Cowgirls Take Me Away

Current Curiosities

[Reading] Ghost World by Daniel Clowes

[Listening] "Jackson" by Trixie Mattel and Orville Peck

[Watching] Harriet the Spy

WE ARE THE MUSES I've never really been a country music fan, though there are a few exceptions. I grew up listening to Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton. (I watched Straight Talk and Steel Magnolias every time I was home sick from elementary school.) Other than that, I actively avoided country music because of its conservative undertones and eventual reactionary overtones. 

In middle school, I began exploring The Chicks when they released "Goodbye Earl," but it wasn't until 2003 when Natalie Maines spoke out at a London concert against George W. Bush and the impending Iraq War that I began listening more closely to The Chicks. To this day, Taking the Long Way remains one of my favorite albums in my vinyl collection and "Not Ready to Make Nice" is my go-to destress song. The song parallels (in a small, make it about me way) the frustration and confusion I often feel when speaking up about queer and trans issues in the workplace and then experiencing the reaction to it. The song also requires engaging complex systems requiring full focus on breathing, posture, and lyrics. Again, "Not Ready to Make Nice" is the perfect destress song. 

As a senior in high school, I had the opportunity to play drums on stage at a Shania Twain concert. I'd never really listened to her music before, but recognized a few tunes from the radio. During the day-long rehearsal, I bonded with her incredibly kind and patient fiddle player. I played on "(If You're Not in It for Love) I'm Outta Here!." Having untreated anxiety (which remained unaddressed until I turned 30 - uff da), I didn't fully appreciate or enjoy this unique experience in the moment. I was terrified of the full stadium and shook the whole time. But I paradiddled and maintained the beat. After the concert, I began listening to Shania Twain's catalog, and you know what, she's got some bops! Now, I look back on the experience proud of myself for carrying on.

In college and graduate school, I developed a habit of listening to Patsy Cline's Greatest Hits while driving home after good first dates. Honestly, I'm not sure why. Maybe it's her longing, her bittersweetness? IDK. Maybe that's why there were so many first dates? Ope. Maybe it's the hint of something hopeful and playful in Cline's voice? Probably. Patsy was my post-date confidant. (I understand why Kyle Richards allegedly fell for a country crooner!) 

The Chicks' Gaslighter carried me through the dark early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, while I lived in southern rural Minnesota. At the time, I was managing fellows in a center focused on community and civic engagement at a prestigious liberal arts college. (God, I love working with students! They are brilliant and creative and full of optimism!) The office was hella dysfunctional, and having recently moved, I had no local friends (you know, social distancing and masking). So I participated in many (too many?) FaceTime and Zoom happy hours with family and friends spread across the country - and I listened to The Chicks on repeat. 

While replaying "Gaslighter," "Sleep at Night," and "Tights on My Boat" and reflecting on the songs of Patsy Cline I grew up with, I began to notice these country-singing women are strong, real life steel magnolias. I also realized that their music was speaking to my lingering pre-pandemic heartbreak. Before the pandemic I was in an on-and-off relationship with a nurse I met while teaching at the University of Kansas. Every time, I'd set new boundaries or attempt to disentangle myself from his manipulations, he'd find new ways to pull me back in. As I listened to "I Fall to Pieces" or "Here You Come Again" or "That Don't Impress Me Much," I understood men are shit and I deserved better. A tale as old as time, I believe a teapot one said.

These ladies of country music began to build me up as the pandemic dragged on and I considered a move back to Fargo to be nearer my nieces and nephews and Greek grandma.

Then in 2025, I was DOGE-d out of my role as a senior researcher (grant writing and community engagement) at an environmental research center after my Department of Energy grants were canceled by Trump and Musk. During my down time, I revisited Cowboy Carter, which had come out the summer before. While I updated my resume and applied for jobs, I streamed and spun the the second album in her trilogy nearly every day that summer. The eclectic mix of subgenres and featured artists lifted my spirits during this period of unemployment. At the end of that summer, I took a job at a local hardware store, and have enjoyed meeting folks in my neighborhood and seeing queer and trans customers feel a little more at-ease in a space, much like Country music, that's not always safe for us.

[I remain hella underemployed. Anyone want to hire a sunny, team and goal oriented engagement leader, former educator, and dog-walker?]

Through these country singing women, I've (re)learned to hone my resilience, lean into courage, and choose my peace - and to be fully present during the good times. Because the good times, like men, can be fickle. As Dolly once said, "The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain." I've seen a lot of rain, but I've also witnessed some stunning rainbows.

Anyway, here are a few country songs that have caught my attention lately:

• "Daddy Lessons" by Beyoncé and The Chicks 
• "Hypothetically Speaking" by Willow Avalon and Kaitlin Butts
• "I Wanna Be A Cowboy Sweetheart" by Ruby Leigh
• "I Got A New One" by Elizabeth Nichols

Thank you very much for your time. If you have recommendations or curiosities, please fill out this nifty contact form.

Sending y’all supportive, well-caffeinated vibes,

Creighton 

Today’s Pen(cil): Silver Fox Tools Titanium Mini Sharpie Caddy