Thursday, April 7, 2011
Your Own Identity.....
Everyone always has a time in their lives where they are lost. Who am I? Who do I want to be when I grow up? What kind of person do I want to be?
These questions we battle with ourselves as we grow into our awkward stages in our lives. Pre-Teen and than our teenage years, we just don't know who we are.
But as an adult, can you really still have that same excuse?
Let me give you a for instance, I know this one "man" that has made a name for himself for being a rich spoiled kid that loathes himself so much that he still does not know who he is. He despises another man so much that he is following in that man's foot steps. So, he can't find his own identity that he decides he wants emulate what he loathes and hates the most. Get your own identity. If you don't like someone so much why would you want to turn into that person, the one man you claim to hate with your whole soul. Isn't imitation the best form of flattery? And when you are turning into that person you hate some much, does that mean you are still having an identity crisis with your own self. You already hate yourself so much are going to hate yourself some more? What sense does that make.
But as adults sometimes we still don't know, "What we want to be when we grow up." Which is okay in some instances because we are always working on the path to make our lives better for ourselves and our families. As long as you find something that makes you happy then your identity will come in time. Everyone has several titles in our lives, but the one title that makes you happy will bring you joy in your life. Giving you the identity you seek......
~ Gypsy Knowles ~
These questions we battle with ourselves as we grow into our awkward stages in our lives. Pre-Teen and than our teenage years, we just don't know who we are.
But as an adult, can you really still have that same excuse?
Let me give you a for instance, I know this one "man" that has made a name for himself for being a rich spoiled kid that loathes himself so much that he still does not know who he is. He despises another man so much that he is following in that man's foot steps. So, he can't find his own identity that he decides he wants emulate what he loathes and hates the most. Get your own identity. If you don't like someone so much why would you want to turn into that person, the one man you claim to hate with your whole soul. Isn't imitation the best form of flattery? And when you are turning into that person you hate some much, does that mean you are still having an identity crisis with your own self. You already hate yourself so much are going to hate yourself some more? What sense does that make.
But as adults sometimes we still don't know, "What we want to be when we grow up." Which is okay in some instances because we are always working on the path to make our lives better for ourselves and our families. As long as you find something that makes you happy then your identity will come in time. Everyone has several titles in our lives, but the one title that makes you happy will bring you joy in your life. Giving you the identity you seek......
~ Gypsy Knowles ~
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Tattooed Folks Everywhere
Well the stigma of the tattoo folks still happens to this day. We are no good, trashy folks that can't get jobs and have no morals!
Well fine then so be it you conservative closed minded morons. We all know damn well that there are Politicians, CEOs, teachers & lawyers to name a few that have their bodies decorated under their professional work attire. Some of them are even WOMEN! THE FUCKING HORROR. lol
I just find it funny is all. Let me just shoot a little example for you.
I was walking into a corner store one beautiful Sunday morning. I was dressed in a muscle shirt & wearing my septum piercing. (Obviously I was not dressed to go to church) I kindly opened the door for a family walking in at the same time. (Who were dressed in their Sunday best) MOM & Grandmother shot me a big judgemental look. And my first thought was, "really ladies? Your going to think ill of me RIGHT BEFORE YOU WALK INTO CHURCH, nice." I guess it's better to ask God to forgive you for being so judgemental & thinking your bad thoughts about me. I forgive you for passing judgement on me. I know who I am. I am actually a mother as well, I cook and clean for my husband just like you do & I just choose to adorn my body with artwork.
I am not sporting demons nor religious tattoos. To each their own. I just think that it is a bit sad in many ways that we as a society can not stop with the prejudice. Whether its people's sexual orientation, color, or religion. Instead we still catagorize folks into groups. BUT I am prejudice I will not lie. I fucking HATE STUPID PEOPLE, and they come in all shapes & forms. Sorry stupid people but your just screwed.
I am just thrown aback when I read some facebook comments on some of my friends and families tattoo or piercing photos or statuses. Is it really that bad, to choose to do what you want to do? Can we not decorate our bodies like we would like? Is it really any of your fucking business what I get done? To Each Their own.
My Husband likes to tell a story about a brief conversation he had about his Tattoos:
He was one day standing in line and an older african american man said to him, "Sir, Do you ever think your the new colored folk?"
My husband turned to him, thought for a minute and responded, "Well I guess so."
Comming from a man that probably lived his youth segregated & came across discrimination, my husband could now relate to at least one of those.
