This brings back memories for me of the band bus. It wasn’t all-female, but everyone noticed who sat next to whom. The girl of my dreams played flute, and I played clarinet, so when the band was performing we sat across from each other. But on the bus she would put her legs over my lap, and after the football game we would spend the night at her house and watch Shock Theater (old monster movies). Our parting was a little more complicated, and maybe I will write about it someday, inspired by your touching story.
Hi Martha, Thanks so much. Cheers to your flute player. Love the image of her legs on your lap - another socially acceptable expression of teen-girl friendship that can have deeper meanings and emotions for some of us. You might also enjoy, if you haven't see it, this story, also about girls and sports and love: The Lady Shirt: On Lesbian Love and Friendship: https://strongerwomen.substack.com/p/the-lady-shirt
OMG. First the writing—it's wonderful. I can see the girls, the bus and hear the singing. Second, the sentiment—I'm not there yet, either. But it's a great goal. So, count me as one who for now is "singing your praises" for both tackling this subject head on and providing a hopeful perspective.
While this isn't singing, per se, it's still raising one's voice:
Please call Seth Moulton and Tom Suozzi, both of whom are taking a lot of heat for standing up for protecting women's sports. Here are their phone numbers (only those who are in their districts will be able to email):
Yes, Susan, good idea. These are the Democratic Congressional Reps finally speaking the truth: boys are not girls, and girls deserve equal sports opportunities. And yes, they're receiving pushback from other Dems, but this first crack in that facade is meaningful, or could be if we support them and if others gradually come to their senses.
Raising one's voice is singing, too. Makes a particular kind of music. :-)
Great column.
:-) Thanks Hilary!
This brings back memories for me of the band bus. It wasn’t all-female, but everyone noticed who sat next to whom. The girl of my dreams played flute, and I played clarinet, so when the band was performing we sat across from each other. But on the bus she would put her legs over my lap, and after the football game we would spend the night at her house and watch Shock Theater (old monster movies). Our parting was a little more complicated, and maybe I will write about it someday, inspired by your touching story.
Hi Martha, Thanks so much. Cheers to your flute player. Love the image of her legs on your lap - another socially acceptable expression of teen-girl friendship that can have deeper meanings and emotions for some of us. You might also enjoy, if you haven't see it, this story, also about girls and sports and love: The Lady Shirt: On Lesbian Love and Friendship: https://strongerwomen.substack.com/p/the-lady-shirt
I enjoyed both of these stories! Thanks
Thank you!
Loved this, but thank you especially for the physical memory of springy school bus seats.
Thanks, Ellen! Yes, had not thought about them until I started writing this story. :-)
OMG. First the writing—it's wonderful. I can see the girls, the bus and hear the singing. Second, the sentiment—I'm not there yet, either. But it's a great goal. So, count me as one who for now is "singing your praises" for both tackling this subject head on and providing a hopeful perspective.
Hi Judy, thanks so much! And you gave me the idea of deliberately singing the praises of people I/we want to support over time.
While this isn't singing, per se, it's still raising one's voice:
Please call Seth Moulton and Tom Suozzi, both of whom are taking a lot of heat for standing up for protecting women's sports. Here are their phone numbers (only those who are in their districts will be able to email):
Seth Moulton: Phone: (202) 225-8020
Tom Suozzi: Phone: (202) 225-3335
Yes, Susan, good idea. These are the Democratic Congressional Reps finally speaking the truth: boys are not girls, and girls deserve equal sports opportunities. And yes, they're receiving pushback from other Dems, but this first crack in that facade is meaningful, or could be if we support them and if others gradually come to their senses.
Raising one's voice is singing, too. Makes a particular kind of music. :-)
🎵💕🎵💕🎵