Ginger Simpson's Blog, page 56

That's Egregious! by Jamie Hill

In preparing another blog post about reviews, I was looking for a word that meant something was both good and bad at the same time. (I still haven't put my finger on the word, so if you know what I'm trying to say, hit me up in the comments!) I stumbled upon egregious, which is such a fun word I had to look it up.

Egregious
 adjective  1. extraordinary in some bad way; glaring; flagrant:
an egregious mistake; an egregious liar.


Synonyms: gross, outrageous, notorious, shocking.

Egregious is also good for 11 points in Scrabble and 14 points in Words With Friends, bahaha
It's not really what I was after, though. Some reviews are certainly egregious. Some are just plain stinkers. Some are so wonderful they can leave an author floating on air for days.
When I first started writing, reviews were much harder to come by. There were a handful of review sites and they generally had a lengthy waiting list of books to be reviewed. At that time, the e-publishing world was just breaking loose and suddenly there were more books than any site could handle.
Individuals with a love of reading and the ability to use Blogger discovered they could become reviewers, too, and many of my best reviews have come from these smaller sites and/or individuals. Many of them had a code, if a book was a stinker they'd just let it go and not post a really bad review. I appreciate them for doing that, because the bottom line is reviews are subjective. Purely subjective.
Some of the most popular books have gotten plenty of negative reviews, yet they've gone on to become movies, video games, action figures, etc., and earn the author millions. *sigh*
The past few years has shown a rise in the reader reviews at sites like Amazon. It's nice to allow readers to give their opinions, and I don't think there's an author out there who would criticize a genuinely thoughtful review. It might sting, but it might also bring up something for the author to keep in mind when writing the next book.
Family Secrets came out in 2006 the first time, and both of the main characters smoked. It wasn't as big of a deal ten years ago, but man, oh man, are people on me about that now. Many of the reader reviews mentioned how much they hated that Jack and Crystal both smoked. They were serious about it! (I got a little flack about the sex in the book. Okay, most of that was from my mom, but some from readers too. Yet the smoking seemed to be a much bigger concern.) In book two, my hero Brady started out as a smoker and quit by the end. And book three had no main characters who smoked. Zero. My mama didn't raise no dummy. (But I'm still a bit smuttier than she'd like.)
The negative side of Amazon reviews is that a 'reader' doesn't have to have read the book to post. I got one review on a book that's no longer available giving it one star because it was so short, the reader didn't even read it. *Blink* Excuse me?
Here's a couple of reviews for my novella On The Edge. It has several four and five star reviews like this one: 
"Surprisingly full story-line for such a short novella. I enjoyed this sweet romance with a good dose of suspense thrown in."
Then there's a one star review that says:
"Hated it. Don't buy it. Worse published book ever. Don't buy this trash. Also very short......BAD. Big disappointment
I read a lot of books and this was the worst."
Her grammar aside, I believe there's a compliment in there somewhere. Amazon has over a million books published at this very moment. If mine is indeed the 'WORSE PUBLISHED BOOK EVER', I want a plaque somewhere with my name on it.
Seriously, what good does a review like that do? Does it tell you why she didn't like the book (which she probably got free on one of the book's promo days)? Does it say anything about the plot or the characters? Or does it, perhaps, say more about the reviewer, who chooses to hide behind the name 'Amazon Customer'. Original, gal. Creative.
My publisher has started a campaign that whenever she sees a nonsense review like the one above, she marks it as 'unhelpful'. This makes it drop lower in the list of reviews and lowers the reviewers 'helpful' percentage. It's not much, but it's something we can do to say that while opinions are subjective--stupid, unhelpful reviews don't have to be tolerated. An author needs to overlook them and move on. Or blog about them for a little comic relief.
I'm still waiting for my plaque, by the way.
Find Family Secrets, On The Edge, my newest novel, Time To Kill, along with my other titles at Books We Love: http://bookswelove.net/authors/hill-jamie/
Visit my website: http://www.jamiehill.biz/
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jamie-Hill/135137799867321
 

SUNDAY SNIPPETS WITH GINGER #sundaysnips

Today, instead of sharing snippets of a book, I'm going to share an interview with Cassie from Betrayed .  I absolutely loved writing this book because it was based on a true story...something that actually happened to my sister when she met a man on the Internet.  Unbelievable how someone so charming and seemingly honest could take so many people on the ride of their life.  This was the first time I used an author's note to explain something to the reader.  Hope you'll give it a try.  I'm working on a sequel:  Deceived.  I guess from the titles, you can tell she doesn't have the best of luck with men.

