by marionroach on March 8, 2011
A RECENT STUDENT said simply, “I write to understand myself.” And I loved that. The world would be a better place if we all understood ourselves just the eensiest bit more, don’t you agree? Does it mean that all the people who are writing about themselves should publish? Of course not. In fact, this particular student has no aspirations toward publishing. And good for him. His aspirations delight me, as does his increasing awareness of the life he leads. How about you? Have you got something you’d like to examine about yourself? I bet you do, and that all you need is a little inspiration. Here’s some. [click to continue…]
by marionroach on January 19, 2011
THIRD WAVE FEMINISM. This is a phrase I heard come out of my husband’s mouth as he was explaining to our daughter what it was we just witnessed on Saturday night. I had no idea that was what we had seen. I thought it was just another night at our local Roller Derby. But then, I’ve been wrong before. [click to continue…]
by marionroach on December 7, 2010
IN THE GREAT tradition of she said, she said, here’s what one of us has said all along — that our mother liked the other one of us best. You? How did your families wrestle with the obvious? While we disagree on much of our childhood saga, I think Margaret and I would agree that our family handled it all rather — hmmm, how shall we say? — poorly, though after reading this piece, I’m not sure it wasn’t more that our family was right up there within the range of normal. Eeeek! And yours? [click to continue…]
by marionroach on September 29, 2010
NOTHING IS FINER than learning something from your own daughter. It’s among life’s richest gifts, isn’t it? Especially if that something is a matter of global importance. And so it was that my daughter said she had something to show me, saying that I was going to love it. I do, in no small part because it has renewed in me the sense of urgency about something the sisterhood takes very seriously: The future of girls on this planet.
Watch this, sisters. And let them hear from you.
by marionroach on September 28, 2010
BASEBALL IN FALL is as American as the apple pies we are all now enjoying in this crisp season. The sport is everywhere it seems, and has been since it was first played on the our streets in the 1800s. Along the way, some very famous faces have come and gone, and even if you do not love the sport, you must admit that some of the greatest people-watching available anywhere can be done in our baseball stadiums. With that in mind, I have two lovely places for you to go. The first is here, looking at the photo of the Dolly sisters (above) from around 1918. [click to continue…]
by marionroach on August 29, 2010
SISTERS ARE GOOD. More to the point, it has now been reaffirmed that sisters are good for you. Yup, you read it here first, and we’ve got the science to prove it. Want some sister stats to brighten up your day? Read on. [click to continue…]
by marionroach on August 7, 2010
THE BRA’S BIRTHDAY. Now there is something to celebrate, sisters. And a centennial birthday, at that. Imagine: 100 years have gone by since the first American woman said—now repeat after me, sisters—“How in the world am I going to these into that?” Oh, yes, sisters, let’s light some birthday candles and throw a few bras on the pyre, since it’s a birthday you don’t want to miss. [click to continue…]
by marionroach on July 31, 2010
WOMEN PLAYING MEN, or specifically, male roles, was the theme of a post last week, provoked by the new Angelina Jolie movie, Salt. And while I did not think of it at first, over time—and after some of your comments—it occurred to me that my single favorite movie, inhabiting my single favorite performance by anyone in any movie, is a classic film in which a woman plays a part originally written for a man. Know which one? [click to continue…]
by marionroach on July 21, 2010
TRADITIONAL MALE ROLES are heightened and added to when played by women. Think not? Have you seen Alien, The 40 Year Old Virgin, or the new Angelina Jolie vehicle, Salt? Major roles in all three were originally written for men, and, as played by women, became unforgettable. The sisterhood of stepping in–and stepping things up–is a good one, indeed. [click to continue…]
by marionroach on July 16, 2010
AND YOU THOUGHT your family home was strange. How about growing upon a “divorce ranch?” No, that is not the name of a new reality show—or maybe it is; who knows? In this case, I’m referring to one of the famous places where women who once wanted out of their marriages could live as “residents” while awaiting a Nevada divorce. Want to take a peek inside? [click to continue…]
A RECENT STUDENT said simply, “I write to understand myself.” And I loved that. The world would be a better place if we all understood ourselves just the eensiest bit more, don’t you agree? Does it mean that all the people who are writing about themselves should publish? Of course not. In fact, this particular student has no aspirations toward publishing. And good for him. His aspirations delight me, as does his increasing awareness of the life he leads. How about you? Have you got something you’d like to examine about yourself? I bet you do, and that all you need is a little inspiration. Here’s some. [click to continue…]
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