Everyone who has a tattoo is not TRASH! I just want everyone to know that. We are a different breed, we like to go through the pain in the chair to carry a permanent mark on our bodies. One that means something to us. A time stamp of our youth, our adventures, our identities. We beat to our own drum or maybe we just love the sound of the tattoo machine. But hell, beauty hurts ask any woman who tweezes their eyebrows or has cut herself shaving her legs.
Would you really turn to the woman with tattooed sleeves and tell her she was trash? Or would you think twice about just opening your mouth cause maybe that woman will be your child's teacher, school nurse or even worse THE PRINCIPAL!
And if we are trash, outlaws, bikers, rebels, pirates, and scumbags then so be it. Together we will walk with our markings.
Thank you and have a good day.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Double Standards in the Words of Gypsy
I always try to start my blog with a definition. So we can all read what the world around us says something is.
standard applied unfairly: a principle, rule, or expectation that is applied unfairly to different groups, one group usually being condemned for the slightest offense while the other is treated far more leniently
There are several double standards race, creed, age. I am going to reflect the one of men and women.
I am going to just be a little vague on this. Its stuff we all know is still happening in the world around us but I just want to vent a bit or just make a casual Gypsy Observation.
Topic 1: Motorcycles and Women
As women we are "suppose" to just stay behind our husband's on THEIR BIKES and ride with them. NOT own our own BIKES or even RIDE along beside our husbands either. I am a passenger on my husband's bike. I am the normal, boring, traditional biker bitch that lets my husband do all the work and I get hang on to him and just enjoy the ride. BUT, cause there is always a BUT......
I have a good friend of mine who knew this double standard was going to show itself sooner or later, as so it did. She not only has a motorcycle, she has her own Harley. It's a big bike with a big motor but she has a beautiful butt that needed a little support. (Love ya, KR!) She was not going to ride beside her husband on a sportster, as I put it to her, "like as if you were riding a thong with a wheel" Its just would not have been a good look. The double standard that she shouldn't even own her motorcycle makes us chuckle. She has gotten the speech from older women riders and few biker men on their two cents about how she should just be behind her man, not next to him. She has received the "How dare you have your own bike & ride it too" glare. She takes it with a grain of salt and gets on her bike when she can escape her loving girls she calls Demons and runs small errands on her bike. And you know why she does it? BECAUSE she can! She can go riding to the store if she wants without her husband, with HER bike and with her own knees in the breeze. I respect her for trying to break that double standard on women on bikes cause no matter what year it is, sometimes you can't break BIKERS from their way of thinking. I believe in that tribe that double standard will exist till the end of time.
Topic 2: Phone calls.
Now this one can get a little ugly because men and women feel like when they call their significant other, you better be Johnny on the FUCKING spot with that send button. If your loved one is calling you better have a good damn excuse on why you didn't pick it up sooner then the third ring. And even though you love that person on the other end, you just feel like when you call they must not be doing anything important cause your not, your calling them your not busy so by all means they should not be busy either. (super long run on sentence but so is your mind when it is going on the 4th ring & one more it goes to voicemail) But who's excuse is better? This is where the double standard gets a little vague, I would say.
Lets just throw some examples out there, of what kind of excuses on why we (Penis & Vagina) can not answer our phones or text in a timely manner that satisfies our other half's.
Ex1: I didn't know you called I was busy at work.
Ex2: I am sorry I didn't answer I had screaming kids in the car/house/tub that were taking up my attention
Ex3: I worked really hard today and just fell asleep.
Ex4: I went to the bathroom, put my cell down two minutes tops, and you happen to call when I am taking a dump. (I knew I should have taken cell into bathroom, where some of us have lost our phones by dropping them into the toilet after a flush of course)
Ex5: I was on the road or driving and texting is now illegal.
Ex6: I just stepped away from my cell.
I mean these are all valid excuses given to one partner to another. But we the partners are just suppose to be like, "oh okay, cool." No instead we can receive & give comments like the following.
Ex1: You got off 2 hours ago, I know your ass can't hear the cell when your at the bar.
Ex2: Why were they screaming?
Ex3: You couldn't call me to let me know you went to bed. (Yes, sounds dumb but when your mad, you say dumb shit)
Ex4: You take the cell all the other times you go to the bathroom and you answer everyone else right away.
Ex5: I know your ass texts and drives all the time, pull the fuck over.
Ex6: Who the hell just steps away from their cell?
So, next time you call your partner in crime just try to be a little more considerate. Cause just because you are not busy....does not mean they aren't dealing with minor meltdowns, traffic or just plain potty breaks. It's just such a double standard that if you are making the money in the household than the one that just stays at home is playing Peggy Bundy on the couch. That shit was NOT real, there are so many variables on who and what is going on around at home. Housewives need to remember that the rest of the world has real jobs and sometimes your man is busy at work.
