I am definitely a Mississippi Girl! I have had the opportunity to live in South, Central, and North Mississippi at some point in my life. And for one year, my job required me to travel all over the state visiting towns that most people don't even know exist. I love my Mississippi and all the rich culture it has to offer. Now, I live in Oxford. A jewel of a town in our state. When I moved here five years ago from Hattiesburg, I thought that moving to a smaller place would slow my life down. Not so at all! In fact, most nights you have to force yourself to stay home because there are so many activities. The following are some of my favorite things about my "Northern" home:
10. Thacker Mountain Radio - I moved here hoping to cultivate my writing and Thacker Mountain Radio always gives me a dose of much needed inspiration to get my creativity going.
9. AJAX - Southern food with some extra spice! The first restaurant I tried when visiting Oxford many years ago and have loved ever since!
8. The Square - You feel like you have stepped on a movie set. I never knew that people actually walked and hung out on town squares regularly unless a festival was going on until I moved to Oxford. I felt like I had been cast in an episode of Gilmore Girls and was visiting Stars Hollow.
7. The Balcony of City Grocery - No better place to have a glass of wine with friends and family on a cool night overlooking The Square.
6. Square Books and Off Square Books - Another place to nurture the writer/reader soul!
5. Ole Miss - The Chronicle of Higher Education got it right when they named Ole Miss one of the best places to work. I work with some of the best, congenial people that make coming to work fun!
4. The Grove - Anyone up for a party?
3. Bottletree Bakery, Boure, Big Bad Breakfast, Volta, Roosters, Old Venice, Soulshine Pizza.... - Oxford is a foodie's dream come true! I was warned when I moved here I would gain about 15 pounds. Thankfully, I learned quickly how to manage indulging in the food while not gaining weight! If you do anything when you come here, make sure you eat because Oxford is a southern town after all!
2. An Active City - Sidewalks are not only visible around here, they are used. People walk, run, bike. People use the gyms and parks. We are an active city which, I suppose, is why we can indulge in all the items listed above in number 3.
1. And the most important part - the people. I am so grateful for the friendships that I enjoy here. I think that five years ago I didn't know these people who are a huge part of my life and now it is like I have always known them.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Southern Sundays: Yes, it does snow in Mississippi
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| Even though it is in the 60s this weekend with no snow in sight, this is what it looked like a year ago. This picture is what happens to grown women who grew up in South Mississippi...snow turns us into excited children! |
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| Very intent on building the best snowman EVER! |
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| Mom and me posing with our tropical snowwoman! |
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| In case you can't tell - I am excited! |
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| The snow accumulated from 8 to 12 inches...it was a Mississippi blizzard! |
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| Southern dogs were confused.... |
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| Anybody game for a swim? |
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| Want to lounge by the pool? |
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| The snow was peaceful, beautiful and fun. While I don't want a long and dreary winter, I would welcome one good snow...during the week preferably because a snow day never hurts! |
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
The New Year Fun List
I love the beginning of a New Year. The potential of what is to come in the new year excites me. For years, my mother and I have armed ourselves with quite a few January edition magazines as we buy into the promises on the glossy covers that claim our lives will be changed for the better if we just follow their simple steps. We scour the magazines and get inspired to make the coming year the best year yet! So I happily make a long list of resolutions each year while I dine on the traditional Southern fare of black eyed peas, cornbread, and cabbage. Of course, as a Modern Day Southern Belle, I throw in a mimosa or two or...well never mind the number.
I have long ignored the naysayers who rely on the cliche' that they don't make resolutions. I just let them be in their droopy, dreary party by themselves. They can entertain each other as they use the saying that everyone who isn't creative enough to come up with a resolution says: "My resolution is to not make any resolutions this year." I have never heard that saying before, bless their hearts.
I was reading the typical responses of resolutions in a local newspaper article when one response stood out - to make a fun list of things to do in 2012. Surely, even the grumpy cynics like fun right? With the fun list as inspiration, I came up with a combination of 50 resolutions, goals, and fun to do items for 2012. Yes, 50. It is a lot but I do have a whole year! And some of my goals make the list year after year. For example, I have yet to make the sugarfree healthy cheesecake that has appeared on my list for the last ten years but making the dessert a goal each year is a tradition now and one day I will make it.
