Fairy Tales….

During college, my concentration was in Sociology.  I had a very educated instructor who was quite adamant when it came to certain topics; especially equality between sexes.  When I took the first class with her, she definitely said some things that I needed to hear at the time.  She’d say, “Stop waiting for the Prince on the white horse to ride in and rescue you.  You have to rescue yourself!”  and,  “ Fairy tales are all the same, a perfectly capable female waiting around for a Prince to come ‘rescue’ her.” (envision air quotes). The more I learned, and the longer I was in such classes, the more I would analyze movies and books…even commercials.  I eventually came to what I considered to be a “realist’s” view, sharing the sentiments of my former instructor.  Today, however, I was (after a VERY busy day) tooling around on the internet when I came across a video of the “Royal Wedding”.  I couldn’t help but watch that beautiful woman, in her beautiful dress walk down that mile long, red carpet lined isle to her waiting Prince.  Prince!  I watched them say their vows, though I couldn’t hear it well for the blaring Star Wars Episode V in the background—don’t lose the irony here.  At that moment it occurred to me.  While he may not have rode in on a white horse to “rescue” her from an evil witch with poison apples or indentured servitude, she still married a prince!  Also at that moment, it occurred to me, she and I are not so very different.  After all, I'm beautiful, I have a beautiful dress, and, best of all, I already have my prince charming! Anyone have a mile or so of red carpet?

Things I Love Tuesday: Part 2

11.  brightly colored eggs

12.  flip-flops

 13.  home sweet home

 14.  enchanted places

15.  more blossoms than leaves

16.  making a new friend

 

17.  red roses

18.  growing beans in a jar

19.  painted toes

20.  fuzzy caterpillars

Cluckin' Bunnies

The Easter Bunny has been laying chocolate cream-filled eggs for so long, I forgot it was a mammal. Just so you are aware, I had to ask my 12 year old how birds were classified. He quickly informed me that they are “Aves”…Right? Because why would a woman with a college background know that? One would think with four years of Latin under my belt, I would have at least have had a guess. Alas, when the ever-working degree in Sociology/Pre-Law, is coupled with several years as a legal assistant, the only birds one typically deals with are either “Jail Birds” or “Stool Pigeons”.

A bit of lore I do happen to know is as follows: The goddess, Eastre, was worshipped by the Anglo-Saxons through her earthly symbol, the rabbit. The Easter bunny has its origin in pre-Christian fertility lore (with four kids, I don’t need any of that!). The Hare and the Rabbit were the most fertile animals known and they served as symbols of the new life during the spring season. They were not made of chocolate at first either. Germans, who introduced the first edible bunnies, made them out of pastry and sugar. Personally, I’d rather have the chocolate!

I was recently asked whether I would outwardly express such personal religious or political views (synonymous by my definition) in my blog, especially given a holiday scenario; probably not. Therefore, I feel it is only fair to warn my readers who may be expecting such expressions, you will be very disappointed. Because I do have a tendency to be “brutally honest” (inherited, no doubt, from both my father and mother) when it comes to these topics, I had not yet thought of a way to express my feelings toward the subject matter with certain diplomacy until the other night.

While dozing lazily on the sofa late one evening last week, it came to me. We were watching The Matrix (for the hundredth time I’m sure) and there was a conversation between two of the characters that pretty much says it all for me. One said to the other “Not every one believes as you do!” The other responded simply, “My beliefs do not require them to.”

Here’s hoping everyone had a wonderful day, no matter what you believe.