It’s that time of year again! The fabulous August McLaughlin, had an idea three years ago that continues to blossom … just like a woman! It’s the Beauty of a Woman BlogFest. Everyone who joins in the celebration, blogs on the same day about aspects of beauty we women share. All the links are on August’s blog so click here to get right on over and check them out. The more explicit #Girl Boner edition is featured first and the original version for posts like mine begins Feb. 27th.
In 2012, I mused about how it feels to be getting older and the joys of being a grandparent. Let’s face it, you have to be old to get there! Last year I shared a treasured book, She Walks In Beauty, and Lord Byron’s exquisite poem. When I considered how I would celebrate this year’s theme, a very familiar song kept playing in my mind. I had turned 30 the year this hit the charts and, as Bob Dylan sang, “the times they were a-changing”. They had been for a decade. So let me take you back to 1975. (I know, I know … a lot of you weren’t even born then!) 
The United Nations had declared it to be InternationaL Women’s Year (IWY) with Helen Reddy‘s song, I Am Woman, as the theme. This was an empowering time for women with Gloria Steinem, Betty Frieden and other groundbreakers leading the way. Women’s liberation was a hot topic as feminists spoke out, demonstrated and lobbied governments. In the United States, the focus was on the success of the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, state by state. It’s hard to believe that to this very day it still has not been ratified! Visit this site for the complete history and advice as to how you can add your voice to this cause. Take a minute to watch this video clip. Let me know if you realized this was the situation. I didn’t know! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxHLnQZLq20 Unbelievable. Every year since 1975, March 8th has been recognized as International Women’s Day. Have you marked it on your calendar? I’ll wait while you do … no worries … I hope you will take a stand for the ERA on that day. Let’s continue to show what a beautiful anthem can be heard when women raise their voices as one! And now, get your disco clothes out of that storage box, call up your BFFs, and celebrate the beauty of women everywhere! Make it loud! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUBnxqEVKlk As I researched what I wanted to share in this post, I came across this interview and 
… to be honest … it caused me to wipe a few tears and then cheer. I discovered that today, at age 73, Helen Reddy continues to exemplify the beauty of a woman. Please take seven minutes and 14 seconds to watch this video. I have a feeling you will see what I mean and agree. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP-Zb5HoPjM It’s what we’re talking about. Choose to be yourself and be proud of your choice! Erm … update … I had lunch with my friend Evelyn Hannon today (she’s the fabulousJourneywoman and you should subscribe to her newsletter … okay, that’s another story )… anyway, she told me that coincidentally she had also been talking about I Am Woman and someone told her Helen was performing in Las Vegas this month! I just checked it out and sure enough … see here. I guess they made her an offer she couldn’t refuse and she decided to take a break from her quiet life, after all. Choices, people, that’s what it’s all about! Here are the lyrics, in case you get the urge to sing along! The meaning is every bit as strong today as it was 40 years ago. I Am Woman I am woman, hear me roar In numbers too big to ignore And I know too much to go back an’ pretend ’cause I’ve heard it all before And I’ve been down there on the floor No one’s ever gonna keep me down again CHORUS Oh yes I am wise But it’s wisdom born of pain Yes, I’ve paid the price But look how much I gained If I have to, I can do anything I am strong (strong) I am invincible (invincible) I am woman You can bend but never break me ’cause it only serves to make me More determined to achieve my final goal And I come back even stronger Not a novice any longer ’cause you’ve deepened the conviction in my soul CHORUS I am woman watch me grow See me standing toe to toe As I spread my lovin’ arms across the land But I’m still an embryo With a long long way to go Until I make my brother understand Oh yes I am wise But it’s wisdom born of pain Yes, I’ve paid the price But look how much I gained If I have to I can face anything I am strong (strong) I am invincible (invincible) I am woman Oh, I am woman I am invincible I am strong FADE I am woman I am invincible I am strong I am woman Transcribed by Robin Hood with help from Maid Marian -Artist: Helen Reddy from “Helen Reddy’s Greatest Hits”: EMI ST 11467 -peak Billboard position # 1 for 1 week in 1972 -Words and Music by Helen Reddy and Ray Burton These lyrics were transcribed from the specific recording mentioned above and do not necessarily correspond with lyrics from other recordings, sheet music, songbooks or lyrics printed on album jackets. ROAR!!!! Now hop on over to August’s blog and feast on the other posts!
The Bridge Club
I’m late! I’m late!
I’m feeling a bit like the White Rabbit in Alice In Wonderland today! Tomorrow it will be a week since we arrived home from France but it feels like that happened yesterday. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do.
