Since March is National Women's History month, I've been researching notable women from the past. When I found Stagecoach Mary, I found one in a million.
Last year Mary was inducted into the Texas Trail of Fame. A bronze marker, telling her story and fashioned after a frontier marshal's badge, was placed in Fort Worth's Stockyards National Historic District. She joined people like Charles Goodnight, Quanah Parker, Fredric Remington, Zane Grey and Roy Rogers.
Mary was born a slave in Tennessee around 1832 and orphaned by age 14. She learned to read and write, and after her father was sold, her mother gave her the surname of "Fields" because that's the area of the plantation where her father worked. She never married and had no children.
At age 30, she and Dolly, her slave master's daughter, who was born within two weeks of the slave girl, went to a mission in Montana to establish schools for Native Americans. The Indians, who loved her and were in awe of her, called her "White Crow" because they said she "acts like a white woman, but has black skin like a crow."
Mary became the first African American and the second woman ever hired to deliver mail. Wells Fargo, which had the mail delivery contract, hired her at age 60. That was when she earned the nickname "Stagecoach Mary." Standing six feet tall and weighing more than 200 pounds, she could switch out a team of six horses faster than any man.
Despite the harsh Montana weather, this strong, gun-totin', cigar-smoking, whiskey-drinking, swearing woman did an excellent job for Wells Fargo. Using horses and her mule, Moses, she was known as one of the most dependable mail carriers ever. When the snow was too deep for the horses, she walked in snow shoes, carrying the mail on her back.
She died in Cascade, Montana in 1914.
Stagecoach Mary Fields broke all the barriers of race, gender and age. The world needs more folks like her.
Today's quote: A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same. ~ Elbert Hubbard
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Thursday, March 5, 2015
IS EVERYBODY HAPPY?
We seem to be a society obsessed with this question. We take the pursuit of happiness very seriously.
Very often a friend confides, "I'm considering divorce. I'm just not happy." More often a parent says, "All I want for my children is that they be happy." We want happiness to come in a bottle like perfume so we can just spray it on. But sometimes, we just have to wait out or wade through the sadness, anger or discontent.
Thousands of dollars are spent on counselors, psychologists and support groups as people seek to be happy, or at least content, 24/7. Publications from Good Housekeeping to The
Wall Street Journal exhort us to "be happy." Polls and surveys are conducted to see how well we are measuring up. The Gross National Happiness index is one. The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being index is another.
The 2014 Gallup National test, recently released, was based on more than 176,000 phone interviews. It rated each state on five elements of well-being. Alaska was named number one. Next in line were Hawaii, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. I'm skeptical of these findings. (I thought Texas would be No. 1.) Happiness is not something we can appraise, like a house. Neither is it a goal unto itself, like loosing five pounds.
Happiness is a state of mind. Every morning when we wake up, we must choose to be happy that day.
Perhaps the question, "Are you happy" should be replaced by "How happy have you chosen to be?"
Quote of the day: Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be. ~ Abraham Lincoln
Very often a friend confides, "I'm considering divorce. I'm just not happy." More often a parent says, "All I want for my children is that they be happy." We want happiness to come in a bottle like perfume so we can just spray it on. But sometimes, we just have to wait out or wade through the sadness, anger or discontent.
Thousands of dollars are spent on counselors, psychologists and support groups as people seek to be happy, or at least content, 24/7. Publications from Good Housekeeping to The
Wall Street Journal exhort us to "be happy." Polls and surveys are conducted to see how well we are measuring up. The Gross National Happiness index is one. The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being index is another.
The 2014 Gallup National test, recently released, was based on more than 176,000 phone interviews. It rated each state on five elements of well-being. Alaska was named number one. Next in line were Hawaii, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. I'm skeptical of these findings. (I thought Texas would be No. 1.) Happiness is not something we can appraise, like a house. Neither is it a goal unto itself, like loosing five pounds.
Happiness is a state of mind. Every morning when we wake up, we must choose to be happy that day.
Perhaps the question, "Are you happy" should be replaced by "How happy have you chosen to be?"
Quote of the day: Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be. ~ Abraham Lincoln
Friday, February 20, 2015
OUR OWN ACCOUNTABILITY
Apparently people believe everything they see and hear in the traditional media.
So when the leading news anchor of today, for whatever reason, reports something other than the truth, it matters. The Brian Williams saga has captured public interest since he admitted overstating the truth about his covering a war story from an Army helicopter.
