I can thank the Stranger Things effect and my niece Ellie Mae’s love of Belinda Carlisle’s Heaven is a Place on Earth (1987) for rediscovering this gem. The day after watching the controversial ending to Stranger Things as a family out in my dad’s man cave on New Year’s Eve, I let Ellie give me a manicure using her new gel nail set. As she did my nails, I had her tell me about the 80s/Stranger Things-inspired songs she liked. Tiffany’s versions of I Think We’re Alone Now (1987) and Belinda Carlisle’s Heaven is a Place on Earth (1987) topped her list. I couldn’t help but see so much of myself in her at that age that I made a list of similar 80s songs for her to check out if she’d like. She’d discovered the girly pop music I’d grown up with: Madonna, Whitney Houston, Paula Abdoul, Janet Jackson, the Bangles, Wilson Phillips, and of course, the GoGos and Belinda Carlisle. All topped the charts and made up a huge part of the soundtrack of my childhood. Embarrassingly, I can probably still remember every word to Paula Abdoul’s Coldhearted Snake (1988) and Janet Jackson’s Escapade (1989) over 35 years later if asked.
The fun part is that I have a sneaking suspicion that Ellie loves music just as much as I do. A few years ago now, her mom caught the cutest video clip of Ellie cleaning her room singing her heart out to Katy Perry’s Roar (2013). It could have been me at age 8 or 9. The realization that kids today have all music at their finger tips is both terrifying and incredible for someone who grew up transitioning from records, tapes, CDs, MP3s, and finally, streaming services.
If it hadn’t been for that discussion of Belinda Carlisle with my niece, who knows when I would have rediscovered Mad About You (1986), along with the video. In fact, there are a few things I need to mention about the video. First, I do not remember it at all. Yet, it has quickly become one of my favorites from the 80s. It is right up there with Material Girl (1984) – Madonna. Mad About You (1986) has the same 80s does 50s Hollywood glamor vibe, but, if I am honest, there is just something I love about that video. I can see why it became a hit, and I am left wondering just how much coverage it had on MTV. I do hope that younger generations discover and appreciate the iconic music videos of the 80s-00s. I do hope that they live on. Happy Valentine’s Day!
One of the absolute highlights of the chaos that was 2025 happened to be seeing Ghost in Grand Rapids in July. The only live performance I’ve ever seen that even came close to Tobias Forge and company was Ringo Starr and his All-Star Band. I left Van Andel Arena in absolute awe. I would gladly go see Ghost again.
The funny thing is that when John and I bought tickets early in 2025, I really only knew their song Little Miss Sunshine. I wanted to check out something new. By the time John and I drove all over northern Michigan on our way to the concert (another story altogether), I’d become a full-fledged fan and knew half of their setlist. Even that didn’t prepare me for what I was about to experience. Tobias Forge’s stage presence is on an entirely different level.
Somewhere along the line, I couldn’t get the Ghost song The Future is a Foreign Land out of my head. I blame my love of storytelling. Add in a solid literary reference (Orwell’s 1984) mixed with historical references (brownshirts, Kennedys, etc.), how could I resist? Then there is the video. In my opinion, the animation is perfect. The 60s/70s eve of destruction vibe works well. Their animated videos tend to be among my favorites. The Future is a Foreign Land, however, almost manages to romanticize the end of it all, and asks us all to become better people for it.
After the concert, I asked myself why The Future is a Foreign Land looms so large in my imagination. Then I thought about what it means Gen X, or in my case, Xennial. In the world we were born into, it has always been one minute to midnight. The threat of nuclear war is a constant that’s never going away. As a generation, we seem to have a fatalist streak, and it is no coincidence that my peers’ children grew up on series like The Hunger Games and Divergent. In fact, The Future is a Foreign Land can be added to a dystopian playlist, which could include:
Eve of Destruction – Barry McQuire (1965)
99 Luftballons – Nena (1983) (I prefer the German language version)
It Is the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) – R.E.M (1987)
We Didn’t Start the Fire– Billy Joel (1989)
Zombie – The Cranberries (1994) (or Rock Orchestra)
If you grew up on 80s rock and/or metal, you need to check out Ghost if you haven’t already. Definite 80s vibes in the best possible way.
