Brave Tutu Blog — Brave Tutu

Pup Life

Growing up with pups, I loved them. However, one dog shifted that love into pure adoration.

With two paws planted on the low window ledge, a small black creature peered into our dining room window. Saying— “I’m home. Wanna let me in?”

In our backyard, of brick walls, there is no way this pup “arrived” unassisted. Of course, we searched for his people and, quickly realized, we were them. I often joked, and still sort of believe, we’d find a parachute and slung off Snoopy bomber goggles. ID tag: HEAVEN

Full Heart

I was pretty flattered when a reader reached out, asked me “re-publish” my Clear Eyes piece. After an unexpected trip home to Midland, the football season’s kickoff and a few tweaks, I decided to do just that.

Clear eyes. Full hearts. Can’t lose.

Rebekah ManleySeptember 29, 2023Comment

Orange Flip

It all started with a kiss. But probably not in the way you are thinking…

Strong women have always made up the fabric of my life, holding me together and stitching me up. Knowing how they’ve shaped and supported me, I can’t help but wonder where I would be without each and every one of them. Thankfully, I’ve never had to find out.

Rebekah ManleyMay 29, 2023 Comments

Clogged

On my bedroom shelf, three bottles of perfume are ready for a new home. One lost its top, the second is clogged, and the third—if you ask me—is just being stubborn! Yet, I look at them sitting there and it's as if they are saying, “Yeah, we’re here! Whatcha gonna do about it?”

Okay, that’s only the sassy one. The other two can’t figure out why I haven’t used them in over a year.

Clear Eyes

Clear eyes. Full heart. Can’t lose.

This mantra from Friday Night Lights played in my mind on a drive home to Midland Texas. Often, I hit the Permian Basin at sunset, a perfect backdrop for the oil rigs, as the sky peaches and pinks. Like the opening credits in FNL, these diligent “steel cows” nod their heads amidst endless Texas terrain.

Sitting on a Miracle

Circa age three, my Great Grandmother Lucille taught me this rhyme and how to pump my legs to use our backyard swingset. This Thanksgiving offered a full-circle moment to that earliest memory.

Makes Cents

This week, I had a dream I just can’t shake. And after some reflection and real-life intervention, I don't think I want to. It all makes sense.

Twist

“Have you ever been apple picking?” my friend Leila asked.

“I’ve always wanted to go.” I kept my eyes on the road for our exit.

“I’ll tell you the trick,” said Leila. “You have to twist the apple. If it’s ready, the stem breaks right off. But when the fruit isn’t ripe, it simply won’t come off. You can keep twisting and twisting, and it still won’t come. Or you could force it off, but then it won’t taste good. You can’t tell just by looking.”

”So You don’t know until you try,” I said.

Fly

Somehow, a little fly got trapped inside my car. He flew in when I stopped to get a breakfast taco on my way to Midland.

“Please fly out little guy,” I coaxed, cracking a smile at my own little joke. Five minutes later, I waited at Sonic for my diet cherry and lime coke. “Okay buddy, both doors are open for you now.”

The windows in my lime green beetle stopped working in 2020, just like everything else. Mr. Buzzy had a choice to make: get out now, or wait a loooong time for the next stop.

#WestTexasDriving

Each time, he bzzzzzzed, fought and tried to “escape” at the window. I opened my door, and he just kept flying to the crack where he “should” have been able to escape. Buzz Buzz flew from window to window, totally missing the wide-open doors that waited for him.