So, I had this conversation tonight, on the brink of the investiture of the first woman as PB, with my five year old granddaughter, MacKenna Jane."Umm . .Nana? Umm . . . er . . . can I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"Umm . . Nana? Umm . . . What is a PB?"
"PB stands for Presiding Bishop, darling. Why do you ask?"
"Because you are pretty excited about this PB."
"Well, yes, I suppose I am."
"Why, Nana? Why are you so excited?"
"Why am I excited?"
"Yes, Nana. What's so exciting about a PB?"
"Well, Mackie, I'm not actually excited about a PB. PB's are usually not very exciting people. I'm excited because this is the first time a woman has ever been elected PB."
"Really?"
"Yes, my darling"
"And, that's why you're so excited?"
"Why yes, of course. Don't you think that's exciting?"
"Well, yes. Actually, the first time for anything usually is pretty exciting, I think."
"So, now you understand why I'm so excited?"
"Ummm. . . . yes . . .but, ummm . . Nana?"
"Yes?"
"Umm . . . . well, see? (Deep sigh . . . long dramatic pause for effect) Well . . . um . . .See? She may be the first, but she won't be the last."
"Oh. Oh, my goodness! You may be right. Oh, that's even more exciting."
(Gales of giggles)
"Nana?"
"Yes?"
"You're too silly."
"Well, I suppose I am."
My, you're a handsome woman.
ReplyDeleteI can only reiterate that under my shallow, but basically more honest, method of selecting any candidate for a job, you would have got it. No doubt, it would have been you.
Mind you, Katharine doesn't exactly try to impress. She has a nice face, but talk about dowdy. I think she ought to sack her stylist and get a new one with a bit more imagination.
Do you know where I get the application form from?
You British certainly have your way with the language.
ReplyDeleteIn America, where we speak English, "handsome" is an adjective reserved for that which is percieved as male.
Handsome man. Handsome wallet. Handsome salary.
"Pretty" is an adjective generally reserved for that which is percieved as female.
Pretty woman. Pretty penny. Pretty nice.
So, to be a "handsome woman" is - Oh, I don't know - sort of liberating in a way.
I love it, actually.
So, thank you, darling.
And, when I find the application form for you to apply to be the stylist for +KJS, I'll send it right along.
In the meantime, I need a wee bit of assistance picking out my Christmas ensemble.
I usually take fashion advice only from gay men, but I think you are mad enough to have earned honorary status.
I do adore you, and should I ever loose favor with the Lord and get called into . . . "Higher Service" . . . you shall be the first appointment to my staff.
I shall hire you as Canon Theologian, Court Fool, and Stylist Extraordinnaire.
"Handsome" is a word employed to say that a person is very attractive when that person is far too worthy of respect to be called cute, pretty or a looker. Therefore, it tends to be reserved for people mature in years and employed by people mature in years but only in a respectful way. It doesn't just describe looks, it also infers standing, moral strength, that sort of thing. It's the sort of word you would use if you wanted to state that somebody is beautiful without inferring any further commitment or improper undertones to your statement.
ReplyDeleteAh, and now the whole world knows why you are quite med amd why I am quite madly in love with you.
ReplyDeleteA memo to my congregation: Should I ever have the urge to run away from home, you shall know where to find me.
I'll be with Mad Priest and his beloved wife. Eating scones and sipping tea and wringing our hands about the state of "Mother Church."