“Go on   Get out there.  You promised to do this, remember?”  *Ginger pushing Cassie onto the stage*

*Cassie digs in her heels* “Okay, okay, I’m going, but I’d like to remind you that you’ve already put me through hell in that friggin’ book of yours.”

*She approaches the microphone and taps it* “Can everyone hear me?”  *smiles* “My name is Cassie Fremont and I’m the head female character in Betrayed. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to share with you that Ginger hasn’t already divulged in the story.  God knows she told you everything. *rolls eyes* I guess nothing is sacred when it comes to novels.”

*Pulls up nearby stool and inches her butt onto it. Heaves a big sigh, and runs her hands along her slacks while peering into the bright lights over the crowd.*  “Well, I promised her I’d make an appearance today, along with everyone else she’s invited, so I’ll get on with it.”

*Shrugs* “I’m a dolt   What can I say?  I found myself divorced, middle-aged and lonely.  I share a home with my mother because I don’t want her to live alone, but she pretty much keeps to her own part of the house. I have a lot of spare time so I entertain myself with the Internet. Don’t  we all spend time on the computer? Well, I happened across a dating site one night…big deal   I figured it wouldn’t hurt to join and see what happened.  I never expected anyone… Okay, that’s a lie.  I wouldn’t have joined if I hadn’t hoped someone would notice my post.  I just didn’t expect it would turn out like it did.”

*Cassie rises, pulls microphone from stand and walks toward edge of stage.* “I admit I was flattered at all of Evan’s flowery words and his Texas accent, but I have no idea what happened to my common sense.  I’m quite sure everyone was stunned to learn I let a virtual stranger move into my house… and my bed. *gazes down at stage*  I guess if you’ve never been afraid of growing old alone, you can’t fathom why I did what I did.”

*Pauses, pinches the bridge of her nose, then peers out at the audience again*
“I should have listened to my sister and brother, but I didn’t.  Instead, I flew into a rage and wrote them off.  For two long years, they weren’t part of my life, but I was so wrapped up in myself and Evan, I didn’t miss them until things got so bad I had no where else to turn.”

*Shakes her head* “Hey, talking about this is depressing the hell out of me.  I’ve moved on to newer pastures.  If you want to know the whole story, you’ll ust have to buy a copy of Betrayed…*stares at the ceiling for a moment* “Boy, was I ever.”

*Walks back to stand and replaces microphone* “I can’t say it was a pleasure being here today, because no one likes to admit being an idiot, but it happens.  All I can say is if I pull another idiotic stunt, I sincerely hope my sister will have the courtesy to forgo writing another book about it. I could write a journal about her stupidity, but I haven’t.  *looks backstage and flashes a glare, then exits to applause*

I’d like to thank my sis for being so gracious and honoring her word to be my guest today.   Betrayed http://www.amazon.com/author/gingersimpson. 
is available on my Amazon page at

Now, hop on over to the other participants and appreciate what they have to share:

http://www.jamiehill.biz (Jamie Hill)
http://triciamg.blogspot.com (Tricia McGill)http://romancingscifi.blogspot.com/ (Vijaya Schartz)http://connievines.blogspot.com (Connie Vines)

FRIDAY FREEBITS WITH GINGER #frifreebits

The following is a true story...a name has been changed to protect the innocent...uh, injured,and hopefully explain why I have no post planned.I'd just finished my physical therapy for the primary lympedema the doctor diagnosed. I fastened my seat belt and turned to my husband.  "Before we start home, are we going by the kids house?""Yeah, if you're feeling up to it."  Kelly started the truck. "I need to pick up my tarp and hooks in case it rains."I feel fine, so let's do it.  I'm not sure what lymphedema entails, but the massage and leg wraps sure feel good. Even though I love Heidi, I'm just not so sure treatment is worth driving over an hour each way.""If it helps, you need to keep coming, Greta."  He pulled into our kid's driveway and stopped behind their truck.I jumped out of the truck and started for the house while Kelly looked for the tarp our DIL said she'd leave in the p/u bed.  I knew there was a lip on the concrete, but totally forgot until my toe caught on it and I greeted the cement with a loud "oomph.""Damn it."  Hubby rushed to my side.  "Are you all right? Roll over on your back."I had no air in my lungs as I hadn't breathed since landing on my knees and skinning the palms on both hands.  Everything stung.  "Just let me lay here  minute. I'm still trying to grasp reality."When my breath returned and I was able to roll over and sit up, I peered at my red and blood-dotted palms, then examined my knee. OMG.  The pain overcame the surprise of splatting flat on the cement patio.  I was so stunned, I didn't even care if anyone saw."You need help up?  Hubby offered a hand.  "You looked like you fell in slow motion."I accepted his help and stood on wobbly and painful legs Slow motion, my ass, the ground came up and met me so fast, I never saw it coming, but I somehow managed to navigate the steps up the deck where I was greeted by my grandson...this moment began 6-9 weeks of recuperation...One week of which I have already slept and sat for almost 23 hours of each day of the last week in a recliner because my left leg is swollen and painful.  I'm taking two pain pills every six hours and trying to be a trooper, but in reality, I suspect this is only the beginning for me and falling.Mercury is no longer in retrograde, and although I never believed in how the alignment of the planets can affect one's life, I'm a believer now.  This has been a painful and stressful time and I have no other explanation.  I could write a book.
Jump over to my friend Juliet Waldon's page and see if she's fairing better than I am.
at the ER
My new attire...big enough to fit my linebacker leg.

