My 2012 Kentucky Resolutions

Earlier this week, Sarah posted a brilliant list of her 2012 Kentucky Resolutions. Her list got me thinking about my own goals for the New Year. How can I find new ways to enjoy being a Kentuckian in 2012? I wondered. I've already perfected my own beer cheese and bourbon ball recipes. I've seen the Commonwealth's major tourist sites, I've been to Derby and Oaks, and I've joined in the frenzy following a National Championship win.

But, of course, there are always new ways to enjoy the Bluegrass State. Here are a few goals I came up with for the upcoming year.  I tried to keep them realistic; I'm probably not going to become BFF with Mark Badgley and James Mischka this year (but I'm not going to stop hoping for that...)

1. Shop(and Eat) Kentucky.I lived in Louisville's Highlands neighborhood for years. Now, when you live in the heart of the Keep Louisville Weird movement, it's pretty easy to have locally-sourced meals and locally-crafted products within your reach. But, recently, I've found myself gradually backsliding into more suburban, mainstream purchasing habits. Over the holidays, I was reminded how delightful local products can be when my aunt gave me a sampler of coffees roasted in-house at Lexington's Coffee Times Coffee House. The Big Blue Blend was so bright and sunny, but with a spicy bite -- it started sweet, like mocha ice cream, but finished with almost a chicory note. I was instantly smitten, and reminded that good things are often made just around the corner!
2. Tour the Bourbon Trail; learn to place Box and Wheel bets. Yep, I resolve to do some sinnin' this year, but I want to learn to do it well. I want to see where my favorite bourbons are made -- I've driven past the distilleries hundreds of times, but I've just never taken the time to stop for the tour. And, I want to learn to make the kind of sophisticated bets that yield high payouts -- the kind that come from a deeper knowledge of horses and wagering. It's been a long time since I took a statistics class, but I think this will be a fun skill to acquire.
3. Get involved with Kentucky politics. It's been way too long since I contacted a Congressman about an issue I believed in, volunteeered with a campaign, or generally gotten involved. I kind of miss it.
4. Publish a story or essay set in Appalachia. As a writer, I've frequently struggled with how to include my hometown in my work while preserving my own experience. I love so many cultural elements of Appalachia, but I really hate some of the imagery of poverty and ignorance that so often emerges in Appalachian fiction. This year, I want to write a piece that is set in Eastern Kentucky, but which doesn't involve bad stereotypes, trips "to the Walmarts", or exploitative dialogue. 
5. Finally see Western Kentucky.  To be a lifelong Kentuckian, I've spent an embarrassingly brief amount of time west of I-65.  I need to visit The Quilt Museum, eat some barbecue, and visit Abe's house.

What "Kentucky Things" do you want to do this year?

Churchill verdict from a Keeneland Purist

A few weeks ago, I made my first pilgrimage to Churchill Downs. For many biased Lexingtonians, Keeneland is the "best" race track in the state. I've heard from the Lexingtonian's that Keeneland is prettier, people dress nicer, and it is just a better overall experience. My only Churchill Downs experience has been through my television, where I watch and judge those in the Kentucky Derby infield. 

At Churchill Downs

For my first trip to Churchill Downs, hubs and I were guests of my friend Melinda who is a Kentucky Colonel. Perhaps my experience was tainted by being on Millionaire's Row, which was nicely decorated for all the Colonels, but all the areas seemed great to me.

Horses are pretty no matter where you are.

The track was well maintained, bathrooms were clean, service was good, drinks were tasty (yum bourbon), and food was as advertised. It was noticeably larger than Keeneland, but that's to be expected.

The room setup with balcony access

All in all, I don't get the fuss between one track being better than the other. They're both Kentucky gems that we should experience as much as possible. Both are the same in one key aspect: I can't seem to win money at either of them.

So, who's taking me to the Derby this year? :)

Clothes and Horses

Heather wrote previously about Lexington style. This stuff is serious, especially when you combine style with horse racing. Something about the "regality" of horse racing and the pride and tradition that it brings Kentucky.

