I am not Kim Davis.
HerKentucky Editor-in-Chief Heather C. Watson on the Rowan County Clerk, hypocrisy, and the dangers of lumping all Kentuckians together.
I am a woman. I am a Kentuckian. I hold very strong beliefs about morality and justice. And I am not Kim Davis.
As the owner of a website about Kentucky women and their lives and interests, I tend to see the absolute best in our fair Commonwealth on a daily basis. I focus on our authors and artisans, our entrepreneurs and our raconteurs. I'm in a bubble, I suppose. Lately, I've seen a lot of what the world outside the Bluegrass State has to say about the Rowan County Clerk who stands in defiance of the Obergfell ruling. More frequently than not, the old tropes about Kentucky life rear their ugly heads: We marry our cousins. We're all stuck in the past. We're bigoted and we're backward. We stand in the way of progress. We're all Kim Davis.
Growing up in Eastern Kentucky, I knew a lot of women like Ms. Davis. Conservative, religious women. Often the members of small fundamentalist sects. They adhered to strict rules about a woman's appearance, choosing to uphold strict guidelines for modesty and decency. They didn't cut their hair, nor did they wear slacks. They glorified the version of God presented by their faith through extreme interpretations of the Bible. They refused to turn on the washing machine or cook a meal on the Sabbath, for this could be interpreted as doing work on The Lord's Day. I was raised to believe that, while this wasn't the brand of faith which we followed, it was something to be honored, because it was done in earnest. I was raised that there was no good reason for calling out the hypocrisy of the four-times-married Ms. Davis, lest someone shine a light on my own shortcomings. I was raised not to be ugly to others, whether I agreed with them or not. I was raised to be nice to Kim Davis.
Y'all means all y'all. Photo via Kentucky for Kentucky.
But, the teachings of my Appalachian childhood also carried a strong sense of morality and equality and justice. I was raised to stand up for what I believe is right and to respectfully disagree with others while taking a stand of my own. I was raised to differentiate personal attacks from issues of ethical or professional misconduct. I was raised that, while I needed to be nice to others, I didn't have to agree with them.I was raised to believe that, as long as someone wasn't hurting anyone else with her beliefs, then there was no reason to point a finger. I was not raised to sit idly by while others suffered from hypocrisy, hate, and hysteria. I was raised to question Kim Davis.
As much as I adore the culture of my home state, I also love the fundamental tenets of our nation. I am grateful and humbled to live in an America that was founded both on religious tolerance and the separation of religion from governmental activities. I do respect Ms. Davis's right to a moral belief that differs from my own. I would never presume to know the core beliefs that motivate another human being. But, I believe that, if she cannot perform her job duties as a governmental official, then it's time for her to step down from her public position. America was founded on the separation of church and state. A county clerk's job is to do her civic duty, not her interpretation of her moral duty. Let me be 100% clear: I believe that it is time to impeach Kim Davis.
I believe that, in 50 years' time, our nation will view the idea that gay people were once barred from marriage with the same disbelief that people of my generation hold for the notions that interracial marriage was once banned, or that anyone other than white property-owning men were refused to right to vote. I am embarrassed of the role our Commonwealth has played in the path toward marriage equality. I pray that, in time, my home state's opposition to gay marriage -- be it Governor Beshear's antiquated statements that gay marriage is detrimental to Kentucky's birth rate and economy, or Ms. Davis's refusal to issue marriage licenses to gay Kentuckians -- will simply be seen as necessary hurdles toward the goal of equal marriage rights for all Americans. I hope that Kim Davis will ultimately be as insignificant as the Virginia judge who wrote that "Almighty God created the races white, black, yellow, malay and red, and he placed them on separate continents.... The fact that he separated the races shows that he did not intend for the races to mix." I hope that, soon, we forget Kim Davis.
So to the world outside the Bluegrass State, I beg of you: Before you lump all Kentuckians, all Kentucky women, or all Appalachian women together, please know that many of us practice civility and love. We are not motivated by hate or bigotry. We are not Kim Davis.
And, to my fellow Kentuckians, I ask y'all to extend grace and love to all. We can celebrate equality and love without sinking to ugliness and hate. Let's drop the personal-level insults and focus on the governmental procedure. Let's not contribute to the demonization of Kim Davis.
But, most of all, as a Kentucky woman, I ask of all who read this: Don't confuse my beliefs with those of Kim Davis.
herPaducah: Emphemera Paducah
Photo credit Paducah Life Magazine
One of Paducah's coolest new business is Ephemera Paducah - an art workshop space. In our newest herPaducah installment, owner Kristin Williams shares her journey to opening the business of her dreams!
