Lovely Liberals

Cracklin’ Rose, you’re a store-bought woman, but you make me sing like a guitar hummin’.

That kinda describes how I feel about ol’ Neal himself. He’s kinda cheap and cheesy, but really, no one else makes me grin so much when I hear them. He has the power to make me happy. He just makes me want to do a goofy little dance.

Of course, I only listen to him when I’m in a good mood to begin with. If I was angry, he may just incite murder, or at least a fist through a wall.

I heard a strange noise outside my window a few minutes ago. It was a rythmic, scraping kind of noise, like an old man dragging a shovel in weak spurts, pausing for a breath every second or so. And he was getting closer. I got up and looked out the window when it sounded like he was about to drop at my door. It turned out to be a kid on roller blades, trying valiantly to get down our rough, one-step-up-from-dirt road. I can’t even imagine where she was going; there can’t be more than 20 feet of sidewalk or smooth paved anything in town.

You are the sun, I am the moon, you are the words, I am the tune , play me.

Many, many people, either in my comments, or their own blogs have mentioned that the only drawback to living in a small, rural town is the noted lack of liberals. Or a lack of open-mindedness (since those two aren’t always connected, no matter how I feel). That hadn’t been made very apparent to me. I’ve already met two artistically inclined, smart women… although that doesn’t necessarily mean liberal either, does it? Just most of the time.

I was at church on Sunday, for the third week in a row, so folks were starting to get to know me. Everyone greeted me, most by name, and I even got a few hugs. One was from Corny, the ~90 year old semi-retired plumber who offered again to take look at my pipes. As much as I need that, I just couldn’t make him clambor down into the three feet high crawl space. That’s just cruel.

Anyway, somewhere in between the announcements and community prayers, so that I couldn’t quite tell which it was, the pastor urged us to get out and vote this year. He couldn’t recommend a particular candidate, of course, but there were numerous issues coming up, not religious issues, but moral issues. Issues that are not protected in the bill of rights by any means. Issues that we need to take a stand on. Issues like abortion. Huh? Was there something coming up that I didn’t know about, or was he indeed recommending a particular candidate? Anyway, with the whole congregation nodding along, he told us that if we didn’t want the leftists to get one of their own in as president, we’d better get out there and vote. Because Kerry is sooo far left. Anyway, he would be discussing a new issue every week, until the election. I just bet you next week is gay marriage.

I’m actually kind of looking forward to this. I really like the people here, and folks like me already; I’m a likeable gal. After a couple months, when I’m firmly entrenched, serving caffeine to everyone at the coffee hut, volunteering for the fire department, laying on hands and healing everyone’s cats, much loved by all, a regular Mother-fucking Theresa, I’ll drop the bomb that I’m one of those leftists. I can be quiet until then. Because I have an agenda. That’s right, a liberal, leftist agenda, to show everyone that we weirdos can be nice, polite, church-going folk. Hee hee. This will be fun. And I can’t wait until the owner of the house gets here. They’ll be so confused; they won’t be able to not love her, but she’s one of THEM. Oh yes, this will be fun.

Brother Love’s Travelin’ Salvation Show is reminding me that I am a liberal that loves Neal Diamond. But I draw the line at Barry Manilow.

Shoot, I wanted to end the post with Barry, but I should say a little something to clarify where I am. The places I am taking care of/improving/loving are multiple. It's one lot, but on the property there is a large place, the Blue Castle (just a tribute to LMM, doesn't actually look like a castle... but it has the heart!), and a smaller log cabin, the Little House (another tribute; can you guess to who?). There's also a fairly large shed that I am saving for last, and a little tiny houselike thingie that holds the well, and probably houses several spiders, and maybe a lizard, so I think we can call it a house. I think that's it, but I'm never sure with this property; I wouldn't be surprised if I found a hurricane cellar or a fallout shelter in one of the back corners I haven't visited yet.

Comments

[Daisy-Winifred]

Oh I do hope you have a spy camera by the time you 'unveil', the look on the faces of those good-god-fearing-open-hearted-closed-minded-people will be worth a thousand words, only wish speech bubbles would appear above their heads too to record the confusion they are sure to experience when one of them becomes one of THEM!

