Stick Horse Cowgirls

V and I live in the grand state of Arkansas.  U of A Razorback football is huge throughout the state, although I don’t care two hoots and a holler about it.  Around here you see Razorback clothing, Razorback purses, Razorback s%*t on cars,  Razorback everything.  Silliness .  I remain mostly clueless about the entire sports program, thankfully.  I cannot think of any more boring activity than watching a Razorback game on television unless it’s being dragged to one in person. A couple of weeks ago at work my brother said, “ Can you believe it about Petrino?”  “ Who ?”  (yes, I am that clueless). Turns out it’s “our” head coach. (er, now former head coach). “ Petrino !” he chided.  “ Don’t you follow any news?  He had a motorcycle wreck and had a young sweetie on the back. I think it’s going to be a big deal .” It was a big deal.  An investigation was launched and he was dismissed, losing a contract worth $2.3 million a y...

V and I were musing about the changes we have seen in our long lives.  Our conversation centered on our society’s (V and me included) need to stay connected.  This came about as we were fiddling with V’s new Kindle Fire which will, of course, connect to her Facebook, Blog, E mail, Internet, Library, etc., etc..  And this is in addition to her I-Phone and computer.  I’m in the same boat—toting the I-Phone and I-Pad wherever I go. When V and I were growing up, there was nary a thought of a personal cell phone.  My mother and mother-in-law did not have cells until they were in their seventies, and yet all of us—those two octogenarians, too—think we cannot leave the house without a cell phone.  Furthermore, I get irritated as all get-out when Son either has let his run down or if he has left it where he cannot hear it. I think back to the days when we would just have h ad to wait until we either saw the person we wished to reach or when they were at home w...

There are a few movies that draw me into them no matter how many times I have seen them.  Some that come to mind: The Godfather (either of the first two); Ol’ Yeller ; Casablanca .  If any of these happen to be on the tube and I am passing through the room, I will be drawn to watch as long as I can, even if just a few minutes through a scene I recognize. It happened to me again this past weekend.  This time it was Lonesome Dove .  Oh, my.  When this mini-series comes on, I literally become absorbed in the expansive scenery, the exquisite McMurtry dialogue, the phenomenal acting.  Robert Duvall will always be Augustus McCrae for me; Tommy Lee Jones is Woodrow Call.  The rest of the cast is equally superb. This movie moves me emotionally, and I’ve tried to pinpoint why.  It is, in my opinion, the quintessential western saga; it is also quintessentially “American,” the embodiment of our spirit.  The men are men, by golly; and the women...

Well, for once it is not the liberal women up in arms, but the stay-at-home-moms!  Have you heard Hilary Rosen’s comment about Ann Romney?  (Who the H is Hilary anyway?  Wikipedia says she’s a “lobbyist and Democrat pundit.) Here’s what she said: And here is what I have to say: I grew up in the sixties.  I married in 1970 at the ripe old age of 18, but I proudly wore a t-shirt that said “ A woman without a man is like fish without a bicycle. ”  Yes, I was/am a feminist in many senses of the word. I am a big believer in traditional marriage, so please do not misunderstand me on that score.  But I do believe that a woman can have a very fulfilling life without a man.  I’m doing it now. No woman should ever rely on a man in order to become who she wants to be/ who she should become.  In fact, as a divorce lawyer, I can tell you that it is absolutely a disastrous decision to rely on your husband totally for any aspect of life: emotion...

I hate to even look back to see how long it has been since I last wrote.  My work has been unbelievably busy.  I know that sounds like a cliché—we are all too busy—but this has been a time when I had very, very little down time, sometimes going weeks at a time without a real day off.  Writing in our blog has not seemed an option for the past few months. Do I sound whiny?  Well, that probably fits.  I feel whiny.  And I feel too old for this pace! But I am determined to pick my blogging back up.  It has, in times past, been a real lifesaver for me; which also sounds like a cliché but it is not much of an exaggeration.  It has been my therapy in times when I have needed it to get through my divorce situation and it has been my favorite pastime—a healthy outlet even when I no longer needed therapy!  So I have made it my goal to write more.  Everyone needs a healthy outlet,right? Now for some updates: First, I am divorced.  Yea! ...

    Saturday was a beautiful day with glorious weather!  Just perfect with temperatures in the 70’s and plenty of sunshine.  Easter Sunday was a little overcast, but not too bad for being outdoors.  Eldest daughter’s childhood best friend and her three boys joined us for a day of fun.  She lives in Texas now so it’s a treat when she comes to visit!   Grandson “J” loves to visit cousin “E” at the farm.  He loves the riding lawnmower, the little ATV’s, and most of all--- the “BIG AWESOME ORANGE TRACTOR!!!  Uncle J.P. took him for a ride.     The St. Bernard is STILL growing!!!  He has an enormous appetite and will eat or chew up most anything!  He is almost as big as that pony!     Ummm--Does this remind you of Jack and Rose on the Titanic?     There have been new arrivals at the farm recently!   Sweet chicks!  Some are under a light in the laundry room. ...

  Today, my husband and I attended Psalm Sunday services.  No, this beautiful church is not where we attend, but wouldn’t it be wonderful if all churches were this lovely? We attended church regularly most of our married life—dragging sleepy children out of their beds and enduring the getting everyone ready and into the car!  Oh, I do remember those days!   With daughter’s health issues and the demands on my free time —(what’s that???), we’ve gotten lazy (and tired), and church attendance has fallen by the wayside.  I’ve enjoyed my leisurely Sunday mornings --it is supposed to be day of rest, isn’t it?  I don’t think church attendance is mandatory, but it helps me keep my equilibrium in a turbulent world.  I’m thinking many of us have gotten this wrong thinking that by going to church we are doing G-d a favor.  I’m thinking that we go there to receive strength to endure and persevere the tribulations of life.   I love the joy of childre...