Thanks WOW and findingDulcinea for once again bringing us an inspiring presentation of inspiring women.  I’ve seen a couple of these now and I never fail to come away awed by what some woman have accomplished.

I’ve spent several nice Sunday afternoons sampling wines on the North Fork of Long Island.  But the article on the Finger Lakes region makes it sound so inviting, and it’s definitely on my list for next year.

"She would of been a good woman," The Misfit said, "if it had been somebody there to shoot her every minute of her life."

From A Good Man is Hard to Find, by Flannery O’Connor

They had gone through hell, and come out on the other side.  John Steinbeck, The Pearl.

It’s a darn shame that the takeaway from the story is about Hillary’s ill-considered response, rather than the tragedy of sexual violence in the Congo.  Sure, in hindsight, even Hillary wishes she had paused and perhaps asked for a clarification of the question.  But none of us is perfect, and we all say things we’d give anything to take back. Even President Obama had to hold a beer summit as penance, after he spoke stupidly about the Cambridge police.  I’m just glad I don’t hold public office, so when I say imprudent things, only a few people are mad at me, rather than a few million.

What a terrific feature, very nicely done, and the links provided in the articles are very helpful.  I love the beach, but I must say I don’t care to have people laying on a blanket 5 feet away from mine, blaring a radio or arguing.  A place in the sun for myself ?  Sounds like paradise to me.  I’m putting several of these on my list of places I must visit.

It is so interesting to me that Professor Bingham discovered Machu Picchu by happenstance - he was looking for something else, yet had the good sense to engage a local farmer, who told him of the ancient ruins, to which he was led by a young boy.

http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/on-this-day/July-August-08/On-this-D…

I’m taking a vacation, even if I have to borrow to do it.  I’ve been wanting to go to Tuscany for years, and it should be very affordable this year.  A few days after 9/11, Mayor Giuliani called the theaters and asked them to re-open, and he called Letterman and told him to go on the air and tell jokes, and he told all New Yorkers who were not mourning the loss of a loved one to go to work and to dinner and to shows, and it would not be disrespectful.  He saved the city.   Now many people are making do without because they have no choice, but many others can afford to go away but they feel it is somehow disrespectful of those who are suffering financially.   Collectively, we need to get over our guilt and go out and shop and eat and drink and travel and enjoy all the things we used to enjoy.

Dona, I agree about Dulcinea as a rare source of pleasure reading on the Web; I’ve found some real gems on it this week.

This "Secret Lives of Writers’ Wives" is brilliant:

http://www.findingdulcinea.com/features/feature-articles/2008/july/Liter…

And I could live forever inside the "Happy Birthday" feature:

http://www.findingdulcinea.com/features.html?topic=%2Fcategories%2FHappy…

What a fantastic post.  A good one to read for any one who complains about too many pairs of shoes laying around.

Thank you for this terrific feature.  It should inspire any woman who reads it.   And thank you as well for findingDulcinea - what a fantastic site, I’ll be visiting it often.  Such a trove of credible information, which is not easy to find on the Internet.

What I find objectionable is that this article celebrated 20 women who became the first woman to achieve a particular significant feat in 2008; the first female 4 star general, the first female governor general of Australia, the first woman to win a major auto race, the first to command the Space Station, etc. etc. etc. So many wonderful glass ceiling shattering moments. And 95% of the commentary here is about Sarah Palin. The election was held 7 weeks ago, the next week is 201 weeks away, let’s celebrate the rest of these glorious women; their extended profiles are below. Which one impresses you the most ? I’d have to go with Ann Dunwoody becoming the Four Star General. http://www.findingdulcinea.com/channel/people/2008-women-firsts.html

This is a truly inspiring group. Thank you to you and the team at findingDulcinea for putting it together and presenting it so well.

It must have been so hard to stop at ten. I’ve adored this woman for 30 years. Her roles in the Deer Hunter and Sophie’s Choice were probably my favorite. The scene in which Sophie chose is the most heartrending footage I’ve ever seen. Of those not chosen, the most deserving were her role as Karen Silkwood in Silkwood, and one of her very first roles, in Holocaust. Either of these should have trumped She Devil.

What a treasure that video is !! You watch it and think all is right with the world. I found this other birthday tribute to Julie, which links to a video of her singing with the Muppets - what a hoot ! http://www.findingdulcinea.com/features/happy-birthday/2008/Oct/Julie-An…