While I haven't made the cheesecake (yet), I do accomplish many of my resolutions and goals each year. Like last year, I completely met the challenge of buying more shoes! It was tough but I sacrificed and bought away. I felt so proud of myself every time the cashier rang up another pair. Each time a purchase was made, I thought, "Take that naysayers - you can accomplish your resolutions! Even hard ones, like buying more shoes!"
I am very excited about my list of 50 this year. Below are a few of my ideas for 2012 if you need some inspiration to create your own.
1. Buy more jeans (I did so good with the shoes, I know I will be successful with this goal!)
2. Travel to a destination I have never been before (advice from the Dalai Lama for what one should do every year)
3. Read one book every month
4. Finally finish writing my first book
5. Cook more and discover new recipes
6. Practice mindfulness
7. Exercise more (here I come Zumba and Yoga!)
8. Snap away (learn more about my photography hobby)
9. Go to the beach a lot (a lot!) this summer
10. Attend one of the painting classes at YAC
11. Blog more (Watch for the coming weekly posts "Southern Sundays" that will feature pieces on Southern life such as food, photography, advice, stories, and events).
And the list goes on for 39 more items, some are deep and some are frivolous but all will work to contribute to another great year! Happy 2012!
I have long ignored the naysayers who rely on the cliche' that they don't make resolutions. I just let them be in their droopy, dreary party by themselves. They can entertain each other as they use the saying that everyone who isn't creative enough to come up with a resolution says: "My resolution is to not make any resolutions this year." I have never heard that saying before, bless their hearts.
I was reading the typical responses of resolutions in a local newspaper article when one response stood out - to make a fun list of things to do in 2012. Surely, even the grumpy cynics like fun right? With the fun list as inspiration, I came up with a combination of 50 resolutions, goals, and fun to do items for 2012. Yes, 50. It is a lot but I do have a whole year! And some of my goals make the list year after year. For example, I have yet to make the sugarfree healthy cheesecake that has appeared on my list for the last ten years but making the dessert a goal each year is a tradition now and one day I will make it.
While I haven't made the cheesecake (yet), I do accomplish many of my resolutions and goals each year. Like last year, I completely met the challenge of buying more shoes! It was tough but I sacrificed and bought away. I felt so proud of myself every time the cashier rang up another pair. Each time a purchase was made, I thought, "Take that naysayers - you can accomplish your resolutions! Even hard ones, like buying more shoes!"
I am very excited about my list of 50 this year. Below are a few of my ideas for 2012 if you need some inspiration to create your own.
1. Buy more jeans (I did so good with the shoes, I know I will be successful with this goal!)
2. Travel to a destination I have never been before (advice from the Dalai Lama for what one should do every year)
3. Read one book every month
4. Finally finish writing my first book
5. Cook more and discover new recipes
6. Practice mindfulness
7. Exercise more (here I come Zumba and Yoga!)
8. Snap away (learn more about my photography hobby)
9. Go to the beach a lot (a lot!) this summer
10. Attend one of the painting classes at YAC
11. Blog more (Watch for the coming weekly posts "Southern Sundays" that will feature pieces on Southern life such as food, photography, advice, stories, and events).
And the list goes on for 39 more items, some are deep and some are frivolous but all will work to contribute to another great year! Happy 2012!
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| Boyfriend and I made a delicious New Year's Eve Dinner: Boiled Shrimp, Roasted Rosemary Potatoes, and Green Beans sauteed with bacon and onion. Definitely a repeat menu for the future. |
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| Me on New Year's complete with my crown! |
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
The Yellow Purse's Retirement
By: The Yellow Purse (Guest Blogger)
Today I retire from my long career of two years. I know it doesn't sound like a long time for a career but it is relatively unheard of to work consistently for so long in a purse's life. And have I ever worked! Casey is not generous with the vacation time for her purse employees! Don't get me wrong - I have loved working for my employer but she really grew way too dependent on me during my career. I tried to convince her several times to hire at least one other bag. And she tried other employees. She really did. We bought at least four new bags during my time as an employee but she claimed no purse worked as well as I did and she would always return to me. So all the other bags just served as temps when I got the occasional day off.
