Throw Like A Girl

The last day of 2014 seemed like a good time to recognize women all over that have learned to think big and believe in themself. The Little League World Series this year was dominated by a 13 year old ace, and Mo'nee Davis captured the hearts of baseball fans with her 70 mph pitches and her shut out game.   Even more than that, her desire to do well,  be part of a team and work hard.  Strong women come from all walks of life.  You most likely see her in your mother, a teacher or your wife.  I grew up with women like Gloria Steinmen, Ann Richards Queen Elizabeth,  and Stevie Nicks. I grew up with a mom that worked in a man's world as a CPA, and learned about social justice, hope and equality from them all.  I grew up believing that  I could do anything,  go to college,  carrying a chain saw for a living, dig postholes,  nail down the floor of our home when I was 7 months pregnant or fix the broken tractor. One of my  best memories was coaching my son's first baseball team and that season we went 10-0.  As my son grew up and left home, I missed hanging out at the baseball field, missed taking him ice fishing and learning together to tie flies for lures. "I throw 70 miles per hour -- that's throwing like a girl."  Mo,nee throwing like a girl is a good thing, has been redifined and we can be proud that we  have " Come a long way baby."

You've Been Ubbered

If you live near a large metropolitan area, you most likely are part of the sharing economy and have used Uber.  The share economy is growing with owners providing  services to  their peers by renting or trading out what they are not using.  There are DogVacay spots for your pet to stay while you are away.  There is RelayRides, Lyft or Liquid bike rentals to get you to your over night stay in say, a castle.  If you need a new outfit for the castle dinner you can use Poshmark to update to evening wear. I thought I was up-to-date with online shopping, social media and texting, instead of picking up the phone to call.  I grew up with checking the mailbox for letters and cards.  A phone that had a 20 foot cord so you could find privacy around the kitchen corner.  We use to meet and greet friends and family when they got off the plane at their arrival gate.  Eventually we evolved to waiting at the airport cell phone lot with curbside arrivals.  This Thanksgiving, instead of getting a ride to the airport, my son ordered me a ride to the airport, as he was not home, or in any condition to come home.  It was quick and efficient.  Sitting at the airport, I realized, there was no good-bye hugs, no parting I love you's, just a vague thought of, you have just been ubbered.

Texas Blubonnets

My first brush with the law in Texas was in picking the state flower, which I did not know was against the law, or for that manner, what a Bluebonnet was. The Highway Beautification Act was signed into law on October 22, 1965 and Lady Bird Johnson made it her mission to plant wildflowers along the road ways in Texas. Her legacy is the beauty of the Bluebonnet.  It  takes years to establish a patch of Bluebonnets and it takes 10-12 pounds of seeds per acre. This fall I will seed our acreage in Texas, possibly in Gunter with the state flowers.  10 pounds of seeds comes to a whopping $350.00!  At my son and daughter-in-laws wedding, they gave away packages of seeds, " Take a bit of Texas home and watch our love grow", sounds like a good garden sign to have!

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2014

Into the Mystic by Van Morrison seemed the right way to begin a new blog combined with the memory of Joe Cocker. This song is about returning to a love back on land.  For me, it will be keeping alive returning to the mountains after I move to Texas.