A Vision for Women

 Yesterday, as my Golden Retriever, Merlin, and I took our daily walk, we passed by the Islamic mosque not far from our neighborhood. I looked up to see the warming morning sun shining through the metal crescent moon atop the building. Thoughts of Middle Eastern countries where mosques are a common sight came to mind. My immediate opinion was of the women in many of these countries and how repressed they are even today in advancing women's rights.

In Saudi Arabia, for example, women were finally given the right to drive. However, there are many conditions in place, making it difficult for them to do so. Activists were imprisoned immediately before the lifting of the restrictions and remain there, enduring torture. Specific archaic ways, such as parents choosing a husband for their daughter, are ongoing despite protestation.

How fortunate are we to be American women? It hasn't always been this way, as you know. Thankfully, many brave, forward-thinking women preceded us and paved the roads ahead. True, a great deal of work still needs to be done before the playing field can be leveled in various areas.

Just last week, Kamala Harris was sworn in as the first woman elected vice president and the first Asian woman of color.

My vision is that she will be the first of a long line of brilliant, paradigm-changing female political leaders, regardless of race or color, leading the way for all of us.

"You don't make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas." - Shirley Chisholm.

Those of us in the third third of our lives had witnessed major transformations since we were young women when we were considered "the weaker sex."

A few interesting statistics:

- Women are 47% of the U.S. labor force, up from 30% in 1950

- Wages are on the increase, yet for every dollar a man earns, women make only $.83

- We are more likely to have a degree than men

- In 40% of households, women are the primary breadwinners

- We have made important inroads in politics yet are only 20% of Congress and 25% of state legislators

I have a few ambitious plans for the next several years of my life, and excitement is brewing as I picture what I can yet accomplish. I think, no, I know - this is one of the secrets to keeping us young and vital and engaged in life.

What are your intentions in the ensuing years? 

We must have a vision for what American women can accomplish in all capacities. Do you feel as I do that the moment is ideal for us to take a huge leap? 

With a president as compassionate and fair as Joe Biden, a strong, independent First Lady, and a change agent like Kamala Harris, how can we miss?

"Go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is." - Jimmy Carter

xo

Exhale

I held my breath for the first half of the inauguration. 

Like many of you, for the past week or so, I'd been languishing in a state of apprehension and fear leading up to yesterday's swearing-in ceremony.

Then, simply seeing the calm confidence in the eyes of the past presidents as they entered, brought a sense of knowing that all would be well.

It was more than well. It was dignified, uplifting, energizing and, restored my faith that our country would heal and that the healing began as soon as Joe Biden was sworn in as our 46th president.

I am immensely proud of our newly elected president and vice-president and the character, wisdom, and combined determination they possess to bring needed changes to our nation.

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are precisely what this nation needs to deliver us out of this pandemic, economic crisis, and disharmony that descended upon us like the tornado in the Wizard of Oz.

I'm proud of all Americans for taking their responsibility and voting privilege seriously and delivering our nation into the hands of a respected, experienced and, wise man. 

See, we've had the power all along. We can finally take a much needed exhale. We are going home, again.

xo

Fear and the Inauguration

I usually publish on Thursdays but because of the inauguration on Wednesday, I felt moved to share my thoughts with you now.

Today, two days prior to the swearing-in of our new president, I'm nervous. No, I'm stressed, troubled, and terrified. 

Pro-Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol on January 6 are formulating a plan to disrupt the ceremony and perhaps, to cause harm to our newly elected president and vice-president, and others.

Washington, D.C. is on lockdown. Rigorous precautions are being implemented. Armed troops and beefed up security measures are being put in place to fortify the U.S. Capitol in response to increased fears of domestic terrorism. Still, my fears are not allayed. 

Yesterday, a man was arrested with an "unauthorized" inauguration credential. After searching his vehicle authorities discovered an unregistered, loaded Glock pistol with 509 rounds and 21 shotgun shells. I'm sure he is not alone in his attempt to penetrate security.

Many of us will never forget the horrifying day President Kennedy was shot by a sniper. This is my biggest fear for our new president. With the newest technology available to anyone, an assassin can be miles away and remain undetected. 

I want to scream from the rooftops: Move this inauguration indoors!