BUT both parties need to remember to fucking chill and not get upset. And I do mean BOTH PARTIES, I am not picking sides because I have been known to get all crazy for not answering. ha ha ha....shhhh was that my phone going off?
Well, I have said my peace on this for now. I mean the double standards will exists. We can try to not let them bother us and that makes us better people. Some things will never change but others just might. Who knows...... (shit where did I put my cell? ha ha)
Added: July 10, 2011: Fuck the double standard. I guess we all have to live in relationships that it is either one way but not another. Whatever is good for the Goose, is not the same for the Gander. Whatever Daddy wants to do, its okay he can do it cause he makes more money then the wife. So the wife just needs to shut the fuck up and do as she is told. I hate double standards, what a bunch of malarkey.
Thank you and good night.
**Written by Gyspy Knowles
***Side note: Its late and I am tired.
standard applied unfairly: a principle, rule, or expectation that is applied unfairly to different groups, one group usually being condemned for the slightest offense while the other is treated far more leniently
There are several double standards race, creed, age. I am going to reflect the one of men and women.
I am going to just be a little vague on this. Its stuff we all know is still happening in the world around us but I just want to vent a bit or just make a casual Gypsy Observation.
Topic 1: Motorcycles and Women
As women we are "suppose" to just stay behind our husband's on THEIR BIKES and ride with them. NOT own our own BIKES or even RIDE along beside our husbands either. I am a passenger on my husband's bike. I am the normal, boring, traditional biker bitch that lets my husband do all the work and I get hang on to him and just enjoy the ride. BUT, cause there is always a BUT......
I have a good friend of mine who knew this double standard was going to show itself sooner or later, as so it did. She not only has a motorcycle, she has her own Harley. It's a big bike with a big motor but she has a beautiful butt that needed a little support. (Love ya, KR!) She was not going to ride beside her husband on a sportster, as I put it to her, "like as if you were riding a thong with a wheel" Its just would not have been a good look. The double standard that she shouldn't even own her motorcycle makes us chuckle. She has gotten the speech from older women riders and few biker men on their two cents about how she should just be behind her man, not next to him. She has received the "How dare you have your own bike & ride it too" glare. She takes it with a grain of salt and gets on her bike when she can escape her loving girls she calls Demons and runs small errands on her bike. And you know why she does it? BECAUSE she can! She can go riding to the store if she wants without her husband, with HER bike and with her own knees in the breeze. I respect her for trying to break that double standard on women on bikes cause no matter what year it is, sometimes you can't break BIKERS from their way of thinking. I believe in that tribe that double standard will exist till the end of time.
Topic 2: Phone calls.
Now this one can get a little ugly because men and women feel like when they call their significant other, you better be Johnny on the FUCKING spot with that send button. If your loved one is calling you better have a good damn excuse on why you didn't pick it up sooner then the third ring. And even though you love that person on the other end, you just feel like when you call they must not be doing anything important cause your not, your calling them your not busy so by all means they should not be busy either. (super long run on sentence but so is your mind when it is going on the 4th ring & one more it goes to voicemail) But who's excuse is better? This is where the double standard gets a little vague, I would say.
Lets just throw some examples out there, of what kind of excuses on why we (Penis & Vagina) can not answer our phones or text in a timely manner that satisfies our other half's.
Ex1: I didn't know you called I was busy at work.
Ex2: I am sorry I didn't answer I had screaming kids in the car/house/tub that were taking up my attention
Ex3: I worked really hard today and just fell asleep.
Ex4: I went to the bathroom, put my cell down two minutes tops, and you happen to call when I am taking a dump. (I knew I should have taken cell into bathroom, where some of us have lost our phones by dropping them into the toilet after a flush of course)
Ex5: I was on the road or driving and texting is now illegal.
Ex6: I just stepped away from my cell.
I mean these are all valid excuses given to one partner to another. But we the partners are just suppose to be like, "oh okay, cool." No instead we can receive & give comments like the following.
Ex1: You got off 2 hours ago, I know your ass can't hear the cell when your at the bar.
Ex2: Why were they screaming?
Ex3: You couldn't call me to let me know you went to bed. (Yes, sounds dumb but when your mad, you say dumb shit)
Ex4: You take the cell all the other times you go to the bathroom and you answer everyone else right away.
Ex5: I know your ass texts and drives all the time, pull the fuck over.
Ex6: Who the hell just steps away from their cell?