February 9th, 1964, 62 years ago today, the Beatles first appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show” kicking off what later became known as the British invasion. Over the years, I’ve heard so many musicians state that their dream of becoming a rock star began that cold February night. Ozzy stands out. I believe it, too. I’ve heard it described as everything going from black and white to technicolor. So I thought today would be it. Today I’ll discuss my favorite Beatles song of all time.
For decades, I could not tell you which Beatles song was my favorite. There are several Beatles songs that remind me of my childhood and my mom. All of The Beatles (better known as The White Album) reminds me of my semester bumming around Spain. Then there were the Anthologies during my high school years with new music! Real Love and Free as a Bird definitely fit in the ‘90s with the likes of Oasis and Blur. In fact, I once read a comment that stated Oasis’s entire career could be summed up by Revolver. Adoring Oasis before the egos took over, I can’t unsee that comment or disagree with it. Let’s face it: Most of the music I adore would simply not exist without the Beatles’ example. This is especially true of 90’s alternative, although 90’s artists seemed to take themselves just a bit too seriously. Regardless, the Beatles will always remain a revelation and inspiration.
So why A Day in the Life? Well, first, it is the final track on my favorite Beatles album: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. I consider it my favorite Beatles album for one reason and one reason only: Every time I listen to it, I have to listen to every. single. track. No skipping. I know of no other album, Beatles or otherwise, that is that good beginning to end. Of course, it is considered the first concept album, too.
Also, A Day in the Life is a perfect example of why I love the Beatles music so much. First, it tells a story. One can get lost in the lyrics and the story. Second, it is pure Lennon/McCartney magic. Not too hard, not too sweet – just right! It is really two songs in one with a memorable bridge in between. There are plenty of examples of Beatles songs structured like this, but it is the Wings songs that come to mind. Some of my favorites, Band on the Run, Live and Let Die, and Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey, just to name a few. What’s not to love? So, let’s take a minute today to appreciate all the amazing music we’ve enjoyed over the last several decades.
Ladies and gentleman, quite possibly the best Beatles quote by a Beatle.
2025 started off pretty well, but I’m just getting started. There is so much more I wanted to accomplish, but days rush by, especially when fighting off the January “ick.” My writing really took a nosedive and a backseat. Fortunately, it is NOT for a lack of ideas. In fact, it is quite the opposite. I have too many. I need to prioritize and mix it up. Here are a few things to look forward to in 2025.
Gen X
I’ve been floating around this idea for months. It gets right to the heart of my best and deepest childhood memories. Between belonging to a fun Xennial Facebook group (NOT SFW) and discovering hysterical Gen X content creators discussing everything from the 70s-90s, I can relate. Aside from the childhood nostalgia, they are discussing the perils of becoming the default mediators between Baby Boomers and Millennials, perimenopause (or just menopause), and the weirdness of some being the parents of grown children while others have toddlers or even infants. There is something for everyone.
My favorites so far:
The “virtual” dodgeball game between some of the more well-known Gen X content creators.
The elaborate storylines, complete with 80s costumes, of some of the creators. There are two in particular who created an entire world of characters just using their imaginations, along with costuming and makeup techniques. Both are incredibly talented!
Frankly, my childhood would not have been the same without Gen X. They were always the “cool” older kids – namely my cousins (all girls) and the teens who worked at the canoe livery every summer – all of whom introduced me to the best music, slang, and fashions of the ‘80s. I distinctly remember wanting to replicate some of my cousins’ outfits and being so eager to grow up.
As much as I can relate to Gen X, I am definitely not strictly Gen X. While technically Gen X ends in 1980, I was born December 18th, 1980, just two weeks away shy of 1981 and being classified a Millennial. If anyone is on the cusp of those two generations, it is me. As a result, I am a Xennial (1977-1983), with characteristics of both generations.
Grandma Reid @ 100
January 22nd, 2025 would have been Grandma Reid’s 100th birthday. She always told my sister and me that she’d live to be 100 to “haunt you girls.” Then, she’d laugh as only she could. Gratefully, she lived a long, full life, passing away the day before her 92nd birthday in 2017. Still, I am left with so many memories and lessons, especially now that I am well into my 40s. It all deserves to be mentioned.
1925
1925 played a pivotal role in my family history. Two of my grandparents were born in 1925, Grandma Reid and Grandpa Buttrick, and my second great-grandfather, A.G. Forward, started Forward Corporation, which would become the reason why my maternal grandparents eventually moved to Standish. My parents would have likely never met otherwise.
