letterfrom the cabin

Letter for April 22, 2018

I have often wondered why nature and the earth are referred to in feminine words, like Mother Nature and Mother Earth. Even hurricanes, and typhoons rather nasty events, are sometimes  given female names. We sometimes hear of the destructiveness of Mother Nature, or the terrible power of Mother Earth. I suppose the truth to why this naming conundrum occurs is as simple to deduce as this; these forces were named by males. I am not certain you could call this misogyny but I think it is fair to at least call it chauvinism.  

As for the present, I remember pulling over to the side of the road to assist a stranded motorist. This young man had a rusty old car, don’t remember the make, and it really doesn’t matter. It was obvious this auto was well on its way to a junkyard. This young man kept swearing and kicking the car and calling it unaffectionately a “Bitch.” I wondered at the time whether he called the “Bitch”  more affectionate endearments when “SHE” was running like a proverbial clock. Now this isn’t the first time I have heard a man call his vehicle by a female name and it probably won’t be the last. Boats, planes and I suspect transports of every sort imaginable get stuck with these female monikers. I also wouldn’t be surprised that in third world countries that the same kind of pejorative naming exists in regards to beasts of burden. I wonder if you kick a mule, whether the “Bitch” will kick back?

Keep kickin’
Hilton

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