I know I sound ungrateful for the consistent work but I am tired and I want to accomplish other goals in my life before I find myself in a garbage can. It is time to rest my handles, hang out with the other bags, and give my zippers an occasional mani/pedi! Plus, just between you and me I think I am becoming an unwelcomed third party in Boyfriend and Casey's relationship. I know you think I am just paranoid but I have heard him complain about how big I am and how I interfere. She takes up for me and says I am her statement bag but I believe Boyfriend is ready for her to make a new statement! You can see how uncomfortable all three of us are in the below picture. I think Boyfriend is just in the way but he thinks I am and really I need to retire before I cause any more problems!
However, I retire with wonderful memories. I have had a career that most other purses would sell themselves on Ebay for! My career has been filled with numerous opportunities for travel and meeting interesting people along the way. I was hired right before the 2009 Southern Miss's Homecoming game in Hattiesburg, MS. I was quite the star of the day with my gorgeous golden coloring. I come by my color naturally because it runs in the family which makes all the other bags so jealous.
Casey quickly became attached to me, claiming that I was her trademark bag. We went everywhere together. We went to work every day, numerous football games (both Southern Miss and Ole Miss), dinners out, and vacations. Everywhere we went women complimented me which only made Casey use me even more. Casey even took me when I wasn't right for the occasion or clashed with her outfit. Poor thing sometimes looked like a traffic light with her bright red coat and me as her bag with my natural golden coloring. All she needed was some green and she could have had a second job directing traffic! But none of that stopped her devotion to me. Bless her heart.
I told her I had to retire a few weeks ago. She was not happy at all but I thought it was a good time to let her know. I comforted her telling herI have heard that the new purses coming into the job market are quite remarkable. I reminded her that getting into a fashion rut, even with a fashionable piece, is just a ghastly problem that would soon make her bait for one of those reality make over shows where they would force her to separate from me. Also, Boyfriend is growing increasingly frustrated with not being able to hug her without me in the way. And I will admit I purposely slugged him a couple of times when Casey wasn't looking.
After I assured her that I would not go far and we would stay in touch when I retired, she agreed to let me go try new things. So now I am headed to her closet to have more "me" time. Sweet girl even surprised me with a retirement party! The party had wine, food, presents, and toting (which is dancing in the purse world). For my retirement gift, I got a beautiful handmade scarf to accessorize my handles. All the purses are accessorizing these days. I made a speech that brought tears to her eyes and we toasted to new adventures. So I got my way, I am free. Boyfriend will be happy. Casey will adjust to a new bag. But after looking at my pictures, I am not sure now just how long I will stay in retirement. Given how gorgeous I look for my age I may have a few more good years left in me after all.
Note from Casey: This blog is dedicated to my sweet boyfriend who has endured the third person in our relationship (aka yellow purse) for two years. He will be happy to take a break from it - although I don't know how long the yellow purse will stay retired! I love my trademark bag so how long retirement lasts is still in question. Maybe the yellow purse just needs a vacation!
Today I retire from my long career of two years. I know it doesn't sound like a long time for a career but it is relatively unheard of to work consistently for so long in a purse's life. And have I ever worked! Casey is not generous with the vacation time for her purse employees! Don't get me wrong - I have loved working for my employer but she really grew way too dependent on me during my career. I tried to convince her several times to hire at least one other bag. And she tried other employees. She really did. We bought at least four new bags during my time as an employee but she claimed no purse worked as well as I did and she would always return to me. So all the other bags just served as temps when I got the occasional day off.
I know I sound ungrateful for the consistent work but I am tired and I want to accomplish other goals in my life before I find myself in a garbage can. It is time to rest my handles, hang out with the other bags, and give my zippers an occasional mani/pedi! Plus, just between you and me I think I am becoming an unwelcomed third party in Boyfriend and Casey's relationship. I know you think I am just paranoid but I have heard him complain about how big I am and how I interfere. She takes up for me and says I am her statement bag but I believe Boyfriend is ready for her to make a new statement! You can see how uncomfortable all three of us are in the below picture. I think Boyfriend is just in the way but he thinks I am and really I need to retire before I cause any more problems!
