A Trip to Pearl Lake State Park

Dear Maia and Isaac,

Last weekend was Labor Day, so I decided to take my dogs camping at Pearl Lake State Park in Colorado.  I have always wanted to take you camping there because that lake is named for your great, great grandma, Pearl Hartt. 

How does a lake get named after someone?

I don't know how every lake gets named, but I do know what Pearl Lake State Park was named after my grandmother.  My grandfather had a huge sheep business in Wyoming in the early 1900's - His name was John Kelly Hartt.  He came west from New England on a train.  He wanted to make it to the West Coast, but he ran out of money so they put him off the train in Wyoming.  To support himself, my granddad learned a lot about helping with sheep and cows. 

Over the next few years, my granddad started buying sheep for himself.  Eventually, he had one of the largest sheep companies in the United States.  He lived in Wyoming in the winter but brought the sheep to the place where the lake is in the summer.  The problem with sheep is they eat the roots of the plants, so the cattleman from Colorado didn't like having Wyoming sheep on their land.  In fact, there was something called a "range war" going on between the Colorado cattle people and the Wyoming sheep people.  My granddad was hunted by a famous cowboy named Tom Horn and hired men who worked for a famous robber, Butch Cassidy. 

Kachina, Maizzy, and Sazi at Pearl Lake State Park

After a few years, grandpa married grandma on a trip back to New England for his mom's funeral.  Grandma always talked about getting off the train in Wyoming (a new bride) and having someone say to granddad "They shot Wilkes last night, sir".  This surprised your great-great grandma because she had never been to the Wild West before.  Eventually, my grandparents built a house near where the lake is now.  My mom spent the summers there when she was growing up. There was still no lake in those years. 

Pearl Lake State Park

After World War II, the sheep business got less busy and my grandpa died.  Grandma kept having her grown daughters come home for the summer.  That is where I came into the picture.  I loved the big family - my aunts, uncles, and cousins.  There was still no lake, but my cousin Patrick and I hunted frogs all day in the creek near grandma's house. 

Kachina, Sazi, and Maizzy taking a rest during our hike

My grandma had a friend who was a Forest Ranger.  He was concerned that if grandma sold all of the extra land from the sheep companies to just anyone, that it would become too commercialized.  He felt nature up there should be preserved.  So, grandma sold the land where all the sheep once lived to the Forest Service and they built a lake near the cabin where I spent summers as a kid.  Grandma kept some of the land for us to live on in the summer.  Part of the deal with selling the land to the Forest Service was that the lake would be named for Grandma. 

Steamboat Lake State Park (near Pearl Lake State Park)

I hiked part way around the lake with my dogs.  I was wishing you were there to tell the story to because this lake is a family legacy.  I hope you get a chance to visit the lake someday.  It would be a dream if we could ever camp there together.  I would love that!

I Guess He Would Rather Be in Colorado: Flat Stanley's Western Colorado Adventure

I Guess He Would Rather Be in Colorado: Flat Stanley's Western Colorado Adventure

Photos by Cathy Hartt (Maia's Grandma)
Maia-n-Isaac Publishing
Shot on Location in:
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Montrose, CO
Ridgway, CO
Ridgway State Park, CO

Starring - Flat Stanley, Maizzy (the dog), Galveston, Chaco, Sage and Soks (the cats). Video Music - I Guess He'd Rather Be in Colorado by John Denver

A Tooth Fairy for Maizzy

A Tooth Fairy for Maizzy

Written and Illustrated by Cathy Hartt

Maia-N-Isaac Publishing

Positive Psychology Short Stories for Kids

Video (YouTube) version at bottom of page.

Maizzy had only lived with Granca for a couple weeks when she went for her first vet appointment.  It was just a visit to make sure she was healthy, because she was 8 years old.  And that’s pretty old, for a dog.  It was something like the doctor visit that kids have before school each year.  

The morning came, and Granca loaded Maizzy into her car, Mini Pearl.  Mini was so excited that her horn let out a squeal.  She loves that dog, Maizzy, almost as much as Granca does.  Maizzy, however, was in for a less-than-fun morning.  

