Kinky Friedman, known for his satirical and often provocative style, has passed away at 79. A post on his social media announced, “Kinky Friedman stepped on a rainbow at his beloved Echo Hill surrounded by family & friends. Kinkster endured tremendous pain & unthinkable loss in recent years but he never lost his fighting spirit and quick wit. Kinky will live on as his books are read and his songs are sung.”
Richard Samet “Kinky” Friedman earned a cult following for his unique take on country and Western music. He released numerous albums, starting with “Sold American” in 1973, a record that laid the foundation for his career. Known as the “governor of the heart of Texas,” he even toured with Bob Dylan during the “Rolling Thunder Revue” and made history as the “first full-blooded Jew” to perform at the Grand Ole Opry.
Apart from his musical endeavors, Friedman was a prolific writer. He wrote detective novels and contributed as a columnist for Texas Monthly. He also ventured into politics, running for Governor of Texas in 2006 with the campaign slogan “My Governor is a Jewish Cowboy,” securing 12.6 percent of the votes among six candidates.
Born in Chicago and raised in Texas, Friedman studied psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. His passion for music led him to form King Arthur & the Carrots and later Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys. He described the latter as a “country band with a social conscience, a demented love child of Lenny Bruce and Bob Wills.”
Reflecting on his life, Friedman once wrote, “Somewhere in heaven, I’m sure there’s a quiet corner with a big easy chair, a bright floor lamp, a big stack of biographical books, and a few old dogs wagging their tails to the faint smell of cigar smoke.”
Conceited Woman Harassed Me in the Grocery Store, Shortly After, Karma Delivered Her a Public Lesson
One day, an angry woman stormed into a small grocery store, directing her frustration at a young cashier. The tension in the air grew thick as customers watched the drama unfold, but just when it seemed she would get away with her outburst, an unexpected twist left her humiliated.
The grocery store was cozy and familiar, with regulars like Mrs. Johnson, an elderly woman who always bought whole grain bread and flowers to remind herself of beauty in the world. The day began like any other for the cashier, who greeted customers while mentally counting down the hours until her shift ended.
Suddenly, the automatic doors swung open, and in walked a woman in her late thirties. Her hair was messy, and she wore a scowl as she marched toward the cashier. Following her was a small boy, who looked scared as he clutched his mother’s hand.
The woman confronted the cashier, angrily demanding to know why there were no organic apples available. The cashier apologized, explaining that there had been a supply shortage. The woman did not want to hear it and continued to berate the cashier, making a scene that drew the attention of everyone in the store, including the manager.
As the woman leaned in, threatening to ruin the cashier’s job with bad reviews, her son timidly suggested that they didn’t really need the apples. Instead of calming down, she snapped at him to stay quiet. The atmosphere in the store became increasingly uncomfortable as other customers observed the confrontation.
Just as the woman seemed ready to storm out, she turned to leave, but the automatic doors malfunctioned and wouldn’t open. She collided with them, creating a loud noise that silenced the store. Everyone stared, waiting to see what would happen next. Her face turned bright red, a mix of embarrassment and anger.
As she stood there in shock, her son tugged on her sleeve, gently telling her that she had been mean to the cashier and should apologize. His quiet yet firm words caught everyone’s attention. The woman’s tough demeanor softened for a moment, and it seemed she might finally admit she was wrong.
However, pride took over. Instead of apologizing, she mumbled something under her breath that didn’t sound sincere and hurriedly dragged her son out of the store once the doors finally opened.
The store buzzed back to life, but a strange silence lingered. The manager approached the cashier, asking if she was okay. She nodded, relieved but still processing what had just happened.
As the cashier resumed her work, she couldn’t help but wonder how the woman and her son would discuss the incident on their way home. Would the mother acknowledge her behavior, or would she dismiss it?
She hoped that the boy, Tommy, would remember the moment and learn the importance of admitting when you’re wrong. Perhaps he would grow up understanding that saying sorry is a sign of strength, not weakness, and that small acts of courage matter in everyday life.
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