However, I retire with wonderful memories. I have had a career that most other purses would sell themselves on Ebay for! My career has been filled with numerous opportunities for travel and meeting interesting people along the way. I was hired right before the 2009 Southern Miss's Homecoming game in Hattiesburg, MS. I was quite the star of the day with my gorgeous golden coloring. I come by my color naturally because it runs in the family which makes all the other bags so jealous.
Casey quickly became attached to me, claiming that I was her trademark bag. We went everywhere together. We went to work every day, numerous football games (both Southern Miss and Ole Miss), dinners out, and vacations. Everywhere we went women complimented me which only made Casey use me even more. Casey even took me when I wasn't right for the occasion or clashed with her outfit. Poor thing sometimes looked like a traffic light with her bright red coat and me as her bag with my natural golden coloring. All she needed was some green and she could have had a second job directing traffic! But none of that stopped her devotion to me. Bless her heart.
I told her I had to retire a few weeks ago. She was not happy at all but I thought it was a good time to let her know. I comforted her telling herI have heard that the new purses coming into the job market are quite remarkable. I reminded her that getting into a fashion rut, even with a fashionable piece, is just a ghastly problem that would soon make her bait for one of those reality make over shows where they would force her to separate from me. Also, Boyfriend is growing increasingly frustrated with not being able to hug her without me in the way. And I will admit I purposely slugged him a couple of times when Casey wasn't looking.
After I assured her that I would not go far and we would stay in touch when I retired, she agreed to let me go try new things. So now I am headed to her closet to have more "me" time. Sweet girl even surprised me with a retirement party! The party had wine, food, presents, and toting (which is dancing in the purse world). For my retirement gift, I got a beautiful handmade scarf to accessorize my handles. All the purses are accessorizing these days. I made a speech that brought tears to her eyes and we toasted to new adventures. So I got my way, I am free. Boyfriend will be happy. Casey will adjust to a new bag. But after looking at my pictures, I am not sure now just how long I will stay in retirement. Given how gorgeous I look for my age I may have a few more good years left in me after all.
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| There I am with Casey at the MACE Conference she chaired in Biloxi...good times! |
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| Us together in the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN. She toted me all around that huge hotel! |
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| Us girls had to visit the ice exhibit! Merrill and Casey forgot to put a coat on me too! Brrrr that igloo was cold. |
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| She loves this picture but it looks like Boyfriend doesn't want to touch her but it is just because I am in the way and he can't put his arm around her! |
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| My retirement party! Wine and my new scarf! I was so proud of my decision to retire but now seeing at how good I look, I may have to rethink my decision. |
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
I am home sick with the bad cold of 2011 as I write this blog entry. But despite the coughing and fatigue, I feel the holiday spirit. Everything seems to be golden as the holidays approach. I am not just talking about the leaves but even the lighting. For example, I especially love watching the holiday news and talk show segments. The sets are warm with golden lighting effects and they are cooking holiday food so savory I feel as if I can smell it from my living room. Although to this Southern Belle's dismay, I did see a recent poll of three chefs on a cooking segment who were all asked if they said "dressing" or "stuffing." All said stuffing! Obviously none of those chefs were raised in the South!
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am dedicating a blog to thankfulness. The above statement was my inspiration. A few weeks ago, I came across the question on Facebook. The message has staying power because the simple question makes you think. I was sitting with my family when I read it and everyone quieted for a moment to take in the idea. Scary thought for me because I had probably only thanked God for about three things the day before! All of a sudden even the menial things started to get a Thank You, God! I love my life and assumed God realized it. However, that question helped me realize I need to acknowledge all of the many things I love in my life, not only for the act of being grateful but so I clearly see how blessed I am for myself.
