So, today Olathe Grandma inquired how much it cost to make copies on our home copier. I mentally fumbled around because the latent accountant in me could NOT resist the math. I finally said around half a penny which is probably an overstatement. THEN, she said “Oh, I pay 5 cents at Dillons!”. I could practically hear the wheels begin grinding into motion. So, I foresee some copying in my future because really, how can I refuse my grandma? I’ll just add this to the duties that always start with “You can get on the Internet, right?”
So, lately, I have been questioning my grandma on some of our family history - we have been in the Olathe area for a very long time and I was trying to establish who came when, where, and how. Let me note that while we have been here a long time, unfortunately, that means squat. You see, "longevity" doesn't always equal "distinguished" - my great-grandpa and his four brothers were known for being the "town drunks". While drunken moonshining is Cool History for the current generation, it's STILL Shameful Past for my grandma's. Anyway, I did find out something interesting (or at least to ME and since this blog is for me, by me and about me......) I should start by saying that Arun’s middle name was given to honor my oldest great-uncle who was like a grandfather to me. My great-uncle died nearly 6 years ago and I STILL get teary-eyed because I miss him. I just found out yesterday that my great-uncle was named after my great-great-great grandfather - this “3G” grandfather was born on the Blackbob Reservation that used to be near here (for those interested, it was where Heritage Park is now). And they had JUST moved from a reservation up north near Leavenworth. The current generation has always been curious about the whole Native American connection because it is shrouded in such secrecy. Several of the older relatives “way back when” used to vehemently deny the connection because it was shameful - keep in mind, this was the early 1900s NOT like now when it is hip and cool to be ethnic. Furthermore, I suspect many, many Americans have stories such as ours.
Anyway, this story has NO point whatsoever other than my getting a chuckle that my own little half-breed Indian was named after ANOTHER little half-breed from the mid 1800s. How fucking American is THAT?
A Desperate Housewife Stoops to Desperate Measures
11 comments:
I love learning about family history. My family is so scattered that it is nearly impossible to track it all down. I am, however, distantly related to 3 former presidents and a famous actor which I think is pretty cool.
Also, I am totally jealous of your tub. I can just imagine relaxing in there with some bubbles, candles, and a nice big margarita...
Dee,
What I love MOST re: family history is just learning how things were "back then" and how this area was settled. My father's family has a rich oral history whereas my mother's family has virtually NONE. Leavenworth Grandma doesn't like to talk about her family's past, yet avidly explores the past of other families - she is rabid about Native American history (ironically, because there is none on HER side). I would love to know more about her family, but she won't talk about it. It's frustrating because HER mother grew up in Japan in the early 1900s - imagine the stories THERE.
Yes, I adore my tub also - I love to sit in there and read gossip ragazines. I feel like a queen in that tub, all high and mighty looking down at the latest celebrity folly. ha!
So Arun is two types of "Indian?"
Do the kitties provide some E.V. or are they too fast for his scoot-slither at the moment?
My family probably bought booze from your family. :) My great-grandmother didn't talk much about family history, but one day she shared a gem about how some of her family had been kicked run out of a state for stealing horses. She also revealed that her maternal grandfather was Native American. So, maybe Arun will hear her family secrets!
Also jealous of your tub. Mine is so dinky, I want a big one where I can soak up to my neck. Margaritas would be a great bonus.
Monkey,
2 types of Indian? We are so far removed from the Native American stuff that it is hardly worth mentioning. The kitties provide LOTS of EM, but yes, they know better to hang around too long.
Amanda,
My great-grandpa served a bit of time for stealing a COW. Funny now, so not then.
All,
The downside of the tub is now that I am Spoiled. If we ever have to move..... never mind - I can't bear to think about it. :-)
Nice Cobra pose Arun's doing there.
Since Kansas was once part of "Indian Territory," I'm sure there's probably quite a few "white" people who have some Native American blood. Or maybe not.
What a shameful tragedy the whole Indian Territory idea turned out to be. The way the Native Americans were forced to migrate there, then punished after the Civil War for having sided with the Confederacy (even tho many Native Americans remained neutral or sided with the Union), and then finally auctioning most of it off to white settlers. So shameful.
BTW: What tribe did your “3G” grandfather belong to?
Rozanne,
We don't know which tribe our grandfather's mother belonged to - it was that big of a secret. There was barely even an acknowledgement of it - one of the grandfather's brothers used to claim they were French-Canadian to explain the darkness.
I agree with you - probably many Americans have a similar story such as ours.
Rozanne,
Meant to say 3G Grandfather's mother. Obviously, I never claim to have Native American in me because it was THAT FAR BACK. :-) It's more the fact that it was so secretive that is interesting to me.
My Great Grandma was Cherokee, that's all I know. lol I never have asked about our family history at all but I'd love to know.
I would love to have a tub like that in my house. (sigh) Did buy a hot tub last year but i have to go outside to get in it!
MY husband and I both have stories like that. There is most likely "an Indian in the woodpile" in both of our families but no one from that generation will talk about it because they think they will die of shame and have begged us not to talk about it or find out more until they are dead, which of course means we never will because they are the only ones who can tell us anything for sure.
Hi Cagey,
Haven't been reading my bloggies lately because we are on vacation-but, i had a moment and thought i would check in with you. LOVE the new look.
BaaaUtiful!
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