Let’s pretend I’m only holding up three fingers. It’s day three, not four (yet). I’m going to blame my counting issue on really weak coffee.

So on this day as we went from Cookeville to Memphis, Tennessee, the pale purple stepped into play. I was feeling rather pastel after yesterday’s super-long drive (7+ hours) and anticipating today’s much-mellower span (a little over 4). Plus, It’s not freezing anymore, so the 3/4 sleeve on this Gap baby (shoutout to Siobhan for looking so good in hers that I had to get one for myself) felt about right. I discovered another reason that the purple felt apropos: Back in October, Memphis lit up two of its main interstate bridges purple to raise awareness about domestic violence.

As we’ve been traveling and stopping in various towns, I’ve gotten a chance to watch not only the road go by and the countryside sprout with farms and livestock and trees and just general living, but also to notice how people inhabit the locations where we stop. Pretty much to a one, behind every counter is a woman. Whether at the La Quinta’s we’ve been hopscotching across the country, to the gas stations, to the diners, women are running the show. Friendly, curious, talkative, and in complete command of the term “no worries, honey” for just about every situation I’ve encountered.

Whether the “no worries” bit is true or not isn’t something I can know. Seeing a really young mom yesterday at the place we stopped for lunch as she tried to deal with her two kids, husband and a broken down car was a bit of a heart tear since her emotional seams appeared close to coming apart. And of course I wondered, what’s her life like?

Do you do that? Walk by someone, drive by, look across the train or the street and wonder: What goes on in your life. I know that’s usually just a distraction from me keeping my own council and as two of my favorite people would say “Stay in your own lane” (Hello, Elizabeth) and “May all beings be happy” (oh, Goenka. wise man.) so I carry on and hope for the best. But this trip is giving me some thoughts on all that.

Speaking of strong women, entering Memphis, there are signs for Loretta Lynn’s ranch & kitchen everywhere. While not so much a country music fan, I totally appreciate her artistry and looked her up just to peek into her life and such. I wasn’t surprised to find that she and her husband of decades had a helluva stormy ride. She talked about their turbulence and also that “every time Doo ‘smacked me, he got smacked twice”. As a general rule, I don’t truck with the laying on of hands that way for any gender or situation, but that’s a whole post in itself. What I do feel when I read those words is that ladies get on with it in the way they believe works for them. I’ve been seeing how they are running things while I’m on the road. I’ve worked with and continue to know amazing women who get on with it and get things done. Of course I have. And we always need a community to support us. And sometimes we need assistance to get back on track or to call attention when something isn’t right. That’s just the way humans work. So today my purple felt good for knowing Memphis recognized the color in awareness of something important.

So ladies, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting these last few days, I salute you! With your secret and not-so-secret stories. You’re acing it. And in keeping with this Tennessee vibe, I’m gonna rock the denim jumpsuit tomorrow in honor of Loretta and all you sisters running this damn place!