DOWN WITH THE DAMSELS IN DISTRESS!

I’ve noticed an interesting trend in books, movies and TV shows. When I was growing up in the 1980’s you never saw a woman fighting a man in hand to hand combat…well maybe with the exception of Charlie’s Angels. It just wasn't cool.  However, in the last five to ten years, it is noticeably more common to see a woman and a man duking it out, sometimes to a bloody end.

Clearly it, the era of the damsel in distress is over and that is a good thing!  Women aren’t helpless and frankly never have been and I’m glad to see them given credit for their strength and ingenuity.

That being said (and don’t call me some name for pointing this out) Men and women are not built the same.  Often, by virtue of their gender, men are physically stronger.  How often do we hear of a man suffering a terrible beating at a woman’s hands that puts him in the hospital.  We just don’t because most often, the man is strong enough to ward off a direct physical attack.   

 So here’s the point.  When our daughters watch men and women directly fighting (and often killing) each other, does that change their perception of what a woman can physically do and is that what we want to teach them?  

For me, I have mixed feelings on this issue.  I want my daughter to be tough, to know what she wants and to be able to defend herself in any situation but I also want her to realize that not being the same as a man does not mean she’s weak.  I want her to celebrate the fact that men and women have different strengths and virtues and can learn from each other. I want her to know that it is okay to need someone, especially if that someone needs you in return.

So how will what she watches on screen and reads about affect how she sees herself. Which messages will she embrace and which will she reject. Only time will tell.

What do you think? Do the trends in popular culture affect us and how will this one change our daughters, our friends and the little girls who will one day grow up to lead us?  I'd <3 to hear from you.

My Battle with a Bee!

 Some time ago, we brought back a thick tree stump from the mountains thinking our cats would like to scratch on it. They rejected it (of course) but a group of cutter bees decided it was a great place to make a home.  These terrifying large bees only bite but they’ll scare the crap out of you anyway. The problem was their home cut off my walkway to get to my planters so I couldn’t work in my yard. 

For a while we coexisted. I worked in the garden when they were out and they didn’t bite me.  The other day, I’d had enough. I wanted to plant spring flowers. I wanted to clean the leaves up from my planters and the little varmints literally came at me any time I got close to their “stump”. Never mind the fact that I so graciously provided their home. Forget the fact that I’d made ever attempt to get along. I was not allowed anywhere near their home and in turn a good portion of my yard.

While sulked, I used the leave blower to blow small debris onto the grass when it hit me. I would show those bees who was boss.   

With a devilish chuckle, I pulled the leave blower and the attached extension cord across the yard watching all around me, expecting an ambush at any moment.  With my blower on high, I moved into forbidden bee territory dust and leavings swirling around my feet. So far, so good. Then all at once, a monstrous black bee came directly at me.  I screamed like a little girl and raised the only weapon I had, the powerful leaf blower. When the strong flow of air hit the bee, he tumbled backwards(literally) and disappeared into a vine.  I looked side to side ready for more when the same bee came at me again buzzing like the devil of all bees. I raised the blower again and like a wisp of dandelion he blew away.  Believe it or not, he came at me again, but this time I chased him as he blew away making sure, he couldn’t come back. I try not to think about how silly that looked.

  

Whahaha, I was all powerful. I went back to take on the hive. My blower whirred with threatening power as I aimed it at their stump.

“Anyone else want to take a shot at me?” I said aloud realizing that not only did I look crazy with my big green blower, I sounded a little loony too.

I stood next to the stump now, brazen in my counter attack. The hive was silent, their strongest warrior long gone.  Finally, I turned off the blower. The silence was heavy as I listened for the hostile hum of more bees. Not one came out to fight. Yep, I’d won the battle. Since then, I’ve been out in my garden and haven’t been bothered, but I keep my weapon close. I may have won the battle, but somehow, I know the war is not over.

  

Pantless in New York with carefully chosen photos!

So I’m working on a new project and I’ve been doing a ton of research on New York City subways.  I’ve been to New York, once about a year ago. I’m still trying to process the whole experience because it was OVERWHELMINGLY AMAZING!

I did ride the subway even though it terrified me and now, ironically, I’m writing a lighthearted love story that takes place mostly below NYC in the cold metal cars of the subway.  Last night as I was sifting through articles and postings about the NY subway I can across something awkward, funny and disturbing all at the same time…so of course I had to share it with you.

EVERY YEAR IN JANUARY, THE PEOPLE OF NEW YORK RIDE THE SUBWAY PANTLESS!!! Yep, sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.  Apparently, what started out as a prank in New York City with only seven people has spread to thousands of people riding subway systems worldwide every year.  Here’s a link to an article that talks about this semi-naked tradition.

http://www.ibtimes.com/pantless-pranksters-history-no-pants-subway-ride-1535846

My favorite tidbit was this little gem.

The 5th Annual No Pants Subway Ride hit a major snag when it was brought to a halt by a police officer. The train on which the participants were riding was taken out of service and all passengers !ere asked to exit the train. Eight people were handcuffed and taken into police custody. The charges were eventually dropped since it is not illegal to wear underwear in public in New York City.

Will I be using this bizarre tradition in my upcoming story? That remains to be seen.   Until then, stay calm and keep your pants on..unless you’re in New York in January of course.

If you’ve ever seen or been part of this phenomenon, leave me comment. I’d love to hear your storyJ