Tomorrow is International Women's Day March 8, 2022

 The theme for this year's International Women's Day is: “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.”

 

 The following is a response to someone that questioned why there is an international women’s day . I thought the response was quite sensitive and informative from this person (happens to be male) and a friend from Canada.

International women’s day is not a celebration. It is a day to draw attention to the fact that around the planet women and girls are treated differently within our society. It is a day for education. A day for action.

It is a day to remember that in the so-called ‘developed’ world many rights won by women in the last century are being eroded. It is important to remember those women who fought and died for the rights enjoyed by many today.

It is a day to remember that women are not equally represented in the work force. It is a day to remember that women are still paid less than men for the same work. It is a day to remember that gendered pricing exists.

It is a day to remember that women and girls are more likely to be the victims of sexual crime and when the try to raise attention to it with the male dominated authorities they are most likely to be ignored. Young boys aren’t taught to hold their keys in their hands as a weapon when they are walking to the car to the same extent young women are.

It is a day to remember that women are under represented within the decision making structures in our society. And that this under representation makes systemic change even more difficult.

It is a day to remember that right now there are 64 million girls around the planet are being denied access to a basic education.

It is a day to remember that in some societies women and girls are victimized to preserve the honour of their male relatives.

It is a day to remember that ‘white’ slavery and forced marriage targets girls far more than boys.

It is a day to remember that genital mutations are preformed on girls every day.

Humanity is not equal.

As a male I do not feel excluded by International Women’s Day. I feel honoured and privileged to be invited to listen and learn and reflect.

As someone in society who has boatloads of unearned privilege it is important to use my privilege to try to bring some of that privilege to others.

Part of the problem is that days such of this can be trivialized. It isn’t about sending flowers or having cake. It is about reflecting on the past and the present and having hard conversations about how we can make our society equal for all.

 

 

Getting Old

 "You know you're 

getting old

when you can't walk 

past a bathroom

without thinking

"I might as well pee

while I'm here." 

Two Years Ago March 2020

 

My friend  Judy posted this and that began a long chain of where we were in early March  two years ago. Who could have imagined how our lives would change. This is what I posted March 8, 2020:”At 4 1/2 years Sofia is bilingual and while now she has fully surpassed me in speaking and comprehension of Italian she knows I do understand when she speaks to me in that language. She doesn’t ever volunteer to speak to me in Italian, she avoids it. But last night while we lay in bed in the dark we talked about the day we had. We talked about her favorite parts of the day and all the fun we had and we giggled so much. Finally I had to say we have to stop talking now and go to sleep. She snuggled up close and said “Gramma TI VOGLIO Tantissimo!” (I love you very much). Oh my gosh Sofia if you only knew how that made this gramma feel.”

In March 2020 the world closed down because of Covid. This was a good reminder as we endured two years of quarantine.

"Going outdoors is not cancelled, listening to music is not cancelled, quality time with our families is not cancelled, reading a book is not cancelled, sharing with friends is not cancelled, singing out loud is not cancelled, laughing has not been cancelled, sharing HOPE with others has not been cancelled.  Let's embrace what we have."

We have learned to live life in a different way. We have learned new lessons on what brings joy and a renewed appreciation for the basic things that fill our hearts with happiness.
 

 

Roasted Beet, Carmelized Onion and goat Cheese Tart

 I made a roasted beet, caramelized onion and goat cheese tart. It’s a solid good recipe. Thanks to my friend Sherri for this one.

http://followbarbsbliss.blogspot.com/.../roasted-beet...

 

 

Sofia Gives a Presentation

 

 

 Sofia was giving an oral presentation in front of a group of peers. I told her mom “I bet she never gets nervous when speaking to a group.” Her mom said “she’s not and I hope that never changes.” She also told me “She got the lead in the play for her class so I’m curious how that will go - it’s going to be online since no audience is allowed.”

Memory Lane

 In Junior high school we had noon Penny dances in the school gym on Fridays.  You'd pay a penny to get in. They were our "Sock hops", no shoes in the gym.  We'd love this. A chance to dance at school.

   In High school there was a dance every Friday night. In those days I learned to sew and I would make a new dress every week for the dance. I looked forward to those nights and waiting on the gym steps lined up for the dance. "Aqua Net" hairspray and my teased hair, wearing a new dress I had just made and hoping the boys I liked would ask me for a dance.  Hearing them announce "Last Dance" always make my heart skip a beat. If I got asked to dance that last dance by someone I liked it was pretty incredible. Didn't happen often but when it did it was the best feeling.

A March Prayer

 "May we all have a Happy

 and Peaceful

Month of March.

May God shower us with

 more blessings 

and guide us on

the right path of life."