The Women’s March and Feminism

Seguing from my last post, the horror continues with Trump having taken what someone called the “Oaf” of office.  (I am committed to continuing to find humour in this dark time.)

I painfully watched some of the clips of the Inauguration. Although Trump and his wife (I don't feel they have earned the right to be called the President and First Lady) barely smiled the Obamas and Clintons (and others) looked to be in shock.

During the election I heard young women interviewed on the news, and some I know, say they didn't support Hilary Clinton (favouring Bernie Sanders instead). They saw her as part of a corrupt government. When asked why they wouldn't vote for the first women with a chance to be the US President they expressed that her gender was not a reason to vote for her. And, when asked about feminism they said it didn’t speak to them.   

Yesterday, I marched with thousands of people I would call a new (third, fourth?) wave of feminists.My definition of feminism is not just about women’s rights but about everyone's human rights and equal opportunities including the all important access to health care.  

An Indigenous woman spoke, honouring the land and their traditions and reminding us of over a thousand missing and murdered indigenous women in Canada.

Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green party addressed the crowd and said “demagogues go after the weakest, the marginalized first." She went on to say “We stand united against hatred, intolerance, misogyny,… with men.”

And although there were mostly women at the rally, there were many men and children and even dogs.  

Many people had the pink signature 'Pussyhats'.  I was disappointed I hadn’t managed to make or scrounge one.

The Raging Grannies, who debuted in Victoria 30 years ago, sang about "pussy power" and the Mayor of Victoria, Lisa Helps, carried a placard that read: “Love trumps Hate”.

I made a friend and met an old friend and we walked together in solidarity. 

There were many creative slogans on the signs including: "Take your little hands off my body" and "Tweet women with respect" and with a photo of Trump's hair - "We shall overcomb!   

We shall...overcome!  

Ringing in the New Year…literally

With all the disheartening news in the world I have decided that in addition to advocacy and charity I am committing to more humour in 2017.

When our house was under demolition in the spring we lost our door bell. On Friday we bought, and Keith promptly installed, a wireless unit.  We were thrilled that evening when we were alerted to friends at the door with a regal sounding ding dong.  

Last night a group of us went out for dinner then walked down to watch the fireworks in the Inner Harbour with thousands of other folks.  We returned home before midnight and were sitting in the living room when the doorbell rang.

Keith and I looked at each other with a confused expression on our faces.  We both got up and peered outside to find no one at the door.

We went to bed and in the middle of the night we were woken up by a ding dong.  A couple of hours later the Westminster Chimes peeled us awake!

The wireless unit is going back to the store.

Here are some photos from our colder than usual and snowy New Year's Day hike. 

Parry Bay

Witty's Lagoon

Sitting Lady Falls 

 Wishing you a Happy and humorous New Year! 

Another Christmas

The holiday season is a time to visit and spend time with family and friends.

There's lots to celebrate with all the food and drink and gifts.

For many it is a happy time. 

We celebrated the season in two cities, first with some of my Mother's family on the Island and then travelling to Edmonton to be with our children and Keith's family.

When we returned I read some letters to the Editor of the local paper written by people whose parents were without work in the 1930's and 1940's and the stockings would have been empty had it not been for some kind souls. 

As I read these letters I was thankful that our children could never imagine a Christmas without all the trimmings but sad knowing that these stories are not just in the past, many families and children in Canada are still without even the basic needs in life. 

What can those of us who have so much do to help those who have so little? 

Our time with our family is over for another Christmas and I am sad, I miss our children.

But I am wondering what I can do, beyond my annual charitable giving, to ensure all people have a blessed Holiday Season and a bright future in 2017.

Juxtaposition

In my previous blog I reflected on the changes in the lives of black people I witnessed since I was last in Louisiana 30 years ago.  No longer were blacks only working in marginalized jobs or begging on the street but now they were integrated into all areas of society.

How things have changed in three days! I am very worried. 

What will an American President, elected and fueled by the hatred of white people who deeply resent those who are different - be it colour, gender, culture preference or belief - mean for these people and all of us?  

Due to the work of so many, over the past four decades all Americans have come to enjoy increased freedom and the benefits that come with it.  Now I am horrified to hear that some people are “hiding in the shadows”!

