tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790298297086044932024-03-05T15:35:08.496-08:00Eclectic Redneck GirlA simple Northeast Texas girl that grew up in the piney woods. Lived in the big city and fought her way back to the woods she loved.Hilltop Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11851437447741063776noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379029829708604493.post-56694822341162326702012-06-15T16:53:00.000-07:002012-06-15T16:53:50.770-07:00Everybody But Me<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-size: large;">Everybody But Me<br />
<br />
“You say that you believe in Democracy for everybody,</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Yes, I know, for dogs and cats and others and everybody,<br />
Everybody, but me.<br />
<br />
In high sounding words and musty oratory, on Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthday.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
You government officials, major and minor, effuse bright praise to our country and all of her glory.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
How it was founded and will always be a haven of the free and I sitting
up there listening to you applauded and cheered with all the rest.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
But I was one mighty surprised soul to see when it came to the test that you did men everybody, Everybody, but me.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Sure, I read all about it in the history books about how the founding
fathers got together and wrote the Declaration of Independence cause
they didn’t want King George stepping on them and even though I play a
part in bringing it about – they left me out.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
They declared that Independence for everybody, Everybody, but me.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
They also got together and wrote a Constitution and a Bill of Rights
saying that everybody had certain rights and privileges being citizens
and that everybody ought to have a job and a place to live and equal
opportunity.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
But when I tried to get my rights and privileges
and a job and a house, I was mighty sorry to find that they really did
mean everybody, Everybody, but me.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
I went to church every
Sunday being a pious person and I heard the preacher talking about
heaven and eating milk and honey and wearing long white robes and I felt
the spirit and shouted out, shouted out that I wanted to be in the
number too.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Suddenly I looked up at he wall, saw that all the
folks gathered around Jesus had straw blond hair and sky blue eyes and
there wasn’t a brother among them, I know again that did mean
everybody, Everybody but me.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Of course as far back as I hear
tell about there have been times when they needed help out, this is when
they had a war and then they sent out a call for everybody, they knew
what to use me for and I found that they really did mean everybody,
including me.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
My father told me that in World War I they sent
out a call for everyone including me and we had to go over to fight
Kaiser to keep the world free and safe for Democracy for everybody.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
When I got home I was hurt to find that they really did mean everybody, Everybody, but me.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Well putting two and two together you and I can plainly see that those
folks down in Washington have never been thinking of you and me, from
here on I’m going to be thinking about me. I am going to get together
with you and my sisters and brothers black and white all over the
country and over the world and we’re going to put up a terrific fight
until we win and we will and when we say peace and freedom for everybody
it will mean Everybody, everywhere.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
It will mean me.”</span></span></h6>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></h6>
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-size: large;">By Margaret Burroughs</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> - 1917 - 2010</span></h6>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></h6>Hilltop Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11851437447741063776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379029829708604493.post-53121017175035532852012-04-07T15:30:00.002-07:002012-04-07T15:30:32.453-07:00God's Gift to You<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-weight: normal;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Someone
gave me this in paper form many many years ago at a meeting. I lived
in the faith of what this writing taught me. I lived it with my whole
heart.</span></span></i></h6>
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-weight: normal;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"> </span></span></i></h6>
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><i>I am happy to say that the promise was fulfilled when I found my
wife. My love for her is nothing I could have ever imagined. I
am glad I had faith and allowed God to give me my precious gift rather
than demanding what I believed I w</i><span class="text_exposed_show"><i>anted. I would have sold myself way short.</i><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><u>God's Gift to You</u></span></span></span></h6>