The vet was nice enough.  But, Maizzy didn’t really like the exam and shots.  After the vet was finished, Granca waited for the news.  And there was news!  The good news was that Maizzy had a healthy heart and she would probably live a very long life!  

Then, came some bad news; Maizzy needed a dog dentist.  For dogs, that’s the vet, too.  Maizzy had at least six teeth that needed to be pulled, and her other teeth needed to be cleaned very badly. In fact, it probably hurt a lot for Maizzy to chew her food and treats.  When the vet showed Granca the teeth, she cringed just a little.  Maizzy’s teeth looked very sore!

After that, the vet told Granca how much it would cost to fix Maizzy’s teeth.  It was a lot of money because of all those teeth that had to be pulled!  Granca loved Maizzy so much, that she didn’t care a whole lot about money.  But, at the same time, she wished there was a tooth fairy for dogs.  If there was a tooth fairy, then maybe that fairy would leave enough money under Maizzy’s pillow to help pay the vet bill!  “That would be so nice, because I have a lot of pets to take care of with my money,” thought Granca.  

When Granca and Maizzy got home, that pup took a long nap and Granca logged into Facebook.  She wrote a note on there (they call that “posting”) about needing a tooth fairy for Maizzy.  That is when she met that dog fairy – RIGHT THERE ON FACEBOOK.  That dog tooth fairy had a Facebook account all of his own.  And, he even knew how to type people words!!!

That dog replied to Granca’s post – RIGHT THERE ON THE COMPUTER!  That dog said he was the tooth fairy for dogs and he would help Granca to fix Maizzy’s teeth.  “If you are the tooth fairy, they what is your name?” asked Granca, suspicious that this was a bad joke. Because dog’s don’t have Facebook accounts nor do they have tooth fairies.

 

“Maison is my name,” said that tooth canine.  Canine means dog.   “Maison is the name of the tooth fairy?” asked Granca.  “Yes it is,” replied Maison, “and I have a Facebook account so I can find dogs that need help with their teeth. It hurts to have bad teeth, and I don’t want other dogs to hurt like that.”

“That is very kind of you, Maison,” said Granca.  “You must have the strength of kindness.”  “Yes,” said Maison, “That is why they promoted me to tooth fairy!  Tooth fairies for dogs have to be kind.”  “OK,” said Granca, “What do I need to do to have you help with Maizzy’s teeth?  I don’t want her to be in pain anymore.”  That kind little fairy dog then sent Granca a message with a date and time that Granca should take Maizzy to a special, extra kind vet.  

Granca got up early the day of the dentist visit and took Maizzy on a walk.  Oh, Granca loved that silly short legged dog and didn’t want her to be in pain any more.  

When they got home from the walk, Granca asked Mini Pearl to drive very carefully to the special vet that the Maison had arranged for Maizzy.  It was a little bit of a drive – all the way to a little town called Delta.  As she drove Mini, Granca wondered if Maison would leave enough money under Maizzy’s pillow to help pay the vet bill.    

Mini Pearl was very cautious that morning.  I mean, she was almost slow.  She was worried about Maizzy, just like Granca was.  “I wish there was a gasoline fairy for cars,” said Mini.  “So do I,” said Granca.  “Every time you lose a gallon, I could use a little money under your pillow!”

With the help of Mini’s GPS, they found this special vet in Delta.  Granca almost missed the driveway the first time, she was so nervous.  But Maizzy seemed happy and did not notice much that Granca and Mini were so worried about her.  

Granca took her into the vet’s office and a nice man with a leash came out and took Maizzy.  It would be 7 hours before Maizzy could come home.  Granca had a little tear in her eye when she handed the leash to the man, who she thought might be Maison’s helper.  She went out to get back in Mini Pearl and that car was so worried that her bumper was in a big frown, I tell you. 

 

The day passed, and it was time to go back to Delta and get Maizzy.  Granca and Mini were both anxious to see that little dog again.  Granca brought the leash, in case Maizzy would want to take a walk.  Maizzy’s favorite park is in Delta, after all!  

 

When Granca got there, a nice woman went back and brought Maizzy out.  Poor little dog looked like her mouth hurt.  But, the woman showed Granca Maizzy’s teeth, and they were white as pearls.  And they only had to pull three teeth!  “I think that Maison is already helping Maizzy,” thought Granca. 