Have You Considered Bone Marrow Donation? by Jamie Hill

The caption for the video below reads, "Less than 500 people in the United States have Diamond-Blackfan anemia, a life-threatening blood disease. One family in St. Louis County represents four of those cases, the children of Tim and Maggie Murry. All four of the Murry's sons, Sean, Patrick, Danny, and Timmy were diagnosed with the disease at birth. All of the boys will need bone marrow transplants as the only hope for living long, healthy lives."
Tim Murry was a classmate and friend of mine in elementary and high school. I wasn't aware of his children's disease until a few years ago when Tim asked for help organizing a Bone Marrow Drive in my town, (where he grew up and I still live.) I agreed and called upon several other friends and former classmates to help out. We held the drive at three local churches one Sunday morning. It was relatively easy, a matter of helping people fill out some simple paperwork and showing them how to swab the inside of their cheek. There's an age limit, donors must be between 18 and 55 years of age, so lots of people older than that donated money instead.
Later we found out that several matches were made from our drive, though sadly none for the Murry brothers. Their loving extended family continues to organize bone morrow drives across Kansas and Missouri in hopes of finding a match. I believe they told me that one match could help two of their boys with similar blood types (or something along those lines.) The boys are smart, sweet and stinkin' cute. How can anyone resist wanting to help after you watch the video below? (It's only two minutes long.)    My heart goes out to the Murry family. I'm proud to call Tim and his pretty wife Maggie my friends. I gladly swabbed and encourage everyone within the age bracket to do so. It can be done by mail in the privacy of your own home if there are no drives near you. Find the details at: http://www.deletebloodcancer.org/
The goal is to save lives. With your help, that goal is possible. So com'on! Get swabbed!
Jamie Hillhttp://bookswelove.net/authors/hill-jamie/  

USING INDIAN SIGN LANGUAGE BY GINGER SIMPSON

Since I consider myself a western historical author, don't be surprised if a lot of my posts from now on deal with the American Indians of the past.  I'm stealing a few of my old posts from my western blog, Cowboy Kisses, because I didn't get much exposure in 2011.  So...enjoy learning a little history.  :)

I'd love to be able to greet you in American Indian sign language, but the gestures were limited to only the most common words.

So many languages were spoken among the plains Indians, and most were radically different from one another, so the only way tribes could communicate among themselves was through the use of their hands. Sign language proved an effective means of communication for simple needs.

Since horses were such an important part of all tribes and a demonstration of wealth and success, it stands to reason the gesture of the index and third finger of the right hand straddling the index finger of the left was something often seen.

Trading buffalo skins for food or identifying oneself and tribe would be fine examples of times when sign language might be used. Eventually fur traders, trappers, and soldiers who came to the plains learned enough sign language to be able to freely communicate.  Each tribe had their own way of introducing themselves.  For example:  A Crow warrior declaring his tribe would hold his fist against his forehead with the palm side out.  A Commanche would imitate a snake's movement with a finger, and a member of the Sioux tribe would move their hand across their neck in a cutting motion.

Words were determined by varying factors: location, movement, handshape, and orientation.

Location = where the hand is placed...for example in front of the face as opposed to in front of the lower body.

Movement involves the way the hands move when forming the sign.  Some require slashing motions while others are stationary, or move either above the head or arch to the side. 

Handshape is determined just as it sounds; the shape the hand takes on when signing.  For example, "I Know" reqires the hand to form the 'L' shape.