Three years ago when I first decided to open my own business, I thought, “You’ve got this, sister.” After all, I’d spent years as a consultant helping other businesses to build and make adjustments to their strategic plans.
As it turned out, I knew a lot about running a business in theory, but little did I know the challenges that awaited me in opening the artists’ workshop and studio space that I now own today, Ephemera Paducah.
Looking back I can appreciate the fact that ignorance is bliss. Had I known the trials that awaited me in these first two years of running Ephemera Paducah I might have been too intimidated to take the first step. Yet, here I am beginning my third year, recruiting national art instructors to teach classes and workshops in my studio and running a retail shop, selling art supplies to the regional art community that surrounds me.
While the path to success has been filled with ups and downs, I’m pleased to say that today Ephemera Paducah is doing well. It’s not unusual to have a class full of folks from Chicago, Atlanta, Louisville, Memphis, Evansville and party beyond attending these national art workshops. In fact, about 80% of my business is now coming from out of town visitors.
I’ve been able to do this using a variety of digital media sources to promote my business. I’ve also had to learn how to think differently about my business. What works for one art instructor doesn’t work for all of my classes. So today I’m celebrating 50 something years of life and working to keep up with all of the new information and marketing tools that await me.
I’m in the business of being creative and that doesn’t simply apply to the art classes I offer at Ephemera Paducah. It means I have to use creative problem-solving techniques when my business needs a boost. I can’t allow myself or my marketing efforts grow stale. Rather, I must always grow and always be open to new ideas.
So as I celebrate starting my third year in business, I’m encouraging other women to be brave and to try something new. While being a business owner is not always an easy task, it’s one that I love.
I’ve always loved to dabble in art and to experiment with new art supplies. Now I get to do that every day as part of my job. What’s not to love about that? Being successful is as much about learning how to adapt as it is about having a great plan in the first place.
Lilly Pulitzer Patchwork Quilt
An extraordinary quilt made from Lilly Pulitzer fabric.
I think I was thirty years old before I realized that everybody didn't have a huge stack of quilts that their grandmother made for them. I knew that my granny made the prettiest ones, obviously, but I thought everybody else's granny at least tried.
Quilting is an art with deep roots in Kentucky. It's an integral part of my Appalachian childhood, and I want to share the gorgeous quilts my grandmother and great-grandmothers have made for me. So, we're starting a new series here on HerKentucky. Every Thursday, I'll share photos of the gorgeous quilts that my grandmother has made for me and my family. I'm working to live up to her artistry, but I'm not quite there yet!
This one combines my love of preppy, vibrant Lilly Pulitzer fabrics with a simple patchwork quilt pattern. We found some lots of fabric on eBay; my granny said the quilt itself was actually quite easy to make.
National Dog Day Treats for Kentucky Pooches!
Some great deals for National Dog Day!
Today is National Dog Day. I don't know about y'all, but I'd be absolutely lost without my dogs. Their hilarious dispositions, their antics, and their unconditional love are pretty much the best thing ever.
Here's a roundup of some of the deals going on at local pet bakeries, in case you want to take your best friend out for a treat today.
- 10% off any in-stock treats at Bluegrass Barkery, Lexington.
- With any $25 purchase, get a free small container of treats from the Bone Bar at Barkstown Road, Louisville.
- Buy three bakery case treats, get the fourth free at Three Dog Bakery, Louisville.
Of course, don't forget that the dogs at your local shelter or humane society would love a treat or a new home. Please consider taking in a dog if you possibly can, or making a donation if you aren't able to adopt!
Maker's Mark Whiskey Sour
Celebrate with an old-school bourbon cocktail!
Today is National Whiskey Sour Day. There's just something so sophisticated and refreshing about a well-made, old school cocktail like a sour.
I made a batch last night, and they were so delicious.
I started with some turbinado sugar, water, and lemons.
I added a cup of turbinado sugar to a cup of boiling water, then added the juice of three lemons. I put the lemon simple syrup in the refrigerator to chill for a couple of hours.
When cocktail hour arrived, I filled lowball glasses with crushed ice and one part of the lemon simple syrup to two parts. Maker's Mark, then garnished with an orange slice and maraschino cherries.
Five Kentucky Day Trips Worth Taking
If you think about it, there are really only two more free Saturdays between now and May 14th.
How did I arrive at that date? Simple. College football starts on Labor Day weekend, which is two weeks from tomorrow. Football and fall horse racing overlap into college basketball, then there's Keeneland's April meet, and then there's Derby. Add in holidays, and basically, you (or someone in your household) will be at sporting events, family obligations, or sitting on the couch watching sports every weekend until May.
