Ghost Dance Fever

"Ghost Dancer"
Pottery by Chris Meadows

Ghost Dance Fever

By John Atkinson

Memoir

In the old days, Native ghost dancers stomped feet to exhaustion so they could enter the spirit world, a world with visions of their ancestors. I’ve been in that world but from another route. Crossing America, I never got sick as long as I was on the move. The journey staved off illness. Only when I stopped to rest could I afford to be ill. But on the move, a phenomenon in my mind shifted to another level, a consciousness on the dream world plane. I could endure physical hardship with impunity. I could be dehydrated and not know it and not care. At those times it was hard to tell apart the spirit world life and the desire to journey, to eat and to drink. In the ghost dance fever, I was forced by a spirit life, a will of its own. That strength became a soul, and that person faced obstacles, which led to my true nature; who I am as a man. In this primitive state of mind lived the anorexic child. To a sober mind the spirit world is a reality of an odd nature, a state of being experienced and never understood. While in the dream-life consciousness, foolishness makes perfect sense. That’s because it’s in the mind of Earth Maker, the Great Mystery. That was all I cared to know. I recognized the spirit world dreams when they were awakened from exhaustion. Stupid as they could sometime be, I knew what was going on, that I had tapped into the spirit life of my forefathers. The exhausted high-stepper liked his God-like world because it went beyond time and the desire for food. But in the long journey, there were prices to pay when I stopped to sleep. The restless traveler didn’t want to forfeit his dream world. I learned not to go into ghost dance fever too often. I learned to eat and to take my rest.

Timekeeper

John Atkinson is the author of TIMEKEEPER, a magnificent book about a young boy who fights to overcome illiteracy. Timeekeeper, ISBN 978-0-9776076-5-5, is available in hardcover or paperback .To order your copy call 1-800-228-9316. International orders call: 00-1-831-238-7799 or visit: www.fisherkingpress.com

Attitude for Distance

Attitude For Distance

By John Atkinson

Memoir

I wouldn't suggest anyone thumbing across America today. Things were different in the 1950s and early 60s. Hitchhiking was an experience meeting people up close. One thing was for sure; I had to project an optimistic outlook like one would do on a job. That was the key to the highway. Folks liked a fortunate child. A lady picked me up in San Francisco. She said she'd never helped a hitchhiker before, and the only reason she gave me a ride was because I looked happy. She wanted some of what I had, good luck. She wanted to know why I was so happy with a boring world. I couldn't explain it then. I just knew what my pal Frank had taught me. He said if you think it, then you could make it happen. Frank said, "Johnnyboy, a bright outlook is necessary. Luck rolls the dice, attitude calls the winnings."

John Atkinson is the author of TIMEKEEPER, a magnificent book about a young boy who fights to overcome illiteracy. Timeekeeper, ISBN 978-0-9776076-5-5, is available in hardcover or paperback To order your copy call 1-800-228-9316. International orders call: 00-1-831-238-7799 or visit: www.fisherkingpress.com