ROAMING BUFFALO RUB

The full moon reflected it's beauty on Lake Karikaquaw. A member of the

Kickapoo tribe, Wanna Man In Her Tepee, sighed looking at the silver reflection

on the still waters. She thought of the man she loved for so long in silence,

Keeper of the Flame. If only his big, brown eyes would notice her, but...HOW?

He only had eyes for She Who Has Big Breasts! She wished upon a falling star

that she might find a way into his heart, then got up from the soft, moonlit grass,

and headed back to her lonely tepee.

The next morning, Chief Don't Ruffle My Feathers, gathered his people. He

announced that his son, Wild Hunter, had captured during the night a strange

white man. The Chief made a signal with his hand, and let out a loud grunt. Out

of his tepee, Wild Hunter, brought forward, with hands and ankles tied with deer

skin, a chubby,little, old man with a look of panic on his face.The great Chief said,

"Silence!", and asked his Co-Chief ...Visions After Smoking to speak.

He said, "How".

Everyone answered in a chorus, "How!!".

Visions After Smoking just stood there. Blank. Chief Don't Ruffle

My Feathers smacked him on the head.

"Ouch! I had a vision..................."

Everyone was waiting eagerly, watching his rolling eyes.

The Chief, smacked him on the head again.

"Ouch! I had a vision.......a vision....a vision...."

Chief Don't Ruffle My Feathers' feathers were getting ruffled...

He raised his hand, and was ready to smack him a third time

when Visions After Smoking, opened his eyes wide and said:

"We do not kill the dude. We must learn from him, for more

dudes are coming! Ummmm...Ummmm....wait! The purple,

laughing squirrel in the sky says Wanna Man In Her Tepee must

learn the pale dude's language! Let it be so....Peace and Love."

Everyone applauded.

Wanna Man In Her Tepee's jaw dropped. What had she done to deserve this! But,

she had to do...what she had to do. Maybe this new venture would keep her

from daydreaming with Keeper Of The Flame. Everyday from then on, she spent

trying to communicate with the little old man.

His name was Antonio Banderitas, He did nothing to run away, and was friendly.

He also observed how Wanna, as he called her, looked with love at Keeper Of The

Flame. He was a romantic at heart,and wanted to help her. He planted an herb

garden with seeds he had kept in his pocket, as he was the cook of a Spanish

expedition. When the time came, he called Wanna, and took her to the garden.

Months went by....and they learned each other's language.

"I have seen how you look at Keeper Of The Flame. I want to help you win his

heart." He said softly, with a Spanish accent.

"My heart belongs to him! But, he does not know I exist...and...two warriors,

Dances With Dogs and He Who Has Teeth LikeBeaver, have showed interest

in me! I must settle for one...and forget about my true love!".

"Child! Never settle for a man you don't love!" He took a basket,

and started placing the fresh herbs, and garlic in it.

"Come now, I must show you!"

This is oregano, cumin, garlic, black pepper...and, chicken bouillion.

And, yes, they are dried. Just for the purpose of the story you can

imagine them fresh!

Antonio, mashed all the ingredients well, then added olive

oil. (When Wild Hunter captured him he was cooking and did not

let go of his precious olive oil.) He blended everything well and

made a paste.

He bought a nice roaming buffalo leg at the local meat market tepee,

(You can use pork, like I do...who has an oven for a buffalo leg!)

He rubbed the herbs and spices all over the meat....

He cut some slits on the buffalo, and rubbed in the herbs and spices...

Then, he added carrots, onions, and green pepper...to the pan.

Antonio, added plenty of water to the pan, and covered it well...then he put

it in an enormous oven! "Wanna, this rub will be the key to Keeper Of The Flame's

heart! You will conquer him...forever ...with your cooking!", he said with a

big smile.

All the men of the tribe wanted to taste the roast...but, she said

it was only for her true love, and handed a plate to Keeper Of The Flame.

The rest is history...

They were happily married for many, many, many, silver moons...

************************

* Recently, a drawing of Wanna Man In Her Tepee, on her wedding

day..has been recovered from an old Indian site. I will share it

with you!

The way to a man's heart is always ...

through his stomach!!