Long Hauler Lawler

He might be third in line to be president, whether you like it or not, but he still needs love!

 

Before Going through Security for the Capitol

I am slowly piecing together the events of last week from my trip to sing at the Capitol.  It might sound silly, but it's taking me longer than expected to be able to sit down and write about it properly because it was so overwhelming for me.  It was way more than just the events of singing on the Capitol Lawn (something that no one in over 40 years has done), on my birthday on my first visit to D.C.  It was the divine intervention of so may other things coming together to set me on a path I've been, unbeknownst to me, working toward all my life.  Much more on THAT later :)

 

So in the meantime, the events are gonna come in bits in pieces.  And I have to tell this blurb today after having coffee and enlightenment with a dear friend, and female guru, this morning.  We were talking about being open to the world's opportunities and beauty around us, and not judging.  And I don't just mean people.  Not judging ANYTHING.  Being open to every possibility out there, even ones we couldn't ever dream of for our own lives.  And open to all people, experiences, outcomes...EVERYTHING.  And it got me thinking of my dear friend, John Boehner.  Yeah, I said it.  Yes, I'm ridiculous.

Let me preface the rest of this passage with this...I am NOT making a political statement or showing my own opinions.  Ok, my family back in Texas are conservative republicans.  I need say no more for you to undetstand their views.  My parents, sister and brother-in-law said to me, before leaving for D.C. "If you get a chance to talk to Boehner, tell him we said STAY STRONG!"  I completely laughed, brushed them off, and said "I hardly doubt I'll get to talk to him, and I can assure you if I do, I ain't saying that guys!" 

Fast forward.  I finish singing.  Speaker of the House John Boehner (yes, third in line to be our President),
starts his speech with "And Lindsay, great job. And I'm thankful we have great weather so you can wear that pretty dress without an overcoat."  Then Congressman Tipton from Colorado graciously pulled me up quickly to meet Boehner and his wife before they got whisked away.  They super graciously and childlike sang me Happy Birthday ("This. Is. Your. Birthday song.  It isn't very long.  Hey!" or something of that nature.  I was a bit in awe of what was going on).  His wife, Debbie Boehner, took a picture of he and I on her Iphone (we are tracking that down currently).  And we exchanged such a lovely, human conversation, albeit short.  He started to walk away, and I could sense my father in Texas shaking his finger at me to relay their message.  "Um, Speaker...could I say one more thing?" I said.  His wife pulled him back (all good wives have eyes and ears everywhere!).  He came back and I told him "My familiy back in Texas want to let you know that they are supporting you and they say STAY STRONG!"  Quick silence...oh my gosh...they think I'm crazy!  He then got a big smile on his face and three of the Senator's wives came up to me and said "Thank you so much for saying that.  He really needs to hear that right now and know he has support.  It's really been rough on him lately and the support really helps."

It was in this moment I felt such a human connection with the third most powerful man.  Regardless of your political views and whether you agree or not with his policies (and I know a lot of you don't because I've seen the negative comments on my facebook when I keep talking about him!), he's still a person.  It's just his opinions and what he feels is right.  And at the end of the day, he lays in bed with the weight of the world and probably has moments of elementary school when we get picked on in the playground and nobody likes you because you wore something stupid to school that day or you weren't cool enough to be invited to the skating party.  Yes, his opinions have potential to effect the entire nation and for that we all get in line to bash.  But, for that quick human moment when he was just a man (a very tan, handsome man!), I felt really good about relaying the message from Texas so that maybe, even briefly, he knew there was someoe out there rooting for him.  Regardless of who you are or what you do, we all need that.  Don't I know it.

If we're all connected, and I believe we are, this is something we need to remember on a daily basis.  Politics, entertainment, economy...blah blah blah.  We're all human.  We all need a little support.  So John Boehner....chin up buddy!!  I love you man!!  Cause after all, if you can't say it at Christmas, when can you?!

 

My Dress Makes Headlines with the Speaker of the House!

Be Thankful You Are Able to be Thankful!

(I should be cooking...but was feeling a need to be expressive...turkey can wait!)

I am beyond thankful this year.  I know many take this time of year, particularly today, to say words of that nature.  But to me, there is no greater feeling than telling someone you are thankful for them and truly meaning it. 

