Women keep lighthouses – Ida Lewis
Toughness doesn’t have to come in a pinstripe suit. -Dianne Feinstein Used to be, and in some places still is, women could only expect to be teachers, nurses, or secretaries, as my friend Janna writes in a recent story. Noble professions all, among the very noblest and most important, and …
Seeking Becky Hansen
I’m looking for Becky Hansen, one of the fabulous artists who created art for my upcoming book, LIFE IS A VERB. The email address I have for her is coming back undeliverable and the publisher needs to reach her. Becky – if you are out there somewhere, send a sign. …
Women do invisible work
Invisible Work Because no one could ever praise me enough, because I don’t mean these poems only but the unseen unbelievable effort it takes to live the life that goes on between them, I think all the time about invisible work. About the young mother on Welfare I interviewed years …
Women even relax sometimes.
A few days on a wee island. Sand. Confused Dog. Two (rapidly) aging parents (um, that would be me and Mr Brilliant). Three kids (and no, I’ve not been hiding one, and haven’t given birth recently–Emma brought a friend because we are so completely and totally boring to be with …
Women sing hallelujah – k d lang
Another voice important to me, that of k.d. lang. (I especially love her beautiful, beautiful reaction to the standing ovation at the very end of this video). My friends Smarty Butt and Pretty Boy went to see her in concert last night in Seattle and reminded me of the power …
Women sit quietly with words – Naomi Shihab Nye
Sometimes it is hard to name our own truth, to speak it. And in those times, we turn to poets. As if they alone have captured the true function of art–to provide us metaphors that make deep truths of life bearable, knowable, speakable. Walking with my friend Kichom once as …
Women are animated – Lisa Simpson
It’s no secret in our household that Mr Brilliant thinks Jimmy Neutron’s mother is hot. I think he also might have a mad crush on Marge Simpson, but I can’t be too sure. And so, conversation at dinner the other night turned from Fermat’s last theorem (or was it something …
Dot the “i”
To distract you from the fact that I’m behind in posting another profile of a woman for my Women’s History Month project (working on one entitled "Women are animated," in case you’re wondering), here’s Emma’s Big Tuba Dream. I’ll give you one guess as to which instrument dots the "i." …
Women wake us up – Tracy Chapman
For weeks, I talked about it. I bought tickets the first day they went on sale. They were on my bedside table so I would see them before I went to sleep and when I woke up. (No, I’m not the least bit obsessive and I thank you for asking). …
Women make music – Joan Armatrading
If there is one musician who represents my college years more than any other, singing songs I still remember all the lyrics to, wrapping me up in her voice, it is Joan Armatrading. That voice, those lyrics, the sound. A deep, deep love for her. I wanted to be her, …
