By Ricey Wild

Well, the wood frogs have finally shown up and are busy snagging, plus my favorite dandelions are having a powwow in my yard. I’m gonna search for some recipes and smash on some.

I know for a fact that I like butter because I’ve been tested. If anyone of yooz know what the test is? Yer old too.

So now I am officially an old card-carrying Hag. I can get discounts n stuff now so that’s cool. I used to think people my age now, 62, were ancient mummies. There was a time I was a cool chick but now? Gimme the benefits of having made it this far. Now my aim is to continue the grooviness of my existence. You can take the urban Indian out of the city but…you can’t take the… You know.

Actually I’m amazed I made it this long living in Rezberry. So many times I have cried missing Minneapolis, waking up in bed thinking I still live there, yanno? Then I cry some more. Yet, Creator had other plans for me and I’m happy now to be surrounded by pines, big skies and random critters that show up now n then. Including my relatives and friends, the few I have left anyway.

My dog Mitzi Rose and I are about the same age now, (well, she is 87!!) in dog to human years. Her Barkday was April 26 and I celebrate her every hour of the day. I don’t know how she carries on being cute, lively and decrepit. I spose I could learn from her what is truly important in life: treats, food, naps and more treats.

Plus a lot of huggin’ and a kissin’ and scritches. Mitzi was born in Rezberry. She is born an authentic Rez Dog and has only left the rez like three times. Mitzi appears as a Foofy pup but inside she is a Rezzweiler. Her younger sister Tha Bugg is too, even though she came from Cali.

My Son is staying with me to look out for his ole Maw. He is a good person but he is also a man now. I have had a few cars and a van I still miss parked in the driveway but the other day I counted two cars that need work, a SUV (not his) and one truck that works but is his friends. (sigh!) It looked like a Rez Matchbox car show. I wonder what I thought would happen?

I can still see him when he was a little guy playing with tiny cars and making that Vroom! Vroom! Sounds that are always good to hear. If ya know what I mean. I didn’t even have a driver’s license when I moved up here, all ignorant of living in a little town perched below Rezberry. At 38 (fer real!) I got my first driver’s license and hey! It was freedom! I love driving.

In The Big City I used public transportation, taxi’s, friends and my feet to get to where I needed to go. Not here, nope! Rezberry now has its own door to door bus service but not for white people. Ayy!!! Not even! They can ride but have to show their white privilege entitled cards.

That reminds me of this time my Gramma Rose and I went to the VFW to see a locally famous accordion player. You can imagine my excitement. Especially when he arose from his casket. Well, the bus was full and Gram and me were kinda feeling some kinda way because there were so many people who would witness we were getting off to go the bar and then *polka music* Everyone else in the bus got off too!!! We both laughed heartily afterwards. Iv still giggle and snort at that memory even now.

Purrince, every time I am writing will try to get on my lap, meow for treats and really annoy me. He knows. He knows. In no way is he being neglected or scorned, he knows what I’m doing is important to me and tries to insert himself to get in my way. There are many women especially who use the same tactics when they are jealous of male attention toward oneself. Agh! Whatever.

My Son finessed my hair the other day and HOWAH! I requested a ‘Pixie’ cut and I love the result. I’m talking about professional service here. Every time I went to last dime hair cutters they didn’t understand or ‘get’ what I wanted. They were all caucasian ancestry. Even when I specifically said what I wanted. Ick.

I now have a punk, butch, weird cut and I love it. I had long hair most of my life but right now this is my time. I get to say who I am.