Lifted and Separated

In life...makes you want to sit down, stir your gin and tonic, er, tea, huh?...we womens suffer many travails and are subjected to multiple forms of torture, in order to help men maintain the ILLusion that they can control us.

You might think that the bra is one of those devices, like chastity belts, that men invented to make us suffer for their sake. (Well, I think the underwire bra was invented by men.) But I would tend to disagree. Just jog braless, then you'll understand. Besides, I have had such fun buying cheesy underwear for my own entertainment. Especially when I worked in corporate America. Knowing that what I was wearing under my suit was either nasty crotchless underwear or hilarious cartoon cottons, always helped me make it through one more inane, insane day at the office. "Why yes, Mr. Ogledorfth, I did read your 18-page memo." And if only you could see my Virgin Mary thong, your life would be so much better. Maybe you'd even have a life, Mr. Ogledorfth.

I bet I'm not the only one who has purchased cheap 'n nasty lingerie at the great French store in America, Target (Tarjay to you buster), but I know there is only a small, elite group of you who have ever had the pleasure of buying undies at The Wow Mart. In addition to red and black lace bra and panty sets for $5, they have black fishnet crotchless body suits, baybay.

Anyway...I digress. I'm talking about undies because I have this lovely, lacey friend named Olga, who did not come from Target, nor did she hail from The Wow Mart. She isn't cheap. She's big 'n busty 'n beautiful, and she, like me, travels the world. I'm talking about Olga, The Traveling Bra. Shawn, her keeper, ain't too bad herself. (She's one of those five gorgeous women in the photos.)

Olga recently bestowed me with the You Make Me Smile award. And I am grateful. I think that laughter cures many ills, and so I like the idea that through my writing, I can make people smile. I hope that they will guffaw from time to time as well. Maybe spit their drink out over their keyboard. Maybe roll on the floor. OK, perhaps that's too much to ask, but I shall keep trying.

It is traditional to pass this award on, to other people (and inanimate objects) who make me smile. In passing it along, there is no requirement of the recipients to pass it on as well. I just want to personally thank as many people as I can for connecting with me in the bloggesphere, and well, making me smile:

• The Wishful Writer - Heather doesn't look gay, but I am hoping she will bring her comfortable shoes when she and April come to visit me in Paris.
• Momma Mia Mea Culpa - This hot momma of an adorable son has some interesting stories to tell about her past. She is deeply involved in the present, and her future is full of love, luck, health, wealth and peace (if I keep declaring that for her, and she keeps declaring it for me, then we will both eventually believe it. Love you Mel.)
• Hungry Mother - A retired professor who lives near the beach in New Jersey. He tells tales of Philadelphia that bring back great memories for me. He and his wife took a big risk to quit their jobs and move to the beach, and everything turned out all right. He has encouraged me when I start to feel afraid for my undefined future. I am grateful for that.
• CoffeeSister and her pardner-in-crime Rhodester - These folks are new friends, and have been on their own find-a-home journey. She makes me smile (and drink) deep. He makes me smile wide. He also almost killed Gwyneth Paltrow.
• Frog The Dog - Helen McGlasson is the delightful author and illustrator of this blog and of children's books. She's also become my pal, and some day, one of us will take the chunnel and cross the great waters to see each other. Or maybe we can meet somewhere in the middle. I encourage you to visit The Frog Shop if you want fun gifts for children this Christmas. Her books are also available on Amazon here and here.