Motley Moose – Archive

Since 2008 – Progress Through Politics

Blogging into Our Hearts: The Nurse Kelley Story

Sixty-five years ago today, in a dusty south Texas town, our friend and colleague, Nurse Kelley (aka KelleyRN2) was born.

It was sooooooooo long ago, that there is no photographic evidence of the event but we think it went something like this.

Life was not easy in the Texas oil fields growing up but Nurse Kelley persevered. She considered many careers (and tried a few) …

… and eventually found her true vocation, the nursing profession …

… specifically, caring for newborns:





~

Something drew her to Colorado (aka, The Perfect Purple State)



(Well maybe not drawn to THAT).

~

She taught herself how to power up a computer …

… and the ways of the Internets …

…. and became a Very Famous Blogger: advocating for the sick and disabled, providing a voice for those who are voiceless and raising hell lots of money to make their lives better. All while rendering advice on ailments and underwear, blogging and buttheadedness (there is a difference … some days). Her Texas roots and homespun advice were perfectly suited for blogging:

Texas Sayings Helpful to Bloggers

‘So ugly his mama takes him everywhere she goes so she doesn’t have to kiss him goodbye.’

‘If dumb was dirt, he’d cover about an acre.’

‘If brains were leather, he couldn’t saddle a flea.’

‘Meaner than a skilletful of rattlesnakes.’

‘As full of wind as a corn-eating horse.’

‘She’s one bubble off plumb.’

‘I hear you clucking, but I can’t find your nest.’

‘Don’t dig up more snakes than you can kill.’

‘Anytime you happen to pass my house, I’d sure appreciate it.’

‘I’d like to buy him for what he’s worth and sell him for what he thinks he’ll bring.’

‘She can’t help being ugly, but she could stay home.’

‘She’s more slippery than a pocketful of pudding.’

‘Cold as a cast-iron commode.’

‘Don’t squat on your spurs.’

‘Don’t tip over the outhouse.’

‘Just because a chicken has wings don’t mean it can fly.’

‘I can explain it to you, but I can’t understand it for you.’

~

But one Texas saying describes Nurse Kelley to a T for those of us who are lucky enough to call her friend:

‘She’d charge hell with a bucket of ice water for you.’

~

~

Happy Birthday, Nurse Kelley!! We you!!

~

(Disclaimer: Any mistakes are the result of the laziness of the author for not bothering to verify the facts. For a small price, she will alter the record, and only Google Cache will know what was really said here.)

(Texas Sayings from More Colorful Texas Sayings, mountain hover quotes courtesy of goodreads.com)


96 comments

  1. Nurse Kelley

    What a perfect birthday present, Jan. I laughed, I cried, I smiled throughout, and then I thanked my lucky stars for the internet.

    And for you. I love you, my friend. ♥

  2. GlenThePlumber

    dinosaur..??

    I knew she rocked when she sent me a PM basically threatening my life for making JanF sad…she is a fierce…passionate…and loyal friend.

    Happy birthday..!!..enjoy your day…keep being you.

    peace…and hugs,

    Glen

  3. Ebby

    Sending Birthday wishes as big as the Colorado sky!

    Hope you and the boys have plans to party!

     photo BirthdayCats.jpg

  4. bfitzinAR

    Sending you a HUG as big as the Lubbock horizon – us born-in-Texas girls gotta stick together, right? 🙂

    And ditto hug to janf for posting the birfday diary!

  5. cassandracarolina

    …in geologic time.

    grossly oversimplified

    Thanks for showing us what the Internet can be when approached with true caring!  

  6. iriti

    I bought you a lovely gift, but it got stuck in the intertoobz on its way to you

     photo catpresent_zpsceda8e07.jpg

    So I’ll just wish you many hoppy returns of the day!

     photo funny-pictures-your-rabbit-wanted-carrot-cake-instead_zpsded5e8ee.jpg

  7. pittiepat

    is and what she does.  (I’ve been in front of her queue of fans for 43 years.)  She is so like her wonderful mother; she could not have had a better role model.  If you get a chance, raise a glass, preferably containing a margarita and no salt, in celebration of her birthday.  

