The B, D & C words

Warning! I say a few bad words in this post, but they're just part of the story... I just had a quick thought for today -

I was talking with Bryan this morning, and telling him a story from a few years ago about being called a dyke when someone was angry with me. (I know - great morning conversation.)

To my knowledge, this is the only time in my life that I've been called a dyke.

In recounting the memory - this person was angry because I wasn't giving into his 'charm', and he wasn't getting his way in the conversation. (For the record, calling a woman a dyke - not charming.)

This led me to think that when I've heard men comment on a woman's sexuality in a negative way (dyke, bitch, lesbo, c-word - sorry, I just can't type that one) - it's usually because she isn't responding to his 'charm', or what he believes is his charm.

It's odd to me, that in this line of reasoning, the woman is disagreeing with the man because she's gay, not because she's um...disagreeing.

And of course, this should serve as a reminder to all of us that strong, ambitious women are not automatically bitches.

The fact that I've only been referred to a dyke once, and a bitch a handful of times is less of a testament to me, and more of a testament to the people that I spend time with.

If I'm being unreasonable - I spend time with people that are invested in me and will call me out on it, in a way that helps us both grow.

Last quick thought - whenever I bump into this guy (you know, the dyke guy) it's the first thing that I remember about him. So people, think before you speak in anger. It's more of a reflection on you than the person you're attacking.

Now - go out of your way to say something kind to someone today! K

I should be 'over it'...

I miss Tanner so much. It's a strange thing to have sadness creep in on you when it's a sunny beautiful day outside, and you're getting to do what you love.

It shows up out of nowhere, and usually- for me anyway- after a great thought, which only adds to the shock. I was just thinking about how much Tanner would love hearing and messing around with (and possibly breaking) my banjo. He would giggle, we would make up songs, it would be awesome.

It's so surreal to have my happy thoughts spin into sad thoughts, and then right back into happy ones.

I gave some money to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention today. I don't tell you this to brag or to make myself feel good, I tell you this to empower us.

Things happen.

Sometimes they're happy things and sometimes, they're sad. When the sadness comes, we have a choice. We can give up, declare the world is against us, or we can fight.

We can make change possible.

And when we don't have the ability to do what we know needs to happen, we can find people in the world who are taking on difficult challenges every single day and we can support them.

That's why I wanted to tell you that I supported AFSP today. There is always hope.

Hopefully yours, Kristen

Thank you, Mr. Seeger - the song

I've been thinking a lot about Pete Seeger, how much I admired him, and how well-deserved that admiration was. I looked up to him as a musician, but honestly, I think I looked up to him more as a human. Anyway, here's the song version of my last post. I hope you enjoy.

Thank you, Mr. Seeger.

To Pete- I liked the world better when you were in it. It felt safer.

Stages across the country will forever feel the space that you used to fill.

While it feels like sadness should be overwhelming, I only find myself awash with gratitude, and so I say thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Seeger.

Thank you for standing up for freedom, even when it threatened your career.

Thank you for serving as a moral barometer and guiding us back to the right path, in song, when we strayed.

Thank you for choosing peace.

Thank you for surrounding hate and forcing it to surrender.

Thank you for your integrity.

Thank you for reaching out to a young folk singer, and for joining her faux political party.

Thank you for never ever ever ever giving up.

Thank you for expecting us to sing along.

You lived well, you were loved, and we all felt loved back.

Peace, friend.

And the tour ends...

Many of you know how I feel about being on the road. (I love it. I can't get enough.) And this week and a half of sleeping (too many hours) in my own bed and driving fewer than 300 miles a day, has been relaxing, predictable, restorative, and a little boring. I was meant to tour!

Anyway - here's a list of things that I learned or confirmed this tour: (in no particular order)

• Always do an idiot check. Even if you feel like the idiot because you're checking for all of your stuff one more time - there's a chance that you've left your harmonica on someone's windowsill, and then they'll have to mail it to you down the road!
• I LOVE the beach. Really. Can't get enough. Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Charleston were all amazing. I live a mile from the beach when I'm home, and I'm wondering why I never go?
• Grace Potter and Tina Fey are amazing. I'd like to recommend, 'Bossypants' (the audio book) and, 'This is Somewhere', for your next road trip.
• I might be the stork. (I was privy to some baby announcements that haven't hit Facebook yet, so stay tuned!)
• House concerts are my jam. First of all - I know that this is a phrase I should never use, but it's so perfect! Singing in living rooms and telling the stories behind my songs, is exactly how I should perform. It makes the most sense! So get ready, because I'm going to be calling you to sing in your home soon!
• People judge based on appearance more than you think. My appearance is changeable, so I'm not claiming this as a hardship. I've just noticed, especially on this tour, that you can literally see in someone's eye as they make a snap judgement about you. They're judging my hair, which I can (but won't) easily change…imagine being constantly judged for something like your skin color? I learned a lot from this.
• I get offered weed all of the time. Again, back to assumptions. Seriously. All of the time.
• Running isn't that bad. Especially when you get to run in a different town every day!
• I belong on the road. I love touring, I love seeing friends every night, and I love meeting new folks and seeing new places night after night. This is where I'm supposed to be. And this is a wonderful feeling.
• The world is ready for the Just Be Nice Party. Really. Folks are ready. They're ready for their representatives to get along and work together. And they're ready for the government we voted for to do its job with commitment and maturity.

Lastly, when you walk around like you live the best life ever, as a smiley society member, people respond to you. I smile and say 'hello' to anyone I see, and after the initial shock wears off (I don't think many humans expect actual acknowledgement anymore) people are so happy to chat! Just more proof that love wins.

Thanks for another awesome tour, friends.

See you soon, Kristen