Orientation refers to the placement of the palm and the role one might play when acting as a base from which the other hand moves.   

Unless you take a class and learn the ins and outs, it all sounds pretty confusing to me.  So, I would recommend you learn only one sign.  To describe my blog, you would demonstrate "good" by placing the right hand horizontally in front of the breast, and move it forward. That's all you need to say.  :)

Since I can't say what I want in Indian Sign, I'll just use a beautiful graphic to get my thoughts across.  Of course, he's signing buffalo, but I couldn't find one that was saying 'good-bye'...so just imagine someone waving.  :)

www.hamilton.edu

Short, Sweet, and to the Point

(...or, the art of blurb-writing, by Jamie Hill)    "Man hates whale, man pursues whale, whale destroys man." 
Name that book in ten seconds.
Does this help?
"When Ishmael sets sail on the whaling ship Pequod one cold Christmas Day, he has no idea of the horrors awaiting him out on the vast and merciless ocean. The ship’s strange captain, Ahab, is in the grip of an obsession to hunt down the famous white whale, Moby Dick, and will stop at nothing on his quest to annihilate his nemesis."
Apparently back in the 1800's authors weren't required to write a blurb--just the book. Somehow they managed to sell a few copies anyway. Today, with more than a million different books available on Amazon, the blurb and the cover are the only things a reader might ever see about your book. 
An eye-catching cover is a given. Without that, busy readers might not even stop to give your blurb a chance.
A catchy title might get you a second look. You've drawn the reader in. Now snag him or her with your blurb!
The blurb sets up the story, but unlike a synopsis, it shouldn't give too much away. Tease the reader with the plot. Give them a hint of what the book is about, make them want to read more.
For my novel-length romantic suspense books which show two characters' point-of-views, I like a two paragraph blurb. One about her, one about him. For example:
Family Secrets

As if stumbling over a dead body isn't enough, Crystal Cartwright finds herself playing surrogate mother to two small boys when their father--her neighbor--doesn't come home. The kids aren't much trouble, but the thieves, drug dealers and kidnappers they're about to encounter are.

Detective Jack Dunlevy, a cop down on his luck, draws the cases no one else wants. A simple investigation involving a dead homeless man quickly changes as Crystal enlists Jack's help with the children. Drawn into a mystery that none of them could have anticipated, they're faced with a situation that will change their lives forever. *~~**~~*
Family Ties
With a couple of dead bodies thrown in, Detective Brady Marshall's stolen goods case has just become a lot more interesting. His love life takes a turn for the better when he meets Gina Morris, a feisty waitress at the club where the latest victim has surfaced. A happily unattached ladies' man, Brady isn't looking to settle down. But after meeting the beautiful Italian spitfire, his thoughts are shifting in that direction.
  Gina Morris doesn't date cops. Until she meets Brady, that is, and gets won over by his dogged persistence and winning smile. With things in her past that are best left unspoken, Gina hesitates to get too close, but can't resist the handsome detective's charm. When his case runs smack dab into her past life, both of them are forced to make choices they never dreamed possible in an attempt to salvage their relationship, and possibly even save their lives. *~~**~~* Family HonorBodies of dead women are piling up and Detective Melanie Curtis is doing everything she can to solve the ‘Cheerleader Slasher’ case. Surprised to discover her chief has requested help from the FBI, she’s even more shocked when she meets the sexy FBI special agent sent to assist her.

SSA Nate Willis tracks serial killers for a living. The slasher case is a challenge, but nothing compared to the feisty police detective he finds leading the investigation. Their attraction is swift and mutual, but the killer is escalating and they need to solve the case before they can focus on their personal relationship. When the unthinkable happens and the investigation is turned upside down, is their chance for happiness also in jeopardy? *~~**~~*
Fun factoid (okay, fun for me, anyway). The first line of each of these books mentions a dead body. So do the blurbs. That's my style. Every author should have his or her own.
A few things to remember:
Don't write one line only, or merely use a line from a review as your blurb. (Somebody else wrote that.) Come up with some thoughts of your own. It's your book, after all.
Do double check your blurb for typos and consistency. Ask anyone who proofreads your manuscript to look at the blurb and make sure it's clean and compelling. If it's ho-hum, you need to know before the book gets published.
You spent a long time writing the book. Spend a bit longer making sure the blurb is going to get your masterpiece noticed.
Find these books and more at Books We Love:http://bookswelove.net/authors/hill-jamie/    

SUNDAY SNIPPETS #sundaysnips

This week, I'm sharing six paragraphs from a scene in Time Tantrums, in which a pioneer woman and a modern day female attorney switches places and time...or and husbands who think the woman is his wife.  In this scene, starts, Mariah's journey to the future:
“Pa,can we stop please? I need to pee real bad.” Jacob’s voice held an urgent tone.
Frank reined the horses next to a boulder.“Here ya go, son, this should give you some privacy.
Jacob scurried behind the large rock and reappeared, moments later, fasteninghis pants and smiling.“Thanks, Pa, I feel better now.”
When Jacob was back in his seat, Frankflicked the reins. “Giddyap,” he yelled.
The horses failed to respond. Instead, they whinnied,snorted and reared back on theirhind legs. One animal turned its face, displaying eyes wide with fear. The distinct rattle of more than one snake came from nearby,and Mariah instinctively knew Jacob had disturbed their nest.
“Rattlesnakes!” Frank had heard it, too. “Hold on, everyone.” He leaned back and yankedthe reins. “C’mon, girls, calm down. Whoa... whoa.”

The wagon rolled backwardsand jostled from side to side on the uneven ground. The frightened animals boltedinto a dead run through deep grass and thistlesoff the beaten path. Mariah grasped the side and bottomof the seat so tightlythat splinters piercedher fingers. Concernedwith the safetyof her children,she sucked her bottomlip between her teeth and glanced  over her shoulder. Callie andJacob clung to each other,their eyes saucer-like.
Available at Amazon.
Now, for more Sunday Snippets, visit my friends at the urls below:
http://www.jamiehill.biz (Jamie Hill)
http://triciamg.blogspot.com (Tricia McGill)http://romancingscifi.blogspot.com/ (Vijaya Schartz)http://connievines.blogspot.com (Connie Vines)

FRIDAY FREEBITS #frifreebits

The smell of decomposition hung heavy in the air of the small bedroom—a nauseating odor that defied description. A homicide detective in Philadelphia for nearly five years, Michelle Wallace still found dealing with death unsettling. 
She clutched a tissue to her nose to help block the stench. Nerves beneath her skin shuddered as she surveyed the posed body of the deceased. On the queen-sized bed, a naked woman in her late twenties or early thirties lay with arms crossed over her breasts, her blue eyes fixed in a permanent stare toward the ceiling. Her mouth, lips painted bright red, twisted in what was probably her last attempt to scream. The piece of rope embedded around her throat left ligature marks on her otherwise flawless skin. 
The room hummed with activity while uniformed officers with gloved hands went through drawers and the closets. No one dared touch the body until the medical examiner arrived. Michelle didn’t need confirmation. She already knew. In an unbidden vision, she’d seen the bits and pieces unfold. The occurrences weren’t frequent or regular, and when young, she’d tried to seek an explanation from her mother but got only a dismissive wave and words uttered about an overactive imagination. Shell’s gaze shifted to the nightstand, noticing the novel next to the lamp, titled The Perfect Crime. 
Would there be ramifications if her fellow officers knew she authored the book. Her pseudonym, consisting of her initials and her mother’s maiden name, kept her writing persona separate from her professional side. Although proud of her work, she dared not brag. The guys would never let her live down the fact she’d used facts from past cases to pattern her storylines. Only Mom and her best friend, Naomi, knew about Michelle’s fiction passion and they’d been sworn to secrecy. No book signings or personal appearances would be scheduled until she wrote that breakthrough novel, earning her rights as an author and enabling her to leave the force. 
Her attention flipped back to the hectic scene transpiring around her, especially the three officers ogling the shapely corpse. Shooting them an icy glare, she motioned them away. “Geez, move it along, you guys.” She rolled her eyes, disgusted at the lengths some men went to for a glimpse of a bared breast—even on a dead woman. 
Finishing his conversation with the building super in the hallway, Michelle’s partner, Tony Rizetti, strode inside. He eyed the body, his brow raised. “How long you think she‘s been dead, Meesh?” 
God, she hated his nickname for her. Why couldn’t he call her Shell like everyone else? So many times she’d asked, but the sparkle in his eyes when he defied her showed his stubborn side. 

A Novel Murder is available on my Amazon page if I've tempted you to read more.  :)

Now, hop on over to Juliet Waldron's and see what Friday has in store for you there:

http://yesterrdayrevisitedhere.blogspot.com/

"Way to go, Paula! Way to go!"

by Jamie Hill

"And they all lived happily ever after." I totally concur. I'm a nut for Disney movies, Hallmark movies, Lifetime movies...wherever I can find them, as long as they have a HEA (happily ever after) ending.

