Chapter Three
RED OCHRE
Wed. July 20th
Bonjour Meme,
I built a fire in the center of the firepit and placed my drying rack above the fire as Pappy taught me. I used all the materials without waste, using tall, young saplings for the framework, and the bark as wrapping to tie the framework together. I used reverse wrapping, as Pappy taught me, to strengthen the joints.
The shower of sparks from the fire rod was more than enough to start the dried wood I shaved burning. But starting the fire was the easy part, Meme; keeping the fire burning all day with a low, blue flame with clean white smoke was more than I knew. Pappy made it look easy.
Once the fire was burning strong, the smoke began chasing me around the fire, until I remembered you saying, "Smoke follows beauty"; and that smoke will chase a vortex, created by your body's shadow.
When the heat died down to hot ambers, and the fire's white smoke of purity lazily drifting skyward, I suspended my freshly caught fish above the fire on the racks, I built from saplings and bark.
I spent the entire day curing meat for the winter, with a lot of headaches and little results. But the smoked fish I managed to cure should last through the winter. I'm feeling better, at least my stomach doesn't seem to be upset as much. I should know in a few more days if I'm full-out better.
The smell of the smoked meat is wonderful. Me' Loss isn't taken no for an answer. Dripping fat, hot and inviting, nipping at the fragrant air with her tongue, trying to taste the air. Her sad eyes begging for a handout made self-control very difficult. But she'll be happy for a meal come wintertime.
And besides, she'll have a consecrated meal, at our Gratitude to God ceremony. We will be feeding the spirit tonight. That is, once I've decorated myself with the red ochre from Strawberry Clay, and we've purified ourselves, and I've made my prayers.
Sleep well, Meme.