It's a very real conundrum for Kentuckians. It also means that you've got these last two weekends to carefully plan something fun. A lot of times, work and social schedules don't allow much more than a fun few hours in another town. Last weekend, my beau and I spent a few hours following the GPS to the Maker's Mark Distillery. We were only gone for about 4 hours, but a little out-of-town jaunt left us feeling refreshed and recharged! Here are 5 Kentucky Day Trips to consider while you still have free Saturdays!
- Sweet and Sour Mash in Frankfort and Lawrenceburg . The Commonwealth's capital city has a lot of history to offer, but that's not exactly on the agenda for this trip. Instead, catch breakfast or lunch (open 8-3 Saturday; closed Sunday) at Rick's White Light Diner. Their crawfish pie is on my foodie MUST-TRY list. While you're there, check out the complimentary tours at Buffalo Trace. Then, head over to Lawrenceburg's Four Roses Distillery, which is unique among the members of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail for its distinctive Spanish-style architecture. Tour the distillery and pick up a bottle or two of their excellent small-batch bourbon. Finish up your trip at Sweet Mash Southern Goods, a charming, brand-new boutique that features amazing local and Kentucky-themed products.
- Provisions + Perusing in Lexington National Provisions is my new favorite restaurant in Lexington. I look for any chance to stop by there for a delicious meal from their bistro and a to-go box of macarons from their pâtisserie. (The New York Times has pretty nice things to say about them, too!) Stop in at nearby House by JSD for unique home furnishings, and Morton James and omar + elsie for luxurious fashions.
- Shop Local in Southeast KY Manchester's brand-new shop The Makery features handmade items, craft supplies, and one-of-a-kind products; head over to nearby London for lunch at local hotspot The Abbey.
- Get Artsy in Downtown Louisville One of my very favorite things about Downtown Louisville is that art is everywhere, not just in galleries. Don't miss Craft(s) in South Fourth, which explores the edgier side of Kentucky's traditional arts and crafts, wander through Revelry in NuLu and wind up in 21C Museum Hotel. Ready for lunch after all that? Go ahead and get the best hamburger in town at 21C's Proof on Main while you're there.
- Enjoy Paducah's hip new spin on its past.Quilts at Paducah's National Quilt Museum bear little resemblance to the ones your grandma made you; instead, they're vibrant works of art. Head over to The Coke Plant which, true to its name, once housed a soda bottling facility, but now showcases local artisans. I have it on good authority that coffee or tea from Piper's in the Coke Plant building is a must-try!
Soooo... What are y'all doing with your two remaining Saturdays?
The Real Colonel Sanders
Over on HerKentucky's Facebook page today, we've been talking about Colonel Sanders.
I feel really strongly about this. Colonel Sanders was an actual person. From recent history. Every revamp just comes...
Posted by HerKentucky on Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Well, we've been talking about KFC's latest incarnations of Colonel Sanders.
You've probably seen those KFC ads with Darrell Hammond. They were pretty awful. And, now, he's been replaced by Norm MacDonald.
Howdy, folks. It’s me, the REAL Colonel Sanders, back again, but for real this time. pic.twitter.com/Zj30LPXmXB
— KFC (@kfc) August 17, 2015I'm not going to lie, I find the whole thing VERY creepy. Harland Sanders was a real, live person. He was born in Clark County Indiana in 1890. He lied about his age to join the U.S. Army. He worked on railroads and ferry boats and even practiced law for a while, until he got into a courtroom brawl with a client. Eventually, he settled in Corbin, KY, where he ran a Shell Gas Station and perfected his fried chicken recipe.
Of course, there are a whole lot of people in Southeastern Kentucky who make really good fried chicken. The reason that Colonel Sanders' image has graced a million paper chicken buckets instead of any of our Appalachian grandmothers is that he was a master of marketing. He embraced the iconic image of a Southern gentleman --- a Kentucky Colonel -- in a white suit and a string tie. He insisted on being called Colonel. And the image remained with KFC long after Sanders sold his operations, and even after he passed.
Somehow, the stylized cartoon we've all seen a million times on KFC's logo seems okay. These salt and pepper shakers from Louisville Stoneware seem kind of adorable.
But hiring two guys -- irreverent comedians and non-Southerners at that -- to play someone who was alive during many Kentuckians' lifetime just seems disrespectful and in poor, poor taste. Colonel Sanders was a shrewd businessman, a first-class marketer, possibly a terrible lawyer, and a fine cook. But he was also an actual living person whose legacy deserves a little more than KFC is providing him.