The best part happened when Granca went to pay the bill, though.  Because that vet’s helper said Granca didn’t own very much money for Maizzy.  Granca replied, “I thought this was suppose to cost a lot more.  I know it was only three teeth and not six, but still.”  The vet’s helper replied, “Well, when Maizzy woke up after her surgery, there was enough money under her pillow to pay most of the bill.”  Granca just smiled!  “Maison is the tooth fairy for dogs,” she thought.

Boy, that Mini was happy to see Maizzy, I tell you.  She honked so loud that the vet could hear her clear inside the building.  Then, Granca loaded Maizzy in Mini’s seat and away they went to the park.  Mini drove so carefully that it was like drifting on a cloud, I tell you.

They got to the park, and Maizzy still felt a little tired and her mouth hurt. It was her favorite park, though, because it had lots of crinkly leaves.  Maizzy loves walking through those crunchy things, and that is no joke!  

So, Mini waited patiently in the parking lot, while Granca and that little dog walked all around the lake and visited the dog park.  Maizzy seemed happy, but a little worn out. 

That night, when Granca got home, she started thinking a lot about the tooth fairy that had come for Maizzy.  That Maison was so kind to Maizzy and to other dogs.  Granca thought about how wonderful the strength of kindness was, and that it was a good strength for both tooth fairies and vets to have.  

For the next few days, Granca and Mini took extra especially good care of Maizzy.  Mini drove very smoothly anytime that pup was in her seat.  And, Granca took her for lots of walks and gave her soft treats.  Even the cats tried to tip toe around when Maizzy was sleeping.  

When tooth fairies come for kids, they leave money under pillows.  When they come for little dogs, they leave money to help make hurting mouths healthy, again.  When that Maison came to help Maizzy, Granca and Mini knew they had adopted a very special dog, indeed.  

The end

A New Home for Maizzy

A New Home for Maizzy

Written and Illustrated by Cathy Hartt

Maia-N-Isaac Publishing

Video version at bottom of page

Positive Psychology Short Stories for Kids

It was the day after Thanksgiving and Granca slept late, because eating too much makes her sleepy.  Once the sun came up, though, she opened her eyes and remembered!  “This is the day! This is the day!” she exclaimed.  She was so excited that she jumped out of bed wearing only her pajamas, and ran out into the driveway to wake up Mini Pearl.  It is a good thing it was very foggy and Granca’s neighbors could not see her! 

 

“Mini Pearl, Mini Pearl, wake up and get ready because today is the day!” shouted Granca.  Mini Pearl opened her eyes real wide and gave a little honk, and then scratched her hood (because cars don’t have heads).   “I hope this means we are going on a road trip, Granca,” said Mini.  “Because I love road trips.”  

“Oh, Mini,” said Granca, “Today is the day we go to the animal sanctuary to find a dog to go on road trips with us.”  Mini smiled a little, just thinking about road trips always made her happy.  “What is an animal sanctuary?” she asked. 

Granca explained to Mini that an animal sanctuary is a place where cats, dogs, horses, donkeys and other animals stay while they are waiting to find new homes.  “Oh, something like the car lot you got me from?” asked Mini.  Granca smiled and said, “Well, yea, something a lot like that, Mini.” 

“Now, get your fog lights ready while I get dressed and have breakfast, because it is a bit of a drive through the country to the animal sanctuary,” said Granca  In a few minutes they were headed down the road.

They drove for about an hour through little towns called Olathe, Delta and Crawford.   It was less foggy when they got to the country, near the sanctuary.  Granca dug out her directions and Mini tuned-up her GPS.  Pretty soon, they took a curvy dirt road past the horses and donkeys.  And, off in the distance, there were lots and lots big pens with dogs in them.  “Ah, we found the right road,” said Granca, sounding a little relieved. 

When they got there, a lady named Sheryl came out and greeted them.  She was assigned to find just the right dog for Granca.  They went into a big building with lots of different dogs.  Mini waited outside, of course.