So, next time you call your partner in crime just try to be a little more considerate. Cause just because you are not busy....does not mean they aren't dealing with minor meltdowns, traffic or just plain potty breaks. It's just such a double standard that if you are making the money in the household than the one that just stays at home is playing Peggy Bundy on the couch. That shit was NOT real, there are so many variables on who and what is going on around at home. Housewives need to remember that the rest of the world has real jobs and sometimes your man is busy at work.
BUT both parties need to remember to fucking chill and not get upset. And I do mean BOTH PARTIES, I am not picking sides because I have been known to get all crazy for not answering. ha ha ha....shhhh was that my phone going off?
Well, I have said my peace on this for now. I mean the double standards will exists. We can try to not let them bother us and that makes us better people. Some things will never change but others just might. Who knows...... (shit where did I put my cell? ha ha)
Added: July 10, 2011: Fuck the double standard. I guess we all have to live in relationships that it is either one way but not another. Whatever is good for the Goose, is not the same for the Gander. Whatever Daddy wants to do, its okay he can do it cause he makes more money then the wife. So the wife just needs to shut the fuck up and do as she is told. I hate double standards, what a bunch of malarkey.
Thank you and good night.
**Written by Gyspy Knowles
***Side note: Its late and I am tired.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
The Gypsy and her Roosters
One day I was traveling on a back road and in the distance I could see a little house set back in the distance. And other small stuctures behind it. It wasn't a house it was a small RV on the property. It looked like it hadn't moved in years. There was a palm tree in the middle of the front yard between the gate and the house with two lawn chairs under it. "What a silly place to put chairs?" I thought "Palm trees don't give off shade"
I slowed down and came to the front gate. The mail box was painted with two sugar skulls, very old school tattoo traditional, but weathered and beaten. "well that mailbox has seen better days." The gate was old and rustic. Horse shoes and an Longhorn skull were on display. Than I saw a sign right behind the gate on a post that read, "Come in, I've been expecting you."
Odd, I thought but hey they are expecting me, I could use a break from the road. I just hope they aren't serial killers or something. I went ahead and pulled into the driveway, got out of the car and opened the gate. It sure was heavy, the wheel on the corner was old and rusty making it very difficult to open it. "Well, this would keep anyone from actually coming and visiting." I chuckled to myself.
I drove up to the RV and I was right, nobody had moved this thing in years. One of the tires was missing and there was blocks holding it there. The canopy didn't look to good but the entire place felt very calm except for all the roosters crowing. I didn't hear that before but than again it was a long driveway and I did have my music blaring.
I looked around, there was a picnic table with a flower pot shaped like a rooster. Growing in it there was a plant. "No, it couldn't be? really?" I went for closer inspection. I was about to touch it and someone said. "Hello, I've been expecting you."
I jumped and turned around, "you have?"
"sure why not, I like visitors and when I unlock my gate that is when I put out my sign and expect to get company. I like company."
"Oh, so I am not the first to just come up your drive way?"
"Nope and sir you won't be the last. My name is Gypsy and my pal here is Bravo." She pointed at a beautiful Blue Leg Kelso. His feathers were clean, vibrant and full.
"Oh, my name is George but you can call me Buddy."
"George, huh." She looked at me and then her eyes went somewhere. She stared at me but not in a creepy way, I could tell she was thinking about something or someone.
"Gypsy, Are you okay?" I asked
She came back, "I am fine, my dear husband's name was George, so I will not be calling you Buddy, and we were together for a long time and he is waiting for me to join him but I think I still have a few years left in me. Besides who would tend to my roosters if I left."
"Do you mean, Bravo here?"
"No I mean my roosters in the back yard. But before you go explore, would you like a drink? You did stop and I take it you must be on a journey of some sort?"
"I would love a drink, Thank you Gypsy."
She slowly walked into the r.v. Bravo followed her.
I guess, she is odd. She sure is old and I guess she lives out here alone. It explains the shape of the fence, gate, mailbox and her home. I sat down on the picnic table and looked at that plant again. Well who is going to tell this old lady she's got a pot plant on her table? Wonder if she knows.
She walks out with a glass of tea and rolled cigarette in her mouth. "it's sweet, I shouldn't be making sweet tea anymore cause it's not healthy for me but it was MY George's favorite drink. Do you smoke pot?"
"no ma'am, I am moving to find work and had to quite. And that explains the plant." as I pointed to her porcelain rooster."
"I guess it would, huh. Well, I am going to smoke and if the cops come by after you leave, I will hunt you down and shoot you." She smiled at me. For an old lady, she had all her teeth and they were actually still white. Hell whiter than mine, I think.
