I just recently come across this and couldn’t agree with it more. Perhaps more of us should ponder this approach to living.
Food for thought…
Celebrate International Women’s Day
Each year on March 8th is the day we celebrate International Women’s Day around the globe. Women from all countries, of all races and of all ages participate in the celebrations.
We celebrate how far women have come in achieving economic, political and social equality and recognize how far we yet have to go. The struggles we as women face are far from over. They may be less intense for some of us yet a matter of personal freedom and basic human rights for others.
The International Women’s Day has its roots in the fight for voting rights and goes back to 1909. According to Wikipedia.org,
“The earliest Women’s Day observance was held on February 28, 1909, in New York; it was organized by the Socialist Party of America in remembrance of the 1908 strike of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union.[3] There was no specific strike happening on March 8, despite later claims.[4]
In August 1910, an International Women’s Conference was organized to precede the general meeting of the Socialist Second International in Copenhagen, Denmark. Inspired in part by the American socialists, German Socialist Luise Zietz proposed the establishment of an annual ‘International Woman’s Day’ (singular) and was seconded by fellow socialist and later communist leader Clara Zetkin, although no date was specified at that conference.[5][6]
Delegates (100 women from 17 countries) agreed with the idea as a strategy to promote equal rights, including suffrage, for women.[7] The following year, on March 19, 1911, IWD was marked for the first time, by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland.[3]
In the Austro-Hungarian Empire alone, there were 300 demonstrations.[5] In Vienna, women paraded on the Ringstrasse and carried banners honouring the martyrs of the Paris Commune.[5] Women demanded that women be given the right to vote and to hold public office. They also protested against employment sex discrimination.[2] Americans continued to celebrate National Women’s Day on the last Sunday in February.[5]
In 1913 Russian women observed their first International Women’s Day on the last Sunday in February (by Julian calendar then used in Russia)[4] Although there were some women-led strikes, marches, and other protests in the years leading up to 1914, none of them happened on March 8.[4]
In 1914 International Women’s Day was held on March 8, possibly because that day was a Sunday, and now it is always held on March 8 in all countries.[4]
The 1914 observance of the Day in Germany was dedicated to women’s right to vote, which German women did not win until 1918.[4][8 “
You can read more about the history and celebration of this wonderful day at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Women%27s_Day
I feel very fortunate and grateful that I live in a country where I have the right to vote, to work and to be who I choose to be. As a woman I enjoy a degree of personal freedom and saftey not know to all women in other parts of the world.
And yes, I know that things are not perfect here…
Happy International Women’s Day to all you beautiful women out there – You hold up half the sky…!
Stop Calling Me Honey, Please!
Recently, both of my parents managed to end up in the hospital… flu and a broken bone. After a few days in the hospital they moved to a “rehab facility” to speed up their recovery before returning to their home. Luckily, both are making good progress and they should be able to return home soon.
Both of my parents (and myself) are most appreciative of the help and support they are receiving during this ordeal:
- wonderful support from my sister and from all of their friends
- expert care and assistance from staff at the hospital and the rehab facility
It takes a lot of attention and care to get someone back on their feet – this is probably even more the case if people are in their 80s and 90s, as my parents are.
While in the rehab facility, my parents are fortunate enough to be staying in the same room, which reduces some of the “discomfort’ that comes with being away from your home and your day to day routine.
Let’s face it, it’s hard for anyone to be away from home and even more so if it’s unexpected! [Read more…]
Retirement In America – “Broken Eggs”
Yahoo finance today discussed the film “Broken Eggs”.The 80 minute film covers the looming retirement crisis in America, primarily affecting Baby Boomers -US!
Daily, roughly 10,000 baby boomers are stepping into retirement, reaching their retirement years. Many are not adequately prepared and are primarily relying on income from their social security.
According to experts, retirement should be funded via 3 primary vehicles:
- Social security
- Pensions
- Personal savings
Experts in the film compared this 3 pronged approach to a 3 legged stool. Sturdy and solid until you take one of the legs away and the stool will shake, tumble and eventually collapse.
Social Security
Most experts predict that social security will not last and is headed toward bankruptcy. The prediction is that this will happen sooner than later and some say that the system already is bankrupt!). [Read more…]
Why Not Plan a Bike Tour for Your Next Vacation?
Are you an avid cyclist or are you considering getting into the sport? Whichever it may be, biking is a lot of fun and offers many benefits. It’s versatile, healthy and you can cycle just about anywhere and anytime! How can you beat that?
So why not take your passion on the road? Pun intended… LOL!
Have you considered taking your next vacation as a biking adventure? Needless to say, you want to go somewhere more beautiful than average. After all, your bike tour should be worthwhile your time and effort. At the same token, you want to choose a place offering safety and some degree of creature comfort!
What follows is a short list of places around the world known for gorgeous views and scenery, particularly as you make your way through the country side on a bike. If you’re new to the biking world and want insights into some of the beautiful places you can bike, why not try one of these bike tour destination spots. This should give you some ideas.
Taiwan is world-renown for its beautiful mountain views, crystal clear blue oceans, white sandy beaches, and steep mountains. Taiwan’s mountain ranges by themselves are enough to make you want to pack up and head out right now!
But Taiwan is great for more than just biking; it’s good for surfing, swimming, parasailing, jet skiing, and more! However, if you’re more of a beginning biker or look forward to a more relaxing biking vacation, Taiwan may not be the way to go. The country has many steep mountains and may offer rather rugged terrain. In short, it’s not every body’s cup of tea.
Next up on the list is France. France is beautiful, filled with lots of culture and unique landmarks. Yes, there is a reason they host the most famous bike race in France!
Whenever you take a bike tour in France, you’re sure to get exactly what you pay for. Most tours are fit for a king (or queen) and are jam packed with luxurious trips to the most famous vineyards and villages in France.
Going on a bike tour in France or somewhere close by would be fit for either a beginner or a moderate level biker because they have some of the mildest and calmest routes available. So pack a camera and get ready for a time you’re sure to remember!
Heading over to North America, the most gorgeous and romantic place to bike has to be in California. One of the largest states in the USA, California boasts ocean views to die for, vineyards that go on for miles, redwood forests that take your breath away, and mountain views comparable to Taiwan’s.
California’s terrain is best suited for moderate to advanced bikers, as the tours generally go on for an extended period of time and can really take the wind out of you if you’re ill prepared. California bike tours are a great way to vacation with your spouse and let your mind wander due to the romantic sun draping itself across the Pacific and the five-star views you will see.
Ireland is also a great destination for bike touring. The island is green for miles and will leave you feeling a little magical. The sight of the uninhabited countryside alone will convince you that you have the luck of the Irish in you. The meals there are wonderfully prepared and contain more Irish culture than you can imagine.
The above places are some of the most popular destinations for bike excursions. But really, there are endless places to consider when you’re planning a bike tour in the future.
Check with a travel company or a specialty tour company to find out what routes they offer and then choose a tour catering to your likes and your physical capabilities as a cyclist.
Happy Trails!