Go Read The Yarn Harlot

From: Elisabeth G. MacNamara

Subject: Happy Women's Equality Day!
To:
Date: Thursday, August 26, 2010, 8:34 AM

Dear Louise,

Happy Women's Equality Day!

It's hard to believe that just 90 years ago, on August 26, women defeated overwhelming opposition to win the right to vote.

The League of Women Voters - founded the same year - celebrates this historic milestone by promoting greater civic participation and healthy debate on the issues that matter most to our nation and our communities.

This Women's Equality Day, we take time to recognize not only the historic 19th Amendment, but the tremendous progress we've made over the last 90 years in expanding and protecting voting rights. Generation to generation, the work of League supporters like you has been a testament to the incredible legacy of the 19th Amendment.

And today, as we approach the November midterm elections and face new and even greater challenges as a nation, the League believes that the hands-on work of an engaged citizenry can and does lead to civic improvement at all levels of government.

Spread the word about the League's Women's Equality Day celebrations. Send a personalized League e-card to your friends and family reminding them of this important day and telling them about the League's important work.

Ninety-one years ago, as victory seemed imminent for the 19th Amendment, Carrie Chapman Catt proposed the founding of the League of Women Voters to "finish the fight." For 90 years, the League has kept that promise alive for each coming generation. Today, as a League supporter, you have the opportunity to continue to make a profound, direct and positive impact on the issues that matter most to our community and the generations to come.

Sincerely,

Elisabeth MacNamara

President, LWVUS

P.S. How are you celebrating Women's Equality Day? Please visit our Facebook page and tell us about your plans.



League of Women Voters
1730 M Street NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-429-1965

I Can Do This

Mid-Week.   School started Monday, so I've had each class one time.   Last night I came home at 7:15 and was in bed by 9:00.   This morning I didn't want to get up.    But it's only 8 weeks of this crazy schedule and I can do it.  I know I can.  I can't be tired forever can I?  Naw.   Next week will be easier.

Biology lab is tonight after lecture . . . we'll see how THAT goes.    There's a kid who sits behind me and wants to be a dentist.   I want to be his lab partner.   He can just carry me along.

Economics is pretty basic.   I was a little worried about a liberal arts teacher teaching it, but she seems okay, and I can actually understand her most of the time.   However the shy little girl who sits next to me?   Not so much.   She has an accent which in and of itself isn't necessarily a problem, but she speaks in whispers.   She gives an answer, the instructor says exactly.   Huh?   exactly what?

My New Career

I have now decided that in addition to my full time work at a community college I need to offer services on the proper attire for students.

Today was the first day of the semester.   We are a pretty big CC and have a huge international student population.   We are very proud and excited about all the countries represented.    We're also proud of our surfer dudes, goth population and geeks.

Today however, I saw a girl I'm sure was attending for the first time.   She was wearing:

Shocking pink mary jane pumps
Shocking pink anklet socks with doubel rows of lace trim
A white mini skirt
Pink (I think) tank top with pink tulle wrapped around her upper body in some sort of top
A white mini pillbox/tophat with white tulle and feathers perched at a jauntly angle on her head.

I had to cut through two buildings before I could bust a gut and let it out.   Unfortunately I was laughing at her and am wondering how many other people will do the same.   I know, I know, you can't judge a person by how they dress and I grew up in the '60s so lets just not go there shall we?  

However, I always told my children especially when they were starting a new location, dress/behave as you intend to continue. 

Perhaps I can offer a summer weekend  course in proper attire.

Work, Work, Work

Becuase for some reason I seem to be able to procrastinate on anything that needs to be done in a timely manner so that I will be relaxed and ready today I am taking care of all the little things that need to be done before school starts Monday.   I announced last night that "tonight is the last free ride night"   That means, if you're in the kitchen it better look the same way when you leave as it did when you came in.    I will be sure there is food available, you'd best feed yourself and be neat about it.    Of course the cat's weren't impressed.    I have pretty finger nails and toe nails, I forgot to go get eyebrows shaped, but I have bangs so it really doesn't matter.   I was thinking about a massage, but will save that one for September when I'm tense and need to relax - because often times I bite off more than I can chew.

I've been doing the chapter questions in one of my text books.  WHAT exactly was I thinking?  Oh yeah, I know.   I need to get this done for the satisfaction I will feel in the end.   Yeah.  Right.   Then I remember a guy at work.   He has a degree.   He's been a certified licensed architect for 17 years.   Yet he can't run a project, successfully pull a permit, or get the simplest of things done.   I asked someone if it was because maybe he had a "problem" and just wasn't wired to do these things or was he just plain stupid?   Answer, a little of both.