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="text_exposed_show"> Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone-<br /> <br /> To have a deep soul relationship with another-<br /> <br /> Be loved thoroughly, and exclusively.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> But God, says:<br /> <br /> I want you to be satisfied, fulfilled, and content<br /> <br /> With being loved by Me alone-<br /> <br /> With giving yourself totally and unreservedly to Me-<br /> <br /> With having an intensely personal and unique relationship<br /> <br /> With Me alone.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Discovering that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found,<br /> <br /> Will you be capable of the best human relationship<br /> <br /> That I have planned for you<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> I want you to be united with another after you are united with Me-<br /> <br /> Exclusive of anyone or anything else,<br /> <br /> Exclusive of any other desires or longings.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> I want you to stop planning, stop wishing,<br /> <br /> And allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan existing-<br /> <br /> One that you cannot imagine.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> I want you to have the best-<br /> <br /> Please allow Me to bring it to you.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> You just keep watching Me, trusting Me-<br /> <br /> Keep experiencing the satisfaction that I am.<br /> <br /> Keep listening and learning the things I tell you.<br /> <br /> You just wait.<br /> <br /> That's all.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Don't be anxious.<br /> <br /> Don't worry.<br /> <br /> Don't look around at the things<br /> <br /> Others have gotten or that I've given them.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Don't look at the things you think you want.<br /> <br /> You just keep looking off and up to Me,<br /> <br /> Or you'll miss what I want to show you.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> And then, when you're ready, I'll surprise you with a love<br /> <br /> Far more wonderful than any you would dream of.<br /> <br /> You see, until you are ready and until the one I have for you is ready,<br /> <br /> (I am working even at this moment to have both of you ready at the same time),<br /> <br /> Until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me and the life I prepared for you,<br /> <br /> You won't be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with me.<br /> <br /> And this is the perfect love.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> And dear one, I want you to have the most wonderful love.<br /> <br /> I want you to see in the flesh a picture of your relationship with Me,<br /> <br /> And to enjoy materially and concretely the everlasting union of beauty, perfection, and love<br /> <br /> That I offer you with Myself.<br /> <br /> Know that I love you utterly.<br /> <br /> I am God.<br /> <br /> Believe and be satisfied.<br /> <br /> -author and original title unknown</span></span></span></h6>Hilltop Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11851437447741063776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379029829708604493.post-90572798470966972011-12-02T22:23:00.001-08:002011-12-02T22:35:07.938-08:00Thinking While Working<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I do a lot of thinking when I am out and about working by myself. Today I was thinking about a blog I read last night and how fortunate this young lady was to have the family she does. She learns from her father as well as her mother all the thing that are important for self sufficiency. Watching her blog you can see the strong influence of her loving family and the strength of her character.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I remembered how my dad was forever telling me growing up; "Girls don't do that." "Girls don't wear boot." Girls don't..." You all get the idea I am sure. He grew up somehow thinking girl were inferior. That is a sad thing because despite him not showing me how to do things he felt girls shouldn't do, I have learned on my own. I don't think I do very badly either.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />When our granddaughters come up I like to get them to help me out. My hope is they learn a little something along the way and we have great fun while we are at it. My oldest granddaughter has been helping me since before she could talk. I still remember the time she insisted on carrying in the gallon milk jug. It was as big as she was and it took everything she had but she did it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The girls in my family rock. There isn't anything we can't do. You can teach us or we will find a way to learn it on our own. In the long run, we will prevail. We can cook, we can shoot, we can build. We can even process a hog. ;)</span>Genevievehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232175670503262669noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379029829708604493.post-3023542437139660472011-12-02T10:09:00.001-08:002011-12-02T10:12:05.746-08:00Personal Quote<span style="font-size: large;">"If you are following the crowed you can not see far enough to have any idea where they are taking you. Stand on the rise and take a good look around. Then follow your own path." - Genevieve Strathman Snow</span>Genevievehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232175670503262669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379029829708604493.post-58486524071189000662011-12-01T19:02:00.001-08:002011-12-02T10:12:39.920-08:00Conserving Water<span style="font-size: large;">You can find many helpful hint on the Internet however most of them
to be honest seem to piss me off. I see most of them as band-aids
instead of real solutions.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is in my opinion that in order to truly conserve water in a way
that will really make a difference there needs to be a different way of
thinking and a willingness to alter the way we live. We have been
living as though we are rich kings and queens with unlimited resources
never heading the warnings of the peasant who are warning us there is a
problem. Most people just continue using and abusing resources.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>"The survival rule of thumb is: 3 hours without shelter, 3 days without water, 3 weeks without food."</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Take a look around you if you live in Texas. If you don't live here I
will provide videos of some reality checkers. Ponds have dried up.
Lakes have shriveled in size. Yes, we have aquifers however we have
companies like Ozarka mass producing from the same aquifers we live on.
