FYI

I'm working on the last update so don't give up.

However, right now I'm doing what Charles said in his last itenary....his comment was "check into rehab"....so after an unplanned three day rehab when we got back I'm doing my rehab in Ruidoso, New Mexico.

I played 18 holes of golf today with my good friend, KP (Kenneth Poole). We were suppose to play with some of my high school classmates, but none of them showed up. We didn't think we smelled bad, we took showers before leaving our lovely wives (Judy for me and Carolene for KP) this morning.

No we did not play good, but as they say...at least we played. Yea, but playing good is better.

The ladies shopped and said they had a great time. Wonder how much their good time cost us?

We're going to try another 18 holes tomorrow.

Yes, the ladies are going shopping again.

Looking back on our tour, I tried to find a Manchester United t-shirt for our grandson, Harrison. He had a little time in the hospital getting his tonsils out, so Pops (that's me) thought - He loves soccer and I'll get his a t-shirt.

Strange by everyone must of had needed a size 6 t-shirt, as I could find smaller and bigger. So I had to settle for another team and I don't even remember the name.

So I'm thinking I'll look for a soccer t-shirt in Ruidoso. Maybe that'd be okay.

Had as much luck finding that t-shirt as I had on the golf course. Must be some kind of Karma at work.

I have enjoyed the opportunity to share my thoughts, our trip, our experience and photos with you.

Thank you to those who have made comments.

Just wanted to let you (hopefully there are still some of you out there wanting to see and read the last posting) that I'll get it donee as soon as I/we get back/out of rehab.


John Madden

Waiting to dance

Howdy. That's a West Texas greeting. I'm John Madden, proud associate advisor for the Kwahadi Dancers. My dress (we call it regalia) is a Straight Dancer.

The Straight Dance, sometimes referred to as Southern Traditional, is the formal and original dance of most of the Oklahoma tribes, including the Ponca, Osage, Kiowa, Comanche, Kaw, and many others. It is a dignified style, where the men who dance it keep a steady, flowing pace that is not interrupted with fancy moves or extra footwork. Because of its slow place, some people believe that it is an old man's dance, but this is not the case. There are many fine Straight Dancers in the Oklahoma area, ranging in age from ten to eighty. Some of the best places for Straight Dancers to go include the Ponca Hethuska and the Kiowa Tia-piah Society's Dance. The Ponca Hethuska is held twice a year in the town of White Eagle, Oklahoma, once in April and once in October. It is a formal war dance, meaning that it follows the old ways, and has many strict rules that must be adhered to. There, every dancer is required to dance every dance for the duration of the war dance, which is very tiring. The Kiowa Tia Piah Society holds their annual dance at Carnegie, OK over the Fourth of July. This dance is also excellent place to see Gourd Dancing.

I'm also a Gourd Dancer and will tell you about that later.

I'm Cheokee, adpoted into the Comanche, Tewa and Lakota, plus Scots/Irish.

Come see the Kwahadi Dancers. You'll have a great time, get to take once-in-a-lifetime photos, see outstanding dancing and meet extremely wonderful young men and young women.

The KWAHADI DANCERS.

Thank you,

John Madden

Welcome!

Welcome to our Kwahadi Indian Dancers European Tour 2009 Photo Blog.

Here you'll find photos and information concerning our upcoming summer tour.

We'll put on seventeen performances in our 23 day tour. There will be sixty-three people going on the tour which includes dancers, drummers, singers, and show assistants. We will travel by plane, bus, train and ferry. It will truly be a experience and opportunity of a life time.

Hop on the blog, travel with us, see what we see through "My Eyes" and enjoy sharing the adventure with us.

John Madden