By nature and career path, I am an observer.  I love wathching people, wathching stories unfold before my eyes and not really knowing what the exact story is...BUT, knowing what I think and hope it is!  I was recently traveling to Dallas, and while waiting at baggage claim I saw many stories, all with one anchor, explode right in front me of.  And it was, perhaps, one of the most moving reunions I had ever witnessed.  There was a group of several different families and friends with "Welcome Home" signs and yellow ribbons waiting for their soldiers to arrive.  To arrive only days before Thanksgiving.  I saw what I assume was a mother stand, fidgeting, pacing, about to jump out of her skin awaiting an arrival, which I later witnessed as her son.  When he came walking through those security doors, she sprang forward like an animal about to attack!  The most loving attack I've ever seen.  And I saw a wife waiting for her husband while holding their little boy.  He was probably 2 years old.  As far as I know that little boy has never even met his father and didn't understand who the man holding him, squeezing him just hard enough to not squash him, was and why he had those tears in his eyes.  My goodness it was emotional.  It was the most beautiful scene.  The happiest, and somehow saddest, scene I've ever peered into.  I was so thankful to watch those stories unfold, and I will never forget them. 

I'm always at a loss for words (shocking, I know) when I come across men and women in uniform.  I long to say something to them, but can never get the words out because I always feel like I am dumbing down their current situation.  What can you say to someone sacrificing their life for you and our country that won't demean what their brilliant eyes have seen and what they've given up?  I am, however, beyond thankful for these men and women, and their familes, and their courage.  It's because of them we can go stuff our bellies, watch football and light a fire this afternoon.  Yes, for that I am beyond thankful.

My family and friends (to me, one in the same) are so special to me.  Mainly because I am shocked that they all put up with me.  Mainly because in this great big world, we found each other (no coincidence for sure).  And mainly because as crazy as our lives all get, even if we don't get to squeeze each other and say each day how thankful we are for each other, we just know.  I'm so thankful for bonds like that. 

I'm also about to become an aunt.  I don't have kids myself, and it's a first for my sister, and a first grandbaby for my parents.   I'm so ready to love that little girl with my whole heart and can only begin to imagine the love God's about to put in my heart for this tiny little person.  Oh my goodnes, for that I am SO thankful.

And on a lighter note...I'm thankful that today for Thanksgiving, I am hosting and therefore requiring everyone to wear sweatpants.  We will watch the parade, eat, watch football, eat, play games and sit by the fire, EAT, drink and be thankful that we are able to be thankful.  That's a good day in my book.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.  Go be thankful you are able to be thankful!

STANDING TALL

I don't know why certain people, or projects, or ideas come into my life  Or what new journey will present itself with the bright beginning of each day.  But it's the not knowing that is the most exciting because it keeps me on my toes and proves that I am ultimately not in charge.  And for that, I am beyond grateful. 

One of these opportunities came across my path a few months ago, and although I raised my eyebrow
and questioned my involvement initially, I am so honored and beaming with pride that I was able to take part in such a special celebration.  That celebration is of the People's Tree.  It's the beautiful state of Colorado's gift to the nation.  It's a symbol of unity, pride, joy, family, and freedom for our country.  It's the 2012 Capitol Christmas Tree.  And I was able to write and record the song that would carry the tree across the nation to arrive at its home where we will celebrate it, Standing Tall, this holiday season.

I had the privilage to write this song with my producer and music partner, Warner/Chappel writer Chris Roberts, as well as Greg Bieck, who I have loved being able to create music with over the years in his super vibey studio here in Nashville!  Not only was our song chosen out of over 300 songs by the iconic musician Chuck Leavell, but also we will be traveling to Washington D.C. to perform this song on December 4th as Speaker of the House, John Boehner, lights the tree on the Capitol lawn.  We will also perform immediately following at the Congressional Reception at the National Museum of the American Indian (I'm Choctaw!) as well as the Chief of Forestry's Reception that afternoon.  The event will be televised on CSPAN live at 5:00 Eastern on Dec. 4 (which happens to be my birthday, and I've never been to D.C....what an inspiring gift!).

Songwriters Chris Roberts and Lindsay Lawler with winning artwork by Cheryl St. John

Chris and I had the pleasure of traveling to Meeker, CO, where the tree comes from this year, to sing our song, "Standing Tall," and celebrate with the good people of Meeker as the tree began its journey.  It was a beautiful afternoon, with a native american blessing of the tree and performances, a parade, fireworks, and performance of "Standing Tall."   We were also in Dallas at the House of Blues as the tree passed through, as well as in Nashville for a performance at the Nashville Visitor's Center at Bridgestone Arena, where we were joined by Diamond Rio, Marcus Hummon and Matt Stillwell.  

And next, to D.C.  Myself, Chris, Greg Bieck and
Alisa McCance will be travleing to our nation's capitol to perform and it gives me chills to think about the meaningful festivities that lie ahead.  It's quite an honor and one I will never forget.  The song will be out on ITunes soon, but please take a minute to listen.  We hope this will be a song that plays in your home for many Christmases to come as we celebrate what is really important....family, freedom and love!  Merry Christmas : ) Click below to hear the song!                                            

Standing Tall

www.capitolchristmastree2012.org

 

And now...random thoughts, by Long Hauler Lawler.

