When I was growing up in the 70s, there were not many exciting female book characters. There was Pippi Longstocking, Nancy Drew, Cherry Ames, Heidi, Jo March from Little Women, and the dutiful daughters of The Little House on the Prairie series.
I wasn’t a tomboy like Jo or a sleuth like Nancy, and I didn’t want to be a nurse like Cherry, or be motherless like Pippi or Heidi. And the prairie sisters (though I loved them) had far too many chores.
That leaves all the princesses, witches and bitches, plus the occasional fun nanny, and a fairy or two.
Ugh. No good choices here.
Honestly, maybe Tinkerbell is the best choice. At least she could fly and was a bit naughty – when she wasn’t in her cage.
A wonderful gentleman from my UU church, Ron, leads a monthly Sacred Circle Dance for the community, which I recently started participating in again. (I’d done it a few times when I was working, but I didn’t make it a point to go. Now I do.)
Dancing is fun, people! I had forgotten. I wish I did it more, but at least I do it some.
Ron is a retired gay man who absolutely loves leading dance circles. He has studied it extensively and traveled to many places (including Mexico) to learn new dances and attend workshops.
Our dance circle lasts two hours and Ron incorporates both folk dances as well as more modern dances. Ron teaches us the steps before each dance. He uses recorded music and always provides context for the cultures from which the folk dances come. Last time, our dances included a Coptic Greek dance and a dance in celebration of Women’s History Month to Peter Gabriel’s Shaking the Tree.
The steps are never too hard. Mistakes are fine. It’s not about performance at all. It’s about mind-body-spirit awareness, connection, and fun.
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon We are shakin’ the tree Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon We are shakin’ the tree
Waiting your time, dreaming of a better life Waiting your time, you’re more than just a wife You don’t have to do what your mother has done She has done, this is your life, this new life has begun
It’s your day, a woman’s day It’s your day, a woman’s day
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon We are shakin’ the tree Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon We are shakin’ the tree
Turning the tide, you are on the incoming wave Turning the tide, you know you are nobody’s slave Find your sisters or brothers who can hear all the truth in what you say They can support you when you’re on your way
It’s your day, a woman’s day It’s your day, a woman’s day
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon We are shakin’ the tree Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon We are shakin’ the tree
Changing your ways, changing those surrounding you Changing your ways, more than any man can do Open your heart, show him the anger and pain, so you heal Maybe he’s looking for his womanly side, let him feel
You had to be so strong And you do nothing wrong, nothing wrong at all We’re gonna break it down We’re gonna shake it down, shake it all around
No no no no no no No no no no no no No no no no no no
It’s your day, a woman’s day It’s your day, a woman’s day It’s your day, a woman’s day It’s your day, a woman’s day
You had to be so strong You do nothing wrong, nothing wrong at all We’re gonna break it down We’re gonna shake it down, shake it all around
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