Archive for November, 2008

Use Ceremonial Drums For Chic Mountain Home Decorating

Craig Chambers asked:


I gave my home that great, southwestern look by adding ceremonial drums to my rustic decor. I was so impressed with the authentic, rustic feel that the Native American drums brought to my home, that I began learning about the history and the significant role they play in Native cultures. If you are like me, you have probably seen how meaningful ceremonial drums are to the Indian culture but do not know their significance in tribal ceremonies or how exactly they are used.

Every tribe is different in how they use ceremonial drums but one similarity between each tribe is that the Native drums are very symbolic and part of the main focus of the ceremony. Throughout my research, I have come to find that learning about these drums truly grants you a great appreciation of the Native American culture and their customs.

One interesting fact about Native American drums is that they are considered sacred by the Native people. They are used in Indian ceremonies to call on the Spirits and to connect with their creator. Each drum is believed to carry a spirit within that is drawn out with the beating of the drum.

Since the drum is thought to connect the people with the spirit world and guide the a healer in helping his people, you will find that they are commonly used by the healers to enter the Shamanic journey where he connects with the Spirits and receives healing powers.

Also, as you study the importance of ceremonial drums in today’s culture, you will find that Native Indian drums play a significant part in the preservation of Native American tribes such as the Tarahumara.

Making and selling these rustic style drums allows them to earn a living, through selling and trading their cultural hand crafts, and helps them spread the knowledge and traditions of their culture to those who purchase them. The beautiful art of drum making is passed down through the generations and is a means of survival for many Tribes and cultures who rely on their art to make a living.

Now days, Native Indian drums are not only used in Indian ceremonies such as Native American drum groups and as Native American musical instruments. The popularity of the drums for other purposes such as in school music classes, as canvases for Native American art projects and southwestern paintings, has also grown in recent years.

Some types of ceremonial drums are also used as rustic style furniture and western decor, such as the larger powwow drums and pedestal drums that are used as rustic, decorative tables. If you love the great style and sound of Native drums, you can easily buy them online and in stores that sell southwestern, western and rustic home decorating items.

However you decide to use your ceremonial drum, whether for drumming purposes or in interior design, you will definitely be drawn to the rustic charm and western style of ceremonial drums.



Keith
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Anyone know any great web sites specializing in country home decor?

nurseheather_lpn asked:


I am looking for candles and reproductions of old signs and furniture. Found one web site called sugarloaf mountain primitives… looking for more sites similar to that.

Jamie
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Colorado Mountain Homes – Colorado Mountain Property

Adam Morien asked:


For scores of years, Americans have harbored plenty of obsessions with the American West. The great expanses of the area’s open plains and the soaring peaks of the Rocky Mountains have captured plenty of imaginations and been the fodder for many mid-afternoon daydreams. If you’re one of the many people who regularly lusts after the wide-open skies and gorgeous vistas of the American West, why not purchase Colorado mountain property of your own?

Colorado mountain property offers buyers a unique opportunity to own a home that sits amidst plenty of natural splendor and peaceful serenity. You can start your search for Colorado mountain homes by considering what is important to you. First off, do you plan to live in your home year-round, or are you seeking a seasonal residence? For year-round Colorado mountain property residents, accessibility is of prime importance. Will you be able to access your home in the winter months under heavy snows? Are roads maintained and cleared promptly after storms? You’ll want to consider how close you are to schools, jobs, and shopping. Will you need to commute to an office on a regular basis? Do you have children who will need to get to the local school each day?

Potential seasonal residents of Colorado mountain homes also have some decisions that must be considered. Would you like to live in Colorado primarily during the summer or winter months? If skiing is important, you’re likely to be interested in a seasonal residence appropriate for winter. If hiking, kayaking, or horseback riding is more your style, you’ll want a Colorado mountain home that is well situated for those pursuits. Consider carefully how you intend to use your home – and ensure that the location of a potential Colorado mountain home offers you easy access to the slopes or natural areas that are most important to you.

All residents of Colorado mountain homes will also want to consider the basics. Is your home wired for electricity and connected to a reliable water source? Is internet service available? Life on a Colorado mountain property can be full of wonderful opportunities – but you don’t necessarily want your beautiful view to come hand-in-hand with non-functional plumbing!

Colorado mountain homes offer potential residents a wide range of opportunities that suit many different needs. No matter who you are and where your priorities lie, you’re sure to find the right Colorado mountain property in a beautify valley or peaceful grove of aspens.



Jason
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Can my home electricity bills be a tax deduction if I pay for renewable energy?

Mary J asked:


I use green mountain energy co. and they supply renewable energy sources that cut down on pollution, like windmills. Is this considered a tax deduction?
I live in Texas

Margaret
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Camelback Mountain, Arizona Real Estate

Nick McConnell asked:


Camelback Mountain is home to premier Real Estate, resorts, and hiking. The views are absolutely stunning, the weather is nearly flawless, and an atmosphere of nothing but peace. The nooks and crannies of Camelback Mountain offer unique hiking trails and amazing views. Real Estate on this mountain is very unique. Some of the most complicated architecture was included when building many of these homes. If you are looking for an extremely unique, custom built home with hawk like views, this may be the area for you. Please click on the link associated with this article to get in touch with an educated, experienced, and aggressive Realtor to help you with all of your Arizona Real Estate needs.

