Peeking out the window of the train, Jan lost her hair ribbon and watched it fly and float up in the air and then down under the train wheels. Well it had a short adventure, but I’m sure it was worth it to be free for even a few minutes. Jan never felt free, even as she speeds along this railway by herself. The destination would be a new story beginning, a new city to explore, and hopefully, a new friend. Friends were hard to come by when you traveled a lot, and that was a problem for Jan. Every few weeks new scenery, some even horrible as she reported on devastation or interviewing a hero from an area. Jan was committed though, wanting to bring to light to the public and her followers what was really happening around the world. She pulled back from the window, sat down and ordered a drink.
Being nervous for the start in the ocean, Sue breathed deeply. Her first triathlon and she completed the first two rounds easily. Her aristocrat mother, looking rich and stylish in toffee colored clothing, smiled to her mate. “She swims like a dolphin, she’ll win!”
This word has been a favorite of mine. I don’t use it much because along with most words and phrases I write, it shows my age. I’ve been upfront about it, but I don’t like to discourage younger readers.
Katherine Hepburn
When growing up, I know, here we go again, the idea of moxie for women, was looked down upon. It’s strange to think it, because if anyone had moxie, it was my mother. I suppose because my mother was a strict, bit self righteous woman, she probably grew up thinking it wasn’t “ladylike”. With four girls to raise and limited time, I suppose rules were rules, and having a daughter with moxie wasn’t advantageous. I hasten to add that she had four of them, despite her efforts! My childish interpretation of the word as a keen observer, oh yes, the ever watchfulness of a child was, it meant “bad”.
Now “bad” being “good” in today’s world, was then a general term meaning distasteful, wrong, and the opposite of how it’s used today. If you look up moxie today, everyone has a different interpretation, but most agree the first and still used is a cola beverage that reportedly gave you strength, courage and nerve. Sort of an older version of Red Bull?
If a woman had moxie back then, she was probably who many women today strive for and are proud to achieve: independence, strength, ability, success, daring, bravery, and confidence. Some women today have those qualities and instead of being frowned upon, they are revered. So, Helen Reddy, were you drinking Moxie when you sang that song?
“I knew this was going to occur”, Joe complained as he stuffed the sheet music into his briefcase. “You can’t expect that outcast to reach a high octave like you can! He’s not capable and that’s why Harry fired him. We have to find someone who can match you in that duet!”
Respond to this Friday Faithfuls challenge by writing about what makes you happy in life, if you enjoy reading books, going out for a walk or watching the sunset, or if you take pleasure in the smell of coffee brewing, or if you enjoy listening to a bird sing, or watching a squirrel climb up a tree, or playing music, or making someone laugh, or enjoying a home cooked meal, or you can go with anything else that you think would fit.
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I think all of the above applies to what makes me happy! This latest photo of my new great grandson takes the cake right now.❤️
Joe didn’t want to go, but friend Mike insisted. “We don’t have anything to celebrate, Mike! I lost my job, almost got a divorce and the country is going nuts! What exactly are we celebrating?”
Mike looked around the room, seeing his wife and children, knowing they’re a reason to be happy. “See this, Joe? Don’t we give you reason? Our country will bounce back. Things only go so far downhill, then upslope. Maybe not this year, but look and know we are lucky. We are out of the fray. Now get in the stinkin’ boat – we’re watching fireworks!”
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