"Ma'am I would never. I am a guest and would never disrespect your house or your hospitality."
"Alright then, glad we have come to an understanding."
She lite up and smoked, I sipped my tea. It was delicious. "This by far is the best sweet tea I have ever had."
"Thank you, young man. Guess all George's like my tea."
"May I ask what happened to your husband, Gypsy?"
"Yes you may. Old age happened. He left me in our sleep a couple years ago, we lead a very nomadic life, hence my nickname GYPSY and it was a wonderful loving loyal life we lead."
"sorry to hear that."
"sorry about what, young man, that he died? It happens, when Death comes for you, He will come. He came for my husband and one day he will visit me and later on in life, he will come for you. So don't be sorry or feel sad for me. We had a great adventure together and I will not ever forget him and I would do it all over again."
We sat there in silence for awhile, she was right and what could I say. klio
She put out her joint and she asked me, "would you like a tour of the farm?"
"Sure."
She got up from the other side of the table and started giving me the tour. This is their home for many years on the road, till they bought this piece of land and parked it. The palm tree and chairs, in front of the house, was an inside joke they shared with each other about waiting for the ocean to come to them. They had traveled all over the United States, going to Tattoo conventions, cause George was a Tattoo artist. I might be able to see some of his flash in shops now because even after he passed she still goes out to some conventions and sells his work. They have 3 boys and only 2 of them come and make sure she is still alive. One is a tattoo artist and the other one is high school football couch after his brief career in the NFL. We walked around the back, she had a small porch with more porcelain rooster pots but these were full of flowers. She had a small greenhouse that held all her vegetables and fruits that helps with her food costs as she told it. Sometimes she likes to make salsa and sell it but that is only if her best friend Hippie comes by and visits. There was a tree line after behind the greenhouse and you can hear the roosters and chickens a lot louder now. The trees were fruit and nut bearing trees. Pecans, Lemons, Apples, peaches and pears. She would sometimes pick them or hire people to come pick her trees for a little bit of pocket cash, once again, her words.
But than she stated, "But these are my money makers right here." She pointed past the tree line. "And let me tell you once again, IF YOU CALL THE COPS, I will hunt you down, shoot you and feed you to pigs, cause I have a pig farmer for a friend." This time her smile was a little creepy with a hint of evil witch.
"No ma'am, once again, I would never disrespect."
"Good."
"I have been raising roosters and hens since we parked the r.v. When we finally decided to stop traveling so much and my husband's hands could no longer tattoo hours on end, we bought this land, took our savings and built the greenhouse, planted the trees and bought our first 3 breeds of the yard bird. He could only help out once in awhile depending on how he felt that day, but my husband always lived in pain and even when I told him I could take care of the rest he would always stay outside with me as we built up our property. Making sure my tea glass was always full. Now I have about 12 breeds of yard bird and all of them are just as loved as my first. I sell them to other farmers and some of my hens get slaughtered and are taken to the local butcher shop. EGGS I have eggs. And I will be sending some with you before you go by the way."
"okay." was I suppose to say no?
"Some gentlemen come by my house to buy roosters to fight. BUT I am not responsible for my birds after money has exchanged hands. I do not sell them roosters if they tell me they are going to fight them because COPS like to be tricky like that and get me to sell them a bird after they tell me shit like that. PSHHH I was born at night but not last night, stupid pigs! But that is besides the point. I just know that some of the ladies and gentlemen that come by are not all what they say they are. I am an old lady, not a DUMB OLD LADY. But either way, I sell my salsa with my friend, I let folks come by and pick off my trees for a little cash, sell eggs at the farmers market every other Saturday, slaughter my hens for the butcher and sell Roosters. And at the end of the day, Bravo and I are beat."
"well, you have quite the operation here for being all alone."
"I am not alone, I have Bravo and my 380 to keep my company so when people think they can take advantage of me, I can just shoot them in the face."
"well, that's a little harsh, but I understand."
"My husband taught me a lot, and one of things he was a firm believer in was 'this is not the playground this is real life and let the best person win."
"I see."
"I might be old, like I said, but I am not helpless, I am blessed everyday I wake up to hear Bravo crowing at the sunlight. I am not alone, I have people come by during different times of the year to visit. Like you, I put the sign out cause I just knew a your traveling soul was tired and thirsty and curious. So I was expecting you."
We had walked back to the front yard and I drank the rest of my tea.
"Well Gypsy, you have a nice little operation going on for yourself. If I may, I would like to stop by again in the future and visit again."