Today is Remembrance Day in Canada where we wear poppies and attend ceremonies in honour of those who fought for our freedom in the wars.

My father in law, Ray Lowe, fought in World War 2.  A Canadian of Chinese descent who was born in the city in which I reside – Victoria – he went to war at a time when Chinese Canadians did not have the right to vote and had paid a head tax to immigrate to Canada.  Yet Ray risked his life for Canadians.  His and so many others’ unselfish service to Canada and the world allows us to live in a peaceful democracy enjoying freedom of speech and a high level of equality for all people.  

In my lifetime I have seen how far we have come - advancing equity and human rights and freedoms. As a woman I have personally benefited. 

I will do whatever I can to defend these freedoms and not let things slip backwards into a past no one should experience… anywhere. 

The Big Easy

I just returned from a business trip to New Orleans, Louisiana also known as "The Big Easy!" 

I was there once before, 31 years ago!  I'd attended the International Special Olympics in Baton Rouge and a nice couple took a car load of us down to New Orleans for the evening.  

Life was different then, especially the circumstances the blacks lived in.  

The disparity was evident during the 2005 Hurricane Katrina catastrophe when the delays to act and rescue people cost many of the poor their lives. My hotel was right beside the Superdome where people stayed. 

Although some things have changed, some have stayed the same, college football is still the focus for many - 4 games were played this weekend.

Louis Armstrong's music lives on, Pat O'Brien's is still churning out "Hurricanes" and people are singing along with the dueling pianos.

Music is wonderful - great jazz and blues in clubs and on the street. 

Even music from the steam organ on the paddle wheel which serenaded us walking by the "Mighty Mississippi" River! 

Mardi Gras Beads are everywhere! 


People are still lined up to eat Beignets at Cafe du Monde. 

The old city has its charm and spicy Cajun food.

Hundreds of different kinds of hot sauce! 







We saw some of the remnants of the hurricane, empty lots and a couple of large hotels remain vacant.  But renewal and rebuilding is happening and the people have not lost their indomitable spirit! 

The Pinnacles

As the summer has turned to fall, in Australia the winter is turning to spring. I am reminiscing our trip to Western Australia and one of the most amazing sights we visited - the Pinnacles.

We drove down a road not far from the ocean and there they were. Fields of these tree like limestone formations. There was an eery quiet, almost like a graveyard despite people milling around them.

No one knows exactly how they formed and until the 1960's people camped among them and climbed them.  They are now protected in what has become Nambung National Park.  

We stayed nearby in the town of Cervantes and visited them at sunset and then not having seen enough, again, the next morning.  You can see why.

The Spectacular Rockies!

I have been a member of the Women of Rock, a group of 20 or so women who get together every summer to hike in the beautiful Alberta Rockies.

I joined the group in 2005 and have hiked every year except for the last two years.

We started off hiking into huts high in the mountains. The first year we hiked into Stanley Mitchell Hut in Yoho, a several hour slog with everything we needed to eat and wear on our backs. We have hiked into Skokie Lodge, the Skyline Trail in Jasper, Kokanee Mountain and I even took my first helicopter trip (to save my legs for the day hikes) into Mount Assiniboine, hiking out through Sunshine Ski Resort.

This year I decided to seize the opportunity and join the group again. Because of the ages and stages of the group members we stayed in Canmore at the Alpine Club of Canada Hut to which you can drive into. Things have changed a little.

Nevertheless we did three hikes over three days, warming up with Barrier Lake and the Fire Road, Pocaterra Ridge which was a full day hike high up,  and Johnson Lake which was a nice warm down.

Barrier Lake from the top of the Fire Road Lookout 

Here are some memorable photos.

The hikers ready to tackle Pocaterra Ridge 

Pocaterra Ridge

Me on the ridge 

Lichen on the rocks high up on the ridge 

It amazes me the flowers that survive the harsh alpine environment

The view from the Lodge - The Three Sisters at sunset


A nice end to a wonderful trip.  

I was a little sore the day after the hikes but it was nice to recuperate at my daughter Andrea's house in Edmonton.