You might have to look closely to grok this image. My words today feel like an interesting side dish to the picture.
When I was walking back from lunch with MKL today, a young man catcalled at me out of a car window. Now mind, I have just turned 53 years old, and I was not dressed provocatively. I found myself with a quick succession of thoughts that went something like this:
“Wow, that’s flattering. And at my age. Wait, no that’s not flattering at all – that’s rude. Where is my feminist side? Don’t parents ever talk to their sons about not yelling at women on the street [mind flashes to recent videos of a woman walking through New York with someone recording men’s responses to her and the video of reverse behavior with men facing hootsand catcalls from women]? Don’t most parents teach their sons to respect women? I was just totally objectified, and yet it doesn’t bother me. Why not? Because that young man did nothing to define me or who I am or how I feel about myself.”
Hmmm. Strange reflections.
Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
Quote of the day: “It’s not my responsibility to be beautiful. I’m not alive for that purpose. My existence is not about how desirable you find me.” — Warsan Shire
Daily gratitudes:
The small herd of black yak we saw driving up to Steamboat
That my truck has four wheel-drive so I can get through my own alley that the utility company has turned into a mud pit
That Jess at Half-Girl Half-Teacup has raised my consciousness – a young woman wise beyond her years
That Mr. Man is acting a bit more like himself
That MKL loves me
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July 16, 2015 at 9:20 am
Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina
Well, now, you see? You have moved beyond the point where a catcall might define you; just like the image of the balloon is reflected back and casts no shadow. I don’t mind catcalls. Still get them a bit at 60! I should just march up to them and pinch their chubby ‘ittle cheeks! Ha!
What is the continuing “eh” with Mr. Man?
🙂 m & jb
July 16, 2015 at 7:33 pm
Seasweetie
:-), KS! Mr. Man continues to think outside the box and is a little hesitant in his jumps onto the high bed, so I’m thinking it may be some arthritis. We are going to try some fish oil and he had some acupuncture and laser treatment today that he seemed to like!