(Ozarka bottles in Texas even during drought times.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;">First I would ask that people stop buying bottle water.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My saying is, <i>“If your solution effects me in a negative manner
then it is not a solution. It is simply another problem you just decided
to pass along to me.”</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;">How are people to survive when companies are bottling water and ship it all over the world that they <b>NEED</b>
to live on? It would be better to invest that money into bettering the
water supply in your own area as a whole. Some argue that the company
creates jobs locally. That will not do the area any good if they can
not live there. They will end up having to move somewhere they can live
and lastly the company will shut down and move it’s operation to a new
location and do the same thing all over again.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Next I would ask you to take a look around and see what areas you use
water and are they really necessary? Is it necessary to wash off your
patio? Is it necessary to water your lawn? Do you really need your car
washed?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Do you have a gutter system on your home? Have you thought of a rain
catch system? Yes, you can buy those expensive things that are
actually cheap and easy to make yourself. A few years back we purchased a
food grate 55 gal. container from the local feed store in McKinney,
Texas for just $8. You simply cut a hole large enough in the lid for
the incoming water from your gutter downspout. Use a screen for
filtration. Add a attachment on the lower end of the container for
water removal and you have a rain catch system. Simple and pretty
inexpensive. We have a 330 gal. container that we plan on doing rain
catch with from our barn to water our livestock. It is just finding the
gutter as we are unemployed and try to obtain things as cheap or free
as possible.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Other ways we conserve water:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When running the water for a shower and waiting for it to get hot we
collect the water in a bucket to use for watering the animals, plants,
or flushing the toilet.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We do not flush the toilet unless it is necessary. We collect the
paper in the waste basket except that containing excrement. You know
the old saying, “If it is yellow, let it mellow. If it is brown, flush
it down.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I also have a bucket in the garage that I use for urine. I use that
for the compost pile as it helps speed up the composting process.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When hand washing we have wash water in one sink and rinse water in the other instead of rinsing with running water.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We re-wear gently worn cloths several times before washing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We as many do have a low flow shower head but we also take shorter showers.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We never water outside unless it is for the garden or feed for
livestock. I detest having to water so it has to be a need before I
will consider it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am sure there are other ways that we conserve however they have
become such a way of life for us that at this moment we can not think of
other ways.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Videos:</b></span><br />
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Lake Lavon </div>
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Lake Travis (Austin, Texas Area) </div>
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AgriLife Today </div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Please share
the ways you conserve water in your own life. I am eager to see how
others conserve and maybe find new ways to do so myself.</span></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span>Hilltop Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11851437447741063776noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379029829708604493.post-22987273335552743942011-11-23T18:34:00.001-08:002011-11-23T18:36:16.608-08:00Thanksgiving 2011<span style="font-size: large;">Today was the start of a busy few days for us. We
went to my parents house about one hour south of us to help prepare for
tomorrow. My mom tends to put more on her plate then one person is
capable of doing. I have to hand it to her. She gives it her all. The
best we can do is help where she will <u>allow</u>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow we plan on showing up early to
help set everything up and eating a wonderful meal prepared with much
love. There will probably be a little over eating as well. It is hard
not to when there is so much good food.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Then we are heading to North Texas to spend
the night with our children. We are so excited. Rumor has it they are
excited too. For years they have spent the holiday with their father.
This year they decided to have Thanksgiving themselves and invited us
up to join them. Having already committed to my parents we are choosing
to do both back to back. Fun times will be had by all for sure.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What am I grateful for? My family. My
wife, who has seen me through so much. The one who shares my
homesteading dream with me. Our children, who love me as I love them.
My biological family who I have in the past two year either re-met or
met for the first time. You have completed me in ways I could never
explain. My adopted family who has loved me like blood. To my friends
that are more like family then friends. My family of choice. Most of
all to God who has given me all these blessings, thank you.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMokmDuXmmZPQaxABWrFK6nMbLHrubRN9f_yV-7vCD3EuFv03He2tT3O3Mz4DXOlbjTivPxmOx0QQRsf2L200POxHAgVnHKCxUurXY0gtVU2VKMw4TCVfsXjCPmFEbv8F_gWBfpkOmFzCp/s1600/The+Kids+2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMokmDuXmmZPQaxABWrFK6nMbLHrubRN9f_yV-7vCD3EuFv03He2tT3O3Mz4DXOlbjTivPxmOx0QQRsf2L200POxHAgVnHKCxUurXY0gtVU2VKMw4TCVfsXjCPmFEbv8F_gWBfpkOmFzCp/s400/The+Kids+2009.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our Children & Grandchildren<br />(Except for the blurred out one.)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Genevievehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232175670503262669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379029829708604493.post-52796369889747200342011-11-11T15:04:00.001-08:002011-11-11T15:19:48.807-08:00Veteran's Day November 11, 2011<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Today
is the day set aside to honor our veterans. Men and women who have a
calling to serve in our military. Some go to war. Some never see
action. Some see to much. Some never recover. Some bring it home.
