I Am That Old Woman

  Recently a few light bulbs from my kitchen fan light needed to be replaced. I had a ton of items on my to-do list, and taking time out to go to the garage to fetch the step ladder seemed like a bit of a waste of time. I decided instead to use the hassock in the sunroom to give me the few extra inches I needed to reach the light. Now mind you, years ago, I tore the tendon in my left foot that supports the ability to be able to stand on tiptoes or balance on one foot. Getting onto the hassock to change the first bulb proved to be a bit of a challenge, but with my hard head, I was able to succeed. The second bulb would be my undoing. As I attempted to put my left leg onto the hassock, the force pushed the hassock out from under me. The result was a twisted knee. I spent Christmas Day with the knee wrapped and hobbled just a wee bit. In the following days, the knee feels somewhat better but it is still weak. I hobble slightly but with great pride. I have indeed learned a valuable les...

 We cannot remain silent!     With the ubiquitous discussion of the Epstein Files and the rampant attempts to protect the perpetrators, I wanted to do something to bring attention to the powerhouse survivors of these horrific acts. The child-rapist protectors are equally monstrous. Attempts to "justify" the age of 15 as an appropriate age for consent. Enough! We need to listen, support, and protect those who have been attacked by sexual predators, wherever those predators might exist-in wealthy corporations, in royal families, in the White House. Enough! I was honored to be a part of the committee that organized a vigil this week to support survivors in our area. We gathered on a chilly evening to listen to stories of abuse and resilience, to learn about programs in our area working to support survivors. The speakers were incredibly moving!  Human trafficking is widespread and cruel. From what we have learned, it is common among wealthy and powerful men. Those who co...

 A friend recently said to me after I commented about "telling it like it is, and saying what I believe," that he guessed I was at the age when I didn't really care about what others think of me. I don't believe that I don't care what others think of me, I think it's more that I am comfortable in my own skin, and I won't let the opinions of someone else change what I do. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, but I am free to state my feelings and do what I believe is right. If that means that I have reached a certain age, well, then so be it. We live in a society where all to much emphasis is placed on what others think. In conforming to the thoughts of others, we lose our individuality and our uniqueness.  In my neural coalitions class this summer, my students shared how they reasoned that if every human brain is different, we are all neurodivergent and unique. What a gift! How dull and boring would our world be if everyone were the same, and fi...

 It was just today that I realized my last post on this blog was in November-it has been four months. And what has the old woman been up to? Well, bouts of depression, to be quite honest. I struggle almost daily with deep sadness about what has become of the country I once knew. I don't recognize her any more. There are days when I just want to cover my head, curl up in a ball, and cry. And, to be honest, I have done that. But there is also a voice in me that cries to fight, to resist, to bring back what was once "normal." There is a growing resistance movement in the US, and it is empowering. Finally, I am beginning to believe that if we unite against the threat, we can save our old girl! I am using my voice where I can. I have written letters to the editor of our local newspaper: Taking an oath   and Speaking up for students        I am an active member of our local group, Rise Up Frederick, which is part of the national organization Red Wine and Blue. We...

      A while back, I was chatting with my daughter about legacies. She said to me, "Mom, C is your legacy." C is my granddaughter, the gorgeous redhead whom I adore. After this election, I am deeply concerned about what will be left for her.     Will my granddaughter be met with "Your body, my choice?" Will she have educational and employment opportunities? Will she be able to grow up to be whatever she wants to be? I saw this posted recently:  "We could have shown our daughters that they can do anything. Instead, we showed our sons that they can rape, cheat, and lie and still become the most powerful man in the country." It makes my heart break.     I am terrified about the future of our country in the hands of a want-to-be dictator. I'm frightened by what is being threatened for public education, for our planet. And within two weeks post-election, it appears that many who stood for democracy prior to the election, are bending a k...

             I have been away for a bit-a dear friend was visiting from Cyprus and my writing time was limited. During her visit, however, I made an interesting discovery about myself--that old woman.       My US friend was telling my Cypriot friend that she loved how I said what I thought, and that you knew what you were getting with me. I replied, "You mean, I have no filter." She responded that those words gave a negative connotation and that her observances were meant to be seen in a positive light. After much thought, I have decided to embrace my "no-filter-ness."     As a younger woman, I often bit my tongue, or kept my thoughts to myself. I would present a kind, agreeable self, one who nodded her head and didn't "make waves." Years have taught me that in doing so, I was denying who I really am, what I really think. I am entitled to my thoughts when I back them up with my experience and my education. They a...