Swing Vote: Kentucky Hits Home

We’ve lured one more visitor from Kentucky but I’m still waiting for those Kentucky-full comments to tell us what’s up.

 

Today is the last day of Swing Vote: Kentucky. So… comment! Now!

 

Even though I’m still trying to get over the idea Kentucky residents are Pepsi-Cola drinkers, I’ve found the courage to continue looking up Kentucky facts.

 

Did you know Thunder Over Louisville is the opening ceremony for the Kentucky Derby Festival and is the world’s largest fireworks display?

 

That’s the world, friends! We’re giving pyrotechnics to people who drink Pepsi-Cola. Not the wisest choice.

 

Kentucky leads the world in outspokenness as well.

 

Carrie Nation, the spokesperson against rum, tobacco, pornography, and corsets was born near Lancaster in Garrard County.

 

Am I the only one who finds this a strange combination? Rum, tobacco, pornography.. those are certifiable addictions. But the corset?

 

Protest on, Ms. Nation. I think the corset could be destructive to the life of a family, too.

 

Kentucky’s motto is “United We Stand, Divided We Fall.” That’s a good motto. It also makes me think of uncooked spaghetti noodles.

 

Have you ever seen the illustration where the leader breaks a single uncooked spaghetti noodle in half and talks about how easily we are broken as humans out of community? Then they get a full handful and try again… it’s not so easy to break a handful of uncooked spaghetti.

 

Spaghetti, community and Kentucky. Linked in my mind forever.

 

OK… next interesting fact: Ex-slave Garrett Morgan, a native of Paris, KY, invented the Red-Yellow-Green traffic signal that’s now used throughout the world.

 

If you’ll remember, Paris, KY is also where Mark Spitz’s bathing suit was made.

 

Don’t all rush to move to Paris, folks. I know it’s tempting but s l o w  d o w n.

 

My last fact hits close to home.

 

Kit Carson is from Kentucky. Kit Carson, the famous explorer, trail blazer, cool dude.

 

He’s also my cousin. Yep, I’m a Carson on my mom’s side. We’re a stubborn, solitary bunch and I’m going to blame Kit, the guy who traveled with a gun on his saddle and a good dollop of wanderlust.

 

I have his cheekbones. Genetics are awesome.

 

Hope you’ve enjoyed our visit to Kentucky – it’s never too late to comment and tell us about your state if you’re from the Bluegrass Region! Tomorrow I plan to post a photo of scantily clad women and make something wonderful of it. Can’t wait, can you?