Woman Warriors Archive

Last Friday, the three of us where going swimming in Kamus, a small town east of Salt Lake and while driving I said “let’s go to Wyoming.” I thought it would be fun and we could also get some good beer. Steven was all for it. So we kept going East, then North, up to Evanston. It was a boring drive and I started thinking-this isn’t better than swimming, it’s windy, nothings around, what are we doing? I suggested we might turn around. Steven reminded me that I suggested it and to see it through. Yes. Great advice. I thought I do this in my own life, I have a great idea and I start it, but it loses momentum and I get bored.  If I can just get through the boredom, there is magic and wonder in the world.

While driving a loop back to Salt Lake, we enter a town that has a huge playground. We stop off because Ronan wants to play. Oh! This place is great. It had discontinued playground sets that were really fun. We all got on that metal merry go round that goes way to fast. Ronan loved it. The sets were made of wood and steel and a little plastic. The swing set was extra tall so you can really fly. It was a playground where the parents can play too.

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a golden eagle. I see them all the time, just not twenty yards away. Looking up, I notice thirty of them at least, nesting in the tops of huge cottonwoods. I run over, take pics, and realize these are turkey vultures. They are really awesome and slightly more daunting than goldens. Steven joked that no wonder there were no kids in the park. They don’t attack humans do they?  No, probably not. But when they started circling over head, he suggested we move on.

In the same park there was a pin for rodeo’s, and some horses. We watched some cowboys rope steer. It was a pleasure to watch these folks. They looked as comfortable with a lasso as they did with a smile, easy. They loved their small town, huge life. They have it good, fresh air, and wild-life all around. We said our goodbyes and drove off only to be met with the most beautiful rainbow I have ever seen. That’s what I get for seeing an idea/experience through, two big fat juicy rainbows. Oh I love metaphors, these ones bring tears to my eyes. Steven asked, “Can you cry and smile at the same time?” “Yes, Steven, I can”.

Harvesting Wrath

Fall harvests something in me—warrior-ship.  I trained hard for six months. And I have been training Fitness and Tai Chi for over two years, with a small community of warriors. I train with my partner and instructor Steven Smith, World Tai Chi Boxing Association Instructor.

I stood in a check-out line at Big Lots. I chatted with a lovely, yet sprightly Great-Grandma.  She carried two items to purchase. She enchanted my son Ronan with tricks of her trade, she clicked her tongue, smiled and tried to grab his hand. Ronan bashfully declined the hand grab.  She told me that she had three Great-Grandchildren.

The person ahead of her finished and before we knew it—a middle aged frizzy-haired, thin and slightly stooped guy hissed to his companion, a younger, friendly looking woman, hurry up and cut in line. She was old enough to know better. The man wedged a cart, stocked full and brimming, in front of Great-Grandma. Wow! (Wrath.)

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