April 6 - The Feminine Mistake: Are We Giving Up Too Much? - Leslie Bennetts

This is not a book review. I've not read this book, but I just heard about it and it seems interesting.

This is a non-fiction book that looks at the trend of women leaving the working world to raise children. It suggests to women that is a mistake primarily because of the question, what if things go wrong? The three main things that can go wrong are: 1) your husband dies, 2) you divorce your husband, 3) your husband loses his job. The book apparently suggests that it just does not make sense for a woman to lose her marketability and that, given the risks, it is actually not good for her kids.

In answer to what if, I propose: 1) have a good life insurance policy 2) don't leave your husband and 3) marry well :-) Actually, for 3), I've heard there are some old fashioned approaches to money management that will cover that possibility but I understand that it is no longer in vogue to have "savings", whatever they are.

It is really interesting how changes wrought by feminism have led to unexpected consequences. First (well, not actually first) women fought for the right to work so they could if they wanted. Then society changed so economics made it so two income families were desirable or even necessary so women lost some choice in the matter, they had to work. Then some fought for the ability to not work to be able to enjoy being mothers. Now this Author is suggesting that working is a requirement for any semblance of security.

Along with all the empowerment and equality issues all I can say is, what a mess. I am glad I am not a woman. Men have it much simpler though not necessarily easier. We don't have any choices here. Our role is fairly well defined by society. We work and support our families to the best of our abilities. Today, our wives might work too if we don't bring in enough and that is now alright. Anything less is generally looked down upon. It always has been and likely will be for a long time.

On the purely practical side, though, I would hate terribly to feel so dependent and, were I a woman, would appreciate the authors stated position completely. I am curious to see if the book has a political or practical agenda. Stay tuned...

February 26 - BBQ

Some days, a guy just has to have BBQ. No, I don't mean pulling out the Weber and a pile of Kingsford and trying to singe your eyebrows. That's grilling. And I sure don't mean shredding a bunch of meat and drowning it in a sweet tomatoey sauce between two pieces of bread. I don't know what to call that, but it sure ain't BBQ. Nope, I mean big hunks of bovine seasoned with a dry rub and very slowly cooked next to a wood fire. And when I say very slowly, I mean it. A 12 pound brisket should take 18 hours cooked to perfection. Sauce should not come into the picture until the meat is on your plate, er, butcher paper.

Meat, in other words. As the saying goes, I didn't kick scratch and claw my way to the top of the food chain to eat vegetables. Meat. And lots of it. Brisket, sausage, ribs, mmmmm. Dr. Atkins is my hero, may he forever rest in blissful peace.