One Little Indian

There are lots of things that come and go around here, but one thing tends to remain the same.  Grayson is always ready to play Indians.  His fascination started when he was three years old, and his Nana told him stories about her ancestors.  That Halloween he wanted an Indian costume, which his GaGa made for him (I wasn't sewing yet).  She wisely made it a size too big, so that even though it's almost too small now, he's gotten two good years of playtime out of it. 

The costume came with a pouch for holding arrows and such, but which Grayson promptly declared to be his "loon cloth" (he says it the right way now, but to us it'll always be a loon-cloth).  I have mountains of memories of him playing "naked Indian" in nothing but his beloved loon-cloth and a head-dress.  He's outgrown that, embarassment clouding his enjoyment when people giggle at his "nakedness."

Just like any good Indian, his name has evolved with him over the years as well.  His first Indian name was Hiawatha, chosen after a drum and poetry session in which I read him the famous poem.  Over the summer he bacame Hoho-Ashki (meaning fishboy in Navajo) because he lived in the swimming pool.  Now he is young Chief Red Cloud, chosen after a war chief we read about here. 

We've just begun studying the local tribes and customs in preparation for an upcoming trip to the Indian mounds here in Alabama.  So, if you see us out and about this week, I'm afraid you won't be seeing Grayson with me.  You will see the fearless Red Cloud, in full costumed glory.  For your sake, do not giggle nor make the grave mistake of calling him "Grayson." 

Comments

[julia]

your blogs make me wanna have little boys when i grow up.... hahaha... at least a year or more from now... i would LOVE to see Chief Red Cloud sometime.. maybe you should study the Pilgrim heritage next and come visit Virginia:)

[Chris in Oxford]

I love the photo, he looks so serious! Great post. The more of your stories that I read the happier I am to have a boy!

[Kailani]

He must be thrilled at your upcoming trip! How exciting for him!

[Don't Tase Me Bro]

DAM REDSKINS
Savages, all.