#InkRipples is a themed meme hosted by Mary Waibel, Katie L. Carroll, and Kai Strand. They post on the first Monday of every month. If you would like to participate compose your own post regarding the theme of the month, include any of the images displayed on their page, and link back to our their blogs. Feel free to post whenever you want during the month, but be sure to include #inkripples when you promote so readers can find you. The idea is that we toss a word or idea into the inkwell and each post is a new ripple. There is no wrong interpretation.
Here are the other topics coming up.
Be Strong. Be a Penguin
It was an activist era, those 1960s. People rose up against the war in Vietnam. People rebelled against the corporate coat and tie culture with musicals like Hair. And women burned their bras to signal they were tired of being denied top-level jobs with equal pay just because they were women.
Quote of the Week:
AtoZ Challenge Theme Reveal, 2016
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I’m not just going to TELL you. I’m going to SHOW you my theme. You guess.
Vanessa Morgan says
Happy Easter Monday!
Joylene Nowell Butler says
I've never been there, so I'm anxiously waiting. Great theme, Lee
Cathrina Constantine says
You're driving us around Cuba, how awesome!!!!
Happy Easter, C. Lee!!!
Yvonne Ventresca says
I was hoping it would be about your travels!
Arlee Bird says
Cuba is a very topical topic. Good choice considering a lot a people will be considering a visit in the near future.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
DMS says
What an interesting post and I loved the Ephron quote. 🙂
I can't wait to hear your theme! The guesses are awesome!
~Jess
Shooting Stars Mag says
Nice post, and I like that quote about women being people. Seriously!!!
Hmm…is your theme travel maybe?
-Lauren
Juneta Key says
I like the pictorial. I thought of several things, but I think probably everyone is right an its Cuba. 30 days of things about Cube that should be interesting.
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
Nicola says
Hmmm, I have encountered my fair share of sexism in the work place but my bolshiness wouldn't stand for it. I was the only female School Director within an organisation of five international schools; actually there were very few female leaders in the hierarchy. During this time, I was accused of being 'girly' during a presentation: I said "that's probably because I am female and am able to connect with people quite well" (quite an essential part as we were in a people business). I do believe that as a woman, we need to work harder at being recognised for our skills but if we are confident and 'bolshy' when necessary, we can make a huge difference and gain our rightful place. Fascinating post, Lee. Look forward to seeing your A to Z posts. Have a lovely weekend.
Narayana Rao says
Good to visit your site as a part of my A to Z visits.
Welcome to A to Z April Blogging Challenge 2016 – Co-Participant – Nrao
@knoltweet
NRao Blogs – 2016 A to Z Challenge Blog Posts
Management Theory Review
Elizabeth says
I was going to guess travel or destinations for your theme, but it looks like it must be Cuba based on the other comments. Very nice pictures!
Rian Durant says
Cuba? Está volao! Definitely following. I have to write a story in April that has a Cuban character in it so it will be quite helpful.
Loni Townsend says
Your theme looks interesting, though I don't know what it is!
I work in IT as a programmer, and yeah, I can see a gender ratio difference here. My two co-workers are guys. My supervisor is a guy. My manager is a guy. All the tech guys are guys. The network guy, the Windows server guy, the Linux server guy, the Cisco router guy… yeah, all guys. Does that make me a penguin?
Debbie D. says
Obviously, it's Cuba, which has been front and centre since the U.S. trade embargo was lifted. Canadians have long cherished Cuba as an economical vacation destination. I've never been there myself, but my friends who have rave about it. Looking forwardto your posts!
Joanne says
cruising thru Cuba……..we'll shall see
nashvillecats2 says
Still trying to guess what your theme is, but I bet it will be a knockout.
Yvonne.
J E Oneil says
I can't wait to see what you have to show us. I'd love to learn more about Cuba.
Melissa Sugar says
I'm going with Cuba. I watched Obama and Raul Castro give their press conference and from the few images I saw of Old Havana, the old American cars from the 50's, your theme seems to shout Cuba. I hope it does. One thing that blew me away in the Q&A session ( which is unheard of in and of itself) when Obama spoke of our differences on human rights, Casto countered with how the Cuban Government takes care of their pregnant women and they have free healthcare, free education and that's what they consider human rights and that their women receive equal pay, implying Americans do not. He had a point. While I don't know if he was telling the truth about Cuba, I know we don't have those things in the U.S. I've gone off on a tangent, but if your theme is Cuba, I'm looking forward to learning more about it. If I'm wrong, I will be back to see what your theme is. My theme reveal is number 244 on the list.