"young man, your more than welcome to come back any time. With a name like George, you can come back anytime. But I recommend you come in the Spring if you like peaches cause I make some really good peach sweet tea. I just ask two things from you. Please close my gate when you leave and don't call the cops, I am just too old for court dates, court costs and bullshit pigs and judges. Like you said, I have a small operation here and it helps me get through until Death comes for me."
"It was a pleasure. Is there any way I can get a to-go cup of your tea?"
"yes, there is."
She disappeared inside and came back out with a big cup of tea and small cooler. "Here are those eggs and some cooked chicken. you can have the cup and cooler,they are a dime a dozen. My fellow gypsy friends and travelers always know I like to have spare coolers so they bring me back the coolers and to-go cups all the time. Be careful on your journeys George and have a wonderful day."
"Likewise Gypsy."
I am glad I stopped. The old lady and her roosters was one of the most memorable stops of my journey. I think I just might have to come back one day and bring her back her cooler and have some more of that sweet tea.
**This Blog is dedicated to my hard working Husband George. I love you baby and miss you so much when we are apart. I am honored to be your wife.**
I slowed down and came to the front gate. The mail box was painted with two sugar skulls, very old school tattoo traditional, but weathered and beaten. "well that mailbox has seen better days." The gate was old and rustic. Horse shoes and an Longhorn skull were on display. Than I saw a sign right behind the gate on a post that read, "Come in, I've been expecting you."
Odd, I thought but hey they are expecting me, I could use a break from the road. I just hope they aren't serial killers or something. I went ahead and pulled into the driveway, got out of the car and opened the gate. It sure was heavy, the wheel on the corner was old and rusty making it very difficult to open it. "Well, this would keep anyone from actually coming and visiting." I chuckled to myself.
I drove up to the RV and I was right, nobody had moved this thing in years. One of the tires was missing and there was blocks holding it there. The canopy didn't look to good but the entire place felt very calm except for all the roosters crowing. I didn't hear that before but than again it was a long driveway and I did have my music blaring.
I looked around, there was a picnic table with a flower pot shaped like a rooster. Growing in it there was a plant. "No, it couldn't be? really?" I went for closer inspection. I was about to touch it and someone said. "Hello, I've been expecting you."
I jumped and turned around, "you have?"
"sure why not, I like visitors and when I unlock my gate that is when I put out my sign and expect to get company. I like company."
"Oh, so I am not the first to just come up your drive way?"
"Nope and sir you won't be the last. My name is Gypsy and my pal here is Bravo." She pointed at a beautiful Blue Leg Kelso. His feathers were clean, vibrant and full.
"Oh, my name is George but you can call me Buddy."
"George, huh." She looked at me and then her eyes went somewhere. She stared at me but not in a creepy way, I could tell she was thinking about something or someone.
"Gypsy, Are you okay?" I asked
She came back, "I am fine, my dear husband's name was George, so I will not be calling you Buddy, and we were together for a long time and he is waiting for me to join him but I think I still have a few years left in me. Besides who would tend to my roosters if I left."
"Do you mean, Bravo here?"
"No I mean my roosters in the back yard. But before you go explore, would you like a drink? You did stop and I take it you must be on a journey of some sort?"
"I would love a drink, Thank you Gypsy."
She slowly walked into the r.v. Bravo followed her.
I guess, she is odd. She sure is old and I guess she lives out here alone. It explains the shape of the fence, gate, mailbox and her home. I sat down on the picnic table and looked at that plant again. Well who is going to tell this old lady she's got a pot plant on her table? Wonder if she knows.
She walks out with a glass of tea and rolled cigarette in her mouth. "it's sweet, I shouldn't be making sweet tea anymore cause it's not healthy for me but it was MY George's favorite drink. Do you smoke pot?"
"no ma'am, I am moving to find work and had to quite. And that explains the plant." as I pointed to her porcelain rooster."
"I guess it would, huh. Well, I am going to smoke and if the cops come by after you leave, I will hunt you down and shoot you." She smiled at me. For an old lady, she had all her teeth and they were actually still white. Hell whiter than mine, I think.
"Ma'am I would never. I am a guest and would never disrespect your house or your hospitality."
"Alright then, glad we have come to an understanding."
She lite up and smoked, I sipped my tea. It was delicious. "This by far is the best sweet tea I have ever had."
"Thank you, young man. Guess all George's like my tea."
"May I ask what happened to your husband, Gypsy?"
"Yes you may. Old age happened. He left me in our sleep a couple years ago, we lead a very nomadic life, hence my nickname GYPSY and it was a wonderful loving loyal life we lead."
