The Blessing Way (1970)

In the context of Native American belief systems, "medicine" is an Anglicized term referring of a range of concepts that focus on the connections between an individual or group and both the natural and the spiritual worlds. These connections at times seem to be harnessed to affect positive change that is generally discussed in terms of healing or reparation. To work or make "medicine" often entails a holistic approach that promotes balance, harmony, and equilibrium, but that also, and very pragmatically, accepts that balance, harmony, and equilibrium may manifest in a time, place, and manner other than that requested.

An officer of the law who is in charge of post-mortem investigations when cause of death is under suspicion or during homicide cases. Medical examiners are responsible for determining cause of death, and their opinion, expertise, and any information they collect during the course of an investigaton can be called upon in court as evidence. In some cases, no medical training is required to fill the position; in other cases, medical examiners are required to hold medical degrees, in addition to having pursued advanced training in forensics and pathology.

A type of rifle that is less than 26 inches in overall length, or that has a barrel shorter than 16 inches. This weapon is fired from the shoulder. A short-barreled rifle can be made by shortening a longer weapon or adding a shoulder stock to a short-barreled handgun. These firearms must be registered and are subject to transfer taxes.

A colorless and sweet-smelling flammable liquid, diethyl ether was used in the past as an inhaled general anesthetic. Due to its flammability, diethyl ether has been replaced by halogenated ethers or nitrous oxide in hospitals.

A catapult is a relatively simple machine that uses non-explosive force to hurl objects far distances. Subjecting the throwing arm to extreme tension and releasing it like a giant spring is often complemented with the use of a counterweight to increase the momentum of the projectile as it is released.

The force and distance achieved by catapults lend themselves to descriptive language. When someone or something hurls through space at great speed, one can describe the motion as "catapulting through space."

A young tree with a girth less than four inches in diameter at breast height (DBH).

The movement of electrons through a substance or material, such as a wire.

Also referred to as a two-stroke engine, a two cycle engine is an internal combustion engine that requires two rotations or strokes of the piston to complete a revolution. Gasoline is fired by a spark plug, and this forces the piston downward. While the piston completes its first stroke, air and fuel are forced into the crankcase, forcing the piston back up, thus completing the second stroke and the engine revolution. Each revolution of the engine creates a single boost of power. Two-cycle engines are used in small, low-powered tools and vehicles with smaller engines, such as motorbikes or boat engines.

The component of a modern ammunition cartridge that is fired from a weapon. Before the invention of firearms, bullets were made of clay or stone and thrown with slings. Modern bullets are made of metal and are the component of the ammunition cartridge that is ejected from the weapon. The bullet hits the target, causing the damage of the gunshot. Bullet measurements are given in caliber (diameter in hundredths of an inch).

The hollow, cylindrical portion of a gun through which bullets or shot are discharged. Gun barrels vary in length; the length affects the volume, accuracy, and velocity of the shot, as well as the ease of handling of the firearm itself. Depending on the type of gun, it may be loaded from the front or rear of the barrel.