Like most of you, I watched the Diane Sawyer interview with Bruce Jenner on Friday night. I can honestly say I have a new respect for him. He bared his soul in front of the world, and I was pleasantly surprised that, from what I saw on social media, I was not alone in my feelings.
.
I remember, as a 70s kid, watching him compete and win Olympic Gold. His image was everywhere, and yes, I remember his face staring back at me from the Wheaties Cereal box at the breakfast table. Girls loved him and guys wanted to be like him. We put him up on a pedestal as America's champion.
.
I couldn't help but remember someone in my own family who lived with a secret her entire life. While not transgender, she was gay. She had a special woman in her life during the 50s and 60s, but sadly, because of society at the time, they hid what they felt for each other. Eventually they went their separate ways. After spending years alone, she married and lived a life others found "acceptable". I never once saw the look in her eyes and the joy on her face that I saw as a small child, watching her with the one person she should have been with. So sad and so wrong.
Everyone should be able to live in their truth. A lot of folks have said "Why Now"? I say why not now, it's better late than never. I hope his life from this point on will be the one he has always dreamed of, and that people in his life stay supportive.
Bruce is back up on that pedestal now, and I am cheering him on !!!
Monday, April 27, 2015
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Game On
I live on a very friendly street. People wave and look disappointed if you don't wave back. They mow each others lawns, shovel snow together, and drop in on each other constantly. Sounds perfect, right? I guess it is, if you like that sort of thing. I don't.
For many years I lived in an old farmhouse. It was in the country and I had no neighbors. I could sit on the front porch, lay out in the sun or take out the garbage without a single "Hi there,what's new?" it was awesome. After a divorce I bought this cute little house in town, a nice sized lot, a wooded backyard..and NEIGHBORS !!!
What started out as me just wanting privacy, has really turned into a game. After 13 years in this house I have successfully avoided all of them and I don't want my streak to end. Sure, I smile and wave as I drive by them, I'm not a total jerk. It's not as hard as you would think either. If I do anything outside it's in the backyard. The neighbors closest to my house usually take off on the weekend, so that's when I work on my front yard. When I get home the garage door goes down as soon as I pull in. I noticed right away that if you don't, you will have visitors. It's kind of like the "bat signal", an alert goes out, up and down the street !
Ten years ago I married a social butterfly, a talker who fits right in, they all love him. I was worried this could spell doom for my plan, but he keeps it on the street or their driveways, where it belongs.
Over the years I've even changed their names. My personal favorite is the old fella across the street, I call him Mandelbaum, after the Seinfeld character. The fake name really fits him though, this old dude runs, bikes, golfs and kayaks. "MANDELBAUM, MANDELBAUM, MANDELBAUM"!!!
What caused this hermit like behavior? I'm pretty sure it's from decades of working in customer service, When talking all day is part of your job, it's the last thing you want to do in your free time. My home is my castle, I just wish it had a moat ! ;-)
For many years I lived in an old farmhouse. It was in the country and I had no neighbors. I could sit on the front porch, lay out in the sun or take out the garbage without a single "Hi there,what's new?" it was awesome. After a divorce I bought this cute little house in town, a nice sized lot, a wooded backyard..and NEIGHBORS !!!
What started out as me just wanting privacy, has really turned into a game. After 13 years in this house I have successfully avoided all of them and I don't want my streak to end. Sure, I smile and wave as I drive by them, I'm not a total jerk. It's not as hard as you would think either. If I do anything outside it's in the backyard. The neighbors closest to my house usually take off on the weekend, so that's when I work on my front yard. When I get home the garage door goes down as soon as I pull in. I noticed right away that if you don't, you will have visitors. It's kind of like the "bat signal", an alert goes out, up and down the street !
Ten years ago I married a social butterfly, a talker who fits right in, they all love him. I was worried this could spell doom for my plan, but he keeps it on the street or their driveways, where it belongs.
Over the years I've even changed their names. My personal favorite is the old fella across the street, I call him Mandelbaum, after the Seinfeld character. The fake name really fits him though, this old dude runs, bikes, golfs and kayaks. "MANDELBAUM, MANDELBAUM, MANDELBAUM"!!!
What caused this hermit like behavior? I'm pretty sure it's from decades of working in customer service, When talking all day is part of your job, it's the last thing you want to do in your free time. My home is my castle, I just wish it had a moat ! ;-)
Friday, April 3, 2015
Hippety Hop Hop Easter...RUN AWAY !!