Grandpa Buttrick @ 100
Born on April 1st, 1925, he definitely needs to be commemorated as well. He taught me a lot, and if I hadn’t moved back to Michigan in 2005, I would not have known him nearly as well as an adult. He, along with my dad, are the original inspirations for my decision to study business. It has served me well! Sometimes I think I learned just as much from them, and the companies they headed for so many years, as I did from my formal education.
Music
Not only are there dozens of songs I need to add to my mixtape, I have much to say about Oasis’s recent attempt to join the 90s nostalgia craze in concerts, not to mention the fact that Ringo, now well into his 80s, recently released a #1 album, country no less. Also, I didn’t fully realize this until fairly recently, but I belong to a generation that closely associated music videos with the music we love. That just doesn’t happen much anymore. There is a reason why there are jokes stating that MTV only provided approximately 15 years of music. We still want our MTV!
Book Reviews
Book reviews consistently get the most traffic, and I adore writing them. I am way behind. In fact, The Women by Kristin Hannah still haunts me, and it will continue to haunt me until I write a review. I loved that book, and I consider it one of the best pieces of historical fiction I’ve ever read. Then there is The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, another great piece of historical fiction. Of course, there are others I need to review as well.
The Supply Chain Lens
In light of all that has transpired over the last several years, I feel compelled to share what keeps me awake at night. It all involves supply chains and our manufacturing capability. It is far more interesting that it sounds, I promise. Also, I plan to keep it as non-political as possible, even though I feel we have all been fooled. Even though I did not necessarily pursue a career in supply chain management, my business education forever colored how I see the world.
As you can see, lots of great things to come! Welcome February!
Dean Butler as Almanzo Wilder in Little House on the Priarie
This year, the TV show Little House on the Prairie celebrates 50 years since its television debut. Oh, and does that show still have a following. To celebrate, several events were held at various locations throughout the country, including most of the homesites of the Ingalls and Wilder families. They even recreated several of the sets at Big Sky Movie Ranch in Simi Valley, California, where most of the series was filmed. Infamously, the last installment of the series saw the original set of the town literally destroyed as part of the plot. Under the terms of filming, the producers of Little House on the Prairie contractually had to return the land to its original condition.
So, where does Prairie Man by Dean Butler come in? First, the book debuted this summer in the midst of all of the events. Second, and most importantly, Dean Butler, who played Almanzo Wilder in the last years of the series, and Alison Arngrim, the one and only Nellie Oleson, who famously penned Confessions of a Prairie B*tch, have worked tirelessly to keep the legacy of the TV show alive. In fact, this entire year, they decided to host a podcast dedicated to all things relating to the 50th anniversary of the Little House on the Prairie TV show.
Prairie Man stands out for a couple of reasons. First, I may not be technically correct on this, but I believe that Dean Butler is the oldest surviving male cast member. Several actors that played young boys on the series survive, but the grown men, including Michael Landon, Victor French, Richard Bull, and Dabs Greer, just to name a few, are long gone. While there are several memoirs written by female cast members, including two alone written by Melissa Gilbert, Prairie Man is the only one written by a man.
While I’ve only read Confessions of a Prairie B*tch by Alison Arngrim (you can read my review here) and Prairie Man by Dean Butler, they could not be more different. I loved both, but I enjoyed Butler’s sense of history, not to mention his diplomatic handling of tensions between fans of the books and fans of the TV show. He addressed all of the controversies surrounding both series well.
I learned a lot. While I knew that Rose Wilder Lane’s “adopted” grandson, Roger Lea McBride, ended up with the television rights to the novels, I did not know the full story. The real story is included in Prairie Man. In the early 70s, Ed Friendly purchased the rights from McBride due to his wife’s and daughter’s love of the books. Only when Michael Landon became involved as executive producer, taking the TV show further and further from the original books, did trouble occur. According to Butler, Roger Lea McBride became horrified when realized what he had done. Like Friendly, he envisioned a TV series much more faithful to the books.
