Happy Mother's Day!

I received this Mother's Day greeting from artist, neighbor and friend, Annie Taylor.

She should be illustrating children's books!

Isn't this lovely!

Thanks, Annie!

One Hundred Things My Mother Taught Me A Million Times – Chapter 37

#37 - "Practice your Miss America walk and graceful hands."

 My husband Crouse and I in Port Aransas – we were 40-something – and to think that this is the body I always hated, and would now kill to have!

Although lots of people joke about beauty pageants, when I was growing up they were paragons of beauty, grace and status for women. We never missed watching the Miss America Pageant, always cheering for Miss Texas of course. Mom was determined that one of us girls (four daughters) would be a beauty queen, so practicing the Miss America walk and graceful hands was imperative.  She taught me a million times to walk with my head up, shoulders back, a smile plastered on my face, making eye-contact at all times! Several friends have said, “Ah yes, the book on the head thing,” but it was much more than that, it was the Miss America Walk, designed to convey confidence, very subtle sexual promise, and a virginity in tact! Click on Read More Below...

Nicole Brown Simpson’s Sister at Mother's Day Luncheon Benefiting The San Antonio Battered Women and Children’s Shelter

(Denise Brown left)
After 15 years, Denise Brown, has decided to talk about her sister’s death. Although Denise has long been an advocate against family violence, she only recently opened up about Nicole Brown Simpson’s murder. Denise said that her family helplessly witnessed the psychological and verbal abuse and manipulation for years. They didn’t know about the physical abuse. But later found 12 years of physical abuse documented in Nicole’s diary. How often we stand by helplessly as loved ones struggle. How horrific when that struggle and helplessness turn into irrevocable tragedy.

Christy Overstee (daughter’s friend in San Antonio), wonderful friend Linda Benjamin (VP National Domestic Violence Hotline/TX Council on Family Violence) JoLene Noelke Moore (my daughter), and long-time friends, Debbie Tate from Austin and  Suzi Crane from San Antonio.


Despite the sad topic, my table really enjoyed the "Honoring Mother's 2010" luncheon in San Antonio, benefiting The Battered Women and Children's Shelter, and felt honored to support such a nice event and important cause. My gratitude to all of the people working in the trenches to help abused and battered women and children.

Pat Smothers – Founder and Chair of the Event, Honorary Board Member of Family Violence Prevention Services, and friend from the days when we were officers and very active in the National Women's Political Caucus and the Texas Women’s Political Caucus.