Welcome back, dedicated readers and silent lurkers just here for the cat pictures! This is the second post re-telling the life of my cat, Loki. For those of you who wandered over here, and have no idea what I’m talking about – here’s where I felt it necessary to explain the premise, and here’s the … Continue reading Loki: The Life & Trials Of One Black Cat – Middle Ground
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Loki: The Life & Trials Of One Black Cat – Early Years
Loki was born around the first week in July in 2010. When the vet gave that estimate at his first check-up, I picked July 4th for his unofficial birthday. Because it was easy to remember. I had wanted a cat of my own for a while. When my ex-husband/boyfriend-at-the-time (long story – don’t drink around … Continue reading Loki: The Life & Trials Of One Black Cat – Early Years
Loki: The Life & Trials Of One Black Cat – Introduction
So, after sorting through almost 1,300 pictures and videos of Loki, I chucked all 12 pages of my original rough draft for this post. Maybe the images made me realize the post sucked. Maybe it just raised different feelings and memories. I choose to believe the latter. 😆 As I said in my recent post, … Continue reading Loki: The Life & Trials Of One Black Cat – Introduction
We Just Want to Walk Home in the Dark | ‘#NotAllMen’ & Harassment
TRIGGER WARNING – sexual assault & harassment
It’s been a really tough week. I am angry and tired and just in a constant state of anxiety. Every time I open social media or turn on the news, there’s women discussing their sexual harassment and assault stories, sharing our shared trauma. If you’ve been online in the past week, you’ll know the clincher – that it’s our fault, the women’s fault, of course. Women do not take enough precautions to avoid being harassed, assaulted, or raped. At least, that’s a lot of the discourse that’s being shared in response to women’s stories…
For those of you not in the UK, our news has been centered around the missing person’s case of Sarah Everard. Sarah was walking home from a friend’s house at 9pm at night and vanished, despite doing all of the things women have been told to do to keep…
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The Human Cost of Profit over Healthcare
This is heart-wrenching, and an indication of why private, cost-driven healthcare is not the way forward, not now, not ever.
Talking… and Listening
I can’t help but wonder how much of modern conversations about topical subjects (whatever they may be) is less about developing a meaningful dialogue, and more about being right – more aboutwinning. As someone who’s moved in sci-fi debate circles and as someone who’s delved in various social debates, IknowI am guilty of pushing to be the ‘winner’, as opposed to actually convincing someone my point of view has fact-based merit.
Equally, I don’t necessarily absorb the information coming at me from my ‘sparring partner’. This isn’t always ‘bad’ – some of that ‘information’ is speculation and in some cases complete fabrication – but sometimes, I fear we are all so determined for our side, ourphilosophy, to be right, that we lose sight of other, perfectly valid perspectives. If a piece of information turns up that disrupts our narrative or our comfortable beliefs, it’s…
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Commentary #110: Fatphobia in the Medical System, and Thin Privilege
Don’t buy the hype. BMI doesn’t take muscle mass, which weighs more than fat, into account. Body-builders are often “obese” by BMI standards.
I found this on Facebook on July 29, 2020. It was originally shared by Heatherina Lavender on May 25, 2018.
This was utterly shocking to me. I’m ashamed of how shocking it was.
No wonder Americans have issues with eating disorders!
The resounding comment I got when I shared this on my Facebook page/profile was about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Many of my friends have it, but almost all of them were not properly or appropriately diagnosed for YEARS. And that is completely unacceptable.
I remember learning about PCOS in “Family Life.” I think The Care and Keeping of You, by American Girl, may have covered it? I can’t remember for sure. I also read Girlology multiple times through the library.
Here’s some more information about PCOS:
- The ovaries produce an abnormal amount of androgens, male sex hormones that women typically have in small amounts.
- Some women do not…
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Hot Topic #30: Thoughts on The Murder of George Floyd, Black Lives Matter, White Privilege, and Being An Ally
George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 25, 2020.
Black Lives Matter.
If there’s one thing that I understand completely, it’s that I have white privilege.
I’m committed to being a better ally.
Over the last week and a half, I’ve asked a lot of questions. Shout-out to my wonderful husband for being my main sounding board!
Here are a few snapshots of my recent thoughts.
At the end of this post, I’ve included a long list of resources, ways you can help, ways you can educate yourself and others, and other sources that I’ve found helpful.
Thanks for reading.
Monday, June 1st
I’m having trouble concentrating. I’m so angry about so many things. I’m personally not brave enough to join any of the Black Lives Matter protests, but I am committed to listening. I’ve been carefully observing my…
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How to Help
Hi everyone. If you’re like me and are feeling sad, frustrated, and helpless over the continuing systemic racism in America, here are some ways to become proactive.
https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#
https://www.thecut.com/2020/05/george-floyd-protests-how-to-help-where-to-donate.html
https://www.splcenter.org/20170814/ten-ways-fight-hate-community-response-guide
https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/30/us/how-to-be-an-ally-guide-trnd/index.html
11 Terms You Should Know to Better Understand Structural Racism
Defeating racism, tribalism, tolerance and all forms of discrimination will liberate us all, victim and perpetrator alike.
~ Ban…
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