Sheryl knew Granca was looking for a small dog . . . so she took Granca into a couple of cages to meet dogs.  And, there were dogs, dogs, dogs, I tell you.  There was every size and shape of dog you could imagine in those cages. 

In the first cage, was a cute little brown dog, who seemed happy enough to meet Granca.  She was quiet and liked to chase her tail.  She was a funny little short-legged, long-bodied dog with pointy ears.  Sheryl told Granca that this dog had lived with lots of cats before, so they thought she might be just the right match. 

After they looked in a few more cages, Sheryl had Granca sit in a little chair and she went and got two dachshund dogs that jumped all over Granca and barked a lot.  They were really lively little things, and Granca was afraid that they would scare her cats.  So, she told Sheryl she would take the little brown dog with pointy ears. 

 

When Granca came out with Sheryl and the little dog, Mini Pearl winked just a little.  Only Granca noticed, of course.  “I think Mini likes this little dog, too,” thought Granca.  So, they tied the dog’s leash to Mini’s seat belt and away they went, back up the windy road and through the little towns.

On the way home, Granca asked Mini, “What should I name her?”  Mini thought for a minute and said, “I think Mini Pearl is a good name for her!”  Granca laughed because she would not be able to keep them straight if they both had the same name.  “Oh, Mini,” she said, “You are named for my Grandma, Minnie Pearl.  My grandma always kept me safe when I was little, just like you keep me safe.  That name is just for you, not the new dog.”

Mini got real quiet for a moment and then she smiled so big that Granca was afraid her hood would pop open.  “Mini,” said Granca, “Be careful. I don’t want your belts to fall out on the dirt road.”  Mini reassured Granca that she was just smiling.  “But, I have a name for our dog,” said Mini. “I think we should name her after your grandkids, Maia and Isaac.”  “That’s a cool idea, Mini, but she only needs one name,” replied Granca.  

They both thought, as they drove down the road with the little dog sound asleep in Mini’s passenger seat.  Mini tried hard not to hit any bumps, because she liked the little creature and wanted to let her snooze peacefully. 

But, then, all of a sudden, Mini let out a loud and crazy “HONK!”  “I have it,” she proclaimed happily.  “I have a name for our pup.”  “Ok,” asked Granca, “What is it?”  “Maizzy! – Spelled like Daisy but pronounced like Maia and Isaac (whose nick name is Izzy) put together,” shouted Mini Pearl. 

“I like it a lot,” said Granca.  “Plus,” she added, “If you are named for my grandma and she is named for my grandkids, it is like you are related!  Let’s see – you would be Maizzy’s great, great grandmother.”  Mini Pearl laughed because cars can’t be great, great grandmas to dogs!

Soon they were home and Maizzy settled right into her new space in the laundry room.  Maizzy liked her new bed and enjoyed playing with Granca a little.  They had so much fun getting to know one-another that they hardly noticed the spies at first.  

Then, Granca got an odd feeling, like she was being watched.  She was the first one to notice the little spies on the stairs.  When she turned around to see who was watching, she saw a big fluffy grey tail disappear around the corner.  She watched for a few more minutes, still playing with Maizzy.  Pretty soon, little grey ears popped around the corner.  Then, ever so slowly, two four-pawed spies with very puffy tails crept cautiously toward the doggy gait. 

“Oh, Sage and Galveston,” said Granca, “You are curious and scared, all at the same time.  Look at your tails!  You don’t make very good spies when your tails like big dust mops on your rear ends.  I can see you a mile away.”  Sage and Galveston looked away, as if they had no idea what Granca was talking about.  

Maizzy didn’t seem to mind the little spies, and Granca felt happy because she knew that would help the cats feel safer around a dog.  “Those little dachshunds would be barking their heads off,” thought Granca, as she gave Maizzy a small pat on the head.  

The next morning, Granca went downstairs to the laundry room first thing to get Maizzy.  She noticed the spies had been down to visit, because the milk bones where all knocked over on the stand near Maizzy’s bed.  “Hmmm.  I have a feeling curious Sage has been fishing around in the milk bone,” thought Granca.  

