First order of business; Save the Date! Two events to launch “I Had a Swell Time” are in the calendar; April 23, 2:30 p.m. at Masonville Library in London, and April 28, 7:00 p.m. at Leonor in Stratford. More information and how to register will follow in subsequent posts.

Happy International Women’s Day 2026!

I attended the annual breakfast hosted by the Stratford chapter of the Canadian Federation of University Women. The speaker was MaryScott Greenwood, an expert in Canada/U.S. relations. She gave a terrific talk, but the comments made during the question and answer period are what I’m choosing to focus on.

The discussion moved from the state of U.S. politics to sexual abuse and misogyny in the political sphere. Ms. Greenwood did after all, work on behalf of Hillary Clinton.

In last week’s post I quoted Mae West, “A woman who knows the ropes can’t get tied up,” which raises the question, how does one, male or female, learn the ropes before they fall victim? The speaker shared that when her daughters were going off to college, she warned them to never go upstairs at a frat party. That’s a legitimate warning; it’s a caution to be wary of putting oneself in vulnerable situations.

Why is the onus on women to keep themselves safe? To avoid being in the wrong place at the wrong time? To plan ahead if it’s going to be a late night and a dark parking lot? How can we bring more men to the table to understand misogyny, sexual assault and women’s safety?

Remember Ann Landers? I started reading her column when I was about eleven. I can say in all honesty, I learned about a few ropes from her. She often said that if a man (or woman) is abusive once, it will happen again and no matter how hard you try you won’t change him/her. Long, long ago I wisely ended a relationship because of her words.

On a day when we should have been celebrating the accomplishments of women, our discussion focussed on long-standing issues. La plus ça change.

Keep your joy.

Posted every Sunday, unless it’s a holiday or summertime.

Contentment is for Cows: Short and sweet reflections on life’s complications.