The real Almanzo Wilder, subject of Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Eventually, all of this grew tension between Landon and Friendly. Landon’s vision, of course, ultimately prevailed. It may have been for the best. Ask yourself, how many children and adults were introduced to the books via the TV show? Alison Arngrim even admitted that she didn’t read the books until after being cast as quite possibly the best child villain ever portrayed on television, Nellie Oleson. Michael Landon may have taken extreme creative license, but love it or hate it, Little House on the Prairie, the television show, is still shown all over the world in syndication 50 years later. It will not die.
The funny thing is that I used to blame Roger Lea McBride for selling the rights to the television series and Michael Landon for what it became. I used to view the Little House series of books as a cautionary tale as to what can happen if an author’s legacy isn’t well-guarded or just ends up in the hands of attorneys. For those who don’t know, Rose Wilder Lane never had children (she never formally adopted Lea), and thus, with her death in 1968, Laura Ingalls Wilder and Almanzo Wilder no longer had any direct descendents. I see it differently today. I suppose I now subscribe to the old saying “any publicity is good publicity.”
While I probably would have discovered all of the books on my own, especially after my 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Butz, read Little House in the Big Woods to our class, I doubt any of it would have left such a lasting impression without the TV show. Early elementary school would not have been the same without it. I distinctly remember jumping off the bus after school, pigtails flying behind me, eager to catch the 4 PM reruns. Funny note: Due to the fact that I grew up on the reruns, I thought Dean Butler was significantly younger, by at least a decade, than he actually is. His book, of course, made this clear.
Today, I am not necessarily a fan of the TV show, although I do greatly admire what Dean Butler and Alison Arngrim have done for all Little House on the Prairie fans. I suppose I am not a typical fan. Normally, most people are devoted fans of the books or the TV show, not necessarily both. More than anything, I am a huge fan of the real person, the writer herself, the real Laura. Her true story is far more fascinating than just the books. She lived an incredibly full additional 70 years after the life she described in all of her books. When you add in all of the drama surrounding her only daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, it justifies all of the relatively new scholarly work surrounding the Ingalls and Wilder families. There are still so many questions left to answer.
If you are interested in the Little House series at all, whether book or TV show, Prairie Man is well worth reading. Butler makes the case that he feels he was born to play Almanzo. Growing up on a ranch in California, he describes in detail how his entire career has been shaped by that one role. As he grew older, he decided to lean into it and run with it, much as Alison Arngrim has over the last few decades. Fortunately for Little House fans, its incredible legacy is in good hands for the time being.
You can also check my review of Prairie Fires by Caroline Fraser here.
Written during the pandemic as an example for a poetry project I assigned my middle school students. They needed to take a line from a favorite song and then use that line to begin a poem.
There are places I remember Places that hold memories long forgotten Long shadows, witnesses to the past Smells that immediately transport me back
Back to a simpler time when we could gather freely Children could be kids Adults accepted responsibility A time when freedom reigned and the republic lived
A black and white portrait here, Kerosene lanterns afixed to the wall Polished glass overlooking the cedar swamp The coziness of a Franklin stove
My sister and I, in curls, smocked dressed, and bows Polished patent leather shoes and all smiles Helping mom and grandma prepare Thanksgiving Waiting for hunters to return and string a buck up on the pole
Living as pioneers until nightfall, the generator roaring to life The bustle and business of extended family Cards, laughter, and love Cousins, forts, and leaves
Memories long buried, decades past Rising each fall with the smoke from burning leaves
Ah! It is finally here. I adore December. Yes, there is my birthday and Christmas, but I love advent. There is always so much to do in the lead-up to Christmas. My instinct is to want to do it all, but I am so very glad when I don’t. What really matters is spending time with all the people I love. For me, all of the traditions and planning are half the fun!
This year, I am grateful for all I have in my life. Is my life perfect? No, but that said, I am far from where I once was. I have a job I truly adore, and I didn’t give up on teaching, although it would have been so easy to do so. I also have a man in my life I love and am deeply loved in return. John and I both agree that we would not have done nearly as much over the past few years if not for each other. I am grateful that I get along so well with my siblings and their families. As frustrated as I can get with my parents at times, I am acutely aware of how lucky I am to still have them both in good health. I could go on, but just know that I am well aware of how truly blessed I am.
As I move into 2025, I’ve been thinking about writing, blogging, podcasting, and so much more. My issue here at Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde is not that I don’t have enough material, it is that I have too much. I have a notebook full of ideas. Right now, I am trying to decide which songs to write about next, which books to review and when, not to mention how to write a long piece on supply chain and its place in geopolitics, which is probably a series. I’m not exactly sure how it fits here, but it explains so much as to who I am and what I believe. How do I put all of this together?
