Is Theo A Redneck?

I am pretty sure I qualify for one of Jeff Foxworthy's "You might be a redneck if...."

Hang on, here goes.

My mother was married at 16 and had her first child, a daughter at 17.
Her daughter, my sister, had her first child, a daughter, at 16.
Her daughter, my niece, had her first child, a daughter, at 17.
Her daughter, my grand-niece, had her first child, a daughter, at 16.
Her daughter, my great-grand niece ?, had her first child, a daughter today, at 19.

Frankly, we are a bit relieved. We were beginning to think she would never have children (tongue inserted firmly in cheek).

So, you vote. Does this make me a candidate for redneckness?

Quotable

In the beginning there was nothing. God said, 'Let there be light!' And there was light. There was still nothing, but you could see it a whole lot better. - Ellen DeGeneres

On Hiking The Grand Canyon

On Hiking The Grand Canyon

These Walls

These walls, these cascading rocks of harden earth, earthen toned history revealing centuries of the never ending dance between water and stone, hold me in awe. Is not this chasm grand in span and even grander yet in spirit, for it calls not only for all that the body can give it while every muscle screams for relief and each sinew claims finality. This brilliant abyss wants for the release of more, the conquest of ones very being, the devouring of all spirit. Give to it this, this measure of your existence, all body and spirit and therein, perhaps therein, weary traveler of this land, you might just discover more of who you are, or more complete still, you and I may just become more, more complete, more wonder-full. These walls can caress the very earthen vessel of humanity and breathe again into us, a vital wisp of that delicate mixture of earth and water and their waltz through eternity.

Quoting

The first question I ask myself when something doesn't seem to be beautiful is why do I think it's not beautiful. And very shortly you discover that there is no reason. - John Cage

On Orb Gazing

Gaze within
Inward tilted specter's
Eyes
Seek me within me

Within me
My dwelling hides
Self
Seeking measures living

Living my past
Yesterday's captured fears
Me
Inside this sphere

-Theo

Easter Uninspired

Amid the marshmallow bunnies, jelly-bellies, and pastel painted eggs, I do not find Easter this year. The marks of a commercial and festive celebration that have become more about family, spring and (as often holidays are) fanciful hopes of imagined completeness, are mostly absent from my Easter this year. In fact, Easter has come upon me much like the annoying reality of muscle spasms that mark a hike too long and too demanding for current conditioning. An uncomfortable surprise.

I will still walk through the day of church going, family dinner and a birthday party with some manner of appropriate participation. What is this pallor of tone that has settled with me? I inventory my living, my daily actions, and find nothing actually wrong. There are the 'normal' stresses of watching my children make their mistakes and experience their consequences. I have my share of demands at work and much of my energy is spent there, upon the anvil of my vocation. Why this discord within? Why do I find myself looking for distractions? Why do I long for something pleasant, passionate?

I know the drill. Time for a meeting. Call my sponsor. Take real care of me. Today, I tire of this vigilant life. Is there no end to the my need for watchfulness of self. I live with the reality that I am my own worst enemy. I am more likely to bring pain to my own life than anyone or anything else.

"Joy and sorrow flow mingled down."

Enough. I have Easter to celebrate...At least to fain celebration.