When Maizzy got upstairs, the spies got really silly.  They all crept down the hallway together, all five of them, and they peered around the corner into the kitchen.  That’s where Granca was exercising and the new little dog was sleeping.  “Five spies with feather duster tails,” laughed Granca.  Those spies tried so hard to act innocent that Granca burst out laughing.  Then they all tucked their ears behind their heads and ran back down the hallway a little, acting like they weren’t curious at all.   

By the next week, though, the cats relaxed.  Well, pretty much, anyway.  And they all sat under the kitchen table, together with Maizzy, and watched Granca doing her exercise.  Granca went around and patted them each on the head, because she was proud of them for getting along so well.  When she got to Sage, however, she did notice her breath smelled a little like a milk bone.  That’s the moment Granca knew for sure that Maizzy would become part of the family.  

The End

A Princess for Christmas

A Princess for Christmas

Written and Illustrated by Cathy Hartt 

(Both video and written versions below)

 

   

It was a cool fall morning and Grandma Cathy was tucked soundly under her covers, still asleep.  Then all of a sudden, she jumped up straight in her bed.  Even with her ear plugs in, she could hear a very loud and annoying noise.  And this time, it wasn’t her cats bowling their toy balls into her door to wake her up.  Oh, no, this time is was Mini Pearl.

Mini Pearl is Grandma Cathy’s car.  And she is not just a car; she has car-o-nality. That means she acts like a person.  And for some reason, today she wanted to go someplace so bad she was sitting in the driveway blasting her horn.  “Come on, let’s go,” she honked while Grandma Cathy stood in the doorway, less than amused.  “I was trying to sleep in, Mini Pearl,” replied Grandma.

Mini Pearl looked down at the ground and sighed a little.  Grandma Cathy stood in the doorway looking at sad Mini Pearl. “ Hmmmm,” she wondered, “Where did my silly car want to go so badly?”  Mini Pearl looked up at Grandma.  Well, Grandma Cathy could not resist THAT look.  “Mini Pearl,” she asked, “what on earth is so important that you woke the whole neighborhood up honking like that?”

Grandma Cathy had forgotten that it was the day that she always leaves for a special place called the Four Corners.  That is where the corners of four states meet – just like if you laid 4 big, white pieces of paper flat on a table so that the corners would meet in the middle.  Four Corners is where Grandma Cathy talks to the Native American Indians and buys special gifts for her grandkids, Maia and Isaac (and everyone else in the family).

Mini Pearl quietly pointed to her GPS – and there it was!  Right there on the screen was a picture of four states all bumped up together at the corners.  The road to get there was long and winding over some very tall mountains called the San Juans.  

Grandma Cathy squinted as she looked at the GPS screen as Mini Pearl continued to point.  “Oh, Mini Pearl,” replied Grandma Cathy, “I am so sorry.  I totally forgot that our trip was today.  I’ll go get packed and we can get started!”  

Then Grandma returned to the house and started to pack.  “This will be a great day.  I love going places with Mini Pearl,” she thought.  She through her stuff in her small red suitcase and went into the kitchen for a little bite of breakfast before the road trip. 

When she returned to the bedroom, her suitcase was totally unpacked and all the clothes where piled in a huge heap on the floor.  “Sage!” yelled Grandma Cathy, “Did you fish my clothes out of my suitcase, again?”  She didn’t hear anything, so she looked on the other side of the bed.  There they were, all five of them, looking at her like they knew nothing about how the clothes got all unpacked and rumpled into a heap.  Grandma sighed, “You guys!  I know you hate it when I go places without you.  But, seriously, you can’t take a cat on a road trip.  Especially, all 5 of you.”

 Grandma Cathy patiently went back into the kitchen and made sure the food and water bowls were full.  The kitties followed.  All but Sage, that is.  

The other kitties were happy to be fed and they promised to be good for a couple of days, and Grandma Cathy scratched them all on the head.  “Soksabai, Chaco, Galveston and Serendipity,” Grandma silently said to herself.  “Uh, oh, someone’s missing!”

Grandma returned to the bedroom to find Sage carefully fishing the last pair of socks out of the suitcase, carefully using her claw like a fishing hook to grab them out of a special pocket.  “Oh, Sage,” said Grandma, “I know you like to fish, but my socks are going with me to Four Corners.”  With that, Sage went to join her feline friends in the kitchen and Grandma Cathy repacked her bag and flew out the door.  “About time,” said Mini Pearl.

