Good Ol' Boys

When I was little, I used to watch The Dukes of Hazzard every Friday night with my grandma.  Dallas came on after that.  Wonder Woman, Different Strokes, Buck Rogers, Facts of Life, and so many others!  As an only child who spent a lot of time on my own, those early 80's shows became my world and part of my family.  What I didn't realize was how much I actually learned in the process. 

I've been enjoying reruns of the Dukes on CMT, and I STILL want a Dixie Jeep like Daisy had.  I have total respect for Uncle Jesse.  His wisdom, strength of character, and take-no-crap attitude is something I can admire in a leader.  The way he handled Bo, Luke, and Diasy, not forgetting Cooter & Enos & Roscoe & Boss Hogg & any others that came across his radar, was nothing short of greatness.  He was a prayin' man, good cook, and a gentleman to all.  A true patriarch. 

Sure, the show was predictable: Boss Hogg was always swindling, Roscoe fumbling, Enos stumbling, Cooter fixin' the cars, Daisy always beautiful & in trouble, Bo & Luke handsome & in trouble & chased. Shoot, the guys wore the same outfits every show!  There were car chases, General Lee's horn, and inevitably someone ended up in jail. But there was ALWAYS a happy ending!

We're getting ready to transform the preschool's environment at GCC.  My children's minister and I talked today and she was telling me how preschoolers need predictabilty - stability - in their environment.  And I immediately thought of the Dukes!  No wonder they stuck with me so much.  They provided the stability I needed as a child.  And now as an adult, it's welcome relief from the pace I keep. 

Don't underestimate the Dukes, and some of the other "classics."  The wisdom and examples set forth by some of those characters can totally transport you to happy place where men can be real men, women be strong & beautiful at the same time, people have values and it shows, and there's always a happy ending.