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From my view on the Pioneer Woman fringe

January 28, 2011 AmeliaJake 5 Comments

I remember reading The Pioneer Woman a few years back, when I saw pictures of countryside and cattle and horse activities that were new to me. It was interesting and it was obvious she wasn’t lacking for anything. It was a place of no worries. Oh, I figured that from time to time there would be mention of something on the downside happening, but that it would be dealt with in a “keep your head up; show your backbone; deal with it” pioneer mentality. You know, real things.

Who knew Shangra-La was in Oklahoma?

Marlboro Man’s maternal grandfather passed away and there was no mention of the man, his life, his death, the trip to the funeral. Nothing. It was an event that occurred in the natural progression of life. I thought it would have been a connection that crosses all lifestyles and economic groups. I didn’t think it would shake the image of the good life in the heartland.

Somewhere along the line, the blog began to generate those feelings one gets when a Christmas Letter comes in the mail from those families who have perfect lives and perfect kids. Surely sometime one of those kids got a “B-” or one of the family got a ticket for speeding. Did no one ever lock themselves out of a car . . . even it it only meant going inside to get the extra keys safely kept in a jar?

I get a kick out of the blogs that poke her with satire. Well, that’s one vote for Pie Near Woman. (Rechelle Unplugged for those not in the know.)

5 thoughts on “From my view on the Pioneer Woman fringe”

Pottermom says:

January 28, 2011 at 2:59 pm

lol. just yesterday several friends and I had a “conversation” on facebook about Ms. Drummond. I had made a comment that on the rare day (and it is a rare day) that I go to Pioneer Woman I am invariably treated to pictures of her husband’s butt. I mean seriously, if it was a great butt in the first place would you want women lusting after your husband’s butt? We even entered into conspiracies of posting pictures of our husband’s butts around the internet with titles that would show up when you googled Pioneer Woman. I found out that many of my friends are not fans of hers for a wide variety of reasons.

I personally find her a bit narcissistic, unrealistic (I mean WHO can afford all the crap she puts up and can’t live without other than millionaires and a lot of it… who would want it?), and I find her idolization of ranch life to be….. well just rather funny. As one who grew up on a ranch and who lived the life that she puts forth as unique and amazing I know that it’s just the normal, kids work, kids drive at age 7, you deal with cows, you have cute cats to keep away the mice to keep away the snakes, but you know….. it was a better life than the one she paints. It was real with the dirt of worries, and sick calves in the kitchen, and no hired hands (but plenty of kids) and tractors broken down, lack of money and worries about making the mortgage while eating steak (hey, steak was cheap …. we never got McDonald’s though…), and mom working alongside dad through it all (without a camera). She only paints the bright side and makes a whole lot of women unhappy with their lives because they think they are really missing out on something. They need to look at their own lives and realize that those sick kids, the broken down car, Aunt Myrtle that drives you crazy coming to visit, the overdue electric bill and all those things that disappear when you spend an hour in the garden enjoying the dirt, or you have a hilarious time around the dinner table laughing and talking with your family, those are the things that make your life rich. Life that is perfect isn’t rich with experience.
Albug says:

January 29, 2011 at 7:57 am

Okay, did you do this post to get more traffic? Ha. The first blog I ever read on a regular basis was Pioneer Woman, I fell upon it by accident (in the same way I found your sight). She made me laugh and that is what I’m always looking for, but as the years pressed on, and with her success, I found her redundant. I still check occasionally but really she no longer makes me laugh. I think she found a formula that accomplished what she wanted and continues in that vein. I never thought that her life might make other woman unhappy with their lives, that’s an interesting point. I do think that the uproar about her is, perhaps, a bit over the top. She’s rich, (not really against the law and it’s family money after all) so what? She got two books published(perhaps because she’s relentless).
I really don’t think she deserves the relentless slamming she gets. I think the blogs that slam her (Rechelle especially) are a little sad. When I read them, which I do occasionally, I always think “Get over it already”. Having rambled on here for one long paragraph I just want to say I really like your blog and I check it everyday and I no longer check The Pioneer Woman regularly, nor have I ever commented on her blog, as I have here. And why is that, Ree Drummond no longer relates to me. Her life is no longer interesting to me. She is no longer worth my time.
AmeliaJake says:

January 30, 2011 at 7:08 am

Actually, my mind was on Pioneer Woman because I had just looked at one of Rechelle’s Pie Near Woman Barbie Doll episodes. Some other sites that criticized PW were shut down real fast and I think she is a public figure now and eligible for a little Saturday Night Live fun.
Albug says:

January 30, 2011 at 10:48 am

That makes sense. I just can’t get away from the feeling that it is all a little like Junior High. You know, everyone hating the girl of the moment. I just find it hard to hate anyone. Hate is such a harsh word to use against another human being. So many of the comments about PW use that word, and I think that’s what really bothers me.
Shelley says:

May 24, 2011 at 3:38 am

I actually dont read either of them any more,, Pioneer Woman has become stale and too safe, and Rechelle,, god i cant stand people who just HAVE to lable themselves, was a Christian,,now an athiest,, ,, I mean it took her 41 years to get rid of christianity,,so she cant be that smart,, and now she had to lable herself again I cant stand people that HAVE to belong to a group,,its WEAK!,, she reminds me of those mean little girls who used to pick on other girls just because their clothes or toys were better than hers or would follow the cool kids even if they were doing something wrong. All it shows is that Rechelle is weak, its not sarcasm or dark humor,,its bitchyness,,, and if we were in a school yard,, and she was picking on someone so visiously,, I would belt the crap out of her. a bully, is a bully, is a bully…. My guess is she’s always been one,,but just hid it under her christian guise,, looking down her nose and judging people seems to be her forte!

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***Jody Lynn Vance: 1985-2011***

Jody was born at sunrise on a bright, sunny, cold, snowy Groundhog’s Day and from Day One she was a gift to everyone around her. Her infectious laugh and rambunctious spirit made her the center of attention where ever she happened to be.

She and her Dad would watch Sesame Street and sing at the top of our voices (and quite out of key) all of the songs. She enjoyed having Mom fix her hair so it was fancy and just right.

As a toddler she had quite an impressive vocabulary and often had a lot to say. One time Dad was headed out the door to go to work and she pointed her finger and said, “No. No. No. Don’t go anywhere!“

Jody was very seldom crabby, always happy and she wasted no time in spreading that joy to everyone around her. Jody’s favorite place was to be perched on the lap of Mom or Dad or playing with her toys spread out all over the floor. Jody was always affectionate, wanting hugs and “moochies” as she called smooches on the cheek.

At around two, Jody’s illness began to attack her. It took a beautiful, innocent child and put her through untold pain and suffering,

I know that through all of that she was not afraid. She had the heart and spirit of lion. She never gave up; time after countless time, she would open her eyes and there would come that smile. Jody lost her speech, but never was at a loss for words. She could say more with a look or a half smile than most people do yakking all day long.

After numerous doctor, hospital, and specialist visits, we were given the news of her illness. I remember that moment frozen in time … it was as if the entire world stopped. It was in that brief moment we both knew that we must make the very most of the time we had remaining together and not dwell on the despair of all of the things that would never be.

Jody was not expected to live more than three or so - but she had too many things to do and stories to tell, so she cruised by that birthday and over two more decades of birthdays, Christmases and millions of smiles and hugs. Jody was well-liked by other kids; once when she was being wheeled into her classroom at Handicare, one of the children yelled, “Hey everybody, Jody’s here” and all the kids cheered.

Two of the biggest joys in her life were her two little brothers, Joey and Sammy. She would just beam with joy when they would sit next to her and when they began to get older she’d love to listen to them running through the house and playing together. The two of them would start laughing and Jody would laugh right along with them. She would listen intently to everything they did and they would include her as often as they could. The three of them loved watching Saturday morning cartoons and The Three Stooges.

Joe and Sam did without a lot of things that other kids had, did and took for granted … and they never once complained or were resentful of the way things were. That shows a special kind of love and a special kind of family.

As the years went by and the boys grew up into strong and healthy, Jody’s health slowly and steadily declined. She would have long stretches where she was fairly stable and then would become so very ill.

Many times we were sure the end was near and then she would open those sparkling blue eyes and stretch just like nothing had happened at all.

Once she was in the hospital with her usual bout of pneumonia and lapsed into a coma; this went on for 8 days. One Dr. came in, examined her and just shook his head. Later that night Jody’s eyes popped open and she was refreshed from her cat- nap.

People over the years have commented, ”I don’t know how you do it. ”This always struck me as odd. My thoughts would always be: How could you even think of turning your back on someone who needs you that much?

It was always our promise to Jody that she would always live at home with her family and I think she found comfort in knowing that.

But, no one person can take the credit for caring for this wonderful young woman. It has taken an army of doctors, nurses, teachers, aides, pharmacists, friends, and family over the years to maintain Jody at home, and we could never begin to thank you enough.

Jody always kept her head held high and never seemed to be afraid; she has truly been my inspiration on many occasions. When things were gloomy and seemed hopeless, just one smile and a hug was all I needed to go on. Jody will always be my hero. I love her and will treasure the time we had together.

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5 thoughts on “From my view on the Pioneer Woman fringe”

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