  8. princesspat

    May just a small portion of the fun and kindness you share with others be yours today…..because that means your day will be overflowing with goodness!

    Thanks as well to our talented friend JanF for this lovely tribute.

  9. jlms qkw

    on her birthday?  what is her favorite color?

    why does she give her boys tuna?  do pecos and cookie want tuna?  

  10. jlms qkw

    on her birthday?  what is her favorite color?

    why does she give her boys tuna?  do pecos and cookie want tuna?  

  11. PadreJM

     photo hC78B3542.jpg

    I was expecting to hear festive music, vigorous conversation, raucous laughter, and more still goin’ on as I approached.  I mean, we’re not so old that we have to party poop early in the afternoon!

    Yeah, yeah, I know I’m really late, but I do get points for finally showing up on the Moose, right?  And, after all, I did have to do the whole sign up thing, including the captcha and emailed verification routine.  There’s gotta be at least a point for that, too.

    Well, whatevah.  At least you know I tried, Kelly.  I needed to show up at your birthday party lest you get some crazy idea, like that I didn’t admire you greatly, treasure our friendship, and miss our work together.

    So, no.  You ain’t gettin’ rid of this troublesome priest anytime soon.

    Hope your birthday has been a particularly joyful one, and that you have tons of fun with what remains of it.  You deserve that… and a whole lot more.

  12. LeftOverFlowerChild

    To the healer of minds and bodies, to the comforter of the broken hearted, to the herald of fairness and justice for all God’s children, to the lover of pooties and critter causes everywhere…Happy Birthday!

    I love you Kelley, thanks for being you…

  13. bfitzinAR

    when I was a kid a Friday birthday meant a 3-day celebration 🙂  I’m offline for the weekend.  {{{HUGS}}} bf

  14. wordsinthewind

    another fabulous birthday Nurse Kelley. I thought turning 65 was so wonderful because it meant medicare that I quit dying my hair and went to gray/silver.  

  15. kishik

    did the pooties REALLY teach you how to use the internets??

    LOL

    Hope you have a wonderful MONTH of celebrating (I am told that the older we get, the longer we get to celebrate…)

    😉

  16. PadreJM

    in addition to your presence, which frankly, was its major draw for me.

    The “political pragmatism” clause in the “About” post gave me a little pause, as I am definitely an idealist to the core, and (as well you know) more than mildly opinionated.

    But my primary reluctance was that I don’t trust myself not to spend more time here than I should, for my own good, and perhaps for the good of the Moose.

    But you’re here.  And it’s a Moose for heaven’s sake.  After living in Portland, Maine for several years, how could I resist?  (Have I told you about my many moose hunting excursions, camera at the ready?  Notice I said moose hunting not moose finding.)

    So here I am, toe firmly planted in water.

    Now, does anybody know what I have to do to make my “fierce” clicks stick?  I’ve clicked on a ton of ’em, and get the “Complete!” prompt, but when I go back to the diary, the empty circle still awaits, the total doesn’t appear to have incremented, and clicking on it displays a list of others who have recommended, so I can’t tell whether mine took.  Is this yet something else I have to take on faith?  😉

  17. More Texas sayings

    You have to dance with them what brung you (hat tip to Molly Ivins)

    and an Ivins original

    If he was any dumber we’d have to water him twice a day

  18. peregrine kate

    I’m so glad you were born.

    I knew there was a good reason for me to check out what’s been happening at the Moose lately–probably not too late to get my b-day wishes in. Hope you had a wonderful day and fabulous weekend. And no reason to stop celebrating now, either.

    Hugggs!

    (PS–great diary, Jan, thanks for spreading the news.)

Comments are closed.