Ladies, This is for You!

Fifty years ago, Betty Friedan started a movement to liberate women with her book,

"The Feminine Mystique"

Most of you weren't even born then, but some of us remember what life was like before women were granted equal status. 

I recently read a column by Syndicated Columnist, Kathleen Parker with her views on this. 

I was deeply appalled. 

The very difference between Kathleen Parker and women of Betty Friedan's day was one thing;

 Choice.

 A small word with a big impact. 

Please read this column if you get the chance;

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/02/13/2472840/reflections-on-the-half-century.html

She wrote that "women like her (Friedan) - well-to-do, well-educated and stifled by domestic bliss - wanted and deserved more."

What Kathleen Parker never experienced was the prevailing attitudes of those days. 

If you have ever watched the television series, 'Mad Men', you see a very accurate portrayal. 

Women were considered second class citizens and there were few opportunities for women, especially if they chose to get married and have children. 

Sexual Harassment in the work place was the rule not the exception. 

Here are a few actual ads from those wonderful times. 

This really was the prevailing attitude back then. Oh, I have more....

Yea. This is no joke. 

U-huh.....

I think it's more than housework putting this woman in a rage.

These men were lucky they didn't actually get close to a ledge with a real woman. 

Obviously they never dreamed of Danica Patrick!

This particular attitude seems to have lingered well past it's prime.

Well, then!

This ad needs no words. 

Yup.

Every boss' fantasy back in the day. But not too far from reality. 

A woman boss was just not even thought of. 

Amazing! Obviously men dominated the advertising agencies.

Oh yea, - Mother's little helpers. If they're not happy being treated like a servant, they must need drugs. 

I particularly love this one. 

Don't you love this 'diet' ad? 

Don't know what to say about this one. 

It does make me want to cry, though. 

Do we care what most men ask? 

Of course! 

Aprons are making a comeback. Let's hope it's just a phase. 

Thank goodness for perma-press. 

And a couple of classics.

So there you go. This is the reason that women threw off those aprons and took to the streets. 

It wasn't because they didn't love their families or love taking care of their children. 

It was because of these prevailing attitudes that allowed mistreatment, discrimination, limited choice and opportunities. 

It was legal to beat a woman as long as the 'rule of thumb' was applied. 

The stick couldn't be any bigger than a man's thumb in diameter. 

I'm not kidding. 

Women couldn't divorce or she would be thrown into poverty. 

She also needed a valid reason. 

Domestic violence was not one of them. 

Abandonment was usually the only reason.

Once she was divorced, she could work as a waitress, secretary, or if she had skills, a nurse or teacher. 

But divorced women were shunned. 

And forget about the poor woman who became pregnant outside of marriage. 

Society shunned her completely. 

Even her family shunned her. 

So, ladies, if you think that the women's movement was something thought up by bored, well-to-do, well-educated and stifled by 'domestic bliss' women, think again.

Just read these ads again. And think about this. If these were just advertisements of the day, imagine the daily   discrimination and disrespect women had to suffer each and every day. 

We were considered the lesser class. The 'weaker sex', stupid, child like, subordinate to men. 

And it has only been a very short time since these attitudes flourished. 

Around the world, women are still living in the dark ages. 

Every 9 seconds a woman in the US is assaulted or beaten.

Around the world, at least 1 in every 3 women has suffered violence, most often the abuser is a member of her own family. 

Every day in the US, more than 3 women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends. 

So, Kathleen Parker, there really is a reason to celebrate Betty Friedan's 50 year anniversary of her society changing book. 

And these are the reasons why. 

Light and Dark

There is an absolutely wonderful feeling to waking up to beautiful sunshine. 

Today is stormy and rainy, so I wanted to remember the beautiful light,

 just the other day when potting up my spring flowers. 

This time of year in the Pacific Northwest, sunshine is as elusive as the shadows it creates. 

So when it shines, there is no taking it for granted. 

I love the sunbeams as they stream in the morning light. 

They warm the house and brighten the spirit. 

It fills the heart with joy! 

There is something so magical about the way it dances around the room. 

The sunshine brings a promise of spring. 

Who can resist the call to play outside in the warming rays?

To dream of better days to come. 

But the warmth is brief, the cold wind blows,

 reminding us that winter still holds it's icy grip. 

The dark clouds battle with the lovely sunshine in dramatic plays of light. 

Like mighty gods clashing in the ancient hills; darkness and light, warmth and cold.....

Who will win? 

I watch the forces rage from the safety of my humble home. 

Built sturdy and secure to protect from battles such as these. 

The sun dips lower, escaping the dark, forbidding clouds to show it's brilliant power. 

