12 Comments

What a great post! I love your tiny little mother mind! I did not know about vulva badges or (Volvo badges as my phone would prefer me to use)

but in Ireland many castles are carved with something similar called a Sheel Na Gig, Sheila being Irish for woman. They’re very aggressive looking and were used to ward off danger. Glad you are getting the vaccine and I would not mess with precious Sophie and her delicate system either. Much love to you both!

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Thanks, Michelle! We learned a bit about the Sheel Na Gig during the lecture, too! Fascinating stuff --

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Oh Elizabeth, this is such rich territory for poetry, essays, life! Thank you for sharing it, I had now idea about apotraic amulets. I know you are holding fast to your life and to Sophie's and I applaud all that you do to keep us, your friends and admirers, in the loop. Miss you and wish we lived closer. Big hugs, Suzanne

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I miss you too, Suzanne! And your wonderful class that I took in what seems like another lifetime? Such strange times to be alive --

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What a fantastic gem you had to share today! (I also recently read Hamnet) What an interesting person you are and how lucky I feel just now.

Hold tight to the ones you love and lift lift your skirt and DANCE! Life is good.

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Thank you, ilga!

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I have never in my life heard about erotic medieval pilgrimage badges, so this is an entirely new world for me! I wonder if pilgrims wore them on specifically fertility-related pilgrimages? Or were they purchased surreptitiously, a medieval version of "Playboy"? Or maybe made and marketed for LOLZ by mischievous artisans?

I certainly don't begrudge your vaccination decisions, but I will say I'm glad you're getting yours. I'll be getting mine when the time comes. (No time soon, unfortunately.)

I can't imagine how draining it must be to fight this long fight. I hope you're also able to focus and spend time on the positive people in your life.

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Many of them were found in or around the Thames, Steve, so I think you and Olga need to do some walking and digging!

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Interestingly, on the Mormon Stories podcast, the latest guest is a woman named Amy McPhie Allebest who has her own podcast called Breaking Down Patriarchy. Her area of study is how and why and when human civilization became so overtly patriarchal. Her podcast is a book club podcast and it might be right up your alley.

Elizabeth, I think you are one of the bravest women I know. And one of the strongest. And I realize that me saying that doesn't help you one iota but I want you to know that in the pantheon of my own personal goddesses, you hold a revered place.

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Your words mean more to me than you know, then, Mary. Thank you.

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A pox on your ex. Sending hugs to you Elizabeth.

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Thank you, Deb. Here's to poxes and hugs.

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