There is a big difference between being a "Cat Lady" and a "Cat Woman" When I grew up the word “lady” had positive connotations. It meant being refined and elegant. It was something to which you aspired. I remember wearing straight skirts (we called them straight skirts, now they are “pencil” skirts). The way to tell if your skirt was too tight was that it should be loose enough to show you were a “lady” and tight enough to tell you were a “woman.” Now the word lady is used in a more negative way, often preceded by the words “Hey” or “Church” in addition to “Cat.” The word “woman” on the other hand is more likely to refer to a person with self-confidence and power. (We no longer accept the term “girls” for anyone over 18) - Think Helen Reddy from the song “I Am Woman”: I am strong (Strong) I am invincible (Invincible) I am WOO-MAN! “Cat Woman” in particular conjures up an image of someone thin and muscular in a skin tight black jump suit and mask who is sexy, strong, smart, calculating, dangerous and maybe even a bit evil. She is the polar opposite of “Cat Lady.” When I chose “Little Old Lady with cats” as the title for my blog I wanted to explore what that image could mean beyond just the stereotype of an elderly single woman. I would NEVER have even considered using “Cat Woman” as my title. The very idea of imagining my lumpy body in a skin tight black jump suit was frightening. Now I wonder how different my blog would be if I HAD chosen that title. Would I have aspired to a more sexy and even dangerous persona? Certainly it would attract a different reader with different expectations. Underneath it all I feel more like a “Cat Lady” than “Cat Woman,” but it’s fun to contemplate the possibilities of changing my image.
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Leslie Masona woman in search of her post-retirement future Guess what! By subscribing, you get notices about the latest Little Old Lady with Cats posts sent to your mailbox!
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WHAT IS A LITTLE OLD LADY WITH CATS - REALLY?
(from an entry posted on 5/1/2015) “I definitely fit some of the characteristics of a little old lady with cats: Retired - check, Single - check, Like to knit - check, Have cats - check. . .I do not want to get stuck in my Little Old Lady persona, however. In fact, this blog is a risk taking experiment in exploring and redefining what I want my retired life to look like.” Categories
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