Grandma Cathy threw her bag in Mini Pearl’s hatch, jumped in the driver’s seat.  Mini Pearl honked with joy!  That car acts just like a barking dog, sometimes.  Away they went, down the road.

After about an hour, they came to the San Juan Mountains.  Mini Pearl sighed and let out a cough of smoke.  “It’s hard to climb a mountain with a person and a suitcase inside of you,” she complained.  “Oh, Mini,” said Grandma Cathy, “You were the one who woke everyone up to go this morning.”  “I know,” said Mini Pearl, “but I thought we were going to visit the Native Americans at the Four Corners.  I didn’t realize I had to climb a giant mountain to get here.”  “Oh, Mini,” exclaimed Grandma Cathy, “didn’t you see the Mountains on the GPS you were pointing at this morning?”  “Well, yea, I did,” said Mini Pearl, “But I had no idea they were so tall.”  

Grandma Cathy explained to Mini Pearl that the mountains are sacred (that means very special) to the Native Americans from the Four Corners because they protect the Native American lands.  “Oh,” replied Mini, “something like how my safety features protect you when we travel together.”  “Yes, Mini Pearl,” replied Grandma.  “If you need to go slow, that is OK because the trees are so pretty in the mountains in the fall.”  They stopped a lot on the trip so Mini Pearl could rest and Grandma Cathy could take lots of pictures of the brightly colored leaves.

After climbing the mountain, Mini and Grandma rested the whole night in a hotel before they went on their Christmas Shopping journey to the Four Corners.  When Grandma Cathy got to the parking lot that morning, there was Mini Pearl honking again. “Oh, Mini!  Shhhhhh!  People are trying to sleep in the hotel.”  Mini sighed and looked down kinda sheepish.  “Oh, let’s just get going, silly,” said Grandma.

They drove for a while, down to where the states all meet at the corners.  There were a lot of funny big red rock mountains, called buttes, along the way.  “Mini Pearl, this is Indian Country,” said Grandma.  Mini Pearl smiled just a little, with her eyes.  

A little while later, they came to a big, square building with lots of flags.  Grandma said, “here we are, Mini!  This is the Four Corners!  Mini parked right by the Indian taco stand.  “Ok, Grandma Cathy,” said Mini Pearl, “You go on in to the market while I check out the Indian tacos.”  “Oh, Mini,” replied Grandma, “Cars don’t eat tacos.”

Grandma Cathy walked around to several of the little Native American shops inside the big, square building with lots of flags.  There is one flag for each of the four States that touch there.  In fact, right in the center, you can put each of your hands and feet in a different State.  At the same time, even!  Lots of people take photos of themselves doing that.  

Each little stop has special things made by the Native Americans who sit behind the counter.  Grandma likes to talk to them, as she looks to see what she might want to buy for Christmas.  Then, after passing several shops, she came across a shop where the Native Americans had left to take a break.  The door was open and Grandma looked out to see if she could see the people who run the booth.  All she could see were the butte mountains and a Pepsi cup that someone had been drinking from recently.  

Grandma knew the shop owners would return soon, so she quietly looked at what was on the counter.  She wondered if they would have anything that Maia or Isaac would like for Christmas.  What caught Grandma Cathy’s eye was a beautiful Indian Princess doll.  She had a purple skirt, black shirt and a beautiful turquoise necklace.  “Hmmm, maybe Maia would like her,” Grandma thought.

Just then, a little breeze blew through the open back door and it seemed to breath magic into the little doll, because she started to rub her eyes and sit up.  Grandma Cathy rubbed her eyes, too, because she could not believe it.  “Hello?” said Grandma.  “Hello!” said the doll.  Then, like magic, a beautiful little purple shawl appeared on the breeze, and the doll put it around her shoulders.  There, in the distance, was the sound of Native American drum music.  The little doll began to dance, and dance and dance.  And the shawl swirled, and swirled and swirled.  Grandma Cathy could not take her eyes off of the magic little dancing doll.  