SO, not only have I explained to daughter that we will be on dean's list ever semester we are in school, but now I've got to rethink someof my "elective" classes and be smarter than the "bewiched guy".  

In the mood for ice cream, and since I don't think I have enough milk, will go make some lemon sorbet, becuase I have lemons that need to be used today or else . . . . wander if the ABC store is still open.

Derek Farley - Hero

I could have spent today writing about some inane and silly topic, and was getting ready to when I heard about Derek Farley.  

Having a son who was in Iraq until recently, I can well relate to the fear and admiration his parents have for him.   It is a fine line that parents of soldiers walk.   When we share our fears and sadness we are met often times by those who try to cheer us up, tell us get over it, he/she will be back or tell us that this is a war we shouldn't be in or some other inane statement.   Parents of soldiers stick together because we know what it's like.  You don't just get over it. 

Words cannot express my sadness at the news of Derek's death.   Nor can I put into words my admiration for the bravery his parents are demonstrating right now. 

You are a Good Man Derek and you will live on in the lives of many.

Age

A few years ago I had an acquaintance whose mother joined the Peace Corps.   She went to China for a year.   She was 85 years old.   I thought that was the most wonderful thing I had heard and said I wanted to be just like her when I grew up . . . I was approaching my 50th birthday.   So I started eating better, exercising more, that one has fallen by the wayside a bit, and decided while I may not want to go to China with the Peace Corps when I'm 85, I want to know that I can.   I at least want to be able to get down on the floor easily and play with any grandchildren that might come along in the future . . . pleasedeargod not too soon though.

Why is it that we continue to believe old people need extra help?   I know some are very frail and do, but just because you look old and sound old doesn't necessarily mean you FEEL old.  And don't get me started on the people who shout at the elderly and call them "hon". 

I was walking back to my office today after lunch and an elderly woman was asking a student how to get to the bus for King Street.   He didn't know.   So I told her walk down this way, go to the main road and the bus stop is right there on your right.  I'm not sure which bus she needed but that was her only option and they all go that direction, she may have needed to change buses, unless she meant the subway station, then she was good.   She said thank you very much and off she went with a smile on her face.   It wasn't terribly hot today, she was dressed correctly and had a wide brimmed straw hat on.   It is maybe a 5 minute walk if you're not in a hurry. 

I almost went to find my car and drive her.   Then I rembered my vow and  reminded myself that just because you are "old" you aren't helpless.   She seemed to have all her facilities about her and seemed perfectly capable of taking the bus which will go straight down to where she needs to be.

I've been reading CLEAN because I've wondered about a detox diet or plan that doesn't include taking a punch of pills or having water "flushed" through your system.   Now I just need to pull myself up and get brave.   I'm going to start with the pre-detox plan and while I'm not positive I can do an entire three weeks, I know I can do one week of the plan.  Maybe two.   

Let the juicing begin.

So, I've apparently taken a blogging break.   Didn't really mean to, and I sabotaged myself by saying silently, I should write every day even if it's stupid rambling.   The best way to get me to NOT do something is to say I'll do it.   I need to practice better reverse psychology.

So, for Wednesday . . .

School starts for me in a week and I must be insane to think I can take two classes - one being a condensed version that will be done in 8 weeks - which is the part I like.   The other is biology.   I haven't taken biology since sometime in the . . . well just after christ was promoted from a corporal.   But in order to improve my mind and get a whole 4 year degree it is a necessity. 

The economics class scares me a little, not so much becuase it's economics and not really a "math" class . . . which I also have to take several of, but becuase when I got on line to the site rate my professor this one didn't show up.   So I checked rate my college and then looked for the professor, she still didn't show up.  So then I looked her up on the college web site.   She's a liberal arts teacher.   WHAT does that mean?   has she ever taught this class before.   Does she know anything about it?   So will it be lectures and lots of tests?   Lots of papers due?   Group projects (pleasedeargodno) 

Well, gotta take it.   The only other way to take it is at a different campus and traffic just sucks in this area so why would I sit in traffic for a couple of hours to get to a class I can take 3 miles from home?    

Will have to keep everyone posted on this one - and now that I've said it, you may hear from me about it when I graduate - HA