I experimented with podcasting in 2020, and it remains something I am interested in. The issue is this: How do I settle on a topic? As far as I am concerned, the best podcasts are highly focused. I have too many interests that would make for great podcast content.
I do know this: I intend to write more in 2025. I am not getting any younger. I have more to say, not less. It is a matter of establishing good habits. I am happier when I write! I am not one to get bored – at least not when I have a book to read or access to my writing materials.
So, once again, welcome December! Happy Advent! I hope that your holiday season is off to a great start. 2025 will be here soon enough.
Over this long Thanksgiving weekend, I am grateful for all of the wonderful people in my life – family, friends, coworkers, students, customers, and more. I am truly blessed. If I started a list of all the blessings in my life, it would take me hours to complete.
I hope this post finds everyone well enjoying time with family and friends.
Teaching the meaning behind Día de los Muertos was always one of my favorite parts of teaching Spanish. Enjoy the ending of Coco, one of my all-time favorite animated movies.
I found out that direct sales company Thirty-One, named after the Bible passage in Proverbs 31 that describes a virtuous wife, is closing at the end of the year. Approximately a decade ago, I sold for a handful of direct sales companies hoping that one would stick and that I had inherited a few of the skills that led to Grandma Reid’s successful 40 year direct sales career. She only stopped when she could no longer find a quality women’s clothing direct sales company to carry. In fact, she outlasted several companies, namely Minnesota Woolen, Queensway, and Beeline. I still happen to have an adorable small stained glass plaque advertising Beeline, bees and all. I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of it. I had to at least try.
At the time, I tried selling Avon, PartyLite, and of course, Thirty-One. Handsdown, Thirty-One is the one that captured my heart. If it hadn’t become so oversaturated, I would probably still be selling it. Avon needed no introduction and offered high quality products. The problem became that they ran new catalog campaigns every two weeks. If you are doing anything else, and I mean anything else, it quickly becomes unsustainable. PartyLite offered great products too – I had done my homework – but nothing ever stood out as special to me. As much as I personally loved burning candles, I stopped years ago due to the damage constant candle use can do to walls and ceilings. Even candle and wax warmers can be extremely messy when you want to change scents.
That left Thirty-One. By the time I decided to stop carrying PartyLite and Avon, I became undecided with Thirty-One. I still loved the company and the products. At the time, I also started substitute teaching several days a week while earning my teaching certificate. Every single teacher’s lounge contained the latest Thirty-One catalogs, an open party, and the business card of a consultant. How can you compete against that? Not easily. I knew I had to move on, not matter how much I loved and believed in the product.
Speaking of Thirty-One products, I have quite the collection. After ten years of constant use, most of my items are still in near perfect condition. I’ll have them for years to come. I may have spent a chunk of change upfront, but in my case, I have no regrets. I use them daily. Thirty-One bags may have been at a fairly high pricepoint, but they were worth the money. Oh, and adorable too!
They’re the same thing, right?
Here’s the thing: Thirty-One knew – and still knows – their audience. Their bags are functional and stylish. They targeted busy moms of faith who needed the right tools to haul all the gear everywhere. Of course, they wanted to look good doing it, too. No wonder I saw teachers heavily targeted! In the future, when I look back at the 2010s, Thirty-One bags will certainly be a part of the aesthetic. In other words, if I were responsible for designing an American Girl doll representing the decade of the 2010s, she would certainly have Thirty-One bags as go-to accessories. By the way, American Girl absolutely slayed their dolls representing the 80s and 90s, but that is another story entirely. I could not have done a better job myself.
Sadly, I doubt that there will ever be another Thirty-One. They knew their target market because it was created by a busy mom on the go for other busy moms of faith. Whether we like it or not, women carry the mental load in our society – married, single, with or without children; it doesn’t matter. Women are tasked for making a house a home, remembering all the things for everyone, not to mention organizing life in general. As a woman and teacher, it is just true, and it is the reason why my Thirty-One bags have come in so damned handy over the years. If I were still in business school, I’d love to do a case study on Thirty-One to see where it all went wrong. By the way, if you are under the impression that business is dull and boring, think again.
Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde 