frazzled & frumpy

Today is Pioneer Day. It's the day we commemorate the pioneers entering the Salt Lake Valley. Parades, carnivals, picnics and fireworks abound. Personally, I celebrate the fact that I was NOT a pioneer. I would have been lousy because... The pioneer women had to cross the plains, walking for days and weeks on end, with their children. I don't even like to take my kids to the store. Most of their belongings were left behind. I can't go for an overnight trip without a suitcase. One look at that hand cart and I would have been all- "President Young, I need another handcart. I don't know if I'm going to want to wear the blue calico dress or the red one. Plus, I just can't leave my bonnet collection behind." Some pioneer women walked 1000 miles pregnant. Pregnant . And, they gave birth on the trail. Oh, no. Me, pregnant, with the thought of walking everyday, would have made me into a great negotiator. I could have gone out to the mob and tried to...

On Tuesday, our state celebrated Pioneer Day. It's the day we commemorate the pioneers arriving in the valley.  I like it because we get a day off, we barbecue and watch parades and fireworks. (None of the things the pioneers did.)  I like it because I would've been a lousy pioneer.   I know the other pioneer women, and especially the men, wouldn't have appreciated my whining or my sarcasm.  "You know what I love in the morning? That gritty-dirt-in-your-teeth feeling. Makes me look forward to the whole day." "If I could just train these mosquitoes to sting my cheeks, then I'd be all rosy and attractive." "Man, I slept so good last night. The rocks are soo much more comfy than the mattress I left behind." Then, when we got here, and Brigham Young announced that "This is the place",  I probably would've looked around and said, "Seriously?"  Then, I would've sat on my rump and cried.  ...