It's that time of year again. My Facebook page is full of terrified kids sitting on a 6 ft. rabbit's lap. I can say happily, I grew up free from that insanity. I first noticed it when my kids were little, my oldest son at around age 5 commented, as we walked quickly past the freakish furball with a screaming baby on it's lap, "Let's get out of here Mommy" !!
Don't get me wrong, I love real bunny rabbits. I even loved Jimmy Stewart's giant invisible one in the classic old movie "Harvey" no problem. It's creepy enough sitting on Santa's lap, but the Easter Bunny, WHY?? I guess scaring children is hilarious family fun !. The pics posted usually have comments from parents such as, "LOL, she cried the whole time" or "He ran away screaming as soon as he got off of it's lap, Hahaha".
Years from now I suspect a lot of these kids will be" hopping down the bunny trail" to a therapist's office, I'll be in the waiting room next to them, I really need to discuss my Santa issues.
Don't get me wrong, I love real bunny rabbits. I even loved Jimmy Stewart's giant invisible one in the classic old movie "Harvey" no problem. It's creepy enough sitting on Santa's lap, but the Easter Bunny, WHY?? I guess scaring children is hilarious family fun !. The pics posted usually have comments from parents such as, "LOL, she cried the whole time" or "He ran away screaming as soon as he got off of it's lap, Hahaha".
Years from now I suspect a lot of these kids will be" hopping down the bunny trail" to a therapist's office, I'll be in the waiting room next to them, I really need to discuss my Santa issues.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
So This Is 53 ?
At the urging of friends, I am now blogging. I'm not sure if it's because they think I'm funny or that I may have something interesting to say. My guess is they think I need a hobby. So here it goes !!!
When I was in my 30s I was ( and still am ) obsessed with diet and exercise, which was not all bad, but sometimes a girl wants to eat whatever she wants and just lay on the couch. So I came up with a plan. When I hit age 53 or 54, so OLD that it won't matter what I look like, I'll eat whatever I want and get rid of my treadmill ! As I ate my salads, while everyone else enjoyed donuts and cake, I dreamed of the day I could join in.
It was the time of your life when you could relax, no one cared what you looked like anymore, because you were old. My grandma was one the happiest people I've ever known. In her 50s she lived in big zip front house dresses and wore aprons. She was overweight, and joked about it a lot. Her hair was grey, and makeup, forget about it. Lipstick and powder only and just on special occasions.The joy and freedom I saw in her was something I longed for.
This morning it hit me, 53 is only weeks away. I should be happy about this, bring on the pizza !!! Well, it doesn't feel like I thought it would. Women today do not look like their grandmothers did, and this is ruining my plan. Thanks a lot Madonna and Christie Brinkley. Now what age will I pick, 70 ?? No, Jane Fonda is still gorgeous...... UUGGHH !!!!
What happened to the good old days when Grandma's weren't expected to still be hot. My new dream age ? I guess I'll shoot for 85.
When I was in my 30s I was ( and still am ) obsessed with diet and exercise, which was not all bad, but sometimes a girl wants to eat whatever she wants and just lay on the couch. So I came up with a plan. When I hit age 53 or 54, so OLD that it won't matter what I look like, I'll eat whatever I want and get rid of my treadmill ! As I ate my salads, while everyone else enjoyed donuts and cake, I dreamed of the day I could join in.
It was the time of your life when you could relax, no one cared what you looked like anymore, because you were old. My grandma was one the happiest people I've ever known. In her 50s she lived in big zip front house dresses and wore aprons. She was overweight, and joked about it a lot. Her hair was grey, and makeup, forget about it. Lipstick and powder only and just on special occasions.The joy and freedom I saw in her was something I longed for.
This morning it hit me, 53 is only weeks away. I should be happy about this, bring on the pizza !!! Well, it doesn't feel like I thought it would. Women today do not look like their grandmothers did, and this is ruining my plan. Thanks a lot Madonna and Christie Brinkley. Now what age will I pick, 70 ?? No, Jane Fonda is still gorgeous...... UUGGHH !!!!
What happened to the good old days when Grandma's weren't expected to still be hot. My new dream age ? I guess I'll shoot for 85.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)