Miscellaneous and Femininity

Ash Wednesday today... the marathon of Lent begins!

My blog had its first birthday yesterday! :D It was 'born' on February 28, 2005. (Birthday checks may be made payable to "Monica Carroll".... ;) ;))

Last night, as I was browsing around a little bit, I came across an article on feminism and femininity. Those of you who know me will recall that this is one of my favorite topics -- the restoration of true women as the catalyst to a counter-reformation in society. One paragraph struck me in particular because it was so well put. So complete yet concise. (It's a bit Christian - rather than Catholic - but the essence is there.) Here is the exerpt:

Pick up any woman's magazine, particularly a certain one which was once run by men who promoted good articles and fiction, and which are read by as many men as women. Read there the articles by shrewd sly gentlemen who proclaim a woman "has as much 'right' to do any of the world's work as men, as much 'right' to a job or a career, as much 'right' to be head of the household." Those boys know what they're up to: The real enslavement of women. Tragically, such near-men and the Liberation Ladies can never crush the longing of a woman's heart to be cherished, to be protected, to be guarded, to be honored and deferred to, to be loved dearly and devotedly, to be a true helper, to be a complement, in her femininity, to the masculine nature; her longings to be the patroness of beauty and tranquility, to be the dear mother of respectful children, to be, as the Holy Bible says, "a good woman, whose price is far above rubies," the adorner of life, the civilizer, Godly, with beauty of spirit long after her youthful beauty has gone.

It really is a dream of mine to live the role of a feminine woman, most effective because she develops her God-given gifts and talents... The poem "She Walks in Beauty" by Lord Byron has always meant a lot to me too:

She walks in Beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which Heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

Once more into the breach, my friends! Once more!! Step by step we CAN restore society!