Blazing Billie

Born in 1927, neither mom nor any of her sisters seemed to fit in that era. They were raised on a working farm and had their chores but that didn't stop them from riding horses or hanging off the back of a jeep slingin' cow paddies. Fast forward to the 60's into the 70's and you really begin to see the true Blazing Billie. 

My folks were social butterflies, go, go, go... From the get-go mom made it clear that if they were going to be on the go, entertaining and socializing, dad was going to have to step up and help out, household chores were not hers and hers alone. So, dad vacuumed, grocery shopped, helped with cooking, clean-up (before dishwashers) was bartender when entertaining and on the set up/clean-up crew. Dad didn't seem to mind; in fact, he revealed in his role ~ He was the Host to her Hostess. 

That kind of attitude continued outside the home. Mom had a job with Ma'Bell aka AT&T but this wasn't a secretarial type job, oh no not for Blazing Billie. Mom worked on what they called the mainframe. It was a building about the size of a football field, 3 to 4 stories high with floor to ceiling - wall to wall rolling ladders and brackets jammed full of wires. Not just any wires, these were your phone wires, connecting your call to the person whom you wish to speak. With her utility belt wrapped around her waist, mom pushes those ladders along the isles, climbing up and down them all day long. If you had static on the line or another problem, mom would trace the wires and with safety glasses in place, she would solder back together if there was a break.

We see protests on the news yet, would you have ever expected to see your parents out there picketing or protesting? Back then union folks would go on strike if the negotiations broke down while they were meditating on a new contract. Mom was right there on the picket lines with her co-workers, protesting for fair wages for fair work, and women ~ much like we still are today. 

And we can't forget the time mom broke her leg. Plain white plaster cast, no fancy colors back then. Being Blazing Billie meant she needed a cast to match her attitude.  Enter my brother, he fixed her right up with a 426 Blazing Hemi engine on her cast ~ a one-of-a-kind cast, just like mom.

As the years went by, she didn't lose her attitude. One day her closet door wouldn't open because her walker was blocking it from opening. Instead of moving her walker out of the way, Blazing Billie just jerked that accordion door off its track leaving it to smack her in the face ~ giving her 2 black eyes. Black eyes aside, even at 92 you can still spot that attitude in her eyes and her mischievous smile. You were such an inspiration – trail blazer to me ~ Love ya' mom💖

                                                    Peace & Love