My Hero - Watanya Cicilia, Little Sure-Shot

There are two photographs on my walls that are not of family members.

There is a picture of Brownsburg's Amy Brauman, driving past Dana Craighton of Warsaw in the semi-final game in the 1991 Girls State Basketball Championship.

Then, only four teams contested the championship. The photograph was from the Brownsburg newspaper, a print purchased from the paper's photographer. The photo was signed by Amy at the Top 40 workout at Marian College. It is framed with an unused ticket from the game. I have made some effort to get the picture to the family, without success.

Amy became special at the Southport Regionals the previous Saturday. During a timeout in the first quarter after a devastating run by Terre Haute South, she threw a spent tissue into the chest of another player, and the team cracked up. And loosened up, and played well. And won.

That is the meaning of "intangible".

The other photograph is of Annie Oakley. Born Phoebe Ann Moses in 1860 in Darke County, Ohio, adjacent Indiana, she had a ruthless childhood. Her father died in her earliest years. She shot a squirrel when she was eight, and became a market hunter, supplying groceries and restaurants, soon after. In addition to feeding her family, she helped feed the better-heeled by shooting, for instance, quail on the wing. With a .22.

There are many, including myself, who can't shoot flying quail with a shotgun.

It wasn't enough. At about age 12, Phoebe Ann was indentured to a wealthy family. She ran away, and was returned. She finally escaped at about age 14. She referred to the family as "The Wolves", and forever refused to talk of the abuse, which was most likely extensive.

She continued to shoot, and shoot well. At that time, shooting exhibitions and matches were extremely popular, and Phoebe Ann was unbeatable. At age 15, she trounced Frank Butler, an itinerant champion. Butler was smitten, and they later wed.

She got a spot in Buffalo Bill Cody's "Wild West Show", and became comparatively wealthy, comparatively in the sense she had no vices, was charitable, and didn't waste money.

She led an exemplary life.

At some point the Chicago Tribune published an article accusing (now) Annie Oakley of cocaine addiction. How this was accorded credence with a feat of breaking 943 glass balls (a common target of the day) with only a 1000 .22 shots is unbelievable. But the press was all-powerful, and it took years for her to clear up another sordid episode.

There has been criticism, then and now, that, given her position as one of the most famous women in the world, she did nothing to advance women's causes.

I know women, brilliant and learned, accomplished and successful, who are not political. Including women who have pushed through the "glass ceiling".

One reason is that, by an overwhelming preponderance, women's issues are inextricably linked with the right to abort pregnancy.

A 2010 Gallup poll indiates that, in the US, about 40% favor abortion on demand, another 40% feel abortion should be reserved on for special cases, and 20% are outright opposed. But the minority is most vocal, even maniacal, often rabid, too often violent, in their opposition.

The right to abort an unwanted pregnancy was found constitutionally sound by the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade (1973), a decision constantly assailed.

Let me be clear: no man has a dog in this fight. Not one. Not the pope, not a husband, or a boyfriend. If you can't be impregnated, shut the fuck up.

Same with bluehairs. If you can't get pregnant, shut up.

Which should quiet most of those 20%.

Right.

The idea that a zygote is "viable" is absurd.

Here's a "viability" test. If an aborted fetus can exist without artificial support for 24 hours, then place it with someone sporting an "Abortion Stops a Beating Heart" sticker plastered on the bumper.

I'm afraid to guess how many lives are ruined by unwanted children. And the fact is, the blame falls squarely on the mother. "Single mothers on welfare" have long been targets for alleged moralists. What chances for the mother? For the children?

Nothing about birds.

Being smarter than most of us (including me), the cold weather has pushed them south.

No raptors. Only lazy birds, and town birds, are still about.