Welcome to the mysterious and beautiful world of the Cherokees!

We are Frankie and Al Herrin.  We would like to be your guides on a journey into the culture and history of our people, the Cherokees. As children growing up in the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, we heard the stories told by our Elders about "The Real People", the Cherokees of bygone times. Now, we are Elders and tell the stories to our children and grandchildren and, if you wish, to you.

Our home is on the beautiful Illinois River near Tahlequah, the Capitol of the Cherokee Nation. Our emblem, at the top of the page, symbolizes the mystic harmony between nature, the spirit world and our lives. The printing around our emblem is in the Cherokee alphabet invented by Sequoyah. In the Cherokee language, (ah-mah-yule-dee) means "by the water". The (tskwah-yee: Great White Heron) was a Spirit Bird, a sacred symbol of peace, to our ancient Cherokee ancestors.

AGALIHA (THE SUN IS SHINING)

May 7, 2008

Back in March, I wrote that Frankie and I were going through a difficult time.  Last spring, almost a year ago, Frankie's spirit changed--a darkness came over her and she lost interest in all the things that we had always enjoyed.  By June, her ability to meet the responsibilities she had always competently fulfilled, as a wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, community leader, church leader and business woman became increasingly difficult for her.  She would lie awake at night shaking in panic at the prospect of some simple task she was to face the next day.  She became unable to prepare a meal, sweep the floor, or make a reservation in our B&B.  She stopped playing the piano, going fishing with me, and all the other things she once loved to do.

Several medical doctors and spiritual healers have helped us search for the cause of Frankie's depression and a medicine to cure her, without significant effect.  In January, Frankie and I made a trip to Texas to visit our kids and grandkids who live there.  While there, we had lunch in Austin with a doctor and his wife who have been our friends for years.  After we returned home, our doctor friend called me and said that, during our visit in Austin, he observed things in Frankie's speech and movements that led him to believe her condition could be due to a physical condition such as Parkinson's Disease or a brain tumor.  He suggested that we consult a neurologist for tests that could provide information on possible causes for her condition.  We discussed this with our doctor in March, and he agreed that further tests are needed to correctly diagnose the cause of her problem.  He scheduled her for a "sleep study", an MRI and other tests.  The sleep study is pending and a CT Scan of her head revealed no abnormality.

 Two weeks ago, we saw a Neurologist who put her through some simple tests.  He said that she shows some symptoms of the early stages of Parkinson's Disease, and prescribed Sinemet, which she has been taking for two weeks and which seems to be having a positive effect.  We are both encouraged by the changes we are seeing--encouraged enough to agree to open our B&B for the coming summer.

We appreciate the patience and understanding of our family, friends, and customers who have supported us with their love and prayers through this difficult time. In the meantime, we will continue to treasure our life together, one day at a time.

We would like for you to visit us often here at our Home Page.  We will always have a Cherokee story for you.  I hope you enjoy the following story. For  Story,  click here.

For more writings by Al Herrin from White Bear Publishing, click here.