Since seeing that statement, I have been trying to make an effort over the last few weeks to fill my prayers thanking God for all the blessings in my life. Everything from my family to my curling iron! My initial intent wasn't to use all of my prayers just focused on gratitude, because I still had requests I wanted to ask. But once I began my conversation with listing things I was thankful for, I couldn't stop listing. Eventually I had to end the prayer to go to work or do some other daily task so the requests were limited, if made at all. This practice helped me see how abundant my life is. I thought I knew how blessed I am but now I really see it. And as for the requests, it only took a few days for most of those to not seem as necessary. The few necessary requests that were left seem to even come with blessings themselves. Just after a few of these gratitude prayers, this Southern Belle who is quite good at "fretting" - I am almost a world class champion at it - began to not worry as much! Hardly any!
In complete honesty, there have been a few (okay, several days) that my focus has not been as clear which reduced how much I thanked God for that day. On those days, I did notice a difference in my personal peace. But I am trying to re-commit to this practice every day. You should try it too. I promise it makes a difference. Also, I am sure just as we appreciate a genuine thank you for a gift that we give someone, God appreciates hearing thank you for all that He is doing for us. And as for me, one of the many, many things that I am thankful for is that I live in South where we eat dressing!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Bell's Best Cookbooks - A Required Text for All Good Mississippi Homes
I love cookbooks. I have a few that I have received over the last few years but would welcome more as I build my collection. Unfortunately, I have a bad habit of getting very excited when I buy new cookbooks but rarely use them the way I promise myself I will. I am very motivated when I purchase them but then rely on my old methods of what I have made in the past or my family and friends' recipes. And now it looks like Pinterest will also be inspiring a few of my upcoming dishes.
But the seldom use of my cookbooks is about to change with an idea I came up with a few weeks ago. Boyfriend and I love to cook together and now with us finally living in the same town, we can make cooking together a frequent occasion. We are always looking for a new culinary challenge to take on together. And for the most part, our tastes are similar with the exception that I don't eat beef. Most of the time, I can successfully substitute beef with ground turkey and Boyfriend usually likes my healthy substitution (or at least he says he does). Only a few times do I hear him say that he wants beef so we usually agree on dishes to cook. So on to my great idea - I would use these cookbooks and we could find a recipe every couple of weeks to try. A fun at home date night and I would put these cookbooks to good use!
Over dinner one night, I suggested this idea because our favorite topic over food is of course - food! Boyfriend loved the idea. He immediately got up and brought back a few of his cookbooks saying that we could use a few of his as well. He stacked a few in front of me with one being the required text of all good Mississippi homes - Bell's Best. There is something comforting about that cookbook and how often it appears in a Mississippi home. It is actually one of the cookbooks I refer to the most especially at this time of the year when I start making all of those traditional holiday dishes. While we haven't made a dish together yet out of the cookbook, Boyfriend recently enjoyed one of my favorites to make around this time of the year. I will let you know when we take on the cookbook culinary challenge but until then try my favorite pumpkin bread recipe from no other cookbook than Bell's Best (p. 108):
But the seldom use of my cookbooks is about to change with an idea I came up with a few weeks ago. Boyfriend and I love to cook together and now with us finally living in the same town, we can make cooking together a frequent occasion. We are always looking for a new culinary challenge to take on together. And for the most part, our tastes are similar with the exception that I don't eat beef. Most of the time, I can successfully substitute beef with ground turkey and Boyfriend usually likes my healthy substitution (or at least he says he does). Only a few times do I hear him say that he wants beef so we usually agree on dishes to cook. So on to my great idea - I would use these cookbooks and we could find a recipe every couple of weeks to try. A fun at home date night and I would put these cookbooks to good use!
