So I finished a book this week. Nothing new there. But this one really had me thinking because it’s about an issue that still isn’t solved. Not only is it not solved, but has taken steps backwards with the new political scene. The book is By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult and is told in dual POV and timeline. One character is a woman who lived during Shakespeare’s time. She wants to write plays but is forbidden because she is a woman. Throughout the course of the story, and it’s a long one, she experiences highs and lows, all at the whims of the men who are in control. The second storyline is also about a woman but is told in modern times. She also wants to write plays but has found women writers are not produced as often, or even close, as men writers. She is even told at one point that women stories are not as believable to the audience. If you have read a Picoult story, you already know she can write and her stories are believable. My issue is not with her. My issue is with the silencing of women. We are seeing this with our government right now as it erases references to anything to do with our accomplishments throughout history, our medical needs, our contributions to society. This is a giant step backwards. I find myself closing my circle of people because I take it personally that someone would rather vote for a corrupt man than a qualified woman. We should not need a month to acknowledge women because our worth and value should be a given. Rather than sink with despair over the state of things, I choose to sing my praise for all the women in my life. I hear you and hope you continue making the world a better place. I’m sorry this was more political than normal, but sometimes the timing of a book stirs up some emotions. I think I’ll read one of my fluff books on my TBR shelf next.
3/12
water flowing by
around the icy snow banks
captures attention
3/15
ready for action
morning stretches completed
waiting for play time
3/18
oh thief of my heart
looks so sweet and innocent
till the claws come out
3/20
something is wrong here
even I know trees grow up
score one for the wind
3/22
greetings all around
birds calling out as we pass
spring songs brighten mood
Tiffany Painter 