Rethinking Pink

 When I was a kid, I was a tomboy.  I wanted nothing to do with anything that would infer that I was a girl, or a wimp, or a weakling.  I was one tough cookie.  This probably had something to do with the fact that I grew fast and - for a short while - was taller than a lot of kids in my neighborhood, and the fact that I have always been a bit...fractous.  I was continually getting into fights and, because of my height and ferocious nature, was mostly victorious.  Then I stopped growing and everyone caught up.  Needless to say, payback was painful.


Pink meant girlie things - frilly dresses, dolls, clean socks.  I did not like dresses (although I had a short love affair with a dress worn by a girl sitting next to me in second grade.  It had a blow-up inner tube that made the skirt stand out like an umbrella.  She was mean to me, so I stuck it with a pin when she wasn't looking and the best she could do was a semi-inflation.  Which was not attractive.)   I refused to wear pink right into adulthood.  I did, however, knit myself a lovely alpaca scarf in what I refer to as "rose".  There was quite a bit of rationalization involved.


I am now embracing the pinkness of pink. 

My friend, Maggie.

I have joined the many, many, many knitters who are cranking out Pussyhats for the Women's March in Washington on January 21.  The Pussyhat project is a movement within the movement - a symbol of women's rights and our intention to make sure they are not trodden under with this new - and scary - administration.  I've knitted two hats - I have sock obligations as well - and my friend, Maggie, is going to be wearing one.  I've know Maggie almost as long as I have lived in New York (Upstate).  She was born a rebel and has remained one (in the most endearing way) all of her life.  Maggie has supported and fought for women's and human rights at every opportunity.  It's how she lives her life.  I am a great admirer of Maggie and very proud that my hat - 'tho it resembles more of a devil cat than pussycat - will be on her head when she takes part in history-making later this month.


The second hat came off the needles yesterday and will be winging its way to a total stranger today.  I like the idea that, while I cannot take my place beside the marchers, a little bit of pink, of my making, will be bobbing along with thousands of other bits of pink, creating an entire ocean of pink.  It gives me goosebumps just to think about it.

Lunch time knitting - off the needles.

I hear there is a shortage of pink yarn...  If you haven't heard about the Pussyhat Project, you can read about it here and here.  PINK ON!