Superstorm and Full Moon

As I watched the moon rise last night over the desert, my thoughts were with those who are dealing with Superstorm Sandy on the east coast here in the U.S.  May you all stay safe and cozy while riding out the rough weather.  If you are reading this from there, please check in and let us know how you are doing.

Boomer Women Today

 

 

 

I recently read an ariticle on-line titled "Boomer Women Struggle in the Great Recession's Wake."  It mentioned so many issues that touch the women in our generation and describes how a couple of individuals have been affected by all that has happened in the past forty years. 

Many women entered the paid labor force in the 1970's and juggled a life at home with one at work, believing they could have it all and be rewarded for the effort.  We hoped that someday there would be equality in pay between the genders, but that has yet to happen.  Taking time off to raise children cost women in terms of job status and retirement savings.  Even if they did manage to sock some money away, the recession has diminished that significantly.  As a result of increased pressures and freedoms, many of us have gone through a divorce, which often adds to a woman's financial burdens.  And women over fifty are looking for a job, they may be turned down in favor of younger, more currently educated, canidates.  In this presidential election year, it is difficult to determine who has our back because, even though much has been said and promises have been made, I have yet to hear either party mention our particular demographic. 

So, although nothing has become easier with time and we continue to navigate new ground, we are a strong, diverse and talented group of women. Moving forward, we can weather this recession and the ever changing political landscape by sticking together, defining our needs, and making ourselves heard.  Are you with me?!

Breast Cancer Awareness

 

 

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and there are pink ribbons everywhere.  I realize that we are all at different levels for various reasons when it comes to how much we want to know and get involved.  When my mom died ten years ago from breast cancer, I was tired of hearing about it and needed a break but my sister jumped in to participate in the Komen 3-Day Walk.  There is no right or wrong, no pressure or guilt-trips when it comes to Breast Cancer Awareness - you have to do what is right for you, your own health, and your family.  I am going to list a few resources here for you so that you can gather the info that you need at this time.

 

 

 

The facts.

 

The statistics.

 

How to do a self-exam for breast cancer.

 

The Komen 3-Day Walk to fund a cure for breast cancer.

 

How to help fund the research for a cure.

 

There are so many products that donate a percentage of the purchase price to breast cancer research, some during this month and some all year long.  Here are a few that caught my eye:

 

I want one of these, simple but a cute statement.

 

So handy, and I may be able to finally find my phone at home!

 

Make one of these (it's free!) and Bank of America will donate $5.00 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

We have all been touched by this disease, in some way or another.  I hope this post helps you, if you are at a place where you are ready to learn or do more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

52 Weeks

me at the Grand Canyon in Nov. 2011

My husband is celebrating his birthday today but in one year he will hit a milestone, the big five-oh.  He decided that he wants to spend it at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.  Now, he has gone up and down and all around this natural treasure many times.  I have enjoyed the view but always from the rim or a short distance from it.  But I would love to stand at the bottom, see the stars from down there, and add the hike to my list of things I've done.  So, in order to be with him on this special day, I'm going to have to get myself in shape.  I have to be mentally and physically prepared to make the trek down and back up the canyon walls.  The Grand Canyon!  The good news is that I have 52 weeks, one whole year.  I need to exercise, train, lose some weight, and, most of all, commit myself to doing this. Let me know if you have any tips or suggestions. 

A Happy Birthday List

I love to celebrate other people's birthdays (not my own, though) and usually try to give them a handmade card or unique gift.  But, since I'm not the best at time management, the date often sneaks up on me and I don't have anything on hand. 

That's what happened last week when one of my best friends had a birthday.  She is so special to me so I knew I wanted to do something for her.  That morning I got up a few minutes early and wrote her an email, just an email.  She turned 41 (a youngster!) so I made a list of 41 reasons why she deserves to be celebrated.  At first it seemed like a daunting task to come up with so many items but it really didn't take much time. I wrote about her character ("You are always full of energy and enthusiasm."), about our past together ("You were my student teacher!" and "You were with me when my nephews were born and on 9/11."), and some of the reasons she means so much to me ("You stuck with me during a very big change in my life and continued to support me.")  Then I sent it off.  She let me know later in the day how much she loved reading my birthday email that made her both laugh and cry. 

It was easy.  It was immediate.  It made us both feel good.  The next time you want to honor someone on their birthday, I suggest you make them a special list.

A Whole New Seventeen

I remember the first time I saw a Seventeen magazine:  my aunt (who was only five years older than me) bought one at the drugstore in my small western hometown.  I was amazed she was able to do so because she wasn't seventeen years old yet!  This was sometime around 1972.  Soon I was buying my own copies and subscribing to the magazine.  I remember reading about fashion, new products and how to treat friends.  I loved the bright photos and the chance to see how other teens were living "out in the real world."  And then, when I got older and went to college, I switched over to Cosmo and Glamour, leaving Seventeen behind.

Welcome to 2012.  My step-daughter, who is 15 years old, left a copy of the latest issue on our couch so the other night I flipped through the pages.  Yes, there is still plenty of fashion ("Clothes That Love Your Body") and articles about beauty ("Perfect Makeup Every Day") but this magazine has kept up with the times more than I have.  There is an article about how to quit smoking and another titled "Is My Vagina Normal?"  There is a piece, "The Secrets of Super-Happy Couples" that features a lesbian couple.  I don't remember any content this diverse 35 years ago but maybe my memory is not as sharp as it used to be.  However, I am glad that it seems to be a source of information that is factual, socially responsible, and inclusive for young women of today.

It was quite the experience to relive part of my past and step into the life of a teenager today through the current Seventeen magazine.  I wonder if I would even recognize Cosmo these days?!  I'll save that for another, far in the future, day.

Searching for Sugar Man

Last weekend we went to see the movie "Searching for Sugar Man", which documents the transformation of a country and the man who sang the songs that inspired its citizens.  Sixto Rodriguez was a folk singer from Detroit in the early 70's with a promising career who ended up disappearing from the public eye.  A bootleg tape of his music found its way to South Africa, becoming a favorite to those young listeners who were looking for a life beyond aparthiod.  Rodriguez, himself, is a man of emense musical talent who is as comfortable on stage in front of an audience of thousands as he is carrying a refrigerator on his back out of a house that is being demolished.  He has navigated for many years in a world where his talent stands far beyond his living conditions but his character never wavers.  The movie is a bit hard to follow at times and the scenes have a vintage quality to them, for better or worse.  I heard fellow movie goers cry, cheer, and sing along.  This film is a testiment to the old adage that we never know exactly what kind of impact we will have on others or how far the reach of our existance may extend.  I highly recommend seeing it.  We bought the sound track and have been enjoying it as great music and also a way to reflect on the depth of this story.