Acatwrites - The Story Of A Cat Who Likes Stories

Got a full cup of coffee and some motivation. Let’s do some writing

When you see something random, like a broken folding chair in the movie theater parking lot and immediately start writing a story about it

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

                  Let me start by saying I grew up on Beetle Bailey. I’m not criticizing the strip in general. The comic above appeared on May 16. It illustrates a long standing discussion that has been going in our house.   On the surface we see a guy surrounded by women who won’t give him the time of day. He goes home depressed. Are we supposed to feel sad for this lonely fellow? What about the girls? They seem to be taking a lot of blame for his woes. “Hey darlin’”, “Honey”, “Sweetie”.  Are they really supposed to respond positively?  

              This strikes a cord with me because I am one of these ladies.  I myself have had words like that thrown at me from car windows, in the aisle t the grocery store, or at work.   I too am going about my day, not looking or wanting attention. Yet just like these women, I am somehow to blame for not responding appropriately. I am told  that this behavior shouldn’t bother me. It’s just harmless flirting. I should be flattered. I am not.

               If it makes someone uncomfortable then its not harmless. I have met very few women who are okay with this kind of treatment. They have learned the best way to deal with it, is to just ignore it. Any kind of positive response encourages them. A negative response can make the man aggressive and may lead to violence. Going through the day with your head down and headphones on is no way to live. We girls have learned from our experiences. Now we just have to teach the men.

               Our hapless friend needs to learn how very wrong his approach is. Clearly, he wants a relationship. A verbal scattershot isn’t working. Nor would the classic construction worker catcall. I believe it will take someone teaching him, and others of his kind, to be respectful and thoughtful. The more we push for change on a societal level, the more it seems there is resistance. Its time to take it to a more individual level.

               Teach him to be nice and kind, he will win the fair maiden’s hand and perhaps he will pass it on to his own sons.

Not sure if the blister on my toe is the last straw or a sign of things to come

Hey. You there. Aspiring author. Keep writing. The world needs your words. Every single author - big and small, indie and trad, young and old - once stood where you stand, wondering if they were kidding themselves. Keep going. You got this.

I knew when I met you an adventure was going to happen.

A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh (via books-n-quotes)

There is a path into the woods at the edge of town. Some say it glitters like starlight, some say it’s welcoming like a path to grandma’s house, the rest of us will never see it at all.