Hello patient followers.  I have come through the lurgy (which was gruesome by the way) and am on the mend.  I hope you’re all doing well.  I understand the lurgy, or flu as it’s being called has reached epidemic proportions.  My simple cure included some rest, plenty of fluids and Olbas Oil - it’s briliant stuff.  

It’s been an awful start to the New Year but now I’m ready to embrace life again.  I intend to do some writing soon and hopefully, there will be something more creative than photos and re-blogs on this blog.  In the meantime, I’ve been reading.  I’ve just finished, “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry,” by Rachel Joyce and I loved that.  It’s a subtle book and she’s a deft writer.  It charts the main character’s whim, which takes him on a cross country trek completely unprepared, alongside his internal voyage.  I’ve nearly finished “The Time Keeper,” by Mitch Albom and I’m also enjoying that.  It describes the beginning of time, not life but the charting of the passage of life through time.  We see Father Time trapped for centuries to endure the woes of people obsessed with measuring time.  It’s a heavy subject but Mitch Albom makes light work of it.

In the spirit of lightness, I’m being taken out for dinner tonight and I’m looking forward to it.  I spent several days hunting for a new frock and found just the thing yesterday.  For me there is nothing quite like finding a piece of clothing that really feels like it belongs to you.  For the curious, it’s long, mainly scarlet with a paisley pattern in purple, gold and black in satin.  I feel both happy and unstoppable when I flounce around in this ensemble.  Life is looking good.    

John, in more ways than one you have really made my day.  Thanks for the thoughtful comments which I will post below and thank you also for the wonderful link.  Read this one everyone, it will suprise you in the best possible way.  I honour and salute you Zarifa Qazizadah - you are my idea of a hero.  

From John and in response to “Good Women Have Their Reward”:

“But are we so different to other animals, are we geneticaly predisposed to certain roles, childbirth is one, but what if there are more subtle genes, genetics and hard wired programmes that we have yet to discover.. just because we “can” does it mean we have to? 
Certain studies find some societies with clearly defined gender roles have less stress and less mental and social disorder…
My wife wants me to do the ironing rather than cut the wood for the fire, however she will not cut the wood…..
I think we try too hard to change rather than just settling into a natural role…”

And a bit more in response to my commenting that women should be able to perform their role without being invalidated or subjugated, as it seemed they were in Victorian times…

“I think “subjugated” is a modern issue, even American Indians, Aztecs and Eskimo’s had well defined roles but I would say that natural ability is far more important in these societies closer to - “nature” for want of a better word, I think modern culture and society may be doing women no favours.”

And finally…

“I think that link (click on link at the bottom of the photo for the article) may be closer to what would have been possible if religion and society did not stifle , I was going to say women but it is probably true of us all…”

Now that you’ve enjoyed John’s thoughts and many thanks again John for sharing them, click on the link and read the most fascinating story about my new hero, Zarifa Qazizadah.  She has become the country’s (Afganistan) only female village chief through force of personality and determination to get things done- even if that means cross-dressing, wearing a false moustache and driving around on a motorbike at night.  (BBC News Magazine)

Perfectly said.

Clearly, I’m not sceptical enough but I’m grateful to ‘austpicious’ for reblogging this piece.  I commend the well meaning people all over the world who have drawn attention to this issue.  No, things are not as they seem but I commend you because you care, because you wanted to do something to help.  Now we just have to work out a way to channel that feeling into something that does help.  For me, I will start by saying I was one of those naive but well meaning people.  Please reblog this so that we do not feed those that have avarice in their motives.  I must confess, it did feel so good to think even a small thing I could do would help toward a larger problem.  I’m sure you all felt that way.  I will be more watchful of such good feelings being taken advantage of in the future.

austpicious:

Being a sceptic has its advantages. Right from the start, I thought this entire campaign of emotional manipulation via social media was highly questionable.

pomee:

Dear Jason Russell,

After being bombarded with your KONY 2012 crusade, I have no choice but to respond to your highly…