Taking care/improving/loving seems to me to be pretty much a way of life be that neglected buildings or neglected people. Weirdo's have the strangest dreams, like love before law and people before politics.

Isn't the secret that we don't REALLY own anything its just given into our care for a moment, yep money may have changed hands, debt may have incurred but when it comes down to it taking care/improving/loving is translated into life and living especially if your a weirdo :0)

I just wish you hadn't mentioned old Barry reaching for my flip top lighter is just too cheesy first thing in the morning.

[maryse]

you crazy, sneaky, communist you!

[melissa]

I love the image! ( I know the Little House reference - unless its more obscure than I think it is...)

[eva]

It's very interesting to hear your comments. Much like yourself, we have recently purchased a home in the country. Well, a home in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. I'm from the San Francisco Bay Area, which is only a 4 hour drive from my home but I was so surprized how different people think and react to "outsiders" or "flatlanders." "There's a militia forming against blacks and people of dark skin" I was told. Humm, didn't know that was happening around these parts but maybe they wanted to see what my reaction was to see where I stand. Being someone of "dark skin" I just smiled and said, "really." Don't get me wrong, they are all very friendly up there, it's just a different way of thinking.

I can't wait to read more about how your neighbors react to you, your thoughts, and even your dress.

[amy]

Ahh, so there is a plan behind those church visits! I think if I were faced with such a small minded bunch I would high tail it and run.. Good for you for hopefully making them THINK down the line when your true self comes to light.

Also enjoying the quiet.. Hubby and kids at the MIL's for 4 nights now. IT ROCKS!! First bit of piece and quiet I have had since the first born arrived 12 years ago.. Loving the solitude. Think we are kindred in that way. Something about being alone with your thoughts..

[Kathleen]

Holy Smokes Bethany! You have a lot going on at your little house! What an amazing experience...as if the trip across the country wasn't enough. But when will we get pictures?? Good luck with all of the repairs and pests.

[Marilyn]

Where else can I possibly read in one post about Neil Diamond possibly inciting a fist through the wall...an invisible old man spurtily dragging a shovel toward your doorstep...a 90-year-old plumber...and conservative church folk drumming up the Republican vote? For someone who spends so much time alone, you sure lead a fun life! :)

[Dan Herron]

Mmmm..the smiling revolutionary. You are indeed my daughter.

I particularly like the distinction you make between open-mindedness and libral/conservative. We have to be truly understanding, loving and yet clear: liberal closed folks are no more fun than the other side.

Today, someone took me to task for my comment that Rolls Royce drivers are the ones that should vote Republican. He didn't like my opinion that tax breaks that benefit the top 5% of income earners should be supported by only that 5%...its called democracy, right? He pointed out that those states with all the vowels in them are always voting republican and THEY don't drive Rolls. My point exactly, I cried, they need to be reeducated to see that they dont HAVE TO vote against their own interests. He huffed out, but my office mate, who is pretty openminded republican, laughed good.

Your uncle Jack, who recently registered Democrat cause he really, really, really hates Bush, is now re registering Republican. He figures his Republican vote against Bush will hurt Bush more.

Heres a hurrah for Passion! and one for Human Caring! but lets not forget a shout for freethinking openmindedness. We can only be truly liberal if we have reasoned our way to that conviction.

Dad

[Becky]

Wow, it's wonderful to hear someone make the distinction between liberalism and openmindedness! You'd think there'd be a big ole correlation between the 2, but oftentimes there doesn't seem 2 B. I've met liberals with minds as shut as steel traps, and I've met Republicans and Evangelical Christians who're way out there in outer space when it comes to free-thinking openmindedness. It's funny you should mention Barry Manilow, too. I've been thinking about him a lot for no particular reason. Maybe the tides of the Universe are flowing in a Barry Manilowly direction. Hmm.

[christeeeeeeee]

more neil diamond synchronicity - on Wednesday I was at the dentist getting three fillings (ug ug UG), and of course the radio in the office was tuned to an am station and so I ended up trying to distract myself from the burning tooth enamel smell by concentrating very hard on the lyrics to "sweet caroline." turns out I like that song. then later I read your blog. whoa, man. keep writin', writer.