Some never make it home. Some make it home in a box.<br /> <br /> These are
not the reasons for their calling. Their reasons are much stronger
than that. They train to become the best to protect t<span class="text_exposed_show">heir
fellow soldiers and their country from enemies foreign and domestic.
They turn their lives and will over not only to a God of their
understanding but also to the United States of America.<br /> <br /> To those of you who have taken that pledge. I thank you for your service and sacrifice. <br /> <br /> To name a few that are close to my heart: <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1053616240" href="https://www.facebook.com/bobbyekat">Bobbye Eachus</a>, <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100001868445053" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001868445053">Jay Sulfrian</a>, Amos Snow II, Leonard Strathman, <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100001801963318" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001801963318">Ben Branch</a>, <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1323204472" href="https://www.facebook.com/rick.renshaw">Rick Renshaw</a>, John McCarty, Jack McCarty, <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100000183195297" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000183195297">Aaron Frame</a>, <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1739572489" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1739572489">Alec Ward</a>, and <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=531116320" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=531116320">Chris Anthony</a>.<br /> <br />
I am sure there are others I have missed in naming. Some I didn't name
because I didn't know they served. (It is not like they go tooting
their own horn.)</span></span></span></h6>
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="text_exposed_show">You all are important to me.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></h6>
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></h6>
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">To my friends, family and all other veterans who sacrificed and served our Country, Thank you.</span></h6>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">To those who are missing or gave all. </span></h6>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">You are not forgotten.</span><span style="font-size: large;"></span></h6>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="text_exposed_show"> </span></span></span></h6>Genevievehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232175670503262669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379029829708604493.post-15887469293622648662011-11-07T12:22:00.000-08:002011-11-07T12:22:52.706-08:00Growing Up in Sabine<span style="font-size: large;">I grew up in a small community north of I-20 just 30 miles NE of Tyler, Texas. Our home was less than a mile from the old black school that had been closed since the end of segregation. We use to go up to the gym to play basketball on a even surface. Bouncing a basketball on dirt or oil top is not exactly even.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I grew up with many friends that are African-American. Mom taught us to call them colored but they request we call them black. Truth be told I just called them my friends for that is what they were and still are. I learned a lot about people growing up in my neighborhood. It was my first experience of a culture other than mine even though I didn't know it at the time. I simply absorbed it into my way of life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When we moved out to Sabine also known as Liberty City. The original name was Hog Eye. It was the first time we had land. I had eight acres to roam. Indoors I was like a caged animal. I longed for the freedom of the outdoors. The corral was our fort where my brother and I would play cowboys and indians or outlaws. There was one panel on the corral that wasn't completely fixed to the other. You could sit on it and bounce pretending you were riding a horse.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A horse. That brings me to another story. I loved horses when I was younger. That was until my parents purchase the Shetland pony from our neighbor across the street. We use to sit on top of that pony, her name was Penny while she stood in her shed. The boy who owned her, my brother, and myself all could sit on her at once and she didn't mind at all. Totally different story when she came to live with us. Apparently she is ok with sitting on her when she gets to do what she wants but riding was a totally different thing all together. She would buck and throw a fit. Taking her down in the pasture just to have her race back. She once bucked and took my brother under a bois d arc tree trying to scrap him off with the limbs. She was a smart cantankerous one there. I can tell you my desire to own a horse was rapidly changed. I now love them from a far. Oh, I have ridden them but I prefer those that do trail rides that actually don't mind a human rider. Those feisty ones I'll let other deal with thank you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We moved out to Sabine during my 3rd grade summer and were unable to make friends until we went to school. That is where I met Chris Dorsey, who lived diagonally across the road from me. He liked to ride his bike down to the neighborhood store. I would see him pass during the summer but he never spoke to me. I remember longing to have friends and wishing he would stop and talk. The turd never did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chris became good friends with my brother and I. Actually I think of him more as a brother than a friend. I love him and his family very much. Chris taught me how to play basketball, run, and throw a ball. That first year when it snowed I got pelted not knowing how to make a snowball and throw. Let me tell you I learned quick. We also road our bikes all over the neighborhood. Our favorite thing to do was go riding after it rained. We would hit every mud puddle over and over until the puddle was dry or we were soaked.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jason Snow, "<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Nothing like riding your bike through every mud puddle you could find.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">I lived for those days."