being a woman

I saw this poem called Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou, and just love it. And want to share it with you. It's better, I think, if you read it out loud- particularly if you happen to be a woman. Just a thought.


Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Maya Angelou

Open all the windows

Yesterday it was 70 degrees- our first since I really don't know when. And I decided to take the opportunity to open some windows in the house- windows that haven't been open since the fall. Literally, since last November. I've been missing the open windows: the birds chirping, louder outside noises, fresh air. Oh, the fresh air. But staying warm and keeping the heating cost down was the higher priority.

But now spring is here. It was 70 yesterday, and I have transitioned into this season by opening some windows. Forget the fact that it's supposed to be in the 40's and rainy for the next couple of days. I don't care that I have a bad head cold and am staying home all day. I will pile on the blankets and sweaters and enjoy the open windows.

my latest obsession

I can't stop thinking about the person who backed into my car and only left the dent. No note, no paint left on my car with which the offending car color could be identified. Nothing. It's the most benign kind of hit and run, with the biggest impact being on my wallet. And my piece of mind. This was someone on my street- someone who lives just a couple of houses away. Probably. They could have been visiting. Or meandering around, driving drunk and hitting it sideways. Regardless, I need to take it in and get it at least looked at. But who has time in the middle of the work day?

My other obsession is still bathroom etiquette. I recently went down to Nashville to visit Natae (woo hoooo! so much fun to see fabulous buggs!) and I was actually relieved to go to the bathrooms at the airport because they have those seat covers. Now that I've re-learned how to use the facilities without one, it's a little like coming home to have the option available to me. God bless the paper toilette covers. Alex told me I can carry around some ultra-folded version in my purse, but I think that just takes this a little too far. Just over the line, if you know what I mean.

And why, tell me why, oh why does someone have to sit in the stall right next to me when all the other stalls are available? It's a personal space issue. I mean, really. Who would do that?