Hangin' 20

Here is a layout of Eve trying out the climbing wall at Zoo Atlanta:

Eve's Tootsie Roll Pop layout:




::::::::::::::::Book Review:::::::::::




The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. This Orwellian idea of a future that could happen when the bounds of Church and State are breached by a fanatical religious group who takes over the government of the U.S. The new Gildean government imposes strict laws through their interpretation of the Bible. Women are no longer allowed to read. There is also a need to increase the population and women of child bearing years, after having received a medical exam, are assigned as handmaids to "Commanders" as vessels only. The rulers of this society are hypocrites that rule through fear mongering and swift brutality. Here are some of my favorite excerpts:

pg. 24 "There is more than one kind of freedom, said Aunt Lydia. Freedom to and freedom from. In the days of anarchy, it was freedom to. Now you are being given freedom from."

This reminds me of some government policies that I disagree with that impinge on our freedoms.


p. 28 "We are fascinated, but also repelled. They seem undressed. It has taken so little time to change our minds, about things like this."

This was the thoughts of the main character who is surprised how quickly her attitudes about society and dress were so quickly reshaped to fit the paradigm created by the Gildean government.

p. 46 "She doesn't make speeches anymore. She has become speechless. She stays in her home, but it doesn't agree with her. how furious she must be, now that she's been taken at her word." (About Serena Joy)

I was particularly struck by the quote about Serena Joy. She went on television to preach and cry about how women's' place was in the home and once the government took over, which her husband was a part, she was sent to her home. Out of the limelight she was vindictive and cold to all around her.

p. 57 "We were the people who were not in the papers. We lived in the blank white spaces at the edges of print. It gave us more freedom. We lived in the gaps between the stories." in regards to the awful brutalities."

This quote pertains to most people. Since the atrocities don't effect us we can ignore them.

p. 134 "Let's stop there. I intend to get out of here. It can't last forever. Others have thought such things, in bad times before this, and they were always right, they did get out one way or another, and it didn't last forever. Although for them it may have lasted all the forever they had."

Times do change and situations. The most telling of that excerpt was the last line.


p. 154 " They get sick a lot, these Wives of the Commanders. It adds interest to their lives."

I have come across this in some people.

p. 193 " The moment of betrayal is the worst, the moment when you know beyond any doubt that you've been betrayed: that some other human being has wished you that much evil."

In situations where there is a reward for turning someone in, or a perceived or real penalty for not turning someone in is common. There are examples of this throughout history.


p.212 "Not a dandelion in sight here, the lawns are picked clean. I long for one, just one, rubbishy and insolently random and hard to get rid of and perennially yellow as the sun. Cheerful and plebeian, shining for all alike."

My rebellious side likes this selection a lot.


p. 307 " As I have said elsewhere, there was little that was truly original with or indigenous to Gilead: its genius was synthesis."

People have found a myriad of ways to subjugate and be inhumane to one another. The only way to be original is the packaging...or maybe...just maybe be kind, honest, have integrity, respect and love for each other. Yeah, it may be a pipe dream, but just call me the Hookah Smoking Caterpillar.

p. 308 " The best and most cost-effective way to control women for reproductive and other purposes was through women themselves. For this there were many historical precedents; in fact, no empire imposed by force or otherwise has every been without this feature; control of the indigenous by members of their own group...many women willing to serve...either because of a genuine belief in what they called "traditional values," or for the benefits they might thereby acquire. When power is scarce, a little of it is tempting."

This is true.

Overall, I thought the book was food for thought. I think people are far to lackadaisical about their rights and far to willing to impose their beliefs on others. Light reading this isn't, but I think it is worth your time.

::::::::::::::::Time for Girl Scouts::::::::

must run and make swaps for ingathering. Take care!