We are fast approaching the end of 2017. The cold season is now upon us. Long ago, it seems like another lifetime - I lived in Michigan - a place of long hard winters. I never really got used to the bitter cold and never enjoyed cold weather outdoor activities like many Michiganders do. When I was a child, my parents weren't really 'outdoorsy' types. We never went hiking or camping. So now, as an 'adult' I am making up for that. I think I was born to live in the tropics, where one can pretty much live outdoors all year long. Since 2003 I have lived in various forms of bamboo hut/houses. None have ever had solid walls or glass windows. In my current residence, which is the most permanent style home I have had - there is nothing between me and the stars each night except a mosquito net (and sometimes some clouds). Think 'Tarzan' or 'Swiss Family Robinson' ... only slightly fancier. Each year the cold season begins as a novelty - one is excited to wear long unused scarves and polarfleece jackets, snuggle under big comforters - all of which are very unnecessary for most of the year. The cold season is relatively short and there are only a few bouts of true bitter cold. Because of this, these moments are memorable. While trying to drink your tea before it gets cold - all bundled up on a 50f or 10c morning, you can't help but recall events of past cold seasons.... I feel I am cheating a little bit as I wrote and posted this story on facebook after I finished this painting back in May. But - since it is now cold and the memory surfaces yet again AND this is one of my favorite paintings of 2017 - I think I can break my own rules. Crisp mornings always bring old elephants to mind. Elder elephants lacking a sufficient layer of fat to help insulate and thermoregulate often succumb to the cold. Some elephants will tolerate wearing a blanket - some even liking it. Some can't stand it and will rip it off. Though most elephants are wary of fires - when done correctly - a well placed and tended fire can save an elephant's life. JANUARY 2012 - It was a week of brutal night winds.. Ashii had went down the night before and within 12 hours had given up and let go. The following morning, while Mae Lanna mourned her lost love at his fresh grave site, vocalizing intermittently, there were other vocalizations going on. Sounds of distress. At first it seemed they were in response to Mae Lanna - but - upon closer observation (and I DO observe closely) it became obvious that something else was going on. Something was very wrong with Mae Perm. Jokia was beside herself with worry. Mae Perm could barely keep her balance, her eyes round with fear and confusion. She shivered uncontrollably, stumbling around. Though the sun was out, the winds still whipped bitterly. Mae Perm was dangerously cold. The mahouts failed to see the gravity of the situation. I urged them to quickly build a fire and go get bananas, unsure if Mae Perm and Jokia would even stay close enough to the fire to help; both girls being quite wary of fires. Jokia was so distressed and protective of Mae Perm that it was almost dangerous to approach them. Finally a fire was blazing and the bananas arrived. The pair were convinced to stand near the fire, Mae Perm on the warmest side by being fed the bananas.. Within 10 minutes Mae Perm began to return to normal, though still her skinny thighs trembled. At that moment I made a promise to her (and to Jokia) that I would make sure she stayed warm until the windy cold season passed. Starting that evening I built a fire around 9pm and woke up every 2 hours to make sure it kept going all night. This went on for the next 6 nights. This was easy for me at that time as the girls slept right behind my house. I could peek out of my split bamboo walls and see my elefriends as well as hear every move they made. At first Mae Perm was wary of the fire, but as she was such an intuitive being and she knew she could trust me... she began to trust the fire I built as well and soon understood that it was helping her. Sometimes when I went out to tend the fire she and Jokia were awake. Sometimes Jokia was sleeping and Mae Perm was quite interested in what I was doing. During the wee hours, both girls would be fast asleep as I tiptoed around them carefully, marvelling at their peaceful slumber and light snores. On one night, I knew for sure that Mae Perm understood when I came out and she was laying about 10 feet away from the glowing bed of coals, which were placed in relation to the best direction of the wind so that the heat blew right at her and warmed her back. Finally the cold season broke and the fire was no longer necessary. Mae Perm made it through safely. I felt it a great honour to perform this labour of love..... This is one of my most precious memories, this week of fire tending for a good friend - to keep her safe and warm. Mae Perm died in 2016 while I was away in USA, leaving Jokia on her own. With her passing a little piece of my heart died as well. She was a true friend. Thankfully after a period of mourning, Jokia joined Sri Prae, Mae Bua Kham, Mae Kham Paan and ... Navann ... - who just so happens to be the son of Hope - who Mae Perm and Jokia looked after when he was young. PRINTS ARE AVAILABLE OF THIS IMAGE.
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AuthorMy name is Jodi. I am an Artist, Vegan, Activist, Nature Worshipper, Animal Lover, Idea Person, Strategist, Writer, Intuitive, Empath and Mom. Life can be exciting and complicated. I am easily distracted by horizons filled with fantastic mountains and cloud formations. Archives
March 2018
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#elephants #artists #vegan #mixed media #art therapy #animal activism
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