Moxie isn’t something you’re born with, although, I do believe it can be genetically passed down. It’s more of a skill that can be mined and honed.

If you have Happy Family Trailer Park (HFTP) Moxie, then you are taking it to a whole ‘nother level! ALL of the HFTP Self-Appointed Renaissance Trailer Park Queens have Moxie to some degree.

HFTP Moxie is being able to pull up your boot straps and get going! Just like Martha Shoeline says…”When the going gets tough, the tough go Hooker Shoe Shopping.”

Moxie is a lot of things.

Moxie can be mentored.

And it isn’t just that ability to lead one to ‘hide her crazy’ (blog to follow). Once one has her Moxie; it can also be that intense ability to tell someone to ‘go to hell’ and to look forward to the trip. In fact, true Trailer Park Moxie is the ability to get them to pay their own way.

Growing up in the proverbial trailer park, it was easy to identify those with Moxie and those without.

Those ‘with’ had happier lives than those ‘without.’

It’s easy to lose your Moxie, if you are human and susceptible life. And to predators. Those mean people in the HFTP who would suck it out of you like an emotional vampire. They can be relentless in their pursuit. But if you are shrewd and wise and have the ability to ‘wait’ them out, your Moxie will remain intact. You will leave them in your dust with a half lit cigarette and an empty 40 oz. in their hand, shaking their heads and wondering what just happened.

Moxie is positive ‘self-talk’ in action. And the possession of it, the honing of the skill takes years to achieve.

My 96 year old G-maw, and her 96 year old Mother before her, has Moxie. She has pulled her bootstraps up more times than Doan’s has pills. And she is quick to the wit and a comeback. She has the ability to tell people, nicely, with that sweet Saccharine Southern Belle smile how to go to hell…and mean it…without malice. It’s an incredible thing to watch. And they nevah see it coming.

Growing up, Moxie was encouraged. Taught. Developed. Applauded. And rewarded. My very own momma, Mawdine, both of my Maternal G-maws, as well as my great-G-maws had the Moxie. I was Grand mothered in. Thank you Jesus! It’s like it’s been bred down the family lines.
Moxie begets Moxie.

I now am working to pass that baton on to my very own youngin’, Dramamine. She has the Moxie gene. It flows daily through her veins. Making her aware of it is the chore.

But a HFTP Momma’s gotta do what a HFTP Momma’s gotta do.

And the beat goes on. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umrp1tIBY8Q

Respectfully submitted by your very best friend in the whole entire world,

Nadine Bodine

Aka/Malika Nadine of the Happy Family Danat Resort Trailer Park in the Sandbox