Pioneer Woman...the Wagon Ride

  
I envision a pioneer as an adventurer and explorer:  a bold and curious, nosy soul who travels the distance to satisfy her curiosity, to settle her dream.  My Grandmother is a fine example, or maybe it was more her husband, my Grand Daddy Kemp.

During the early 1900's they traveled from Arkansas to Oklahoma in a covered wagon... twice!  As newlyweds, the "just opened" Indian Territory offered opportunity, land and adventure:  just what a young couple desired.  But, the Oklahoma plains proved too forlorn for them.  Terribly homesick and overwhelmed, they packed everything back into their wagon and retreated back home to Arkansas.  

However, once replenished and emotionally restored, they took off again, for that same rugged, covered wagon ride.  This time they stayed and raised their five children on Oklahoma's red soil.  Maybe they had fallen in love with Oklahoma the newly titled "forty-sixth state" and its open skies, or maybe they were too weary to travel back to known opportunities, or maybe... they were just too proud.  For some reason, they dug in their toenails and stayed near the southern Red River, taming their parcel of land, parcel of possibilities.  With grit, determination, hard work and pure "hardheadedness" they conquered their "West" and carved out a homeland for their generations to follow.   They were true adventurers, and most definitely... pioneers!

That was my grand daddy Jesse Samuel and my grand mother Lizzie, and even though their "Pioneer" title appropriately applies to them, it cannot be passed on to their children or children's children. My ancestral history may contribute to my pioneer longings, but family credentials do not prove me a pioneer.  The title "Pioneer" can not be given.  It must be earned.  

Hence, I continue my quest, and ask myself again... "Am I a pioneer?".

Sincerely, 

Cindy Lou Kemp Hodges

Jesse Samuel & Elizabeth Kemp, Wedding Picture 1919

Note their eyes:  Grandpa's look of adventure, Grandma's look of steadfastness

Webster's New World Dictionary... Pioneer:  noun  1. a person who is among those who first enter or settle a region, thus opening it for occupation and development by others.
 


 

@Copyright 2012, Cindy Lou Hodges All Rights Reserved.

Speaking of worms...

You won't believe what I found this morning... in my bed, under my pillow.   I found what no one expects to find, or ever, ever wants to find  under her pillow.  You might accept the concept of it fairly easily if you find it under your covers at your feet.  Maybe.  Most likely not.  You would think nothing of it if you were outdoors camping.  But, I found it at the top of my bed, precisely in the middle, under my pillow where you're supposed to find nice surprises like candy and pretty things, and money from the tooth fairy.

Isn't your bed supposed to be your sanctuary?  Your place of safety and shelter?  Isn't that where you run to when your world crashes?  Isn't that the place you rush to when you need to cry your eyes out, when your heart is broken and where you hide when you're afraid?  Isn't that your place, your space, your domain, your cradle of love?  Isn't that forbidden territory to all creatures unless invited???

Then tell me why, when, how, and who gave that worm permission to crawl under MY pillow?  Spit fire and toe nails!   I am disgusted, grossed out, and mad!  Now, I'm a girl that grew up in a rural neighborhood in Oklahoma, and I used to play with butterflies, bugs and even worms.  I played in the dirt and made mud pies of every shape and size.  I knew what every kind of manure looked like and smelled like.  I collected crawdads and  caterpillars and dug up earth worms for fish bait, and I even baited my own fish hooks.   I crammed crazy looking creatures into my pockets and carried these pets around with me all day.  But, this brown hairy, one & one half inch worm received no warm welcome from me. 

Times have changed, and so have I.  I live in Texas in a city surrounded by concrete.  I live in a house made of brick.  Oh, I am blessed.  I have a roof over my head, and it doesn't leak.  Oh, I am so blessed.  I sleep in a bed with clean white sheets and warm covers to blanket me.  Yes, I am truly blessed.   I sleep on a mattress that's soft, and my pillow even softer.  I sleep in a bed up off the floor with critters on the outside and me on the inside, or so I thought.

Today's invasion crossed the line of no return.  Judge and jury I became.  Today's critter received no mercy.  Ignoring forbidden boundaries, this worm wiggled and wormed its way into my cozy bed, under my downy, soft pillow, on my clean white sheets, and slept soundly... once.  Only once. 

Now he sleeps in peace. Forever!

As they now say here in my house, and for years have said in my beloved state of  Texas.... "don't mess with Texas!"

Sincerely becoming more and more of a crazy old lady, and surprisingly... enjoying it!

Cindy Lou



@Copyright 2012, Cindy Lou Hodges All Rights Reserved.

Pioneer Woman

"I feel like a, a pioneer woman," I said.  "I feel so all alone with no where to go, but forward."  "That's great," he said.  "Did you just hear yourself?  Don't you know the definition of a pioneer?"

I fumbled for words.  I thought I knew the definition, but all I could think of was a tree standing alone by a stream of water:  a tree still standing when all others had fallen.

His positive response surprised me, and I'm wondering what is so good about it?  I don't feel a rush of excitement, or a sense of accomplishment, but he made it sound like something wonderful.  What am I missing here?  I don't know, but it might be worth digging into and sorting out.  So, I'm taking the time to find out if I am what I said I am.  Am I a "Pioneer Woman", or am I not?

(to be continued...)



@Copyright 2012, Cindy Lou Hodges All Rights Reserved.