Karen Lange says
My first thought for your theme is Cuba. My second is travel. Whether I am correct or not, I am sure it is a great theme! Looking forward to your posts. 🙂
Shilpa Garg says
Is it Cuba?… Just read (and saw a pic too) about President Obama sparking fury over photo in front of Che Guevara mural in Cuba. And the last pic in your post shows that too.
Anyways, I'll be around in April. See you 🙂
Shilpa Garg : Co-Host AJ's wHooligan for the A to Z Challenge 2016
emaginette says
As long as I don't have to die to succeed, I'm good with it. Living on pin money wasn't much fun…if you know what I mean. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Annalisa Crawford says
Penguins are awesome. I'm bad at guessing, so I'll just pop back in April 🙂
Me Otherwise says
Interesting… Will have to wait and read them… All the best
Michelle Wallace says
Your theme is TRAVEL!
The #InkRipples sounds like a wonderful initiative…
Choose not to be a lady? My mother always told us to behave like ladies!! I think we were "brainwashed" into this kind of behavior. LOL I mean that in a positive way.
She's mellowed over the years…(God bless her 86-year-old-soul)
I'm showcasing blogger books & book reviews…plus there will be loads of giveaways!
See you around on the A to Z circuit!
Writer In Transit
Natasha Duncan-Drake says
I'm guessing Cuba? (I almost wrote Cube – which is an entirely different story ;)). Hope you have lots of fun during April.
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
Ravyne says
Wonderful post on women and feminism. I am guessing Cuba! And if so… Sounds like fun! I look forward to your posts ~Lori~
Lori's A2Zs @ As the Fates Would Have It & Promptly Written
Jamie Dorner says
Great quote. I'll guess photography or maybe Cuba.
Sheena-kay Graham says
My hat goes off to the poor penguins who didn't make it. You tried your darnest. Nice theme Lee.
Julianne Winter says
I'm going to live vicariously through you and your traveler ways this April. Thank you for finding me over at Ink & Stitches! I look forward to sharing all my thoughts on writing, illustration, crocheting amigurumi, and crafting with you. http://blog.jhwinter.com
Medeia Sharif says
Interesting theme. I'll be learning about Cuba from your posts. What a powerful image with those penguins who walked so long to reach the ocean.
Libby says
The icy waters of culture – I love that phrase. It's weird to think that it's 2016. So weird…
D Biswas says
Travels in Cuba? WOW!
Looking forward to this 🙂
Damyanti, AZ cohost 2016
Denise Covey says
Hi Clem! Great post. Looks like travel might be your theme. I'll come by occasionally to have a bo peep.
In a recent article on feminism, I read that feminism is only for middle class women. Poor women still have the same old struggles. Sadly, what started in the '60s and '70s only started a ripple, but when you look at gender issues today, that ripple is now pretty much a stagnant pond.
sage says
I used to really want to go to Cuba, I still do but only not as much now that it isn't forbidden… The Apple has lost it's crispness
Elizabeth Hein says
How timely to blog about Cuba this year. I'd love to learn more about our neighbor.
Elizabeth Hein – Scribbling in the Storage Room
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Beverly Stowe McClure says
Great Ink Ripple article.
I thought travel, and I see where from other comments. Sounds great.
Megan Morgan says
Cuba! And oh, it's so pretty. Great theme!
Random Musings says
I had to cheat and read the other comments, that's pretty bad I know! It sounds like a good theme though and clearly something I need to read 🙂
Debbie
Samantha Dunaway Bryant says
Oh! Cuba! I love reading about travel almost as much as I like travelling myself.
Michael Di Gesu says
HI, Lee,
I think You'd appreciate this. I was in a 20th Women's fiction class with ALL WOMEN. I and one other guy were the only two males in a class of 30 or so. Our professor was a TOTAL FEMINIST, which I admire.