To the South of Camelback Mountain lies the beating heart of Phoenix, Tempe, and Arcadia. To the North is where Paradise Valley. To the east and north east is Scottsdale, and to the west is Phoenix also. There are several resorts and restaurants on and around Camelback Mountain.

Sanctuary is perhaps the most prestigious resort and spa on the mountain offering fine dinning, amazing views, and spectacular amenities. The J.W. Marriott Camelback Inn is also a very popular destination. Camelback Mountain is generally residential. If you are worried about being inundated with tourists you should not be, there are designated areas for hikers, and private land for homeowners.

To view all homes for sale on or near Camelback Mountain please visit the website associates with this article, then click property search. You may also send an email to a professional Realtor and let them know exactly what you are looking for, and they will email you the results.

This will help you so that you may limit your search. After you have found eight or more properties that interest you may be a great time to look at the homes with your Realtor. Once you have found the property you desire, you simply ask you agent to draft an offer to purchase the home. The market conditions will determine the aggressiveness of the purchase contract. There may be times where you may have to offer over list price, and there may be times where you may want to offer under list price. This is why it is of paramount importance to make sure your Realtor is up to date with current events and market conditions.

The difference between a great Realtor and a bad Realtor could cost you a great deal of money. Would you rather have an agent that has lived in Arizona their entire life, has done countless transactions in the area, and has a college degree, or would you rather use a Realtor that is a high school drop out and has completed one transaction? When you are dealing with hundreds of thousands of dollars, it may be a good idea to select an agent that has experience and the education. If you are looking for a good, experienced, qualified Real Estate agent in Arizona to help you buy or sell property, please click on the website partnered with this article.



Ricardo
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Try Shaman Drums To Create Perfect Mountain Home Accessories

Craig Chambers asked:


Looking for a simple way to give your home decor western or Native American design? Try including Shaman drums in your home design and along with your western home furnishings. I became interested in using American Indian drums as for rustic decor right after my husband and I bought our new home last year. Because of our love for the old west, we wanted true southwestern and Native American style decor with one of a kind rustic home furnishings for our new home. Once that was determined I set out to look for the perfec western and Native American pieces that would look great with my rustic decor and have historical and cultural significance at the same time. In doing this, I realized how easy it was to give my home that beautiful western style that you see in designer home magazines, by adding shaman drums to my decor.

Maybe you are like me when I first started hearing about the history and meaning of Native American drums, and do not really know what a shaman drum is or the role it plays in Native culture. Or, maybe you are wondering how to choose the best drum to play in your Shaman drum circle or other music groups. Whatever the case, it is important to understand the significance this rawhide drum plays in Native American culture so you can develop a true appreciation for its art and let its power influence and open your life.

If you are able to be present at a Shamanic ritual ceremony you will notice that the Shaman, or spiritual leader, will beat a unique looking rawhide hand drum with a soft drum striker to create the soothing monotonous beat needed to take him to an altered mental state. During this altered state of mind, called the Shamanic journey, the Shaman receives powers he uses to spiritually lead and heal his people. The Shaman’s drum is very interesting to look at and if you inspect it closely you will realize that unlike many other leather Native American drums used in tribal ceremonies, these rustic drums have natural rawhide, stretched over a wooden frame on one side and are laced with raw hide string on the other side. They don’t have the loop hold like many other tribal drums do. A drum made in this way allows for a natural hand holding position so you can fully control the drum and easily manipulate the sound that is vital in bringing out the right tones specific to the Shamanic journey.

You will also see that many Shamanic drums have paintings and symbols on the rawhide drum face. These unique Native American paintings often depict a map of the universe or symbols of spiritual powers you can use to guide you in your spiritual journeying experience. If you are choosing the drum for Shamanic work, take time to study the significance of the painting and the meaning the artist is trying to convey in the artwork. Since the southwest paintings have spiritual power that influences the journey, you want to make sure it is in agreement with your own practices and influences you in that direction.

Also, I like to check the quality of the instrument before purchasing. It’s critical to check that there are no thin places at the points where the cords of the drumhead are connected. This is important for the quality and life of your Shaman drum and will save you money in the long run by not having to have it repaired or buy a new one.

Most attention is placed on the drum alone but it’s also important to choose the appropriate striking mallet so you can enjoy the resonating sound of these native drums to its fullest. You will see that there are many different types of mallets that create different sounds from the drum. It is simply a matter of personal opinion and should be based on what you feel most comfortable using. Whether you are looking for Native American musical instruments such as drums to incorporate into your home decor or are using it to help you in your spiritual journey, you will no doubt be drawn to the true rustic beauty and western charm created by decorating or playing Shaman drums.



Maureen
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Some ppl told me DatukGong has a white tiger as his guardian spirit and those Datukgong at home are not so pow?

man asked:


and ppl said those Datuk gong shrine that u install and worship at home are not so powerful and the Datuk gong that located at the mountain ,hills,forest, what is ur opinion?

Jessie
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