How to Secede Instead of Just Trying (by someone who did) Part 1

When I was a young girl I wanted to run away.  I really did.  I knew I just had to go.  But my mother, seeing me heading out the door asked me where I was going.  When I told her she said she was coming with me.  She ruined my not- so-well- thought-out plans.  Of course no one takes their mom with them!  So I didn’t go.

 

A few years older and wiser I learned the rules of How to Run Away.

To be helpful to the States talking about it I want to offer the following advice (although they seriously could just consult any 14 year old). I’m not even talking about reasons of why you want to secede here. If your methods remain as flawed as they clearly are now, the only sucess you will have is in increasing the number of people who can actually spell secede (I had to look it up 3 times and even this time had to check again!). So here goes:

 

1). Don’t tell Mom or Dad ahead of time.

Never!  This is such a no brainer that honestly if you don’t know this you will never make it out the front door.

 

2.) You don’t ask permission for Independence!

Ever! Duh! You declare it as fact! You take take it! Asking is really just pathetic. And you are giving a signed petition to Mom and Dad asking for your independence ? Are you serious ?

 

3.) If you are going to run away with a group then you better make sure you have a majority consensus of said group.

As I am writing this Texas has 106,326 signatures out of an estimated population of at least 25,674,681. Honestly, you are just embarassing yourself !

 

4.) Make your plans in secret!

Yes, I am aware that I am repeating myself but honestly this is the most important part ! Talk to your group that you want to run away with first. Have at least that part figured out! And I’m picking on you Texas (because you are the biggest and making the most noise) but honestly why are you advertising this on a website that anyone can access?  [http://www.texassecede.com/] ….plus bumper stickers? ……sigh! 

5.) Just do it!

Really! Constant talking about it reduces any remaining shreds of dignity and credibility you may have started off with and comes across as complaining, whiny, making threats that will never be carried out and, frankly, immature and a really lame ploy for attention.

Stay tuned for part 2: How I seceded (and yes I had to check the spelling one more time!)……

Dreams

 

“I want to show you something.” he says, gazing outside.

“Ok.” I mumble curiously, moving in for a closer look. There is certainly plenty to see here.

This is a true paradise teeming with every type of exotic plant and flower imaginable. 

Five years ago with the World in crisis and suddenly experiencing his own -his divorce and the demise of his business, he landed here with only his horse and his trumpet, and began again as caretaker of this beautiful estate in Southwesern France.

I met him only a few weeks ago.

From this small kitchen window I can see the stables, his beautiful black horse Lupin, and his horses pet and best friend, the donkey Jo Jo. From this same spot I enjoy watching the young peacocks chase each other, jockeying for coveted position of most dominate.

I can’t help but laugh out loud when I see and hear JaJa the miniature rooster, half the size of the fluffy hens, who clearly has « little rooster syndrome » and the cocky attitude to go with it.

I wonder what he wants to show me ? 

He points out 3 ropes barracading the horses from the prairie. “Do you see the 2 ropes, one on each side of the one in the middle ?”

Yes, I can see them. They look like normal ropes to me.

“Do you see the one in the middle ?”

“Yes. It’s lovely,” I laugh. “It’s nice and white.”

“Yes it is. It is new. I have never used it before today. I have been saving it for 4 years.”

“Do you see that tree?”he continues, pointing in the other direction.

My heart starts to race. I nod. I cannot say a word.

“I have been saving this rope for the day I might want to use it on that tree.” He falls silent.

Dizzy from the weight of words he had not dared to say out loud and paralyzed where I am, I can do nothing but stare transfixed at the tall magnificent tree. 

After several moments of silences he says quietly. “Today, because of you, I know no matter what happens I can carry on and I can be loved again, When I got up this morning I decided this rope will only be used for work.”

……

“But I, being poor, have only my dreams. I have spread my dreams under your feet; 

tread softly because you tread on my dreams.” – William Butler Yeats