This weekend was HOT in Texas, to say the least, and we saw temperatures as high as 106 degrees Fahrenheit. Things are cooling down (a little) as we prepare for the Fourth of July and Rhys’ birthday next weekend. Today’s also a big day in state politics, and I’m sure I’ll have a post about it soon! And to all my Canadian friends, Happy Canada Day!
Today’s question is: What Is Your Most Popular Post?
This question really goes along with one from a few weeks back, when Shayla and I discussed blogger fame. When my kitchen renovation was featured on another blog, I enjoyed two days with increased page views, as Kristin from My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia kindly linked to the accompanying post on my blog.
And though I’m not personally on Pinterest, some of my blog’s photos are, largely thanks to this post. I guess it makes sense that my moment of blogger fame goes hand-in-hand with my most popular post, at least for now.
Be sure to visit Shayla’s blog to see her most popular post, and feel free to share yours in the comments!
Normally on Fridays, I summarize my week and share a few things that caught my attention. And while I did have a few articles I planned to share, they quickly lost their appeal when my fellow Texans made their voices heard loud and clear at the Capitol Tuesday night, led by Senator Wendy Davis, clad in pink tennis shoes. I never planned for Texas politics to take over my blog this week, but that is where my thoughts have been, so it is only natural that my writing reflects that.
I keep saying it, but I am so filled with pride for the women of Texas, and my heart is literally bursting with emotion. This moment has been a long time coming, a long, long time, and it is far from over. I hope you’ll continue to follow these events within my state as they will play out over the next weeks and months, and hopefully, they will inspire something in you, too.
Today, I’m featuring a few noteworthy articles about the week’s events.
Our Governor’s thoughts on Senator Davis, and her response. It’s clear he harbors no friendly feelings of bipartisanship, and I encourage you to remember that if he decides to run for President again.
Our Lieutenant Governor’s thoughts. Dewhurst is also President of the Texas Senate and featured heavily in Davis’ filibuster Tuesday.
“We are her. She is us. Let her speak.”
A first-person account of the events Tuesday evening.
A new instrumental song in honor of Senator Davis.
And, if you’re in the market for a new pair of pink tennis shoes, you might check out these reviews.
Thank you for sticking it out as I express my political opinions. I’m hoping to return to lighter things next week, as much as possible.
Have a wonderful weekend!
All the girls on the telephone
All the girls standing all alone
All the girls sitting on the wire
One by one fly into the fire
Be careful how you bend me
Be careful where you send me
Careful how you end me
Be careful with me
–from “Be Careful” by Patty Griffin
I promise this won’t become a political or news blog. Though I’m a huge news junkie, I don’t have the time needed to stay current, as evident with yesterday’s post. And I struggled with what to write this week, especially after witnessing the events that transpired downtown Tuesday. But I’m so focused on what’s happening in my own backyard that I can’t look away. It’s all I can think about right now.
Watching the women of Texas stand up for themselves this week filled my heart with so much hope and renewal that I’m literally brimming over with excitement. Sometimes, it’s too easy to get discouraged and bogged down with the politics and vitriol that divide this state, but Tuesday night, something truly historic happened. The people of Texas took it upon themselves to shut down a series of oppressive bills that only seek to hurt the women here. They finally had enough, and they did something about it. There was no unruly mob, but only concerned citizens exercising their freedom of expression. And it worked.
Since then, our governor has called a second special session, beginning next week, and I’m certain there’s another crowd already forming. I’m hoping to support my legislators and fellow Texans in any way I can, which might mean more posts like this. I realize the topic of these bills is incredibly divisive, and I urge you to examine the bigger picture at stake. Though abortion features heavily within them, the bills coming before our legislature next week ultimately end reliable care for many Texas women, and that simply cannot stand.
I’ll be watching, Texas will be watching, and I hope the entire country and beyond will watch, too, as our lawmakers and citizens, together, have the chance to stop this oppression once and for all.