This weekend, I am venturing to Churchill Downs for the first time. Thankfully, there will be no infield experience for me this time as I get to hang out at Millionaire's Row. Not that I'm a millionaire (but I'd be darling at it, per Dorothy Parker).

I understand Keeneland style. I've seen enough spring and fall meet outfits to know what is socially acceptable in each room and what isn't. Churchill Downs style? No idea.

Thankfully for my husband, the dress code is business casual, which does not require a tie. The Keeneland clubhouse, on the other hand, requires coat and tie at all times. No bueno for my scrub-wearing man.

My go-to rules for going to the race track:

• Oversized sunnies
• Comfortable, yet cute shoes (those crazies in their platform pumps look nutso when they teeter back to their cars with sore feet)
• Purse you won't accidentally forget at the betting window
• Your ID for bourbon
• A weather-appropriate outfit
• Something that makes you feel pretty

With those rules, I'm going to go for a 3/4 sleeve knit, knee length dress, brown leather knee high boots, a camel colored pashmina (or a statement necklace if it's warm), my Alesya bag, and oversized tortoise shell sunnies. I may or may not do boot socks out the tops of my boots.

Someone please tell me if this is a fashion mistake. And wish me luck at the track! 

I Don't Get It: Derby Infield

Today, we kick off a new series titled: "I Don't Get It." Each Friday, one of us will each share one traditional Kentucky element that just doesn't make sense to us. With a group of such diverse and opinionated belles, this is sure to be interesting!

Drunk people, obnoxious college students, girls flashing everyone, and mud wrestling.

No, I'm not talking about Bonnaroo or Mardi Gras, I'm talking about the infield at Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby.

When I think "Derby," I think of wealthy people, celebrities (although more B and C- list than A-list), mint juleps, fine bourbon, pretty dresses, and fabulous hats. The singing of "My Old Kentucky Home" is robust and full of state pride, whether you're a lifelong Kentuckian or just in town for the day. Even those who don't know the words try to fake it. For those few minutes, my Kentucky heart swells with pride.

This just doesn't match up:

image via Churchill Downs

Image via Louisville.com

Keeping it Klassy (via ambergris on Flickr)

As a state (um, Commonwealth), we already have stigmas of overalls and shoeless feet. When I see the coverage of the Derby on TV, and they cut to the bead-wearing, mud-covered, keg-standing flashers, it's like I'm watching what happens in the hours before filming a Girls Gone Wild video.

When I do Derby, count me among the ones who will get dolled up and pretend like I'm a classy southern lady with a fabulous hat and a genuine interest in the horses - not one of the flashers in the infield.

Have you ever done Derby infield? Am I being a judgmental stick-in-the-mud?

Kentucky Places: The Balconies Overlooking Keeneland's Paddock

Via State-Journal.

On Keeneland's second floor, just off the Sports Bar, lie a series of balconies that can tell a million Lexington stories.  They are among my very favorite Kentucky places.

Yes, it would be easier to just say that Keeneland itself is one of my favorite places.  That would be a true, true statement.  But the thing about Keeneland is that there are so many different worlds within the track.  There's the everyday folks, dressed down and hanging out by the track.  There's the college crowd, dressed for church or a fraternity semi-formal, in the Sports Bar and the Equestrian Room.  There are the professionals taking in meetings and working lunches in the upstairs dining rooms.  And then there's the Clubhouse crowd, enjoying a more subdued, members-only atmosphere.  

Via Shedrow.

Most of the time, the worlds never meet.  You go through an elaborate ritual of text messages and near-misses to find a friend who's enjoying a very different day at a different part of the track.  But the second-floor balconies provide an equalizer of sorts.  You'll see many romantic assignations go down on those balconies. You often watch business deals take shape.  You see suit-clad professional types sneak a smoke, while true horse enthusiasts strain to get a better look at the magnificent creatures that will soon be racing.  In a lot of ways, it's a microcosm of Lexington itself- college town meets horse town, rural meets urban.

via Keeneland.

For my money, the balcony on the farthest left (just off the betting windows) is the preferred spot.  It's the most scenic.  It sees the most action.  And, it always seems to have a roomful of people on constant watch to find a vacant spot.  But, no matter which balcony you find yourself standing upon, you'll always have a great view.