Country Thinkin

It is extremely late to be writing a blog but it kind of just "hit me". I get these random thoughts occasionally and love it.

Today was an okay kinda day. It rained for most of the time and I was outdoors during it! Had to clean up a nasty spill at work and that was enlightening. The smell of raw sewage isn't something customers usually want to smell while shopping...haha.

I had a good long talk with the folks about money, moving, and whatnot. We tried to figure out what it would cost me to move. Scary. Like, impossible without a great paying job or two scary. If God provides a way for me, I will be able to move. Without Him I can do nothing and in this case, it is very literal. Did I mention that I've had a headache all day? Don't know why...

I had a ...discussion with someone today about being redneck and wanted to talk about this. Let me first clarify that this is in no way retaliatory to their statements or opinions. This is what I say. I am proud of my country, southern, redneck heritage. The term redneck comes from The West Virginia Coal Miners March or the Battle of Blair Mountain when coal miners wore red bandannas around their necks to identify themselves as seeking the opportunity to unionize. It also comes from people who worked outdoors for most of their lives and developed a "red neck" from the sun.

I have supplied a few visual examples of what I mean. I have total pride and respect in my heritage. There is nothing for me to feel ashamed about when I say that I am a redneck or country boy. It boils me quickly when I feel that I am either being made fun of or thought down on because of who I am. I am proud to say that I grew up on my grandfather's farm and that both sides of my family grew their own food. They provided with produce and cattle during the Great Depression and afterward for their families and survived. Both sides of my family would be the symbol of what "country" is. One side is entirely cowboy and the other redneck.

Do not misinterpret me though. I will be the first in line when it comes to changing something that is derogatory or negative to my behavior. I cannot stand people that cannot read, write, or speak clearly at all by their choice. If someone cannot learn or needs help, then by all means they are excused. I am not associating myself with the "image" of the hick that the media has produced. (No teeth, drunk, spitting tobacco, can hardly talk, mentally challenged.) Those are actually few and far between but nevertheless, that is not what a redneck is.

Obviously, you can see that this is an important issue to me and is one that is near to my heart. I am not offended by any means, I purely wanted to reveal a part of who I am and what I stand for. This is not something that can be changed because it is not something that needs to. I am truly a jack of all trades. I am a person who loves opera and classical music. Who also enjoys movies, theatre, guns, rap, knives, hunting, fishing, museums, sophistication, intellectual discussions, sitting around a campfire, cold weather, rock and roll, ( okay basically every type of music) and s'mores. I almost like it all. I love hispanic people, black people, white people, asian people, european people, or just anything from the three human classes. Oh and I'm a redneck.