Americana, USA: Proud Home of the Country Mouse

GRATEFUL GIRL'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
You know him. I know him. We all know him. And frankly, sometimes we kinda wish we didn't.

That guy.

The guy who was reared or maybe just held longtime residency in "the big city." Doesn't really matter which; pick one.

Anyway, not to disparage metropolitan areas or their inhabitants. I think they are amazing and culture-filled and eclectic and dazzling and fun and entertaining and interesting. So, please understand, I am not anti-city or in any way against the peeps who live there. I have no issue with it or them.

What I do take umbrage with is the suggestion by THAT GUY that there is no talent, no intelligence, no polish --or refinement or sophistication or plain old couth-- in a small town.

Hmm. Do they not have manners in that there big city of yours, my friend? And perhaps your big brain doesn't process the fact that you are stereotyping everyone who happens to hang their hat in a rural community, eh?

Yep, this gentleman is constantly telling you how bush league you are; how outdated your fashion sense is; how narrow a scope or lens you wield and basically, how uninformed, amateurish and fairly devoid of any marketable skill you seem to him. He usually doles out the insults subtly, likely because he's convinced you're too simple to pick up on them.

Hmm again.

​Well, I could go all small-town street thug and hurl some shade at that guy; but then, I might just be giving him fodder. Besides, I may be from a small town but my mind and heart are wide open.

So, rather than attack that guy, I think I'll point out Oscar winners Matthew McConaughey and Charlize Theron, Grammy golden girl and American sweetheart Carrie Underwood and the crazy-talented actress of my newest TV obsession "The Sinner" (who also happens to be Mrs. Justin Timberlake, thank you very much) Jessica Biel. Know what all these smart, gifted, gorgeous, terrific folks have in common? You guessed it, they are all from small towns. Take that, that guy.

In fact, my day-job bosses who run one of the Top 100 accounting and wealth management firms IN THE UNITED STATES are all from little towns. Guess what? Pretty intelligent, capable dudes.

And shout out to one of my favorite small town boys, my brother-in-law Kevin on his birthday today. Not only is he smart, successful and the most wonderful husband to my sister and father to my niece and nephew -- but he's also someone so incredibly knowledgeable, insightful and kind that I seek his counsel often. Not because I have to but because I respect his advice and opinion...way more than that guy's.

Ditto to my sweet pea Sam; my work daughter. It is her birthday today, too, that small town gal who is so beautiful and kind and funny and caring and wonderful. Don't know what I'd ever do if she left me and moved off to some big city...yikes!

Happy birthday, Kevin and Sam --- and here's to all country mice everywhere. Remember, we know stuff and we do great things and we have mad skills. yo. We aren't so bad, after all!

Mt 5:10 R. Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 16:24-28 Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory, and then he will repay each according to his conduct.

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