I feel terrible that I completely missed the International Day of The Girl, but I also know that these initiatives carry on through the year. If you missed it like I did, it’s not too late to go to the Facebook page and raise your hand in support of education for girls. Go ahead … do it 
now … I’ll gladly wait … and share it with your friends. Thanks! Why should some girls be denied the privilege of education that we are so fortunate to have in most parts of the western world?
Last evening I had the good fortune to attend a talk given by the intrepid journalist, author and human rights activist, Canada’s own, Sally Armstrong. For decades she has spent time in some of the most war-torn parts of the world working towards improving the rights of women and girls. She is a powerful and engaging speaker and has recently published Ascent of Women, with its hopeful message that the world is indeed changing thanks to women raising their voices.
Much of her talk last evening was focused on Afghanistan, as she was the guest of Oakville-based Canadians In Support of Afghan Women . Funds raised went to support the Lantern Fund, a teacher training initiative, organized by the not-for-profit Canadian Women For Women In Afghanistan. These women are a force to be reckoned with ! (It’s okay to end this sentence with a preposition … I checked … )
Click here to read an article about the evening.
As always, Sally’s message was inspiring and this particular aspect resonated with me. She spoke of how young women in Afghanistan are taking hold of change in their country, against terrible odds and great danger. And they are making progress. One small way we can help to show these brave young women and men (… yes, they are actually being successful in having young men join their fight for change!), is by liking their Facebook page, Young Women For Change, and helping to share their message. Once again, social media is helping to strengthen a cause. Click here for their website. Be part of it!
And not to forget … If it’s Friday, it must be France …
They just don’t make windows like they used to!
Are you busy catching up with “stuff”, like I am, or do you have a nice relaxing few days planned? Whatever the case, I wish you a bon weekend!
Alice Munro ~ 2013 Nobel Prize winner for literature
Canadians are celebrating not only Thanksgiving this weekend (my favourite holiday!) but also this week’s exciting announcement that Alice Munro has been
named the winner of the 2013 Nobel Prize for literature. Bravo!
Perhaps Canada’s best known author at this time, she has kept the bar raised on the art of short-story writing for several decades. The Clinton, Ontario, based writer is the 110th Nobel Laureate in literature but only the 13th woman to win the distinction and the first woman from Canada. We are proud!
No stranger to winning awards, her long list of achievements include: the Man Booker International Prize (2009), two Scotiabank Giller Prizes (2004, 1998), three Governor General’s Literary Awards (1986,1978, 1968) The Commonwealth Writers’ Prize (2005), the Inaugural Marian Engel Award (1986), the American National Book Critics Circle Award (1998). Her last published collection, Dear Life in 2012, garnered her a third Trillium Book Award in June.
A strong role model and influence on many woman writers, this honour will only enhance that. If you haven’t read any of her work, I strongly urge you to do so.
Dance of the Happy Shades 1968
Lives of Girls and Women 1971
Something I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You 1974
Who Do You Think You Are? 1978
The Moons of Jupiter 1982
The Progress of Love 1986
Friend of my Youth 1990
Open Secrets: Stories 1994
The Love of a Good Woman 1998
Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage 2001
No Love Lost 2003
Runaway 2004
The View from Castle Rock 2006
Carried Away: A Selection of Stories 2006
Too Much Happiness 2009
Dear Life 2012
Source: Alice Munro’s Official Facebook page
Wishing all Canadians a happy Thanksgiving!
My DH and I will be in the air all day tomorrow returning from our month in France. We’re thankful for the wonderful opportunities we have had here and look forward to catching up with our family and friends. How will you spend this holiday weekend?
Mission accomplished!
With reference to my last post about making choices, missing golf, and other assorted moans, it took me all week but I got the job done!
Clearing the mountain of paper, books, files and assorted flotsam and jetsam off my desk took longer than I expected. Sorting through the piles (which resulted in several “So that’s where that went … ” moments), organizing an enormous collection of business cards, filing papers and information appropriately, and … um … making yet another “to do” list finally led to this.
I decided not to post after last Tuesday until I could show you the final result. Ta Daaaaa!
I had chocolate to celebrate!
I don’t always write in here as I like to take my laptop into other rooms when the spirit moves me, or out to the terrace. This is Control Central though, when I am in Toronto, and it’s been unrecognizable for several months as I copped out and simply piled everything into a frightening, sloppy mess. Seriously. I don’t know why I did that. I just did!
I’m feeling much better now.
It’s so much easier to focus on writing without that haunting image playing constantly in the back of my mind.
Have you ever let all your paperwork get completely out of hand or are you always organized? I’m seriously going to attempt the latter from now on. How do you do it?
