My father's 110th birthday

Yes, it is again January 10, the birthday of Vincent Herman Feuerborn in Garnett, Kansas in the year 1900. The actual day he was born was, I think, the 9th (sam would know for sure), but the 10th is it in official family tradition, to make an amazing symmetry with the birthdays of brother and nephews. That is, my dad's oldest son Marvin Leon was born January 13, the same day as the birthday of my dad's brother Matt. Matt's son Leon (Marvin?) was born January 10; my dad's adopting the 10th rounded it out nicely. Like father like nephew, or some such.

The potluck-potlatch-birthday party last night was very engaging. A group of people who regularly hold a Twelfth Night celebration were part of the mix, and wore their TN regalia, crown and scepter, and merry mein. And there were tribal members participating to chant at appropriate moments, as in the Giveaway, for instance, and much cheering, applause, and celebrating of the birthday. The Giveaway featured blankets, cushions, quilts, candles, framed art photographs, bottles of shampoo and conditioner ... woven mats, sashes .... Dorothy and the whole procession of drum dancers went about the room distributing gifts and honors, first to her family and elders, which included but was not restricted to tribal members. It included elderly neighbors who had first been helpful when she came to this area, and people who had helped with her poetry-- a teacher, a fellow poet, and to my surprise, me. I was given a fine quilt and honored as mentor and fellow poet and helper, someone who set an example by being a fine person and by writing "four poems a week," demonstrating qualities of excellence and the necessary hard work ...

Got home after 9:00 and totally exhausted-- it was a blast.