A Woman's Place

I've been walking a lot since there's isn't an extra vehicle at the "palace." I don't want to fight over the available cars, so I rely on my feet to do the work. It's a good excuse to burn off the extra pounds. At this stage in life, I just want to be active. I wasn't alarmed by the weight gain because I knew I was indulging in sweets. I told the doctor that it might have been a side effect from the headache medication. It's always a good excuse! Seriously, the medication has affected my appetite (I eat well!) and uh, chest area. I'd rather deal with these side effects than go back to the annoying headaches/migraines?!

Currently I'm reading "A Woman's Place" by Lynn Austin. It's a novel about the lives of four women in the WWII era. They befriend each other while working in a shipyard. Each character is unique in her own way, and I find myself relating to their personalities and great expectations. Most of them are shunned by others for choosing the work, yet they continued to sacrifice for the war effort. I, too, faced a lot of criticism when I worked in a factory. It's not a glamorous job, but that's a way of life for many people. In fact, I'd say most of this region is known for the manufacturing industry. Back to the book...the author did an excellent job of portraying life in early 1940s, with its prejudices and expectations of women and minorities. It's hard to imagine that such an era even existed. Of course these attitudes are still prevalent in many parts of the world. So, while it may be a book about American life in the 1940s, I can relate to the issues as a 21st century woman. I have defied many traditions, and "according" to Indian culture, I should be an outcast. Speaking of women's issues, I'd like everyone to read this article