Now that far more than one episode has been exposed, the fallout is affecting not only the anchor, but a major television news network, journalism across the board and the whole concept of preserving our democracy through freedom of the press.
But wait just a minute! Do we ignore good advice like "Don't believe everything you hear" and "Check it out." Must we blindly absorb everything we hear on the boob tube?
Most of us carry around a small device with which we can access almost the entirety of the world's knowledge. Whether breaking news or historical events, we have access to it all.
So instead of watching a reporter doing his thing that may include shameful self-promotion, we can pick up the smart phone or the tablet or the laptop. By hitting the search box with a question or two, we can watch the documented data as it spreads out before us.
Then with knowledge and understanding acquired on our own, we won't be misinformed by anyone. Now we have the power to discover the truth and decide for ourselves. We should use it.
Daily Quote:
If we ever forget that we're One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under. ~ Ronald Reagan
So when the leading news anchor of today, for whatever reason, reports something other than the truth, it matters. The Brian Williams saga has captured public interest since he admitted overstating the truth about his covering a war story from an Army helicopter.
Now that far more than one episode has been exposed, the fallout is affecting not only the anchor, but a major television news network, journalism across the board and the whole concept of preserving our democracy through freedom of the press.
But wait just a minute! Do we ignore good advice like "Don't believe everything you hear" and "Check it out." Must we blindly absorb everything we hear on the boob tube?
Most of us carry around a small device with which we can access almost the entirety of the world's knowledge. Whether breaking news or historical events, we have access to it all.
So instead of watching a reporter doing his thing that may include shameful self-promotion, we can pick up the smart phone or the tablet or the laptop. By hitting the search box with a question or two, we can watch the documented data as it spreads out before us.
Then with knowledge and understanding acquired on our own, we won't be misinformed by anyone. Now we have the power to discover the truth and decide for ourselves. We should use it.
Daily Quote:
If we ever forget that we're One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under. ~ Ronald Reagan
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
BABY BLESSINGS
Our great-grandson from Houston recently came for a several-day visit. When we can again walk normally and speak coherently, I'm sure we will have fond memories of revisiting the joys of having a baby in the house.
Aidan, age 15 months, is a world-class walker and an accomplished climber. He requires 3 meals and 4 snacks daily to maintain his preferred level of activity. Knowing all this, I prepared for his visit with a giant, economy bottle of multi-vitamins and a case of energy drinks.
One complication is that we cannot speak his language. He says the same words repeatedly and uses emphatic gestures and facial expressions. We still don't get it. After several minutes of deep concentration and profuse sweating, we finally understand and rush to obey. However, by that time, his focus has shifted and he bombards us with a new encoded message.
Aidan enjoys playing with Nannah's toys. He carefully examines each one searching for a button to push or a lever to mash. He turns the toy over and over as he checks every seam and part. He seems to be trying to learn how it is made. He loves books and always selects the same three for me to read. He stays in my lap for all three books - only if he is allowed to turn the pages.
He is not rough or destructive - never bangs toys together, doesn't throw them or hit them on the floor. His play-time seems to be a very serious learning experience.
He takes a two-hour nap every day and sleeps 10-12 straight hours each night. We used that down time to fortify ourselves with the vitamins and sports drinks.
Aidan doesn't like to wear shoes. We were not surprised that his new, big-boy shoes could not be found when the visit ended.
For days we will reminisce about his every cute action. And we look forward to a longer visit this summer when his sister-baby arrives. Our sincere hope is that he is speaking Texan by that time, or that we are able to decipher his special language.
How we love and cherish that delightful little boy!!
Daily Quote:
Socialism is great until you run out of other people's money. ~ Margaret Thatcher
Aidan, age 15 months, is a world-class walker and an accomplished climber. He requires 3 meals and 4 snacks daily to maintain his preferred level of activity. Knowing all this, I prepared for his visit with a giant, economy bottle of multi-vitamins and a case of energy drinks.
One complication is that we cannot speak his language. He says the same words repeatedly and uses emphatic gestures and facial expressions. We still don't get it. After several minutes of deep concentration and profuse sweating, we finally understand and rush to obey. However, by that time, his focus has shifted and he bombards us with a new encoded message.