Yet there is no guarantee there is safety indoors. There is no telling how deep these mobsters will dig into their bag of tricks filled with hostility and antipathy.

Are you as frightened as I? Do you believe 20,000 National Guardsmen are sufficient to protect the president-elect? Will the "unscalable" barbed wire fence be enough to provide a sense of safety? We do not have the answers. 

I pray that Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and all the participants engaging in the inauguration will be safe and secure.

I'm keeping the faith, that by this hour, on January 20th, we can take a unified sigh of relief.

xo

  

Unbelievable Yet Not Surprising

I rarely write about politics, however, I cannot keep quiet considering the traumatic events that occurred last week. 

How does one begin to dismantle and understand what transpired on January 6, 2021, at our Capitol? Perhaps the easy answer is; one doesn't. It is incomprehensible that the actions, violence, and destruction that was leveled against our government and lawmakers actually befell our nation in this era of uber security. 

The thing is; there were numerous signs that trouble was imminent. 

For four years this president has given the American public reason to be concerned. In the days leading up to the riots, he encouraged and incited the protestors to "fight like hell". They were akin to hungry lions awaiting their prey.  

Also, Trump, Jr., Rudy Guiliani, and several top Republicans threatened to take back the "stolen election". All insinuated the likelihood that force would be used.

Accounts of the vandalism and ransacking have been on the news non-stop and it is sickening. Yet, I have been drawn to it like a fly to honey. 

Five people have died as a result of this domestic terrorism. Heartbreaking. 

We are holding our collective breath fearing that there will be another assault on or before the inauguration.

How do we remain calm? Is it even possible to continue with a sense of normalcy in the aftermath of the attack on our democracy? I'm saddened by these events as I'm certain you are, as well. 

Once again, we must find deep within us, faith, that those responsible for desecrating our Capitol and the death of Officer Sicknick and others, will be brought to justice. 

We are stalwart Americans and will not permit a reckless, crazed mob to rob us of our rights, our election, our dignity or, our democracy.

xo

Welcome to 2021

 Do you have plans for this new year? Have you made resolutions you are determined to accomplish?

I thought I'd begin my project of plans and goals by making a "To Do List" of sorts.  I did not expect it to be several pages. Yes, I've probably gone into more detail than necessary, still the list is lengthy and I am not deterred.

Much of what is on this list are items I planned on completing in 2020 - however, I, along with the rest of the world, was met with an alarming roadblock known as Covid-19.  The projects I'm referring to are mainly changes I planned on making in and around our home. I put all these on hold as I was afraid to have workmen in our home during this terribly contagious time. 

I was even apprehensive about going to Home Depot or other garden stores for fear of catching the virus, so I did not plant one flower the entire year.

The vaccine is on it's way. True, it is not a cure-all, but I do feel that the end of the pandemic is in sight and I am feeling more optimistic than I have been in many months, thus, the long list of projects.

More important than these projects around the home is what is going on inside of me. Paradoxically, despite my optimism, I often have a feeling of dread. Perhaps the end of the pandemic really is not just around the corner. Then I remind myself, I must stay open and receptive to life. This is not the time to shut down, it is the time to power up.

We have been abiding by the CDC recommendations to wear a mask, wash and sanitize hands, cell phones, door knobs, on and on ad infinitum. Again, this may seem counterintuitive, but for me it has created an atmosphere of doom not one of safety.

It is time to take back our lives. Yes, continue to listen to the science of safety recommendations but for Pete's sake, let's remember we are brave and smart, competent, caring and careful. We have much to look forward to in the upcoming year and many opportunities for growth and learning, friendship and love, giving and sharing. Let us be grateful for all we have and the lessons we have learned this year. Let's be at peace and learn to appreciate life - with all it's ups and downs.

"Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim." Nora Ephron.

xo

Addendum:

I could not publish this post, that was written several days ago, without saying how devastated and heartbroken I am by the desecration of our Capitol Building and our democracy, by the protestors, rather hoodlums, that attacked and overran the offices of our lawmakers. These people were incited by a president who is now responsible for one of the saddest days in the history of our nation. I'm sure you are as shocked and horrified as I am.

We are only two weeks away from Joe Biden's inauguration.  I am sure that decency, respect, integrity, fairness, calm and peace will be restored.