I love Fall. Cooler weather, colorful leaves, and the first fire in the fireplace all make me happy. One of my favorite fall rituals: local harvest festivals. I’m a sucker for bales of hay, tractor rides, and apple cider. Maybe it’s because I grew up in Florida where there are only two seasons: tourist and hurricane.
At a local fall festival last weekend I was searching through the pumpkin patch, looking for the ugliest pumpkin I could find. My gal pal Kathi laughed at this – “Why the ugliest?” she asked.
“Because no one else is going to take it home; I always look for the pumpkin that no one else will want.”
My brief pumpkin patch discussion with Kathi got me to thinking: is this a life theme for me? Should I be offering homage to St. Jude, the patron saint of lost causes? Survey says hmmm….
Based upon a little introspection, I do seem to have a tendency to cheer for the under-dog. Well unless it’s a Florida State sporting event – I ALWAYS root for the Noles; even this gal has her limits.
Here’s a little sampling from my somewhat surprising epiphany:
My dog. We adopted Taz from the shelter almost thirteen years ago. I’ve learned some wonderful lessons from this remarkable mutt. He’s still spry and happy – damn near got me killed last week trying to chase a fox! Love how he just stuck his tongue out at me for this photo…
We also this past year rescued a cat – Bonz – found on a winter night hiding under the car. This rescue gets credited to Hubby Greg because up until 12 months ago I was NOT a cat person. Now I’m writing this post with Bonz sitting on my lap…
My college days. While attending FSU I chose to be a little sister at the smallest fraternity on campus with the worst house but the best parties and the greatest guys – I even married one – a whole other story…
My career. As a criminal and juvenile justice public policy consultant I’ve been working to fight the good fight for over twenty-five years. There are so many aspects of criminal justice reform that I love: helping victims, funding delinquency prevention programs, and improving our educational and substance abuse prevention and rehabilitation programs.
My hobbies. I’m a bit of an estate sale junkie. I love to find something that is old, discarded, or forgotten and make it pretty again. Maybe I’m just thrifty; or frugal; or, OK, cheap. But how can you resist this chair that I dug out of a basement and gave a second chance?
Am I this way because I’m a Virgo? Do I possess some sort of subconscious need to fix everything?
Geez I hope not!
I’ve never thought of myself as a rescuer, but maybe I do like to take on a challenge – the thrill of victory against all odds. Now this I can certainly blame on my stubborn Irish ancestry, don’t you think?
What about you; do you always root for the under-dog? Are you a rescuer, a fixer, or a chaser of lost causes?
Cheers,
Kimba
PS – A very Happy Birthday to my son Jimmy, who turns 23 this week. I love ya darlin’; thanks for making me smile every day.
Great post! That's interesting to have both a dog and a cat at home. How are they both getting along then?
Lorii, it’s amazing how well they get along! Bonz was very sick when we rescured her, and Taz must have sensed that because he was very loving to her. It’s as if they have lived with each other for years.
Happy Birthday Jimmy 🙂
Love the picyure of Taz! … I definitely have a large touch of the Kimba about me – I love to take things in need of help and make them beautiful again, get them sorted out, and want them to feel loved. Same with people, I always used to choose the ones at school others wouldn't pick, and wanted to help those most at work who needed the most,and will be first to help out a friend in need, or anyone asking. Just want to get the best out of everything is definitely an instinct for me.
I hadn't really thought about it in pumpkin terms – but you sure picked an ugly one!!
Aw, come on Jacs, that pumpkin is so ugly it's cute! 😉
I love the pumpkin…. and your little dog too! I always root for the underdog — especially those of the four-legged variety. I've had two rescues and even though they're both gone now, I wouldn't have traded those experiences for anything.
Glad to finally be gettin' a little love for my Charlie Brown pumpkin. Have you ever thought about another rescue?
Hey Miss Kim,
I'm a Virgo too. Love what you did with the chair. I need to check out your Pinterest Page as my family is looking to move in the summer and I need some reinventuion ideas.
