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| Victoria Woodhull |
Listening To: I'm about two-thirds of the way through The Emperor's Children and still enjoying it. When I've been working out, I've been listening to podcasts including The History Chicks talking about Elizabeth Keckley (who I first learned about in Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker) and Victoria Woodhull, the first woman to run for U. S. President.
Watching: Oh my lord, we are (slowly!) switching from cable t.v. to streaming t.v. which has meant no television for part of a couple of nights. We did manage to work in a couple of episodes of Orange Is The New Black and I caught a tribute to Debbie Reynolds Friday night which meant that I got to watch Singin' In The Rain and The Unsinkable Molly Brown [insert heart emoji!]
Making: Chef's salad, tosadas, baked chicken and homemade rolls, chicken noodle soup. It was a week to make use of what we had on hand.
Planning: Some home improvements because wedding. Nothing like a big event to get you to do the things around your house you've been wanting to get done. New kitchen sink and faucet, new kitchen hardware and some painting on the first floor are first up.
Thinking About: Ways to continue to support the resistance without allowing it to get me so down.Enjoying: An evening out with some of our oldest friends. Politics were mostly not allowed. Except that I did find out that my friend's eighty+ year old mother had marched which warmed my heart! Lots of talk about their four-month-old granddaughter was allowed!
Feeling: See above.
Looking forward to: Finally catching up with Game of Thrones, since we now have HBO.
Question of the week: Feminism - what do you think about the way this word is viewed? I'm really planning on upping my feminist reading this year, which is to say any book about women who step out of traditional female roles.
Feminist is a label I proudly embrace, along with Teacher. Does it bother me that feminists and teachers are unfairly demonized? Yes. I go through periods where I feel discouraged and dejected. But we have to wake up the next day and keep fighting the good fight. I'm with you sister!
ReplyDeleteThis has been a week filled with ..... and I won't elaborate on that. Makes me want to crawl under the covers and read, read, read. Stories. I have so many family members and friends that are at either end of the spectrum, I have no idea what to say to anyone. So I read. Thanks for reminding me about The Unsinkable Molly Brown. I had totally forgotten that movie and I loved it! Enjoy your preparations for the big wedding - a joyful time indeed. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteHang in there--I am fortunate to be surrounded by likeminded friends, neighbors, and family, so I haven't experienced the backlash you describe. These are troubling times for all of us.
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying Victoria--not as good as The Crown, but very interesting and well-acted. And I love Victoria's dresses! I want to read the bio you're reading after I'm done with the series.
I've been recording Victoria on PBS but haven't watched it yet. I love Jenna Coleman what I've seen so far of the show so I'm really looking forward to watching it. I'm sorry to hear about those coming out against the women's march - especially the family member who resorted to name calling. That sounds very distressing. I have a mixed relationship with the word feminist. I consider myself a feminist in that I believe completely in equal rights and that women should be treated no differently from men because gender and race shouldn't be an issue when it comes to human rights because human rights apply to all humans. However, as a SAHM I frequently end up feeling defensive because I feel like because I'm in a more traditional gender role that I get dismissed or belittled by many that are speaking from a feminist position. I hope you have a lovely week!
ReplyDeleteVenting is good. You are not alone. We also have a family member who has cut off family members who don't support her beliefs or whom she assumes do not . To top it off she did it on FB and was extremely rude and disrespectful. These are truly turbulent and scary times.
ReplyDeleteI've heard a lot about the Victoria book though I've not got to it yet.
ReplyDeleteNow that you have got that off your chest you may feel better about it!
Ignore the negativity.
Crazily polarized times for sure!
ReplyDeleteFirst, I want to tell you how much I enjoy your blog, especially your "Life it Goes on" posts. And thank you for your wonderful reviews...we seem to have similar tastes; they've been most helpful to me,
ReplyDeleteMost importantly, I want to congratulate you on participating in the Womens' March. If being true to yourself and standing up for your beliefs costs you some friends and/or family members, then be glad you found out their true colors before wasting any more time on them. Life is too short...surround yourself only with those who lift you up! For my family, anyone who would vote for someone who mocks disabled people, abuses women, and is so hateful to anyone who disagrees with him, tells us all we need to know about them. We have most definitely let some people go. For us, this has nothing to do with politics, and everything to do with human decency. You have millions standing with you, so be proud and March On.
