Wait, didn't we leave Chicago Mama???

When you have nothing to write...just upload photos of your dog

The Less Fortunate...

I have had a rocky few years here...freelance writing and political consulting aren't the most rock solid professions for a girl to choose. It's been hard at times keeping my spirits up between jobs, moving around and knowing that 98% of my worldly possessions are in a storage locker, but like most people, I have good days and bad days and try to stay mostly positive.

I am currently in Harrisonburg, VA and I've seen a TV commercial a few times that always strikes me when I see it. It is for an organization called Pleasantview - a home for adults with mental and physical disabilities. They have commercials that feature some of their residents and show what a fulfilling life they have living semi-independently in Pleasantview. One commercial in particular always makes me stop and think and quite honestly, makes me feel a little ashamed of myself. (Because of course I only see this commercial on days when I am feeling LOADS of self-pity and fear for the future) The woman in the ad is smiling and jovial and the narrator talks about how she loves to recycle - she uses the money to attend camp Easter Seals AND GIVE TO THE LESS FORTUNATE...Wow. Just, Wow. This woman, with all her difficulties every day, all the challenges she must face just to go through life's simplest tasks and she's out there finding money not for herself to make herself comfortable or happy, but to HELP OTHERS!

I am humbled. That right there is the definition of sacred in my book.

Idgy & Rose and Fried Green Tomatoes

So, I'm taking advantage of not having a full-time job to lay around with this sinus infection and do nothing. Yesterday I watched one of my favorite movies - Fried Green Tomatoes. I've always loved the story of Idgy and Rose and how their friendship made them both stronger and more mellow at the same time.

As I was watching yesterday it hit me for probably the first time - throughout history the characters of Idgy Threadgoode and Rose Jamison have been viewed as the two options for women - the two polar opposite choices we have - saint or sinner. Check a box, take your pick, you are in one category or the other, end of story. But, these two women show us that real life is a lot more complicated and messy and often most of us - men and women - are both saint and sinner. Like Rose, we come to see that "poker ain't half bad" and charity for others requires action, not just words. Like Idgy, we see that there can be a real strength of character, a "steel magnolia" as the saying goes, even with those who appear calm and collected at all times. The two women learn from each other valuable lessons about how to treat people and how to trust one another...and how to let one's hair down from time to time and just not care about what others think.

I know I often times care too much about appearances and what others will think. I'm afraid to really live because of the consequences that are perceived and often only in my own head. Other times I'm loud and self-centered and hurt people when I stubbornly refuse to do anything other than what I want to do. I feel the pull between the two sides and pray that this year, each year, I can get a little closer to walking the fine line of balance between the two extremes that culture and religion say is the accepted code of behavior for women. Neither caving in and submitting fully, nor throwing it all away and ignoring care and concern for others.

Back to Blogging

I've read many articles of writers who were resistant to blogs and then became hooked and now write and read several blogs a day. Okay, that's never going to be me...I still like hand written notes and spell every word out in text messages. And don't get me started on people texting but not picking up the phone in their hand when I try to call...but, back to blogs...I figure as long as I have some down time and need an outlet for my musings (be they daily or weekly) and I've got the time, why not try again. I will try to post once or twice a week and I promise it won't all be promos for CLICK and Conquering Washington. Okay, so I'm posting Chapter 1 of CLICK again, but I promise...not all about selling books.