I feel a very strong connection to the female spirit... [did i really just write that? Bear with me, it's going to get better] I had one of those moments of clarity this morning as I listened to a female singer while looking at the work of female web designers and opening a package from a female Etsy seller - a gorgeous print of, yes you guessed it, a woman. I've always been a woman's woman but in recent years I seem to have dissolved into a puddle of oestrogen and I really don't mind.
This blog is a very female-friendly space, though i know i have some male readers (hi guys!) but it was a comment a (male) friend made the other day that made me pause - he alluded to the fact that it's all girls around these here blogparts. And i thought about it and realised that that is a pretty accurate description of my whole life right now - it's all about the girls (and i dread to think what kind of google searches are going to find me now i've said that).
Maybe it's because I don't have a brother or any male cousins. Or a present father. Or a boyfriend, for that matter. 98% of the books i own are by female authors; music is probably a 70-30 split (loving this song* right now). My home is a temple to all that is feminine and nice-to-look-at; there is not a scrap of masculinity in this place and while i am more than comfortable with this state of affairs - too comfortable, though i don't miss the boxer shorts. Why do men have so many of them? - i realise that perhaps i'm tipping the scales in the wrong direction.
But you know what? I'm learning to really savour this time in my life; who knows what tomorrow will bring. This time next year the landscape could look very different and I'll be lamenting the loss of all the lovely oestrogen-fuelled living i enjoy now. So i shall continue bloggin' for all the ladeez out there in the audience... and the boys too.
*Serenade by Emiliana Torrini











Love is an ideal
never realized
so___
make the journey
exciting.
Posted by: jfrancis | Mar 31, 2009 at 07:16 PM
I know what you are saying. I find that whenever I am working on photographs, and want to listen to music, it almost always has to be a woman. And almost all my internet interactions are with women. My house is fairly cottage girlie as well...
I never thought of myself as a "girl power" type of person. It seemed cheesy. But I think I've figured out recently why I surround myself with women when I'm creating.
It feels safe.
Posted by: Shanon | Mar 31, 2009 at 07:26 PM
How about another book about women written by a woman? Have you read Women Who Run With Wolves! I just started it and love it! Your pages are beautiful. I just love stopping by to see what you see. Your honesty has really touched me.
Kristin
Posted by: Kristin | Mar 31, 2009 at 07:38 PM
I just adore that photograph Suzannah.
I so appreciate that female only space viewpoint. Having only recently returned to having that all to myself again, I can see now how much I needed it when I didn't have it.
Posted by: Carol | Mar 31, 2009 at 08:29 PM
What a unique thought. And women are mostly blogging these days. We need to invite the men.....
Posted by: Kristin | Mar 31, 2009 at 08:33 PM
I love your place, just as it is. And especially your music, so thank you so much for sharing, inspiring and encouraging.
Posted by: margretha | Mar 31, 2009 at 10:12 PM
I've been thinking about this too - I feel like I've found my 'tribe'.
Posted by: Angie | Mar 31, 2009 at 11:49 PM
sounds like you are comfortable in the skin you're in, and you are OK with where you are in your life right now.
Nothing wrong with that, in fact, it's perfect.
Posted by: Hilary Cooper-Kenny | Mar 31, 2009 at 11:56 PM
I have two males around me all the time....hubby and son....and I have to say I was blessed to have had a daughter in my life all these years to help with the girly air I need...
I understand completely what you said and there is nothing better for the female spirit than to have a girls only retreat where you are loved by "your estrogen driven tribe" that only another woman {or women} can understand....
girl hugs to you for being so sweet and full of estrogen !!
Posted by: beth | Apr 01, 2009 at 01:30 AM
There are some things that only other women can understand, definitely! Having said that, I'm very happy with my understanding partner, who, by the way, happen to be a website designer. He's in the process of rebranding his company and building a new website, but for the moment, you can check part of his portfolio here: http://www.scofiej.co.uk/. We live in Oxford, so he'll be only to happy to go to Bath for face to face meetings, if necessary. :)
Posted by: B | Apr 01, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Ah yes that resonance with women. Not for the want of trying, but I have rarely experienced this via people-with-penises..
Posted by: sas | Apr 01, 2009 at 09:06 PM
I know what you mean, Susannah. I think 99% of the bloggers I've met are women. I wonder if men's blogs tend to be about a specific subject while women's blogs tend to be about sharing everyday experiences...or is that a general, sexist thing to say...? Anyway, I enjoy this bloggergal world.
Posted by: susanna | Apr 02, 2009 at 02:29 AM
I never realized that blogging was such a women's activity. It makes sense. When I was young my mother and friends got together for coffee klatches. It was a sacred time. No one I know does that kind of thing anymore. So we meet in the virtual world, not quite the same, but still needed. I feel the world is way too yang, and nurturing the feminine yin is soorly needed. I feel absolutely no remorse in elevating the feminine in my life. I believed for too long that it was weak and powerless. I know now that It's actually quite empowering.
Posted by: doreen | Apr 02, 2009 at 05:52 PM
I just came upon your blog a few months ago an dI must say that your sincerity is truly inspiring. Your voice shines through your pictures as well as your words and I come back now every day for insight, inspiration and that feel good feeling. I was wondering if you could give the name of the band that you shared with us in the middle of your post. I clicked on it and it led me to a grey screen and a beautiful song. Now I'm just wondering who it was and where I can find them? Thanks you for your help and please continue being just who you are.
Posted by: Vanessa Rae | Apr 03, 2009 at 04:43 AM
Silly me, I saw the asterisk and put two and two together. Thanks again for the wonderful post. And to comment, I am twenty-five, just learning the ropes of becoming a woman, a wife, a mother. I discovered the blog world a year ago and I have found so many brilliant, talented, inspiring, women who are shedding light upon the path that once seemed overwhelming and impossible to master. These women, including you, have taught me to take one day at a time and chart my own course with love and courage.
Posted by: Vanessa Rae | Apr 03, 2009 at 04:53 AM
Here is a wonderful blog written by a man: www.mattlogelin.com
Posted by: Samosasforone | Sep 02, 2009 at 11:02 AM