For the record, I've never "checked a box" about that, ever. And the connection is close enough I've always felt a little weird about *not* doing it. I'm not embarrassed, right? But it is only a little, and I wouldn't be saying it because I need anything. (And my grandfather? Kind of the self-hating mixed-breed from the Western...definite proof that I'm not adopted, even though I don't work my shit out by spreading slurs around--he died when I was nine, but the older I get, I *do* feel some commonality there, even though I don't drink and I can't allay people's suspicions by saying I'm Italian. Hard-fought education didn't save him, either, you know?(of all the threads through the generations. Sigh.) By the time I knew him, though, he had a recognizably Native face there was no hiding from(and the person in pop culture that made me think of him, outside of the dad in Smoke Signals, used to be Muhammed Ali, of all people--I was a little kid and he was big, brown, Southern and around a lot.

But saying that as a little blonde girl in a wheelchair was a way to make my special *teachers* think I was weird, too. Not just the kids. But you really don't know what everyone's grandpa looks like from what they look like.(And it wasn't "My god, twins," just that, to my unformed brain. they shared a vibe or something. And Grandpa *had* been a prizefighter as a young man...he just kind of wasn't good at it. Probably got just the pain and head injuries.) ETA: I hope if there is somewhere Grandpa is, besides in someone's frustrated eyeroll or urge to call someone a son-of-a-bitch, I hope he's been in Eternity long enough not to be freaked out about being compared to a black draft-dodging peace freak. I've always felt good about associating them, even if he might not. But maybe you really do get beyond things. Or maybe I'm here and he's not. Psych.(And maybe he was right when he told my mom "You don't have to do this," about marrying my dad, and I'm supposed to be different, too.

Today we celebrate the birth of DebetEsse! I hope you are being spoiled today and that the year to come brings all you hope for and more.

Peanut butter crunch cereal:

Drive by as I am off cross state to be there for the finish of my 16-y-o great nephew's triathalon. He lives about a half mile away from me here in Otter Lake and I watch him run and bike by my house often as he has trained. He has done a couple already, and is on swim team in school. His dad just messaged that he has already finished the swim.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Debet!

Happy Birthday Debet!

Wow, my nephew came in 1st in his age group! 2:56:58 on the 1600 meter swim, 23.4 Mile Bike, 10k Run. He had no clue until they announced it. Impressive.

Laura, that's pretty badass!

His group was 15-19 year-olds. He was 13th overall for the men. Seriously badass.

Happy birthday, Debet!