"sorry to hear that."
"sorry about what, young man, that he died? It happens, when Death comes for you, He will come. He came for my husband and one day he will visit me and later on in life, he will come for you. So don't be sorry or feel sad for me. We had a great adventure together and I will not ever forget him and I would do it all over again."
We sat there in silence for awhile, she was right and what could I say. klio
She put out her joint and she asked me, "would you like a tour of the farm?"
"Sure."
She got up from the other side of the table and started giving me the tour. This is their home for many years on the road, till they bought this piece of land and parked it. The palm tree and chairs, in front of the house, was an inside joke they shared with each other about waiting for the ocean to come to them. They had traveled all over the United States, going to Tattoo conventions, cause George was a Tattoo artist. I might be able to see some of his flash in shops now because even after he passed she still goes out to some conventions and sells his work. They have 3 boys and only 2 of them come and make sure she is still alive. One is a tattoo artist and the other one is high school football couch after his brief career in the NFL. We walked around the back, she had a small porch with more porcelain rooster pots but these were full of flowers. She had a small greenhouse that held all her vegetables and fruits that helps with her food costs as she told it. Sometimes she likes to make salsa and sell it but that is only if her best friend Hippie comes by and visits. There was a tree line after behind the greenhouse and you can hear the roosters and chickens a lot louder now. The trees were fruit and nut bearing trees. Pecans, Lemons, Apples, peaches and pears. She would sometimes pick them or hire people to come pick her trees for a little bit of pocket cash, once again, her words.
But than she stated, "But these are my money makers right here." She pointed past the tree line. "And let me tell you once again, IF YOU CALL THE COPS, I will hunt you down, shoot you and feed you to pigs, cause I have a pig farmer for a friend." This time her smile was a little creepy with a hint of evil witch.
"No ma'am, once again, I would never disrespect."
"Good."
"I have been raising roosters and hens since we parked the r.v. When we finally decided to stop traveling so much and my husband's hands could no longer tattoo hours on end, we bought this land, took our savings and built the greenhouse, planted the trees and bought our first 3 breeds of the yard bird. He could only help out once in awhile depending on how he felt that day, but my husband always lived in pain and even when I told him I could take care of the rest he would always stay outside with me as we built up our property. Making sure my tea glass was always full. Now I have about 12 breeds of yard bird and all of them are just as loved as my first. I sell them to other farmers and some of my hens get slaughtered and are taken to the local butcher shop. EGGS I have eggs. And I will be sending some with you before you go by the way."
"okay." was I suppose to say no?
"Some gentlemen come by my house to buy roosters to fight. BUT I am not responsible for my birds after money has exchanged hands. I do not sell them roosters if they tell me they are going to fight them because COPS like to be tricky like that and get me to sell them a bird after they tell me shit like that. PSHHH I was born at night but not last night, stupid pigs! But that is besides the point. I just know that some of the ladies and gentlemen that come by are not all what they say they are. I am an old lady, not a DUMB OLD LADY. But either way, I sell my salsa with my friend, I let folks come by and pick off my trees for a little cash, sell eggs at the farmers market every other Saturday, slaughter my hens for the butcher and sell Roosters. And at the end of the day, Bravo and I are beat."
"well, you have quite the operation here for being all alone."
"I am not alone, I have Bravo and my 380 to keep my company so when people think they can take advantage of me, I can just shoot them in the face."
"well, that's a little harsh, but I understand."
"My husband taught me a lot, and one of things he was a firm believer in was 'this is not the playground this is real life and let the best person win."
"I see."
"I might be old, like I said, but I am not helpless, I am blessed everyday I wake up to hear Bravo crowing at the sunlight. I am not alone, I have people come by during different times of the year to visit. Like you, I put the sign out cause I just knew a your traveling soul was tired and thirsty and curious. So I was expecting you."
We had walked back to the front yard and I drank the rest of my tea.
"Well Gypsy, you have a nice little operation going on for yourself. If I may, I would like to stop by again in the future and visit again."
"young man, your more than welcome to come back any time. With a name like George, you can come back anytime. But I recommend you come in the Spring if you like peaches cause I make some really good peach sweet tea. I just ask two things from you. Please close my gate when you leave and don't call the cops, I am just too old for court dates, court costs and bullshit pigs and judges. Like you said, I have a small operation here and it helps me get through until Death comes for me."
"It was a pleasure. Is there any way I can get a to-go cup of your tea?"
"yes, there is."