As far as the underdog. . .I do love winning being from New England. I love the Pats, Celtics, Sox and they do win a bunch. In my causes though, I do tend to attach myself to projects where I see a need. One day my desire is to adopt a teenager after my kids are off to school. I feel that this popultation is undersevred in an arena where everyone wants the baby or very young child. I want to send a message to my future teenage son or daughter, that you are not forgotten and I was put on earth to love you.
PS: Who won the name how I got the scar contest?
Hola Virgo gal. You're moving – where to? Yeah, like I confessed – I root for any under-dog except those who are playing Florida State! Love your wish to adopt a teenager; huge population in foster care who need loving homes. The winning back story went to Don Decker: "Last month when I was vacationing on the French Riviera, there was a tragic accident involving a tube top, a lifesize 'Tickle Me Elmo' and a trio of husky sailors…I don't like to talk about it…" Don now has my book, no pressure Don, but, you are going to post a review, right? 🙂
Awesome! I AM a person who roots for the underdog – mostly because I believed myself to BE the underdog when I was younger so I have a very tender "understanding" of what that is like and I don't want others to feel that way. (EW! ICK! Even as I wrote that, I realize that there is still a bit of a Hero in me that thinks others are Victims who need to be rescued. AH GREAT! Now I need to do another session! Sheesh!)
Darlin', you don't need therapy – maybe a new rescue puppy…. 😉
How can you not read a post labelled stray dogs and ugly pumpkins? You make me smile too. I always want to fix people, teach them how to choose to be happier, to make them feel better. I did this even when I was a major mess myself! I chose a different tack on the fixing part.
Julieanne Case
Always from the heart!
Reconnecting you to your Original Blueprint, Your Essence, Your Joy| Healing you from the Inside Out |Reconnective Healing | The Reconnection| Reconnective Art |
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Julieanne, I know your big heart has lots of room for all the fixes that need fixing.
Love Fall or autumn as we call it here and miss it as we don't really see it where we live and that pumkin reminds me of some we see at our local markets. You post always delight me ♡
Aw, thx Suzie (blush).
Kim, you're not alone. I am the type that feels sorry for produce that doesn't look as perfect as the others, and I can't go near an animal shelter without bringing one home with me. I'm so glad to hear you've warmed up to cats. I have three currently, all rescues, and they can be pretty special. And I think that pumpkin is fantastic!
Yea Christina! Finally, someone likes my pumpkin. About the "cat thing" no one is more surprised than me.
I tend to cheer for the underdog too. There is something about seeing someone or something that is "not supposed" to make it, defy the odds and triumph!
Everybody loves a comeback, right?
Hi Kim – I love that you picked THAT pumpkin. It looks like it lived an interesting life. No imperfection-eliminating botox for that one!
LOL, I never thought of botox for my little bumpy pumpkin. It was fun to watch all the little trick-o-treaters bend down to rub the bumps and imperfections.
I do relate – I have a rescuer in me. But my that pumpkin is ugly! I don't think I would have needed that one. The loneliest dog or cat? Yes. The one that might get left behind? Yes. I think it can be a virtue, not just desperate rescuing. Wanting everyone and everything to have a home.
I'm with you Judy, there is a term for serial rescuing – "White Knight Syndrome." I am sure I don't have that! I think I'm more "under-dog-itis."
Love the chair and the cat & dog stories! Rescuing things is better at times than buying new: more character in them that way 😉
I'm all about character! Thx for stopping by.
Good for you! We need more underdog supporters in this world.
Do you happen to remember the cartoon "Under-Dog"? Been thinking about him a lot this week….
I don't think of myself as a rescuer either, but I've always rooted for the underdog. I've read that's a characteristic of middle children – which I am! Fun post.
Middle child attribute, had not heard that before. I'm a first born…
I must admit Kim, the pumpkin does look good on your front step… 🙂
Thx for helping me pick out such a cutie!