delight found | Finding delight.

This big-hair, big-boobs, big-voice country music icon is my everything! Her songs are catchy as all get out and I could watch “9 to 5” any day of the week and twice on Sundays. I also love that when she got rich and famous, she invested her earnings into business opportunities in East Tennessee. Creating jobs and helping the economy of a struggling part of the country. Even if Pigeon Forge is tacky as all hell, just like her, it is my Mecca and she is my Queen. I can not get enough Dolly Parton. Here’s why…

1. This hauntingly beautiful song which might not be about what everyone thinks —

Dolly has said in many interviews over the years that “Jolene” was inspired by a young girl who came up to her after one of her shows. Red hair, green eyes, fair skin; Dolly thought Jolene was the prettiest name she’d ever heard and promised to write a song about the child. Dolly and her husband couldn’t have children. Which makes the song take on a whole new context. Perhaps Dolly was afraid to lose her love to someone who could give him a child? Is that what he was talking about in his sleep?

2. These quotes are speaking to my soul —

“Storms make trees take deeper roots.”

“You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try.”

“If anyone tells you your hair is too big, get rid of them. You don’t need that kind of negativity in your life.”

3. Dolly doesn’t have time for judgmental bullshit —

She speaks out about her love for ALL people and believes judgement is the greatest sin of all.

4. Leaving a little something to mystery —

Is her body covered in secret tattoos? Still leaving the world guessing at 69 years young.

5. Just in case it was unclear —

This photo I posted to my Facebook profile, circa 2006, spells it out for you. Basically these two are the samesies. So samesies that I labelled them. In short, I’ve never encountered a Dolly/Dalai I didn’t like.

Do you love Dolly, too? Ever been to Dollywood? What’s your favorite thing about this bombshell? Let’s all load up the van and head down to Pigeon Forge!

Check out 5 reasons I can’t get enough RuPaul.

P.S. Here’s a picture of Katie and I straight KILLING IT at Dollywood about a decade ago.

P.P.S. If anyone wants to get me THIS for my birthday, I would obviously be really into that. Not that I worship false idols or anything…I worship ACTUAL idols. Different.

If you have yet to commit to the reality TV glory that is RuPaul’s Drag Race I encourage you to get on it. (Seasons 4 and 5 are on Hulu.) Even if you’ve yet to clock the show, I’m sure by now you at least know the premise: a little bit of Top Model, a little bit of American Idol, and a WHOLE lot of shade. But what about the element that ramps up this reality show romp to the next level? If you’re like me, what keeps you coming back is the titular queen herself. I can not get enough Rupaul. Here’s why…

1. This genuinely beautiful childhood memory –

In an Ask Me Anything on Reddit, RuPaul was asked, “What’s the fondest childhood memory you have?” and his response is such a lovely way of framing drag, performance and his own ability to change people’s perceptions:

The time my sister Renetta took me to the Canyon with a paper bag of cookies and a blanket, and told me “Ru-ru- this is a pic-nic.”

I was 5 years old.

That’s when I first learned about magic. Because to anyone else, it would be a paper bag and a blanket. But Renetta turned it into a magical event by calling it a pic-nic.

2. These videos are a go-to for a pick-me-up or dance party –

3. RuPaul asks the good questions –

When you’ve blazed your way through all available seasons of RDR, there are 34 wonderful webisodes of RuPaul Drives… for you to enjoy! His interviewing skills and rapport with his passengers do not disappoint.

4. So much knowledge –

RuPaul keeps it real in the best way possible; intelligence, sass, and a dose of life experience all with a light-hearted, buoyant quality. Basically, life-lessons that are RUHL. These words are speaking to me at the present moment…

“When you become the image of your own imagination, it’s the most powerful thing you could ever do.”

“When the going gets tough, the tough reinvent.”

“My goal is to always come from a place of love …but sometimes you just have to break it down for a motherfucker.”

5. Always finding delight –

RuPaul is always in pursuit of delight–whether that be a giggle or entertainment or seeing the people she builds up succeed. What a wonderful life approach to try and mimic, don’t you think?

An explanation from the previously mentioned AMA, “The main thing that motivates me is laughter…”

And so in my own attempt to find delight– those words of encouragement, these melodies, the binge-worthy episodes and THAT LAUGH…truly hit the spot.

Have you been sucked in to the Ru-niverse? Why do YOU love RuPaul? Have a favorite queen from RuPaul’s Drag Race? Mine is obviously Alaska…but that’s a post for another day.

P.S. Has anyone read this book? I would give anything. Why is it a gajillion dollars? Bout to inter-library loan that shit. KBAIIII!

Finding delight.

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5 reasons I can’t get enough Dolly.