To sit through a movie for hours and have it end unsatisfactorily is a bummer for me. I want to see the couple get together in the end (if not sooner.) The bad guy should get his comeuppance, the mystery should be solved. Come on, people, don't leave me hanging. Those movies that end suddenly with a black screen and I have to ask my husband what the hell just happened... No thanks.

As a reader and lover of romance, of course I want the books I read to end HEA. When I started writing, before I knew many publishers wanted HEA, I wrote it anyway. It just felt right. First and foremost, I had to write what I liked to read.

(The big exception is when I write horror. Horror, I like to leave unsettled, hanging so you're wondering... huh? But that's a whole 'nother animal.) Romance, to me, needs HEA.

I don't mind HFN, though these acronyms are getting a little tedious. *LOL* HFN, or happy for now, is sometimes necessary. When I'm writing a short story that takes place over a matter of hours, it's not always feasible for the characters to fall in love. We settle for HFN, and know that they're going to give it their best shot and see what happens. Lots of movies end that way. We don't know for sure what's going to happen with the couple, but they're going to have fun trying to make it work for a while, anyway.


Two of my favorite movies have the best HEA endings. In An Officer and a Gentleman, when Richard Gere walks through the paper factory with the theme song pounding in the background, my heart melts. "Way to go, Paula! Way to go!"


 


In Pretty Woman, when Richard Gere (do you sense a theme?) climbs the fire escape to 'rescue' Julia Roberts, and she rescues him right back...sob. I could watch those endings over and over again.



My Blame Game series ends happily ever after. In fact, I follow the main couple's family for twenty years, and in the epilogue everyone gets their own HEA. If you like romantic happy endings as much as I do, I hope you check the series out!


Find all my titles at my publisher's website, Books We Lovehttp://bookswelove.net/authors/hill-jamie/

NO MORE WEDNESDAY FEATURE -GINGER'S IMPROVISING

Counting Coup? stuntkills.blogspot.comI'm sure many of you have heard the term 'coup' (pronounced coo or ku) used in western movies.  Coup points were awarded to distinguish the bravery and daring of an Lakota Sioux warrior.  Originally, coup was awarded when one touched an enemy with hand or coup stick, but later, other acts were deemed worth of coup.  At the same time, symbols played an important part in recognition of said deeds.  The first warrior to make contact earned the right to wear a golden eagle feather in an upright position at the rear of his head.  The second brave to touch the same enemy garnered entitlement to wear an eagle feather, but tilted to the left.  The third could wear the feather horizonitally, while the fourth and last wore a buzzard feather which hung vertically.

It's important to note that coup was earned for touching, rather than killing the enemy, and men, women and children counted in that category.  Also, the coup must have been witnessed and sworn to by another member of the tribe, and any warrior who had coup counted upon himself bore great dishonor.

Not all coup was achieved by touch.  A warrior who killed a combatant hand-to-hand, earned the right to display a painted red hand upon his
www.native-net.org Chief Sitting Bullclothing or horse.  Anyone rescuing a friend from battle earned a painted cross on his clothing, and to have ridden the friend upon one's mount may have earned dual crosses to display.  Stripes on leggings also indicated coup status, such as red vertical signified someone who had been wounded.  Notched feathers had significance as did the number of horse hooves painted on someone's clothing.  Stolen mounts were not only a way to garner status, but horses were considered valuable assets in bartering as well as determining one's status in the tribe.

www.pinterest.comThe number four plays an important role in the rituals and beliefs of the Lakota people: Four classes of Gods (superior, associate subordinate, spirits), four elements (sun, moon, sky, stars,) four direction, West, North, East and South,) four times (day, night, month and year,) four parts to all plants (root, stem, leaves,  fruit,) four classes of animals (crawling, flying, four-legged, two-legged,) and four phases of life (infancy, childhood, maturity, and old age.)

As important as the four, also the "round" symbolized the earth, the sun, the moon, and the sky.  Likewise, the winds circled the earth,  the round bodies of animals and plant stems.  The tepee was built in a circular pattern, and the contents arranged likewise.  As with warrior status, the walls inside and out bore the achievements of the lodge dweller.  The historical legacy of a family was often displayed in drawings for all to witness.

From the quilled, beaded, and painted garments they wore, to their decorated horses, lodges and bodies, our brothers and sisters of the Lakota Sioux are a very spiritual group.  They have been for documented centuries and much of the history I've shared today has been garnered from a wonderful book called "The Sioux," by Royal B. Hassrick.