But, on our first paper I remember how hard I worked on mine and only got a B (I was normally a straight A student), so I was a bit miffed, ESPECIALLY, the she ended up reading a paper from a student which was a TOTAL opinionated piece. And of course, she got an A.
I realized something very pivotal from the reading list she had required us to read…. All the woman were strong, opinionated, and aggressive, and the men were portrayed as WOMANIZERS or WIMPS!
This annoyed me. So for the next paper I decided to do a counter piece to the one my fellow student wrote. My title….
The Degradation of the Male Hero in Woman's 20th Century Fiction…
Well to make a long story short, my professor had many sleepless night trying to prove me wrong. She read my paper and asked for help from the female students….
None could. LOL.
I received a much coveted A, but after class she pulled me aside. Her eyes were fiery and intense. "You got me. I SO wanted to prove you wrong….You are a very savvy young man ( I was 19 at the time). She further told me that this paper was PUBLISHABLE!!!!!! And she would submit it to her publisher for me.
I DECLINED. LIKE AN IDIOT!!!! Back then I was only interested in my art. STUPID< STUPID<STUPID! Imagine I could have been published in 1980… UGH!
(sorry for the mini novel. lol)
Alexa from Summer Snowflakes says
That penguin analogy is great. And I'd never heard that quote before, but now, I love it so much. <3
Alexa
thessalexa.blogspot.com
verbositybookreviews.wordpress.com
betty says
Yea! I guessed the theme before I read other people's answers 🙂 Cuba sounded interesting to visit!
betty
Susan Gourley/Kelley says
I know it will be somewhere you've traveled and you'll have great pictures. The fight for women to have equality takes on a whole new meaning when you have a daughter.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Ah, yes. Daughters would put a different face on this kind of discrimination.
Ann Best says
Ah, that 1957 Chevie. 1955 Chevie was the car my fiance bought just before we got married in 1961! Wow, that was such a long time ago.
I'm looking forward to your posts next month. I know they'll be fascinating. I've signed up to get email notices when you post. I'm also, as someone says above, very bad with riddles. My guess is travel.
Thanks so much for your comment on my recent (sad) post. Heart-wrenching stories and awesome photographs/visuals stay with me. Your post is visually stunning!
C. Lee McKenzie says
You'd love Cuba, then because all you see on the streets are those American beauties.
Pat Garcia says
The car is a 1957 Chevrolet, right? I'm guessing but the last picture is Che, I think. I look forward to all you have to say about Cuba.
All the best.
Shalom,
Pat
C. Lee McKenzie says
You put the pieces together so well, Pat! I should have had a prize for this post.
Spacerguy says
Cuba is an interesting looking country and judging from these photos they've got really cool cars too!
C. Lee McKenzie says
The streets are full of them, and how they keep them running is amazing!
Zeljka Dekic says
Cuba 🙂 I've always wanted to visit…
C. Lee McKenzie says
Obama says you can now.
A Tarkabarka Hölgy says
Something to do with travel? I am horrible at riddles XD But I am all there for feminist penguins!! 😀
@TarkabarkaHolgy from
The Multicolored Diary
MopDog
C. Lee McKenzie says
Swim, I say!
Inderpreet Kaur says
I loved the quote, very apt and inspiring. I hope your theme is travel. About the different places you have visited.
All the best for the challenge.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I stick with the place I've been the year before. That makes it easier to do.
Nilanjana Bose says
Cuba? Travel? Inequality? Feminism in Cuba?
Either way, it will be memorable. Look forward to reading. Have a great A-Z.
Best wishes.
Nilanjana.
Madly-in-Verse
C. Lee McKenzie says
My theme just one thing. I can't possibly do more than one at a time.
Roland D. Yeomans says
You, Bish, and me are the same: we like to surprise people. Best of luck with your A TO Z!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Three of a kind! Like that.
Katie L. Carroll says
Love the penguin metaphor! I'll just be over here swimming along.
Perhaps travel as a theme?
C. Lee McKenzie says
Enjoy the swim, but let's look for Caribbean temperatures.
Bish Denham says
As long as we *allow* men to hold the majority of the power then we are complicit in our own subjugation.
