tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post2774087122840550512..comments2023-10-22T05:17:46.986-07:00Comments on Catbird Scout: InvisibleDeb Shuckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03439395710731341021noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post-84927875645622043612010-10-20T09:07:42.574-07:002010-10-20T09:07:42.574-07:00Oh, your last lines may need to go into my journal...Oh, your last lines may need to go into my journal.<br /><br />;)Amberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04680903854519503303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post-57810279356823907072010-10-16T19:33:02.717-07:002010-10-16T19:33:02.717-07:00Again, you have captured me and what I experienced...Again, you have captured me and what I experienced as a young girl in a beautifully articulated piece of work. Thank you for giving words to a common experience. It is a comfort to know that you felt, and continue to feel, those feelings with which so many of us have struggled and attempted to overcome.Sally Wesselyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06470453773515491625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post-13085556660584882752010-10-16T15:10:45.984-07:002010-10-16T15:10:45.984-07:00Same awful experience in high school PE. Then, in...Same awful experience in high school PE. Then, in college, I had to take three PE classes. I took archery, bowling and golf - because I didn't have to dress out for them.<br /><br />Now I walk and do yoga and exercise and get sweaty sometimes. I wear baggy clothes and I don't care who notices. It feels much better to be 62 than it did to be 15.Linda Myershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05706455533282204519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post-88608776989517745922010-10-16T02:33:12.528-07:002010-10-16T02:33:12.528-07:00Except for the fact our uniforms were white (for y...Except for the fact our uniforms were white (for young women in pre-OB-tampon days!) and I was skinny, breastless and teased about it, you could be describing me. And yes, I knew how to be invisible, most of the time. Since then, I've met many women for whom school was their joy, and PE their favorite class of the day. I would rather skulk behind the stacks in the smelly library and read a book or two before the bell rang.<br /><br />What I love in this is the victory for the young girl you once were as much as for you now. In this story, you've shown women everywhere how take back our power.graceonlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07600679221472546269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post-36116513660315403032010-10-15T15:42:58.324-07:002010-10-15T15:42:58.324-07:00oh Deb....I know this cloak...we all do, you are r...oh Deb....I know this cloak...we all do, you are right...and yes, yes, yes...so much courage to shine that light, (our own inner luminosity)...but when we do...when we do...the generosity of love that comes back to us (now that we are all compassionate grown-ups who totally get it) is phenomenally rewarding. BRAVA....You are a light and I honor you...Namaste!Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15349928247626849914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post-43489067886496648622010-10-15T13:36:34.002-07:002010-10-15T13:36:34.002-07:00Beautifully said Deb. I loved reading this and you...Beautifully said Deb. I loved reading this and your closing words are truly poetic.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post-80354494975622407692010-10-15T06:29:57.798-07:002010-10-15T06:29:57.798-07:00Oh, those "gym suits." The horror.
All ...Oh, those "gym suits." The horror.<br /><br />All this time later, I finally realize my invisibility cloak hid me from myself but not from others. Maybe that's true for all of us.<br /><br />"when a person is willing to shine light on their invisibility and to risk exposing what is vulnerable and tender, the resulting glow reveals beauty beyond any previous definition."<br /><br />Amen.Jerrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13063270175679985513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post-14908380208016577352010-10-14T20:54:38.729-07:002010-10-14T20:54:38.729-07:00Chills again, Deb! And it's not because I'...Chills again, Deb! And it's not because I'm sitting here in a royal blue PE uniform. (Oh, yes, I recall it, exactly as you described!) You captured so much familiarity here. Brilliantly told!Katie Gateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01264642384901419402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post-32140901089173067272010-10-14T06:06:40.136-07:002010-10-14T06:06:40.136-07:00Oh wow!! I was going to say how much I could relat...Oh wow!! I was going to say how much I could relate and then I read all the other comments! LOL I wasn't alone and never realized it. Isn't that sad? I wore those ugly blue gym outfits and I think I only showered once for real all those years! I was the most underweight girl in my class and hated gym!! Funny how those thoughts carry with us in some aspect.Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post-33686107316983545862010-10-13T19:17:48.818-07:002010-10-13T19:17:48.818-07:00Oh my, did that ever hit in numerous places! You ...Oh my, did that ever hit in numerous places! You know how to punch right through that ole invisibility cloak, don't you, dear girl? I read what you write, and wish I could have said it, your words are so much words I know in my heart of hearts. Oh how I hated PE, and I was one of the skinny ones, and our crazy teachers stood with a clipboard and we had to get a towel, naked, go shower, with everyone, then hand the damn towel to the teacher so she could check us off. I died a million deaths in those smelly old locker rooms. Man is life better these days!<br />love you and miss you!Sandihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15923693784234135636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post-75014689871574917802010-10-13T16:15:53.382-07:002010-10-13T16:15:53.382-07:00I still want to wear my invisibility cloak much of...I still want to wear my invisibility cloak much of the time...but like you, I've learned that I'm not alone. The fears, concerns, secrets that I have are held by many others. It's only through transparency and acceptance of who I am that I need to reach for that cloak as often.<br /><br />Love <br />MarkMark Lyonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05915827981541131957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post-24339947295686127562010-10-13T09:35:31.505-07:002010-10-13T09:35:31.505-07:00So glad you're feeling the community of your y...So glad you're feeling the community of your yoga class and recognizing how different it is (and you are) from all those years ago.<br /><br />Love you.kariohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10150537989886423212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post-36648135585588191942010-10-13T07:09:07.175-07:002010-10-13T07:09:07.175-07:00Wow. I haven't met too many women/girls who lo...Wow. I haven't met too many women/girls who loved gym. It was my most dreaded class. I couldn't do anything including serve a volleyball. The simplest task was beyond me. I wanted to be invisible as well.<br />I loved how you picked up the gauntlet and did that beautiful sit up. Isn't it incredible we can grow from gawky invisible girls into more secure women. Secure in what we've learned in the years since school.<br />Blessings.<br />You've reminded me I need yoga today.B. WHITTINGTONhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10362600188243508446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post-16835163006684255632010-10-13T06:56:34.765-07:002010-10-13T06:56:34.765-07:00Always teaching....
