Gentlemen, Start Your Horses

This week's entry is in honor of my sister, who when I asked what I should write about, responded "bourbon". Not my favorite liquor, although I do enjoy a Jack and Coke occasionally, but it does make for a delicious ham glaze. She has bourbon on the brain right now because she gets to go to the Kentucky Derby with Manfriend Pat. So jealous. There is nothing like a five second horse race surrounded by hundreds of drunk women wearing gigantic hats. I love that the tradition of the big hat remains. I wish more women wore hats on a daily basis. I remember watching the Kentucky Derby that one time and thinking "huh, this seems...like it could be a fun time..." I'd rather be riding a horse than watching it run around in a circle, but to each their own I guess. Besides, at least at this event, I would be taller than all of the jockeys, which would make me feel superior for at least an entire day. So have fun Melissa and Manfriend Pat. I'll stay behind in Minnesota and drink a mint julep in your honor. "Gentlemen, start your horses!"

The Bucket List Grows

And the list grows...

*Go sky diving

*Ride a mechanical bull

*Run a marathon

*Go to Alaska

*Write a novel

*Go on an epic road trip

*Get a tattoo (but not a very big one)

*Make the perfect martini

RIP Julia Sugarbaker

Julia Sugarbaker AKA Dixie Carter was a heck of a woman, and if any TV character can be a role model, she was it. She was sassy, spoke her mind, stood up for her friends and could put an ignorant and disrespectful person in their place faster than you can say “Have you all just completely lost your minds?” I loved and still love Designing Women. Personally, I always related more to Jean Smart’s character, Charlene, (and let’s be honest…a little bit of Alice Ghostley’s Bernice…) but everyone has to love Julia.

Two years ago, a group of friends and I went on Billgrimage ’08, a winter vacation to celebrate all that is Memphis, Tennessee and the fabulousness that was and is President Bill Clinton. We even had shirts made. We spent a long weekend in Memphis and then road-tripped to Little Rock, AR to visit the Clinton Presidential Library (which is AMAZING by the way-highlights the good, the bad and the ugly of the Clinton Administration). Also in Little Rock? THE HOUSE that is used as Julia Sugarbaker’s house in the opening credits. So of course, we found it. And of course, we took our picture in front of it.

A role model for women? You bet:
“Yes, as a matter-of-fact I am. In the end it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks about you. You have to be exactly who and what you want to be. Most everyone is floating along on phony public relations. People who say being beautiful, or rich or thin makes them happy -- people who are trying to make their marriages and their children seem better than they actually are.... and for what?! Appearances. Appearances don't count for diddly! In the end, all the really matter is what was true, and truly felt, and how we treated one another. And that's it”