having just gotten done with my first summer working in Dine Bikeyah at BABR...  Now I am in a city far different from the Pinon Pine and Sage Brush covered desert which I am in love with.  Here I can hear the lone coyote howling his lonely watches through the night in the near by graveyard where he lives.   Here I can here the ambulance bring the injured the the hospital 3 blocks away all hours of the night from my 5th story window.  Here I can feel the breeze from the water of lake Michigan 8 blocks away. 

Yet my heart had no peace.   I am as always a wander in a strange land, far from the place I call home....We know we just have no peace in the city and have to follow our callings...  By the time our 14 months living in Chicagoland will be up, we will be restless and trapped by the buildings....already are just 4 months in.  Still I love the city... but forever it seems the open road is calling...

~ Morria