Over dinner one night, I suggested this idea because our favorite topic over food is of course - food! Boyfriend loved the idea. He immediately got up and brought back a few of his cookbooks saying that we could use a few of his as well. He stacked a few in front of me with one being the required text of all good Mississippi homes - Bell's Best. There is something comforting about that cookbook and how often it appears in a Mississippi home. It is actually one of the cookbooks I refer to the most especially at this time of the year when I start making all of those traditional holiday dishes. While we haven't made a dish together yet out of the cookbook, Boyfriend recently enjoyed one of my favorites to make around this time of the year. I will let you know when we take on the cookbook culinary challenge but until then try my favorite pumpkin bread recipe from no other cookbook than Bell's Best (p. 108):
Pumpkin Bread
3 c. sugar (I substitute Splenda after all I am a health conscious Southern cook)
3 1/3 c. sifted plain flour (I substitute with wheat flour for the reason above)
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg (I use pumpkin pie spice)
1 1/2 tsp. salt (I only use 1/2 tsp)
2 tsp. soda
2/3 c. water
1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 c. raisins (I use dates not raisins because my Mother doesn't like raisins in bread and dates are simply delicious)
3/4 c. chopped pecans (I use walnuts)
2 c. cooked pumpkin
1 c. cooking oil
4 eggs
Mix all dry ingredients. Add liquids and beat well. Grease and flour 2 loafs pans. Pour pans half full of batter and bake at 350 degrees about 50 minutes. Let cool and remove from pans. This bread freezes very well.
*After writing in all my substitutions, I realized I really changed the recipe a lot but Bell's Best was my inspiration so I am sure the bread will turn out delicious either way you prepare it.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Hear Me Today, Tomorrow My Voice May Be Silenced
When I started this blog about a year ago, I promised myself that I would rarely, if at all, post political pieces. I personally have strong political beliefs but did not want to alienate any of my readers that did not share these beliefs. My opinions in regard to politics were irrelevant for this blog because the theme is Southern Life not Southern Politics. However, Initiative 26 is now Southern Life and I want my voice to accompany the many other strong voices that I have been quoting on Facebook these last few weeks. Sadly, I am truly afraid that it is a possibility for the first time in my life that I might not have a voice about my body after tomorrow.
In complete transparency, I am a Catholic and identify myself as a Democrat. I do not support abortion as a means of birth control. I am thankful for my rights and respect the women and men before me that fought to give me those rights. I am proud to be from Mississippi but tomorrow I may be scared to live in my state especially if I ever have health related issues regarding my fertility. I am speaking to you as a woman who is concerned about women's health and our rights. I am also pleading to the men of our state to think about the women in your life who you love and may have limited health care options in the coming months.
Vague Language
Notice I am careful to use the word "may" and word choice is at the core of my argument. No one knows the consequences of passing 26. The language is vague, leaving the doors open for interpretation. Therefore it does not immediately make abortion illegal nor does it immediately take away other rights from us...but it could, especially in the wrong hands. Words matter. Attorneys use them to find loopholes to help their clients. Entire cases have been won on the improper wording of a statement. Obviously words count, the reason behind 26 is to change the definition. Are we so trusting of our elected officials that we do not demand that an amendment be clearly outlined for the citizens? I would hope not. And I pray that our citizens, on whatever side of the issue, demand that 26 be better worded so we clearly understand the consequences. The only way we can demand clear language is to vote NO.
From the ballot summary: Initiative #26 would amend the Mississippi Constitution to define the word “person” or “persons”, as those terms are used in Article III of the state constitution, to include every human being from the moment of fertilization, cloning, or the functional equivalent thereof.
Creating Life, Not Destroying It
Very simplistic biology lesson: fertilization can happen in a test tube. Therefore, in vitro fertilization may be considered illegal. In vitro is used to create, not destroy, life. The supporters of 26 have overlooked that by voting yes, they potentially take away the option to create life for couples struggling to have families. Yes, the implications of 26 can take away life.
The Health of Women
A woman can be pregnant with a baby that will never be born alive. I will not bore you with medical terms but we all know that pregnancy is a high risk time in a woman's life. Regardless of what stage of fertilization or conception a woman is in, she could lose the baby and have health problems that could put her own life at risk. Of course, we all hope this never happens to us or anyone we know. Due to excellent medical advancements and care, doctors are able to make quick, life saving decisions to reduce risks associated with pregnancy. Will these decisions be hindered because of 26? The possibility is definitely there. So much there in fact, that the Mississippi State Medical Association and the Mississippi Nurses Association do not support 26. I can't understand why so many people are refusing to listen to medical experts. They are worried that this will hinder our care at best and could prevent lives from being saved at worst. I thought the supporters of 26 want lives to be saved, then why aren't they worried about the lives of the mothers as well? The supporters' lack of thought on this objection alone is extremely frightening. Yes, the implications of 26 can take away life.