When the music finally stopped, Grandma asked the doll if she had a name.  “Yes,” replied the little dancer, “My name is Chipeta.  I am an Indian Princess and I was made especially for your special granddaughter, Maia.”  “You know my granddaughter?” Grandma asked, surprised.  “Yes, I am a special gift to her from you and the Native Americans.  I represent love, like the love you have in your heart for Maia, always.  Even though you won’t be spending Christmas with Maia, I will be there to hug her and I will be there for her whenever she wants to feel loved and special.” 

“Oh!” exclaimed Grandma Cathy, “You are just what I was looking for because I have felt very sad about not seeing Maia this Christmas.”  “I know,” said Chipeta, “But love is always there, in our hearts.  I am just there to remind Maia about that.” Grandma felt happy inside!

“Now, to find something just as special for Isaac,” Grandma said to herself.  Chipeta seemed to know just what Grandma Cathy was thinking because, without being asked, she said, “Can I suggest something for you special grandson, Isaac?”  “Of course,” Grandma said, kinda confused.  

Chipeta then walked across the little shop table to a small Native American turtle.  She said, “The turtle is a symbol of protection, long life (that means living to be very, very old), and of water.  In the West, we do not always have enough water, so turtles are a special gift.”  “I like the idea,” said Grandma Cathy, “In fact, I have gotten Maia several Native American turtles like this, but Isaac is still a baby.”

With that, Chipeta smiled.  “I know,” she said.  And she swirled around the turtle with her shawl and in an instant, the turtle became a wooden pull toy.  “There,” said Chipeta, “Now, this turtle is perfect for your special baby grandson, Isaac.”  “Wow, thank you Chipeta,” said Grandma Cathy.

And as quickly as she said it, another breeze blew through the door of the shop, and in walked the owner to ask if Grandma Cathy needed help.  Grandma looked down at the counter, and  the doll was  laying there,  just like she was when Grandma first saw her.  And the little turtle was back to being made of pottery.  But, Grandma trusted Chipeta and all she had said so she bought the little doll and the pottery turtle.  

Then something caught her eye.  There were all sizes and colors of dream catchers hanging above the counter.  “Hmmm,” she said to herself, “I wonder if Maia and Isaac would like one of those?”  Just then, she looked down, and the little doll did a small wink at her.  It was as if Grandma Cathy could hear Chipeta say, “Yes, of course they would.  Your grandchildren must always believe that their dreams can come true, especially when you can’t be there to tell them in person.”  With that, Grandma bought the dream catchers, because that is what hope is all about.

Then Grandma Cathy jumped with a start!  “Oh, no! I hear honking,” said Grandma.  “That Mini Pearl!”  Grandma Cathy ran to the parking lot with her gifts in a sack.  “Mini!  No honking in the parking lot!” she shouted.  Mini just grinned, kinda sheepish.  “I just want to get back to the hotel safely before dark,” said Mini Pearl.  Grandma was not mad anymore, because she knew Mini Pearl always wanted her to be safe. 

“Mini,” she said, “I have two new passengers.  One is a doll named Chipeta for Maia and the other is a turtle for Isaac. And I have two dream catchers, to remind them that their dreams are always important.”  “Very good,” said Mini Pearl.  And off they went, down the road and back over the tall, tall mountain to Grandma Cathy’s house.  

When they got home, Grandma went inside and put Chipeta, the turtle and the dream catchers away for Christmas.  The cats where glad to see Grandma had returned from her trip.  Chaco and Galveston were asleep on back of the couch, but jumped –up kinda startled when Grandma Cathy entered.  Serendipity, who is always afraid to be without Grandma, was so happy she started singing!  And Soksabai rubbed softly against Grandma’s leg.  

“Ok,” said Grandma Cathy, “You all look fine.  But where is Sage?  Oh, no.  Where is Sage?”  Grandma went in her bedroom, still carrying the bag of special presents.  “Oh, great!” she laughed.” Sage had fished every sweater  out of Grandma’s dresser drawer.  “Sage missed me most of all,” though Grandma.  And then Grandma Cathy put those special gifts in a very high drawer, where Sage could not get them, so they would be already to send for Christmas Morning with Maia and Isaac.

The end!