Aidan enjoys playing with Nannah's toys. He carefully examines each one searching for a button to push or a lever to mash. He turns the toy over and over as he checks every seam and part. He seems to be trying to learn how it is made. He loves books and always selects the same three for me to read. He stays in my lap for all three books - only if he is allowed to turn the pages.
He is not rough or destructive - never bangs toys together, doesn't throw them or hit them on the floor. His play-time seems to be a very serious learning experience.
He takes a two-hour nap every day and sleeps 10-12 straight hours each night. We used that down time to fortify ourselves with the vitamins and sports drinks.
Aidan doesn't like to wear shoes. We were not surprised that his new, big-boy shoes could not be found when the visit ended.
For days we will reminisce about his every cute action. And we look forward to a longer visit this summer when his sister-baby arrives. Our sincere hope is that he is speaking Texan by that time, or that we are able to decipher his special language.
How we love and cherish that delightful little boy!!
Daily Quote:
Socialism is great until you run out of other people's money. ~ Margaret Thatcher
Monday, February 16, 2015
OPEN CARRY DEBATE
There's a reason some of the loudest activists want Texas to do away with handgun licenses.
Many of the protest leaders favoring "open carry - open campus" cannot get a license because of their past crimes.
One activist from Houston arrested last week outside a Texas Capital hearing has a long criminal record, including convictions for deadly conduct, criminal mischief and drunken driving.
A protest leader in Tarrant County has an extensive record of misdemeanor arrests including a guilty plea and time served for theft. He is an elected precinct chairman and an outspoken proponent for "constitutional carry" of handguns, meaning without a license. He considers licenses an unjust interference with what he calls his "God-given rights."
Another pro-advocate's violent threats and menacing behavior shocked the Texas Capital into installing panic buttons. Investigation found he had a long record of burglarizing vehicles.
One Open Carry Texas chapter leader was arrested by troopers at the Capital entrance on charges of criminal trespass. The troopers had warned him not to come in carrying what appeared to be a plastic toy gun. He was identified as a Marine who had spent 60 days in jail on charges involving deadly conduct and possession of amphetamines.
Do these people sound like "good Texans" eligible to carry handguns? They're not the only ones. I could list many more, but you get the picture.
Today's Quote:
God gave us memories that we might have roses in December. ~ Sir James Barrie
Many of the protest leaders favoring "open carry - open campus" cannot get a license because of their past crimes.
One activist from Houston arrested last week outside a Texas Capital hearing has a long criminal record, including convictions for deadly conduct, criminal mischief and drunken driving.
A protest leader in Tarrant County has an extensive record of misdemeanor arrests including a guilty plea and time served for theft. He is an elected precinct chairman and an outspoken proponent for "constitutional carry" of handguns, meaning without a license. He considers licenses an unjust interference with what he calls his "God-given rights."
Another pro-advocate's violent threats and menacing behavior shocked the Texas Capital into installing panic buttons. Investigation found he had a long record of burglarizing vehicles.
One Open Carry Texas chapter leader was arrested by troopers at the Capital entrance on charges of criminal trespass. The troopers had warned him not to come in carrying what appeared to be a plastic toy gun. He was identified as a Marine who had spent 60 days in jail on charges involving deadly conduct and possession of amphetamines.
Do these people sound like "good Texans" eligible to carry handguns? They're not the only ones. I could list many more, but you get the picture.
Today's Quote:
God gave us memories that we might have roses in December. ~ Sir James Barrie
Friday, February 13, 2015
A CHANGED PERSPECTIVE
For many years, I dreamed of owning a Fiat - a white one with red upholstery.
The Fiat's compact size always appealed to me as did the conveniently placed dashboard instruments. Speed was also a factor. The gas pedal responded to a slight push with instant acceleration and the hum of the engine spoke to my heart.
Now in the winter of my life, I accept the fact that I will never own a Fiat. I no longer want one. I'm totally content with the calm dependability of my ten-year-old Honda Accord.
A dream from childhood was to pilot a plane. I visualized myself at the controls of a sporty little Cessna soaring high above the mundane ties of Earth. Now I carefully plan my trips to the gym, grocery store and beauty salon to avoid rush hour and the opening and closing of schools.
As a young wife and mother, I purchased a Julia Child cookbook determined to master escargot, soufflé and quiche. Today, I'm thankful for the opportunity to purchase a rotisserie chicken at the market. I also pick up a loaf of pre-sliced garlic bread and a cellophane bag of washed, ready-cut vegetables for a salad.