Abortions Will Occur
Roe v. Wade occurred before I was born but I still know about the act of back alley abortions. Have we, as a society, forgot about those? Again, I do not support abortion as birth control but I am also not oblivious to human nature and circumstances. Supporters need to remember that many people in our state do not live in a perfect, safe little world. More people in our state than not are living in poverty with very little education. But think for a moment of a teenager, regardless of socioeconomic level, finds herself pregnant and scared. Would you want a teenager you know going to a random back alley abortion practitioner or a clinic that could guide her? In the first scenario, the teenager not only may lose the baby but stands a chance of losing her life as well. I am not using dramatics to make a point, back alley abortions were a real thing of the past and we cannot afford to be so ignorant to the fact that the past can occur again. Even more likely, there will be other ways to get abortions if 26 passes. Mainly, those who want an abortion will travel. Those that want abortions will still have the option but women who may need immediate life saving medical care may not receive the needed treatment. Yes, the implications of 26 can take away life.
We Move BACK
When juries are picked, attorneys like to pick people that can be swayed to support their respective sides. Makes sense, right? Pick the people that will vote for you. The attorney may not get the jury he or she wants but ideally they would like to pick the people they can persuade. Mississippi just got picked for this jury. Personhood USA is a Colorado based organization. They were outvoted by a majority in Colorado. So the organization steps back and regroups to try to accomplish their mission. They pick a state they believe they can manipulate the majority of the voters. Or so they think. They pick a state in the Bible Belt and appeal to the Christian values. They pick a state that lags behind in education in most communities because the undereducated are the most easily manipulated. They pick a state of people that want to do the right thing but do not take all the time to research the right thing. All good things for an organization who wants to win. They picked Mississippi.
We, especially women, move backward tomorrow if the vote is yes to 26. We are in essence voting against the right to make choices for our bodies. To all the women before us that fought to give us that right, we will hand it back to them by Mississippi saying, "Thanks but no thanks." All because so many in our state were led to believe it was simply about abortion.
If you have made it to this point in my blog and are still reading, you will see clearly that my fight is not for abortion at all. It is a determined fight for my future health and the women of our state. I pray that if you vote yes tomorrow that you will never find yourself regretting it when you need, but can't have, in vitro fertilization. I pray that you never find yourself in a situation where a doctor is waiting for government approval to save your life when every minute counts. But most importantly, I pray that you make the right decision tomorrow and realize voting no doesn't mean that you support abortion. It means that you demand that better legislation be presented so that we continue to have a voice and have access to quality healthcare in our state. God bless our Mississippi tomorrow!
In complete transparency, I am a Catholic and identify myself as a Democrat. I do not support abortion as a means of birth control. I am thankful for my rights and respect the women and men before me that fought to give me those rights. I am proud to be from Mississippi but tomorrow I may be scared to live in my state especially if I ever have health related issues regarding my fertility. I am speaking to you as a woman who is concerned about women's health and our rights. I am also pleading to the men of our state to think about the women in your life who you love and may have limited health care options in the coming months.
Vague Language
Notice I am careful to use the word "may" and word choice is at the core of my argument. No one knows the consequences of passing 26. The language is vague, leaving the doors open for interpretation. Therefore it does not immediately make abortion illegal nor does it immediately take away other rights from us...but it could, especially in the wrong hands. Words matter. Attorneys use them to find loopholes to help their clients. Entire cases have been won on the improper wording of a statement. Obviously words count, the reason behind 26 is to change the definition. Are we so trusting of our elected officials that we do not demand that an amendment be clearly outlined for the citizens? I would hope not. And I pray that our citizens, on whatever side of the issue, demand that 26 be better worded so we clearly understand the consequences. The only way we can demand clear language is to vote NO.
