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Wake me up with Flowers

photo source: www.fioriweb.it
Doesn't every woman want to open her eyes to flowers in the morning?

The first thing I saw in my e-mail inbox was this:

Ecco il tipico fiore che viene regalato alle donne il giorno 8 Marzo in Italia! Tanti auguri!

(This is a typical flower given to women on the 8th of March in Italy (for Festa della Donna) - Happy International Women's Day! 

The flower is a Mimosa. According to Christine at Blogghiamo, this flower has been the symbol since 1946, although this day has been celebrated since the turn of the century. If I had Champagne and OJ in the house today you bet I'd be drinking a Mimosa as well ... instead of coffee.

Therefore, before I suck down this double shot cappuccino and start perusing your blogs today, I thought I'd pass on the wishes and greetings for International Women's Day.

What's that you say? It's almost lunchtime, Val, and your slovenly arse is just now making an appearance online and tossing back coffee? 

Well, yes.

1) I've already done Pilates, Yoga, and banged out next week's schedule;
2) It's International Women's Day and this woman decided to take a snow day and lounge around in bed until 0900 under a mountain of flannel and feather fluffiness;
3) I was on the phone with my parents for quite a while discussing important things like laundry-folding strategies, Tupperware, health foods, and our significance in the universe;
4) I tweeted some stuff, well, mostly retweeted stuff;
5) I'm retired, remember? I answer to no one else's schedule any more.

Anyone got a problem with that?  I didn't think so.

Of course I forgot all about La Festa della Donna until I got online this morning.  Honestly, I had never heard of it until last year when I showed up for my Wine Appreciation II class and our instructor was "Tanti Auguri-ing" all the ladies as they walked in the door.  I had to wonder if it was even acknowledged in the US - I don't remember every hearing about it before (but that doesn't mean I wasn't living under a rock either.)

What's that you say again?  We get a whole day?  A WHOLE DAY?  Of course Women's History Month is also this month so I guess we get a whole month too.   

Do many people acknowledge Women's History Month?  Outside the politically correct environs of the military, well, I'd never heard it acknowledged either. (Feel free to exercise your google powers - I'm very busy today.  OK, not really.)

I'd like to pass on a wishes for a very happy International Women's Day to all the ladies out there doing it - whatever "it" is that makes you awesome.  Whether it's doing the mommy thing, the career thing, the blogging thing, the gym thing, the travel thing, the cooking thing, or the day-drunk thing like me  - things that infuse your life with passion, honor that and your inner strength today!

And for those who don't respect your journey, well, how about a great big mug-o-this: (I found it whilst cleaning out my cupboard yesterday - a little remnant from my career years spent around way too much testosterone):

Obviously in touch with and honoring my "inner bitch"
Peace, Love, and Mimosas ~

Comments

  1. I did not see till today this flower, but it is awesome! Happy Women's Day!

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  2. LOVE that cup, girl...As far as honoring women, its a shame that people have to be reminded of the importance women bring to the world.

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  3. In Costa Rica the Presidenta puts on just one more white trouser suit and asks people to pray....

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  4. It's ten at night and I'm just now finding out it's International Women's Day. How could I have missed it? I did have dinner out with my wonderful women friends and we are so tight and so loving together and we have such fun...so I guess I celebrated without knowing it. Thanks for your meaningful comment on my blog...sharing your natural highs! Isn't retirement grand!
    Sandra
    "Inspiration To Lead Healthier And Wealthier Lives:
    http://www.reallifeinaminute.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happy Chick Day to you lovely lady!

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  6. Good morning, ladies -

    @Scented Leaf - the pink Mimosa flower was always the one that came to mind before, as my neighbors had one when I was a kid - for some reason everyone else had maple, oak, poplar trees - they had this strange monster fern looking thing with giant pink flowers and it looked so out of place in 70's East Coast track home Suburbia.

    @Chrissy - considering the crap women have been putting up with in many countries, you are right. A damned shame.

    @Fly - Huh. Is that a good thing? I'm culturally unaware of the significance of the white suit/praying thing in Costa Rica - is it like the Pope changing colors of robes? (We see why I'm going to hell, yes?)

    @Sandra - Whenever my girlfriends and I get together it is indeed a celebration! Retirement is fabulous - I think about all I'd have missed out on these last almost two years had I not left when I did - to think I once thought doing 30 years was a good plan. I'd have broken that mug on some ego-male careerist asshat's head by now...

    @Sam - thank you, ma'am - I hope you drank something fabulous. Scratch that - I know you did! Cheers!

    @Michele - tell that to some of my muscles that got the "pfft, you can do a few more" treatment. Hope you are doing something kind for yourself this week.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Somehow I let the day pass me by...
    I think I'll tell my husband that this weekend is International Womens Weekend and see what that gets me (I'm gunning for some online shopping and all my meals in bed)

    ReplyDelete
  8. You work it, girl! Let me know how it all pans out.

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All entries are strictly observations from my point of view. This blog is not intended as professional commentary on travel, wine, food, or any other subjects I discuss - it is for entertainment, an online journal, for my friends, family, and anyone interested in my stories or journey in general.

Therefore, I reserve the right to delete comments for any reason, including those that are malevolent or inflammatory toward myself or other commenters.

That said, thank you for reading, and sharing what motivates you.

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