Taking a Breather in Packrat

Yesterday was so busy. The health fair had over 500 people, many here for the pow wow. I had thought that my booth was purely informational and that I could leave it now and then, but then someone took off with a stuffed animal (A STUFFED ANIMAL!!! What barbarian could do such a thing?!) and a book. I had the animals to represent our clans, and the book is about our history (but that didn't hurt me as much since I still have a good supply). The book wasn't really stolen although a little old lady did carry it off; nearly every booth there gave away free things, and she wasn't trying to be sly, so I'm sure she thought it was a freebie. I had things I usually give to visitors, too, but didn't think of them until I got there (since I give them whenever someone visits, and I do give away the book). Since someone bagged my deer almost immediately I didn't want to leave my booth unattended.

My handouts went quickly. A lot of people stopped by but not to ask about history (many of them are tribal members anyway); they came to play with or pet my animals (and few of them were children).

One of the animals was a sock monkey that my grandmother made for me when I was a little girl. She's over 40 years old. She doesn't represent any clans (although I told the chief she represents who he comes from); she was there because she's dressed in a village dress, an "Indian dress". She used to sit on a shelf in the living room, but I thought she belonged in my office because of her dress and origin; she shows how someone thought - of course a sock monkey for a native child would dress as natives do.

She can also be better seen and appreciated in my office.

People came by to share their memories of their own sock monkeys or what their grandmothers made for them. They loved how she was dressed. One of my cousins came; he's almost 40 (the first diaper I ever changed) and he said he still had the monkey my grandmother made for him. She'd made rabbits for all of us, too, and he wished he'd kept his, but he was a kid and didn't appreciate them like he does now. I felt warmed all over to know that he appreciates what Granny made for him and preserves it.

Afterwards I had visitors and left a bit early to take pictures of one of our buildings that burned because the editor wasn't here right then (the firemen were still there, so I didn't get closer than across the street); I'm the back up reporter and photographer.

I went home to take care of my furry babies so they wouldn't have to wait until after midnight to be fed; I had to get right back to the tribal complex for the pow wow. My favorite night is our traditional night, when we do tribal dances; last night my uncle's flag was flown; two of my relatives were honored as Senior Man and Woman of the Year; the special for my late great aunt was held last night instead of tonight, so I was able to take part AND I don't have to be there tonight.

I've had a busy day with visitors so am here after hours, but I feel "free", like I can breathe a bit because I'm not going to the pow wow tonight. I can't dance (unless for a one-time kind of thing, like the special for my great aunt) so would just sit there, and the only contests tonight are in the children's and junior divisions. No, thanks. When it comes to kids, a little goes an awfully long way; I like to see them out there, but I don't want to sit through a whole night of it. I'll be back tomorrow, when S comes.

I'm ready. I was blue and upset before, but being so busy and seeing old friends and relatives - plus meeting some for the first time (and having a good cry yesterday over my aunt) has allowed me to be a small part of the festive energy around here.