I try to spend Friday's flushing my brain of random thoughts and information from the previous week.  I need all the space I can get in there.  I'll never be fully flushed...

• Bill Clinton's dog's name is Seamus.  That's my husband's name.  I'm not sure what it all means, but I'm guessing something.
• I'm more compassionate to those I don't know than those I know all too well.  I need to work on that.
• I'd like to walk a mile in your shoes.  Unless your shoes are those new Nike Free, cause they hurt your back.  OR, those barefoot running shoes.  They are SO creepy.
  
• I strongly believe red lipstick, pig tails and a tan can cure any bad mood.
• Joe Biden's favorite music includes Switchfoot, Prince and Chris Brown.  Paul Ryan favors Nirvana, Zeppelin and AC/DC.  I'm trying hard to read into this.
• If my pugs could drive, Bono, the black one, would drive a Mini Cooper.  Red with a white stripe, and wear a scarf, goggles and white gloves.  Lil Bit, the tubby tan one, would drive a beat up old Chevy and hang his paw out the window.  And a big Harley on the weekends with a "brain bucket" helmet.
• When I grow up, I don't want to be a grownup.
• People in the entertainment industry use the words "meeting" and "business" way too loosely.
• I would have made the most amazing doctor.  But I struggled paying attention in science.  I LOVE guts though.
• If I owned a large estate, I would name it Bedside Manor.

Happy weekend...let's all go work on our political playlists!

Seeing Double...And Not From the Vodka

Identical twins.  They're a funny thing, aren't they?  But when you think of twins you think of cute newborn babies, crying helplessly for their parents.  The father holds one...the mother holds one.  Or you think of two cute little 5 year old boys, wearing matching khakis and polos heading to church.  Or you think of two twin high school girls playing a prank on their boyfriend to see if he knows which is which.  Or you think, well some other taudry things that I won't describe.  But you rarely think about the twins that are still together laying down the law...in their 90's.  This is my version of identical twins. 

My grandmother, Alice, and my great-aunt, Inez, are 94 year old identical twins.  My father's mother and my father's aunt.  My father's aunt and uncle never had children, so he basically had two sets of parents on his side.  Which means I had two sets of grandparents on his side.  Within the past 10 years, my grandfather and great-uncle have passed away, so my parents have since moved Alice and Inez to Dallas to live near them and "watch over" them.  Although you can hardly ever tell them what to do.  They have a mind, rather two minds, of their own.  They knocked down the walls of a double apartment to make it into one large "bachelorette pad" (as they refer to it). 

My grandmother, 94, still drives.  She knows how to get to Neiman Marcus, Chili's, the bank and the grocery store (and a few other places I'm convinced she doesn't tell us about).  They love to eat, and they LOVE to drink.  My grandmother takes tai chi and line dancing classes, and they walk several miles a day (quite possibly in better shape than I am, sigh).  They are huge sports fanatics, watching every baseball, football and basketball game that comes on TV, as well as following the golf tournaments and hockey matches very closely.  AND, they have matching jerseys for some of their chosen teams.  When I come in to town, Alice (my grandmother) says she wants me to take her to a "trendy" restaurant.  "The trendier the better!" she exclaims.  Inez (my great-aunt) mainly sits there and giggles, then sneaks vodka in a coffee mug and thinks we don't know.  We do.  My father came over once recently and as he entered their apartment there was a rustle and scampering around.  As he walked in to change a light bulb, he saw a little old man "hiding" behind one of the inside doors, as in high-school trying to not let his girlfriend's father know he had snuck in.  The door only covered his left side.  He was cute, but no champion hide-and-go-seeker. 

They both say the first thing that pops in their head to people, even if that first thought is "Wow, you've gained a lot of weight since I saw you last."  They wear matching jumpsuits with their names monogrammed on them.  They have cocktail hour, every single day, at 5:00 (and sometimes 5:00 is 2:00).  Vodka on the rocks with a twist.  And I wouldn't be surprised if they did a little twisting of their own around the house while they drink it.  They are such a part of me and my story, and quite possibly the funniest, sassiesty women I know.  And they are 94.  

If I've ever needed an excuse to drink vodka (and I don't ever need an excuse to do such a thing) it is them.  I should be so lucky as to be doing tai chi when I'm 44, let alone 94.  I just got to see them in Dallas while in town for a performance.  It always makes my heart, and my liver, happy to give them a squeeze.  I hope you all get to meet them, one day.  Cheers to Alice and Inez :)