From the ballot summary: Initiative #26 would amend the Mississippi Constitution to define the word “person” or “persons”, as those terms are used in Article III of the state constitution, to include every human being from the moment of fertilization, cloning, or the functional equivalent thereof.
Creating Life, Not Destroying It
Very simplistic biology lesson: fertilization can happen in a test tube. Therefore, in vitro fertilization may be considered illegal. In vitro is used to create, not destroy, life. The supporters of 26 have overlooked that by voting yes, they potentially take away the option to create life for couples struggling to have families. Yes, the implications of 26 can take away life.
The Health of Women
A woman can be pregnant with a baby that will never be born alive. I will not bore you with medical terms but we all know that pregnancy is a high risk time in a woman's life. Regardless of what stage of fertilization or conception a woman is in, she could lose the baby and have health problems that could put her own life at risk. Of course, we all hope this never happens to us or anyone we know. Due to excellent medical advancements and care, doctors are able to make quick, life saving decisions to reduce risks associated with pregnancy. Will these decisions be hindered because of 26? The possibility is definitely there. So much there in fact, that the Mississippi State Medical Association and the Mississippi Nurses Association do not support 26. I can't understand why so many people are refusing to listen to medical experts. They are worried that this will hinder our care at best and could prevent lives from being saved at worst. I thought the supporters of 26 want lives to be saved, then why aren't they worried about the lives of the mothers as well? The supporters' lack of thought on this objection alone is extremely frightening. Yes, the implications of 26 can take away life.
Abortions Will Occur
Roe v. Wade occurred before I was born but I still know about the act of back alley abortions. Have we, as a society, forgot about those? Again, I do not support abortion as birth control but I am also not oblivious to human nature and circumstances. Supporters need to remember that many people in our state do not live in a perfect, safe little world. More people in our state than not are living in poverty with very little education. But think for a moment of a teenager, regardless of socioeconomic level, finds herself pregnant and scared. Would you want a teenager you know going to a random back alley abortion practitioner or a clinic that could guide her? In the first scenario, the teenager not only may lose the baby but stands a chance of losing her life as well. I am not using dramatics to make a point, back alley abortions were a real thing of the past and we cannot afford to be so ignorant to the fact that the past can occur again. Even more likely, there will be other ways to get abortions if 26 passes. Mainly, those who want an abortion will travel. Those that want abortions will still have the option but women who may need immediate life saving medical care may not receive the needed treatment. Yes, the implications of 26 can take away life.
We Move BACK
When juries are picked, attorneys like to pick people that can be swayed to support their respective sides. Makes sense, right? Pick the people that will vote for you. The attorney may not get the jury he or she wants but ideally they would like to pick the people they can persuade. Mississippi just got picked for this jury. Personhood USA is a Colorado based organization. They were outvoted by a majority in Colorado. So the organization steps back and regroups to try to accomplish their mission. They pick a state they believe they can manipulate the majority of the voters. Or so they think. They pick a state in the Bible Belt and appeal to the Christian values. They pick a state that lags behind in education in most communities because the undereducated are the most easily manipulated. They pick a state of people that want to do the right thing but do not take all the time to research the right thing. All good things for an organization who wants to win. They picked Mississippi.
We, especially women, move backward tomorrow if the vote is yes to 26. We are in essence voting against the right to make choices for our bodies. To all the women before us that fought to give us that right, we will hand it back to them by Mississippi saying, "Thanks but no thanks." All because so many in our state were led to believe it was simply about abortion.
If you have made it to this point in my blog and are still reading, you will see clearly that my fight is not for abortion at all. It is a determined fight for my future health and the women of our state. I pray that if you vote yes tomorrow that you will never find yourself regretting it when you need, but can't have, in vitro fertilization. I pray that you never find yourself in a situation where a doctor is waiting for government approval to save your life when every minute counts. But most importantly, I pray that you make the right decision tomorrow and realize voting no doesn't mean that you support abortion. It means that you demand that better legislation be presented so that we continue to have a voice and have access to quality healthcare in our state. God bless our Mississippi tomorrow!
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