Beautiful piece Deb.
May I...Always teaching....<br /><br />Beautiful piece Deb. <br /><br />May I borrow that invisibility cloak?<br /><br />Love you<br /><br />SuzySuzyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18323394956423706365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post-89741648687729769772010-10-13T04:14:50.845-07:002010-10-13T04:14:50.845-07:00I never did understand American Gym classes. Our g...I never did understand American Gym classes. Our gym classes are so very different. No group showers. No singling kids out to do stuff they rather die than do. It's just fun. I loved it. There was no mandatory participation (at least not at the schools I went to or taught at). You could sit it out, but no one wanted to. We couldn't wait to go play outside. That's the other difference. Our classes are always outside. No indoor gyms. And we call it PE. Short for Physical Education. It involves body image and healthy eating lessons. Not just sport. I am sure some schools do it poorly, but I haven't heard of them. Aussie kids love their sport and I think this is why. <br /><br />You are amazing. Sweat away girl. And make them look :)Tabitha Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08196816108272065974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post-44269499684880741912010-10-12T18:27:07.830-07:002010-10-12T18:27:07.830-07:00I believe I had the same gym class, except I was t...I believe I had the same gym class, except I was the horribly thin girl in the class that nobody noticed, except to make fun of.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post-29121306055749629132010-10-12T18:14:54.094-07:002010-10-12T18:14:54.094-07:00Wonderful writing!
You're right, we're no...Wonderful writing!<br /><br />You're right, we're not alone. I was a thin, athletic girl and yet I hated changing in the changing room because I had NO chest. Fourteen and nothing. It was humiliating to me at the time. Now I realize that maybe others were embarrassed too, but I was too busy thinking about myself to notice.<br /><br />I'm glad those days are gone, even though I still like being invisible. I learn so much more that way. LOL<br /><br />Congrats on doing a great job in your class!Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post-22472837588077216562010-10-12T17:48:01.073-07:002010-10-12T17:48:01.073-07:00I had that same crappy gym suit. SO is always want...I had that same crappy gym suit. SO is always wanting me to "turn on [my] porch light." Kinda not being invisible, huh?Wandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17654451878235512846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post-42688799305264432062010-10-12T17:40:52.669-07:002010-10-12T17:40:52.669-07:00Beautifully written, Deb, you transported me right...Beautifully written, Deb, you transported me right back to my own hideous junior high PE experiences, from which I'm still recovering! Excuse me while I go have a PTSD episode!Carrie Wilson Linkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01586157395539583862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post-11136276992708998922010-10-12T17:24:40.301-07:002010-10-12T17:24:40.301-07:00Why do we have to go through so much in order to u...Why do we have to go through so much in order to understand? I sub in PE often and I see the varied abilities of the kids, along with those that love it, those hating it. I'm much more aware of their feelings now than I ever was growing up. Perhaps conscious of my own inadequacies.<br /><br />I'm thrilled at how you've succeeded at this yoga venture. Almost makes me want to get to the Y.Midlife Roadtripperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06700277803842883251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post-47294116774490224132010-10-12T17:14:30.283-07:002010-10-12T17:14:30.283-07:00I think you may have just taken off your invisibil...I think you may have just taken off your invisibility cloak with that sit-up, Deb. A post everyone can relate to!Wanda.....https://www.blogger.com/profile/00551160819558198338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post-62054495959946364462010-10-12T16:02:10.861-07:002010-10-12T16:02:10.861-07:00Hi Deb, Could it be we were in the same gym class?...Hi Deb, Could it be we were in the same gym class? Luckily, the child inside you is venturing forth into a brand new day.Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04984171407726520584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323372985310307718.post-7871445746910555082010-10-12T15:37:42.671-07:002010-10-12T15:37:42.671-07:00Whenever I come here I am left feeling "wow&q...Whenever I come here I am left feeling "wow". Deb I do hope many more come here to read your work, or that it is going into a book. Your writing is breathtaking and you take me back to those same times and feelings. Thanks for sharing and thanks to your yoga teacher for asking for that sit-up!Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07264870679584625362noreply@blogger.com