Thank you! We have long thought a family member had become intolerable but what happened because of the march sealed the deal for both me and my children. My husband is torn, it's his family but he will back me and my daughter every step of the way.
DeleteI think for many the word "feminist" is not thought of in a positive light. I had to take myself off of FB because the comments from both sides of the discussion were just too much to absorb and process. I can't even wrap my head around ALL that is going on right now. We had production week so I am out of the loop as far as news but I took a peek this morning and I don't know what to think or feel anymore. I know some people act, some people hide but I find myself unable to do either one. I am numb. I know it has to do with the lousy family stuff that I am still dealing with but I just don't feel equipped to deal with any of it.
ReplyDeleteI've felt the same way this week. So so down about it all. I'm upping my feminist reading as well. Just started hidden figures and Alice Walker's essay collection Anything We Love Can Be Saved which has blown me away just in the introduction. Where I live feminism is pretty much a dirty word, unfortunately. I proudly call myself one and educate family when I can. This year and subsequent ones are going to be tough but I feel hope knowing there are women out there like you fighting the good fight everyday and know that I can too and not give up. Hugs 🤗
ReplyDeleteAre you saying people made negative comments about you marching here? Because if that is the case, HS! I caught a little of the backlash, that it was mostly white women, that we didn't allow people who are pro-life to march with us. At this point in time, I think we are damned if we do and damned if we don't. At the end of the day, we are each responsible for speaking out and fighting in the resistance to whatever degree is comfortable for us. If we allow splintering into factions, we will never be able to get DJT out of office let alone beat the Republicans in the next election.
ReplyDeleteLoooong time reader, rare commenter these days... I just wanted to say, I know how you feel regarding the March... my husband and I marched in Seattle. It was amazing. An inspiring, uplifting, and quite honestly transformative experience. The negative backlash and passive aggressive digs some some of my oldest closest friends was deflating. But I was there. I experienced the passion and joy in solidarity that I felt and those around me expressed again and again. I look at the pictures I took everyday to buoy myself back up when I feel beaten. I am fiercely remembering that day as much as I can because I now I'm going to need constantly in all the days ahead. There is a lot of marching in my future I know... thank you for always intodicing me to new books and I am more determine then ever to read about some of those amazing women who came before. All the best!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words! Never stop fighting and learning!
DeleteIt's really a shame that this country has become even more divided than it was a year ago. At least it feels like it's gotten worse. Families and friendships are suffering and it's heartbreaking. I, too, am feeling very depressed about the whole situation in Washington. Every day there's something to add to the list of fears and concerns. It's very hard to concentrate on reading, but I try. I don't want to put my head in the sand, but it's not healthy for me to keep looking at the news and Twitter (although, I find it very hard not to!). Try to get some fresh air every day. January/February are always gloomy around here and a little time outdoors is important, even if the sun isn't shining. Be well. You're among friends.
ReplyDeleteBummer that you got so much flack. {{hugs}} Don't get down, get tough!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about lots of historical details make for slow-going. I thought I would so love a bio about Virginia Woolf but it was so dense and chockfull of tidbits about nothing I could relate to.
Saying that, I really need to read Orlando one of these days.
Cheers!
I think you are awesome for marching and sharing your beliefs with the world. To me that shows what a strong woman you are :) I'm sorry about that family member who reacted so negatively about it. I know its hard not to let it get to you, but just know that you are doing something great and you are doing what you believe it (which is even greater). You are amazing, Lisa!! By the by, I'm a feminist through and through. I studied Women's Studies in graduate school and honestly think it helped me see the world so much clearer. I think its so great you want to up your feminist reading :)
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