The Bunnies

I am a hasher.  A member of the Hash House Harriers.  The Hash House Harriers are a unique group of open minded, fun people who like to drink beer, exercise and sing dirty songs (in a nut shell).  We are not swingers, we do not have orgies, we are not a cult, or any of the other things that may be said by closed minded people who have only heard and never attended a hash event.  We are of every religion and social class.  We know no political correctness...we make fun of everyone.  We go by fake names to keep everyone absolutely equal.  The Hash House Harriers have been around almost 100 years, they were started by British ex patriots, they tend to group around military bases, and they hold organized social events world wide.  There are probably 300,000 hashers in the world and the number is growing.  But this blog isn't about hashing or hashers.  If you want to know about hashing, google it. 

This blog is about women.  Hashing used to be an all men's sport.  In some places it still is.  There are also all women's hashes now.  But anywhere you put men and women and alcohol all together there is almost sure to be drama.  There are about 10 (at least) hashes in Florida, and there is often drama.  Usually caused by the women (hey, I call it like I see it).  My hash group used to be the same way.  When you put women around men, they act differently than if there are no men around.  It is what it is. 

A few years ago, my friend Susan and I were sitting around chatting.  She wanted to make a women's hash group in this area.  I have to say, honestly, I wasn't terribly excited about the idea, but I thought I was worth a try.  And wow, just wow, was I wrong.  We started out as an all women's hash.  Some of the men were terribly threatened by this, although I don't really know why (it wasn't the husbands, but the single men who had a problem, they seemed to think we were going to talk about them...ha, the arrogance!).  We decided to call ourselves Bunnies, for lack of a better name, but it has nothing to do with the more famous playboy bunnies...just a play on the game of hashing which is lead by a Hare. 

After awhile, we decided that we didn't necessarily need to be a hash group, although we do hash occasionally (ps in case you didn't look it up, a hash is a 3-5 mile run with beer at the end).  We decided to just make time for our women friends at least once a month to do something...anything was ok.  No real criteria except it had to be accessible for all (cost, location, etc).  Happy Hours, bike rides, long walks, picnics, ladies nights, movie nights, dinners, shows, plays, ghost tours...we are always on the look out for the next bunny-type event.  Not everyone can make it every time.  Our group is growing and changing.  We have dealt with death, cancer, divorce, marriage, pets and parenting problems.  But so many good things have come from it. 

First, now our hash group has little drama.  Our women know each other and trust each other.  There is no feeling of threat when one of us is talking to an other's man.  Not only that, but the poor men can't even go out to another hash group because we are a force.  If some strange woman makes even a friendly gesture towards a bunny's man, a bunny will be right there making sure all it is ok (not sure this is good, but it has its perks).  Second, we know each other.  We know personal problems, we know health issues, we know who needs what, we know that Miss Standoffish is just shy and Miss Angry has been hurt and needs us and Miss Dry Humor is actually hilarious.  We know mom's and families...through stories if not in person.  We know each other well enough to assume that even if something looks off, we trust that our friend is acting in what she thinks is our best interest.  With love and consideration. 



the first bunny event Mish was at



These women were at my side 24/7 while my daughter was dying.  The did everything that needed doing from bringing food, picking people up at the airport, knowing who was arriving when and staying at what hotel, tracking down Michaela's best friend in Panama, counselling her friends when they were hurting, knowing who needed hugs and who couldn't stand one more hug, making phone calls, being prepared to speak and run errands at the funeral...the list is endless.  Even my friend Susan, who has since moved away, sent a beautiful poem.  When I couldn't think beyond yes or no, they knew how to give me choices instead of decisions.  They took care of my mom and my daughter.  They cried with me and laughed with me.  They kept records and told stories.  They were a force protecting my family from the world...from the volunteer who wanted to hassle us at the door to the ICU to the guard at the door of the hospital....I can't even imagine what all happened that I have no idea about and will never know.



Yep, the hash names are something...but don't assume you know anything

 We don't have to have a lot in common, although over time we find we do.  But we have indoor girls and outdoor girls, single women and married women, grandmothers and college girls.  We have teachers, nurses, military women, office workers, computer programmers, entrepreuers, and housewives.  We have sports fans, music fans, shoe fans, shoppers, cookers, drinkers, abstainers, vegitarians, meatitarians, dog people, cat people....it doesn't matter, all of that, really, now does it?  We don't always get together as a whole group...sometimes it is just two or three doing something in common.  Sometimes there is couples.  Sometimes there is just quiet time.  Maybe that is what makes it so good...everyone brings something to the mix.   But when we do get together, like we did today, it is momentous.  We weren't all there.  We missed those who couldn't be there.  And I can't even quantify what makes a day like today so very therapeutic.  We had a gathering point...but we all did all different things, disc golf, kayak, walks, bike rides, sitting in the sun....and then would come back together.  It was the perfect, no pressure, all love day.  Ok...I'm getting overly mushy.



Can't forget Bunny Pole dancing lessons!

 I never thought I had much use for women.  I had girlfriends in high school.  There was a lot of drama.  I joined the Air Force and realized with men I could be myself and speak my mind and didn't have to worry about hurting any one's feelings.  And I gave up on women pretty much across the board.  I would have a friend or two.  But I have never been as happy in my life as I have been since I found the Hash House Harriers and then, through that connection, my bunnies.