I have a strong feeling that your theme is going to be about Cuba. I'm not revealing mine as I like surprising people. All I'll say about it is I hope my posts bring a smile, something I think we all need in these strange times.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Your posts always bring a smile to our faces, Bish.
Samantha Redstreake Geary says
Wherever you're going, sign me UP!! Love that Nora Ephron quote–I stir up trouble at every opportunity. I would never make it as a penguin–when the temp drops below 30 degrees, I'm toast.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Trouble Makers Unite! But do it where it's warm.
Elizabeth Seckman says
Cuba?
I know I've taken pay hits because I put my kids first. When I was working, I'd pass on promotions and took time off which put me behind. But those were my choices and I think the great thing about the work of the ladies in the 60s is that we have choices.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Putting your family first is costly in one way, but so rewarding in another. I did the same, but in the end I don't regret not having that extra cash around. I have other things more valuable.
Chrys Fey says
It's astounding that women are still paid less.
I'm not sure what your theme is…maybe photos from your travels?
C. Lee McKenzie says
Changing the way our culture looks at things is like turning a huge ship around. It takes a very long time and persistence.
Chrys Fey says
It's astounding that women are still paid less.
I'm not sure what your theme is…maybe photos from your travels?
Lexa Cain says
Your A-Z theme sure is timely. Great idea!
I'm so annoyed with women in general and younger US women in particular. Because prejudice isn't easily visible (at least in the US), younger women who are in college, just entered the job market, or are unmarried, honestly believe that it doesn't exist and don't know "what the fuss is about." They don't understand how much harder a woman has to work for the respect, money, and power men are given so easily. (I'm especially annoyed with erotica fans and those who're voting for Bernie. They should be fighting sexualization and denigration, support role models who're strong and independent, and appreciate how a woman who's paid her dues over 40 years and been ignored and attacked needs to finally be given a chance, especially when so many other countries have female leaders but not the US. Do they think this is an accident? Ha! It's due to cultural subjugation of women even after all these years.)
Awesome post!! 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
A passionate response. I loved reading it. Put it out there, Lexa.
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – Cuba I think. After the spat today a the tennis – I give up that men can be so insensitive. Cheers Hilary
C. Lee McKenzie says
Missed the spat. Darned Theme Reveal!
Sharon Himsl says
As a woman, I'm thankful I was born in America, but the unfair standards of old are still there, sneaky as ever, trying to undermine our worth. The current political scene is one example!
Your theme…hmmm, let's see. Maybe Brazil, but Cuba is probably it!
C. Lee McKenzie says
It will always be an uneven playing field. We need the return of the Goddess to set things right.
Barbara In Caneyhead says
I'm thinking Cuba for your theme. Sounds timely!
Life & Faith in Caneyhead
C. Lee McKenzie says
I didn't know Obama would hop over to that island just for me! But he did. Never hurts to ask.
J.H. Moncrieff says
I hope it's Cuba!
It's really sad how far women still have to go, after all these years. If people ever have any doubts, all they need do is post a "feminist" comment on Twitter. Cue the trolls with pitchforks and rape threats!
C. Lee McKenzie says
We should start a #feminist hashtag and drive 'em mad.
Yolanda Renee says
A road trip! Love it, I get shotgun!
C. Lee McKenzie says
You've got the seat reserved.
Patricia Lynne says
Everyone else is saying Cuba, so I'm might as well go with the flow. 😉
C. Lee McKenzie says
Ok, but you never know.
Pat Hatt says
Cuba theme?
Humans clamor for change, but then for many things they whine when the get it. The only way to truly change things massively is to force it down people's throats.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Let's start with some darned good protests. Where are the 60s when you need them?
L. Diane Wolfe says
Cuba will be interesting.
Penguins are also sharp dressers.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Indeed they are. They dress for success.
Misha Gericke says
I think your theme is about Cuba.
It really annoys me that we're still struggling with the same issues that we struggled with decades ago. And yet, there WAS progress. We just need to make sure we keep progressing.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It's up to all of us to make the changes.
Natalie Aguirre says
Cuba? So not fair about women's pay and so much else that we fought to change back then.
C. Lee McKenzie says
You spotted the clues!
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Other countries?
It doesn't make sense in this day and age that women should be paid less.
C. Lee McKenzie says
So true.