I recognize and embrace a changed perspective. Now I value easy convenience and labor-saving short-cuts. I find that I enjoy a life of no sweat, no strain, go-with-the-flow daily living.
Quote for the day:
A party without cake is just a meeting. ~ Julia Child
The Fiat's compact size always appealed to me as did the conveniently placed dashboard instruments. Speed was also a factor. The gas pedal responded to a slight push with instant acceleration and the hum of the engine spoke to my heart.
Now in the winter of my life, I accept the fact that I will never own a Fiat. I no longer want one. I'm totally content with the calm dependability of my ten-year-old Honda Accord.
A dream from childhood was to pilot a plane. I visualized myself at the controls of a sporty little Cessna soaring high above the mundane ties of Earth. Now I carefully plan my trips to the gym, grocery store and beauty salon to avoid rush hour and the opening and closing of schools.
As a young wife and mother, I purchased a Julia Child cookbook determined to master escargot, soufflé and quiche. Today, I'm thankful for the opportunity to purchase a rotisserie chicken at the market. I also pick up a loaf of pre-sliced garlic bread and a cellophane bag of washed, ready-cut vegetables for a salad.
I recognize and embrace a changed perspective. Now I value easy convenience and labor-saving short-cuts. I find that I enjoy a life of no sweat, no strain, go-with-the-flow daily living.
Quote for the day:
A party without cake is just a meeting. ~ Julia Child
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
LIFE'S LITTLE PLEASURES
This beautiful morning, large patches of clear blue peek through cumulus clouds as they change shape and move high overhead. We're happy that the cutting cold wind has died down and the temperature has risen 20 degrees.
It's a few minutes past eight and my husband and I, wearing gardening gloves and sturdy shoes, stand beside our cherished small garden plot. In the barrow rest a hoe, a trowel, a spading fork and six dozen onion plants.
Since the King of the Castle recently spent several days in the CCU of our local hospital, I take charge of the spading fork. Diagnosed with congestive heart failure and A-Fib, the King's strenuous activities are strictly limited. As I thrust the fork into the good fertile Texas soil, I notice the pleasant aroma wafting up and see the decomposing leaves that enrich the soil. "This is good dirt," I remark. That has not always been true.
After we signed all documents making this small space of North Texas our home, we discovered that our property was built on soil consisting primarily of ugly, dense, yellow clay. The lawns had been improved by loads of loam and plats of St. Augustine grass. But the little garden spot was ignored. The King soon remedied that with a large compost barrel and multiple bags of peat moss and fertilizer thoroughly worked into the soil.
We both appreciate a good country meal of black-eyed peas with lots of snaps, stewed okra, and a platter of sliced fresh tomatoes and onions. Special accents are cantaloupe and a pan of hot cornbread. In a few months, all these delicacies will be available to us any time we wish. We will purchase only the cornbread ingredients - I refuse to grind corn.
Valuable advice from Will Rogers:
Never squat with your spurs on.
Never miss a good chance to shut up.
It's a few minutes past eight and my husband and I, wearing gardening gloves and sturdy shoes, stand beside our cherished small garden plot. In the barrow rest a hoe, a trowel, a spading fork and six dozen onion plants.
Since the King of the Castle recently spent several days in the CCU of our local hospital, I take charge of the spading fork. Diagnosed with congestive heart failure and A-Fib, the King's strenuous activities are strictly limited. As I thrust the fork into the good fertile Texas soil, I notice the pleasant aroma wafting up and see the decomposing leaves that enrich the soil. "This is good dirt," I remark. That has not always been true.
After we signed all documents making this small space of North Texas our home, we discovered that our property was built on soil consisting primarily of ugly, dense, yellow clay. The lawns had been improved by loads of loam and plats of St. Augustine grass. But the little garden spot was ignored. The King soon remedied that with a large compost barrel and multiple bags of peat moss and fertilizer thoroughly worked into the soil.
We both appreciate a good country meal of black-eyed peas with lots of snaps, stewed okra, and a platter of sliced fresh tomatoes and onions. Special accents are cantaloupe and a pan of hot cornbread. In a few months, all these delicacies will be available to us any time we wish. We will purchase only the cornbread ingredients - I refuse to grind corn.
Valuable advice from Will Rogers:
Never squat with your spurs on.
Never miss a good chance to shut up.
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