She disappeared inside and came back out with a big cup of tea and small cooler. "Here are those eggs and some cooked chicken. you can have the cup and cooler,they are a dime a dozen. My fellow gypsy friends and travelers always know I like to have spare coolers so they bring me back the coolers and to-go cups all the time. Be careful on your journeys George and have a wonderful day."
"Likewise Gypsy."
I am glad I stopped. The old lady and her roosters was one of the most memorable stops of my journey. I think I just might have to come back one day and bring her back her cooler and have some more of that sweet tea.
**This Blog is dedicated to my hard working Husband George. I love you baby and miss you so much when we are apart. I am honored to be your wife.**
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Dessert.......
I thought I would love the dessert but hell now I know why people don't stay here. IT SUCKS.
The dessert does not have water, and since the Rio Grande is no longer a river but a creek than the water here is just horrible. My hair here sucks.
I am over this whole dry air and bad water. My hair is horrible, my hands are super dry and my eyes are killing me with all the sand, dust and microorganisms that travel in these sand storms.
Dear Dessert,
You can be so over rated.
That is all,
The dessert does not have water, and since the Rio Grande is no longer a river but a creek than the water here is just horrible. My hair here sucks.
I am over this whole dry air and bad water. My hair is horrible, my hands are super dry and my eyes are killing me with all the sand, dust and microorganisms that travel in these sand storms.
Dear Dessert,
You can be so over rated.
That is all,
Monday, February 7, 2011
Meet Him in OUR Dreams
My son does not live with me due to unfortunate circumstances. So I started something for us to do when we are away from each other.
We meet each other in our dreams. This has been very priceless and another way for us to feel connected. My new found friend here in El Paso loves my idea and thinks I can make a children's book out of it.
So I am going to share some of our dreams we have shared in the past few months.
1. We met at the Beach, we played in the sand and built a sand castle.
2. We went to the Zoo and vistited the spider monkeys, Tigers, Lions, Panthers and The Snakes. We ate popcorn.
3. We went to the carnival and rode the merry go round. We walked around the cos way and played games and ate cotton candy and carmel apples.
4. We also went on a train ride to the North Pole (he had watched the Movie Polar Express)
5. We went back to the North Pole and we built a snow man like Frosty. We had a hat, a carrot for his nose, coals for his eyes and rocks for his buttons. (El Paso had just had snow days)
6. Pirates. We (George, Me, Agustin and Rupert, his stuffed animal dog) We were all Pirates on our ship we named She-ra, Rupert was our Pirate Pet, Mami was the cook of the crew, Mijo was 2nd in command and George was El Captain Tattoo. We named our canon He-Man and we are all had a great adventure on the high seas.
These are some of our dreams. As we create more dreams to meet in, his imagination grows and I think that is the best quality of making these dreams.
We are always looking for our next dream adventure so if anyone has any suggestions let me know. I am going to suggest we go to the moon and be astronauts.
And when we part ways or get off the phone now, Mijo always asks me, "Mami, where are we gonna dream next?" So, he is enjoying this as much as I.
Sweet Dreams Mijo and see you in our dreams.
We meet each other in our dreams. This has been very priceless and another way for us to feel connected. My new found friend here in El Paso loves my idea and thinks I can make a children's book out of it.
So I am going to share some of our dreams we have shared in the past few months.
1. We met at the Beach, we played in the sand and built a sand castle.
2. We went to the Zoo and vistited the spider monkeys, Tigers, Lions, Panthers and The Snakes. We ate popcorn.
3. We went to the carnival and rode the merry go round. We walked around the cos way and played games and ate cotton candy and carmel apples.
4. We also went on a train ride to the North Pole (he had watched the Movie Polar Express)
5. We went back to the North Pole and we built a snow man like Frosty. We had a hat, a carrot for his nose, coals for his eyes and rocks for his buttons. (El Paso had just had snow days)
6. Pirates. We (George, Me, Agustin and Rupert, his stuffed animal dog) We were all Pirates on our ship we named She-ra, Rupert was our Pirate Pet, Mami was the cook of the crew, Mijo was 2nd in command and George was El Captain Tattoo. We named our canon He-Man and we are all had a great adventure on the high seas.
These are some of our dreams. As we create more dreams to meet in, his imagination grows and I think that is the best quality of making these dreams.
We are always looking for our next dream adventure so if anyone has any suggestions let me know. I am going to suggest we go to the moon and be astronauts.
And when we part ways or get off the phone now, Mijo always asks me, "Mami, where are we gonna dream next?" So, he is enjoying this as much as I.
Sweet Dreams Mijo and see you in our dreams.
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