Powerful

I was listening to a Podcast out of BBC Radio 4 called Woman's Hour: News Politics, Culture this morning on my drive to work. It is the first time I have listened to this podcast so I wasn't sure what to expect. First, love the accents but I miss a lot of what is being said. Hopefully as I continue to listen and get used to the accents the words will become clearer. In this show they introduced a panel of people that are choosing a list of 100 of the most powerful women in Great Britain. The panel first discussed what they felt being powerful meant. That alone made me pause and ask myself the same question as I listened to their responses. Influence and money were mentioned along with the power of the written word.

I also read a few blog posts this week discussing Beyonce's performance and outfit at the Super Bowl. One of the post felt her outfit and performance wasn't befitting a powerful woman. The other post felt Beyonce's voice, performance and costume were all part of her power. 

I don't have a definite answer as yet but am curious to know what you feel the definition of a powerful person is?

via

Sherlock Holmes

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Slammed

I was perusing the Kindle store when the title Slammed caught my eye. I saw a documentary last year about poetry slams: people writing poetry and performing them on stage.  Mostly kids, putting their feelings, emotions and selves out there.  It was so raw.  I was in awe.

I downloaded the ebook by Colleen Hoover and started reading.  I didn't stop throughout the day, except for the dogs.  A brief synopsis: Late teenage Girl's dad dies and mom must uproot Girl and brother from Texas to Michigan.  As they are moving in to new home Boy (early 20's) who lives across the street spots girl.  The rest you will have to read about.

What I loved about this book is that it isn't pretty - it is life.  Down and dirty.  Most of us didn't have to learn about the down and dirty part in our late teens/early 20's but the characters in this book did.  I have written before that my mom died when I was 21.  This book almost stopped me in my tracks but it was so beautifully written I kept going.  To use Oprah's phrase I went to the ugly cry place.

I finished the book but it stayed in my head.  I looked up the author's name and found that there was a sequel - I love when that happens! (Remember Outlander A?)   I downloaded it immediately and started to read A Point of Retreat. 


It picks up with the same Boy and Girl and continues on with their lives.  As the story progresses other characters are introduced including a neighbor girl, Kiersten, who at 11, in my opinion, has an old soul.  She is being bullied by kids at her school and the brothers of the Boy and Girl stick up for her.  When she is introduced to slam poetry she decides to write and perform a poem for talent night. With the horrible and sad suicides of teenagers around the globe due to bullying, this resonated.

The one thing you need to know is butterfly is a euphemism for cuss words - any and all.

A slam poem by Kiersten, a character written by Colleen Hoover

"Butterfly.

What a beautiful word.

What a delicate creature.

  Delicate like the cruel words

that flow right out of your mouths

and the food that flies right out

of your hands.

  Does it make you feel better?

  Does it make you feel good?

Does picking on a girl make you 

more of a man?

  I'm standing up for myself

Like I should have done before.

I'm not putting up with your 

butterfly anymore."

"I'd like to extend to others 

what others have extended to 

me."

"Butterfly you, Mrs Brill." (hands principal a hand made butterfly)

"Butterfly you, Mark.

Butterfly you, Brendan.

Butterfly you, Colby."

"I have something to say to you.

I'm not referring to the bullies

Or the ones they pursue.

I'm referring to those of you

that just stand by.

The ones who don't take up for

those of us that cry.

Those of you who just...turn a

blind eye.

After all it's not you it's 

happening to.

You aren't the one being bullied.

And you aren't the one being

rude.

It isn't your hand that's

throwing the food.

But...it is your mouth not

speaking up.

It is your feet not taking a stand.

It is your arm not lending a 

hand.

It is your heart

Not giving a damn.

So take up for yourself.

Take up for your friends.

I challenge you to be someone

Who doesn't give in.

Don't give in.

Don't let them win.

In the next paragraph Mrs. Brill is moving to the stage as soon as damn comes out of Kiersten's mouth.  SERIOUSLY!  Please tell me there aren't principals like Mrs. Brill in charge of our schools.

I loved this book series for so many reasons.  I loved it because we, all of us, struggle with our selves at different points in our lives.  I know as a teenager I only ever wanted to fit in but as an adult I have come to realize it is our differences that make us unique.  Our strengths and weaknesses make us unique.

Right now there are a lot of people converging on London.  A lot of people competing, in the spirit of sport.  A lot of different people.  

Being different is cool.  

Be cool.

My boys

Can I get an ice tea please?

 I thought I would introduce the two dogs that always make sure I always have something to do!

This is Duncan.  I had his named picked out before I met him.  He was a birthday gift (requested) by my BFF.  We searched high and low for him when I was ready for another dog.  At the time my BFF had 4 kids under her roof and I thought they would be a good judges of characters.  We went to a Rescue in Bronson and met puppy after puppy.  The kids were having a great time but none of them grabbed my heart.  

Because I knew Duncan's name I had a very specific picture in my mind of my dog.  I wandered over to some cute black and white hounds but they were all female.  My first dog was a male and I wanted another one.  One of the volunteers mentioned the boys of the same litter where inside having just been neutered.  I checked them out and in the very back of the kennel, groggy as all get out, was this little black and tan hound mix.  This was Duncan!

I couldn't bring him home that day so it was arranged that my BFF and the kids would drive down the Friday before Memorial Day and drop Duncan off as they drove through Tampa.  That way I would have three days to introduce him to his new home and me.  When the van pulled into my driveway I rushed out to great them.  The kids presented Duncan in a basket with towels smelling horrible. Poor little guy had been car sick the entire drive down.  I am forever indebted to those 4 kids for being so loving to a dog that was SO sick and smelly!

Fergus came into my household because I had no idea that when I picked a beagle/hound mix they were such pack animals.  My lab had been perfectly happy being the only dog in my household.  Duncan was not.  After much thought I decided to get a 2nd dog and went with another beagle. 

Ready for water!

I contacted the Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue group and filled out the appropriate paperwork. I was approved and invited to the next social at a local dog park.  I brought Duncan with me as I was hoping he would pick his new mate.  I had informed my BFF what I was up to and she and the kids were on standby.  There were many cute beagles but again none immediately struck my heart.  Duncan didn't gravitate to any specific dog either.  I was on the phone with my BFF a lot (thankfully she loves me).  Finally I started noticing a cute red and white beagle (didn't know there was such a thing) who kept trying to get any dog to play with him.  He went dog to dog but no takers.  I snapped his picture and emailed it to my BFF.  The kids approved.  I introduced Duncan to the little guy and they seemed to get on.  Fergus had a new home.  It took about 6 months for Duncan and Fergus to become inseparable but it happened.  

In case you were wondering about their names I picked them from one of my favorite books Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon.

If you are thinking about getting a dog please do a lot of research about which breed would best work for your household.  I would also encourage you to contact a rescue organization to find your new mate.  A dog will be your best friend for all it's life.