The victor in these waning hours, with undisputed majesty. 

It's golden light gilding the landscape with riches beyond mere mortal's grasp. 

I stand and watch, insignificant and small as these forces of nature compete for the sky. 

And as the mighty forces fade, I remember to breathe. 

As both are defeated by the mighty forces of darkness. 

xoxo

Potting up Springtime

Here in Washington State we are blessed with early Springs. 

They say there are really only two seasons here. 

The rainy season and August. 

Of course I am exaggerating, but not by much. 

Because we have such mild winters, we are able to enjoy gardening nearly year round. 

If you like tromping around in the rain. 

Which I don't. 

But I do like to garden in containers for my deck. 

The garden centers are full of early spring flowers now, so I have taken advantage of the bounty. 

This little alcove sits right outside my kitchen and I do love coming out here for a bit of fresh air. 

Yesterday we had a rare sunny afternoon, so I spent the day potting up my flats of flowers. 

Here I have Hellebore, Heather, Vinca,, and hidden on the other side, Pansy. 

The second pot has the same combination, except the center plant is Daphne. 

The flowers aren't quite open yet, but when they do, they will fill the deck with sweet fragrance that hummingbirds love. 

An easy way to pot up a planter with a center plant is to place the empty pot where you want the plant, place the perimeter plants, then remove the pot and you have a convenient hole all ready. 

All done! 

A vintage metal sign to advertise! 

Wouldn't it be nice if pansies were only 5 cents? 

Some tiny bulbs poking up out of the soil. 

I planted these last fall. 

I can't remember what they are! 

It will be a little surprise! 

Some wire vines awaiting future hanging baskets tucked into moss filled urns, still in their pots. 

These are placed where they will not get wet, so I must remember to water them.

A small pot of Forget Me Not's rests in front. These will bloom in a few weeks. 

Some welcome springtime cheer at the end of a dreary winter.

 Can you see my small pots of red primroses on my tables? 

I think Ling Ling approves. 

Did you know that Daylight Savings Time is only 18 days away? 

And the official start of spring is only 30 days away? 

There is an end in sight! 

xoxo

A Drive in the Countryside

Yesterday we took a little drive. 

We headed towards Issaquah, WA, ( pronounced Iss'-a-kwa ) tucked into the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. 

To get there we passed through some pretty farmland. 

Here we go......

We crossed the White River, so named from the white glacial silt coming down from Mt. Rainier. It is not flowing very high yet, but in a few weeks when the snow starts to melt, this will be a raging river. 

As you can see, the skies were very moody. You can see the snow field on the mountains in the background. 

The fields are very dry and brown. You can see some teasel growing in this field. The Mountains are a lovely purple against the colorless landscape. 

In this photo you can see an ancient barn settling into the landscape, surrounded by very tall Douglas Fir trees and nearly covered by blackberries. 

This barn looks like it is a well used roost, judging by the white streaks left behind! These are seagulls - many miles from salt water! There are plenty of slugs to eat in the surrounding fields, though! 

Need hay? 

As we leave the farmland behind, and travel along the base of the foothills, we come into a logging area replanted with small trees. 

Logging is a big industry here in Washington State, although it has been hit hard by the housing recession and many are out of work. 

After driving for over an hour through a narrow river valley, we come into signs of life once more. Issaquah is an old logging town that has been reinvented into a posh little enclave of high end shops and housing for tech workers from Microsoft and other high tech companies in Redmond, which is close by. 

This old Gas Station has been reinvented into a feed store and tourist destination. 

I have not come through town when it is open, but one of these days, I will get a chance to go inside. 

Even the car wash is fancy! This is a Brown Bear car wash with it's ferocious looking mascot. 

He has two companions to keep him company! 

We leave Issaquah and drive alongside Lake Sammamish. (pronounced Sa-Mam'-ish, named after the Sammamish Indian tribe).

The whole lake is surrounded by beautiful lakeside homes. 

At the far end, there is a walking trail. They are working on expanding this trail and we saw workers doing just that as we drove by. 

I made a mental note to come back this summer and walk the trail. 

Soon we arrive at our destination - to check on this handsome fellow while my son is out of town. 

He was very happy to see us and we stayed and played with him a while. 

This is the view out the window. Can you see the Space Needle rising above the tree line? 

It was a lovely drive, but now we must make the long journey back home as the sun begins to set. 

I hope you enjoyed taking this country drive with me! 

I hope you had a wonderful weekend. 

xoxo

Linking to: http://bluffareadaily.blogspot.com/2013/02/watery-wednesday.html

Linking to: http://www.theviewfromrighthere.com/blog/?p=9512