New Angels
Bev Steffen
Donald Murray, Click for story

Prairie Pedagogy

A Great Day for Grammies and Golden Eagles
It is true that today (January 4, 2007) on the South Dakota ranch, I was quietly doing the democratic dance of delight as the First Woman Speaker in the history of our nation, was sworn in as the leader of the House of Representatives. What a great day for granddaughters, daughters, moms, and grammies! My dance was interrupted only when I happened to glance out the window and to see HUGE wings on the small hill to the West. I grabbed a bird book as I ran for my binoculars and finally a hunting scope. It was not only one Golden Eagle, but two. I watched for about 10 full minutes, while simultaneously listening to the new Madam Speaker. The symbolism filled me with even more joy. The two Golden Eagles were dancing, too, and, now I wonder if I'll be lucky enough to see a new baby in the spring.

If you have never seen a Golden Eagle, it is hard to imagine how large it is. However, one time many years ago when we lived on the Medicine Bow ranch in Wyoming, I was driving on a dirt ranch road and was stopped by a buck antelope standing on wobbly legs in the middle of the path. A Golden Eagle had his claws on the antelope's back and was wildly flapping its wings to lift the antelope off the ground, which he was able to do a few inches at a time. I remember that the Golden made the antelope appear small.

For more on golden eagles, see:
http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i3490id.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_eagle

Notes From the Real World
I continue to heal, and my hair continues to grow back slowly and strangely. There is hope that I can teach this semester without my caps. Thank you for all of your good wishes and prayers.