</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"> </span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">February 2009 - Sonja Boyd, Me, Charles Boyd, Jason, Mom, Chris Dorsey</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sonja and Charles lived down the road about 1/4 of a mile or so. Sonja and I played some mean basketball and softball together growing up. We had loads of fun. As we all grew older our lives went different directions and we lost touch. Unfortunately the above picture was taken at the funeral of Chris Dorsey's mother. God, she had the prettiest, sweetest smile. Such a tender heart. Thinking of her is like a warm hug around my heart. It is a shame we have to find each other at such and event however I know Mrs. Dorsey was smiling at all the laughter that occurred as a result. Our love for each other had not diminished over time and we still keep in touch. Well, Chris is not so good about it but his wonderful wife Dede is. She is a great match for him. I am sure she adequately keeps him on his toes as it should be.</span>Hilltop Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11851437447741063776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379029829708604493.post-72428442035509561822011-11-07T12:09:00.000-08:002011-11-07T12:09:46.894-08:00Welcome & The Meaning of Redneck<span style="font-size: large;">Howdy Ya'll and welcome to my blog. My name is Genevieve. I am a native Texan and proud of it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I thought I would start off since I named my blog "Eclectic Redneck Girl" with where the term 'redneck' came from and what it's original meaning was and what it means to me today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Originally, the term redneck came from the later 1800's
in southern Georgia and Alabama to refer to sharecroppers who worked in
the fields thus getting a sunburned neck. <b>They were called 'rednecks' as
a term meant for hard working people.</b> </span><br />
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<a href="http://blairmountainreenactment.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/0903_rednecks_300x484.jpg?w=300" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://blairmountainreenactment.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/0903_rednecks_300x484.jpg?w=300" width="247" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The term was again used in the 1930's in a
number of disputes in West Virginia. A large group of unionized miners
marched south to Logan County, to pressure the mine owners there to
allow their miners to become unionized. The union was formed due to the abusive conditions created by the mine owners and their outlawish guards who threatened workers with eviction and possible death if they joined the union which demanded fair pay. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To identify themselves as they marched south, the
miners all wore red bandannas around their necks. The publicity
associated with the battles and the subsequent court cases created the
term red-necks, and at that time they were viewed as the good guys in
the conflict. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Today, the term is used by
comedians and commentators to refer to people who are uneducated,
close-minded and racist individuals. Unfortunately as a result people's view of a redneck is not a very positive one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To me redneck is a way of life. It is the southern way of living. Being respectful and polite to others. Saying yes ma'am and yes sir. Enjoying a quiet evening sitting on the porch watching the sunset and the moon rise. Loving your pickup truck like a biker loves his Harley. Wrangler or Levi jeans and cowboy boots.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now I re-frame from saying listening to country music because 95% of the time I don't. I love my rock. Mostly the only country I like is Country and Western. I like listening to Marty Robbins, Patsy Cline, Waylon Jennings, (NO NO NO Willy Nelson!). Some of the newer artist I like would be; Martina McBride, Holly Dunn, and Kathy Mattea to name a few.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My favorite song of all time would be Wildfire by Michael Martin Murphy. The original version ONLY. The others are just crap in my opinion. (Warning, I have strong opinions but I am not closed minded. I am willing to listen and possible be wrong. Yes, I will admit it when I have been wrong.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you haven't heard the original version from 1975 in a while here it is: </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The bottom line regarding the term redneck before I get off subject here is, I am proud to be a redneck. Southern born where I was taught respect and morals. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am not now or have I ever been racist. I was raised in a black community and my children are 1/2 Hispanic. There is no room in my world for judgement of people. I believe in accepting people as they are. That is as long as they are simply living their life and not harming others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I believe right is right and wrong is wrong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I believe if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem for no action is still action.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Most of all I believe in being solution oriented. Wallowing in the problem never gets it fixed so stop your complaining and do something positive to fix it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I believe in gun ownership. Remember there is a big responsibility in owning a gun of any kind. Make sure you are well educated and respect this responsibility. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In regards to hunting. I was taught if you shoot it you eat it. Taking a life should never be done simply for fun. Any life!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last but not least. I have an Associates Degree, I am a licensed massage therapist, and a Kundalini Yoga Instructor. Yes, now you see were the eclectic part comes in. As you can see. I am educated. I love learning and I do so every chance I get by any means I can find.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So to those of you who have learned what redneck means by listening to those people in the media I ask that you take the time to get to know the real people. I think we are pretty decent folks and I look forward to getting to know you too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Redneck Girl by Bellamy Brothers</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Hilltop Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11851437447741063776noreply@blogger.com1