The 3 S's for Women

As an educator and former 7th/8th grade science teacher, there was nothing more annoying than watching the smart girls act dumb.  I don't know why they would, but about half of my smart girls did. I also remember girls in high school who acted like they hated me for no reason and made fun of me.  I don't remember one of my female teammates ever telling me good job.  Women just didn't praise other women.
I enjoy seeing strong female characters in television and movies.  But what I absolutely adore are the real life women who are secure, strong, and smart!  The 3 S's!  At my last rock climbing competition, the 3S's were in full force.  Other women taking pictures of women climbing and promoting them, women cheering for other women to do well, and the general attitude of wanting others to succeed.  This is truly a beautiful thing. Websites like Climb On Sister and books like Women Who Dare inspire women to cheer for other women.
So get out there- go beyond yourself and cheer for someone else.  You might just find yourself enjoying yourself more, making new friends, and who knows- even accomplishing more than you thought you ever could!  Climb On!  Run On!  Swim On!  Bike On!  STAY PSYCHED! .... and go cheer for someone else!

Your best friend....

Dogs are great. There are so many great stories about dogs.  I love to watch the dog's response when his/her master comes home from war, or a "cheesey" cute video of dogs dressed up or doing something funny.  My childhood dog, Thor, died while I was in college.  I cried so hard all the girls in dorm thought my boyfriend had broken up with me.  After Thor died, I had a hard time wanting another dog.  First there was Maggie, who after long deliberation I gave to a roommate who had bonded very deep with Maggie.  Then Elbert, who was stolen from my backyard, and despite my efforts never returned.  Then, there was Noah.  Noah is not my dog.  He's my best friend's dog.  I spent a summer with him during a very hard time in my life.  He looked so much like Thor, and after my grandma died that spring, he helped me heal.  Nostalgia is good for the soul.

Dogs don't tell you to stop crying, and they don't try to fix your problems.  Noah would actually just snuggle into you, or try to make you play ball with him.  He had this funny way of taking what felt like at least three-quarters of his weight and rest it on your leg while standing. He was a great "leaner", in more ways in one.

I got the call a week or so ago.  Noah has bone cancer.  I wish you could lean on me, and somehow I could save you.  But, since I can't, I say to you- thank you. Here's to you sweet, loving dog, who slobbered all over the place. Thank you for being one of the greatest dogs that ever was - at least to me.  Thanks for being there when I really needed you, and for being such a loyal companion to my best friend.  We will miss you.

Gender Bias

Girl Push Ups??  Since when did push ups have a gender? It disturbs me that while teaching PE, students  refer to the modified push up as a "girl" push up.  I remember learning "girl' push ups and even at a young age refused to do them. I went from barely being able to bench press a 45 lb bar in the 6th grade to being able to bench press 165 lbs (30 lbs more than what I weighed at the time) by the 12th grade.  My max bench press beat some of the high school boys.  Now- that's my kind of "girl" push up.