Long Live the American Dream, Baby!

Hi, Everybody!

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I dedicate today’s blog post to a legend in the wrestling business. He was born Virgil Runnels, Jr., but the wrestling world knew him better as “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes.

All things considered, I know all about Dusty’s career, thanks in part to my aunts and uncles—and incidentally, Dusty was my Grampa Clark’s favorite wrestler. I watched an old home movie where Grampa Clark referred to Gramma Jewel as his “sweet, sexy Sapphire,” and how he was gonna “humblize royalty, ‘cuz common peoples gotsta stick together, Baby!” I heard so much about Dusty over the years that he may as well have been a close family relative. Heck, my Uncle Ronnie would refer to him as “Big Dust” so much that I eventually started referring to Dusty by that very name.

Dusty Rhodes was unquestionably one of (if not) the greatest talkers in the business. Dusty was just a common man—the son of a plumber, if you weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Baby! He wined and dined with kings and queens, and he slept in alleys and ate pork and beans. He was a three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, and he most definitely deserved his spot in wrestling’s Hall of Fame.

I got a chance to see Big Dust in action in September 2013; his sons Dustin and Cody (better known as Goldust and Stardust, respectively) took on the Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Dean Ambrose of the Shield. When Big Dust started throwin’ them bows—droppin’ those bionic elbowdrops, if ya weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee—I liked to have jumped up out of my seat! I remember shouting: “Get him, Big Dust—you still got it, Baby!”

The following clip is considered one of Big Dust’s greatest promos ever. He discusses hard times.

 

Thanks for the memories, Big Dust. It’s sad to know that you’ve left us too soon, especially considering that we were about to celebrate your #70 in about four months. I tell ya what, though, Baby—the American Dream is still livin’ strong in this ol’ heart of mine.

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

 

Happy Birthday, Gramma Jewel!

Hi Everyone!

Well, here it is—Monday, October 15, 2012, and y’all know what that means. That’s right—one more day before my finals … hahahaha!

Even though my finals are tomorrow, today is a special day because my Gramma Jewel has officially turned 77 years old. I am so excited for her that I could burst. I took time out from studying so I could find the perfect way to wish her a Happy Birthday. You know, Gramma Jewel said that when you get to be as old as her, material gifts don’t matter as much. Well, be that as it may, I’m still gonna get something for her. If I can’t find anything, I’ll make her a birthday present.

Incidentally, my essay on Gramma Jewel—I got an A-plus, y’all!

My professor said that it was so well written that he just had to give me five extra points. He especially loved where I wrote about “her uncanny altruism and genuine heart of gold, which may come off as a cliché yet expresses its full meaning once you ultimately meet her.” You know, forgive me if it sounds bias on my part, but my Gramma Jewel is the best. She’s that ol’ skool Southern sweetheart who gives respect and is respected, all who come in contact with her. I made a joke that if Snoop Dogg ever met my Gramma Jewel, he would look at her and say, “What’s the hizzle, Ms. Vizzle!” And she would say, “It’s all good, Baby!” Of her many characteristics, I admire the fact that Gramma Jewel is a bona fide Christian woman. Granted, she doesn’t boast about what she could do for others, nor does she have to, but you know that she’s a Christian because her walk matches her talk.

Well, I could go on and on about Gramma Jewel, but I’ve got to concentrate on my finals tomorrow, so, I close this blog by simply saying: Happy #77, Gramma Jewel, and I love you lots—God Bless!

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha