There Are Still Role Models

 

Wonderful book! Good stories and makes you wish you could sit down and talk. Recommended!

There are positive role models all over the world. But here's the rub -- one has to pay attention to discover them. Because some of the most amazing people are very quiet and go about their life without causing attention to be focused on them. I don't think we are accustomed to that type of hero -- super or not.

Within a year of her death,  (1920) I finally noticed Ruth Bader Ginsberg. She was a tiny little woman, quiet and mostly unassuming. She was a wife and mother. Ruth was incredible smart. She was Jewish. She was a lawyer. And, oh yes, only the second woman to be appointed a Supreme Court Justice. 

Every child should know something about her work. During the 1960's and 1970's she did amazing work towards gender equality. She truly helped to change and shape the world we live in now. In fact, I would suspect that most people my age and younger, take for granted the work she did to make our lives as full and abundant as they are.

My RPG doll

My mom made sure that I paid attention to and knew something about when the first woman who was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan. I was happy to see Sandra Day O'Conner take her place among all the men. And yet, I'm bound to have to tell you that I didn't see the big deal. Of course there should be a woman on the Supreme Court, and there she is. And just like every other area in life, she was was the token woman.  That's the way it was. That's the way I understood it. That's the way I have lived it as well. That was the old normal.  Sandra and Ruth helped to create a new normal.

Another lesson to be learned from Ruth, was that she was good friends with a justice that was perhaps her exact opposite when it came to arguments and decisions brought to the Supreme Court. And yet, she and the bombastic, larger than life, Justice Antonin Scalia were dear friends.  It's not that they just tolerated each other, they had genuine affection for each other. They and their spouses reveled in the joys of opera together. (Even performing a satirical opera about their relationship, but no singing for Ruth) and were said to celebrate New Year's Eve together. A gentle caring soul, was she, but Mrs. Ginsberg definitely wasn't a pushover.  She was mighty in intelligence, justice and character. What an example of honoring an individual who could be regarded as an opponent. 

About her legacy, she said, "To make a life a little better for people less fortunate than you. That's what I think the meaning of life is. One lives not just for oneself but for one's community."

Other quotes to be appreciated:

"My Mother told me to be a lady. And for her that meant to be your own person, be independent."  

"Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you."

Ukulele Happiness

 

There's something about my ukuleles that just make me happy.  And yes I said the plural of ukulele.  I think I've got somewhere around 10.  Some are cute, some practical, one is sentimental, and one has a built in tuner that is very groovy. I have created this darling little corner of my studio (craft room) and have curated some adorable accoutrements.  Can I play the ukulele?  Well, I have had lessons. I've been to ukulele camp. I've played with a group -- Saginaw Ukulele Gurus and Rookies aka SUGAR.  But can I play? Not really, but ukulele people are so forgiving. I have no musical ability whatsoever and no one, not even the dogs want to hear me sing. I can rarely tell if something is off key, or out of key. I wasn't in band at school. So I've really missed out on that whole music education section of life.

My first ukulele didn't have a built in tuner, but it was a really pretty purple and I bought it in Hawaii.  My mom bought her sister in a seafoam green.  When my uke and I went to ukulele camp, I was thrilled to be in a really big class.  I was relieved that I could learn, play like I knew what I was doing and blend in. I was jamming and having a grand time.  Stu Fuchs, the kind and gentle teacher looked right at me, in the midst of a very full classroom and asked if he could tune my ukulele for me. So much for blending in.

But, I have a very nice spot in which to practice. I haven't done that yet, but it looks really good.

 And what child of the 70's and 80's doesn't remember Tiny Tim and his endearingly awful rendition of Tip Toe Through the Tulips? I love my treasure of a find in a pillow of him with a tulip border.

But can I play? Do I practise? Someday. But for now, I'm just enjoying the fun of being a really bad part of an accepting Ukulele community.  And really, that's the whole point.

All Creatures Great and Small

 All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful:

The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,

Each little bird that sings,

He made their glowing colors,

He made their tiny wings.

The purple headed mountains,

The river running by,

The sunset and the morning

That brightens up the sky.

The cold wind in the winter,

The pleasant summer sun,

The ripe fruits in the garden,

He made them everyone.

He gave us eyes to see them,

And lips that we m ight tell

How great is God Almighty,

Who has made all things well.

This was originally written as a hymn by Cecil Alexander and published as part of a collection of hymns for children in 1848. James Herriot brought further fame to the first stanza as each became the title for his beloved books about his experience as a country veterinarian.

I fell in love with those books as a middle schooler and it delighted my inner and outer animals lover and appreciator of God's amazing creativity in all things. 

Many years later, I am now rereading them.  What a delightful adventure for any animal lover.