Pigden Publications

Runa’s Ramblings #83 Tomboys and Women’s Sports My parents had me, my brother, and then a whole string of girls. For about seven years, my main playmate was my brother, plus any friends he made. I did not like the girls I met, probably partly because I didn’t like being a girl. Girls in the late 50s and early 60s wore crinoline skirts and buckled shoes and got their hair curled; I preferred my dungarees (jeans), had to wear lace-up orthopedic oxfords, and hated having my mo...Continue reading

Runa’s Rants #1 This is NOT a Rambling; Be Forewarned When I write a Rambling, I try to stay light-hearted, gentle, and somewhat humourous. But this is not a Rambling. For the first time in decades, I am writing a Rant. So check out now if you don’t want to be called out for your self-centeredness. So, you haven’t been able to see family members or a lover for just over four months. Oh wah! Instead of whining and crying about unfair your life is, take this as an opportunity...Continue reading

Hegemonic Virility Runa Pigden, 2020 His house, his car. His spouse, his kids,... His money, his rules, His honey, his plan. Machismo, Manliness, Toxic masculinity. The demand to possess, The desire to control, The need to be best. King of the castle, Big man on campus, Top dog, head honcho. Competition, the tool. Domination, the goal. The side effects are many; The offshoots deadly: Misogyny, Homophobia, Racism. Greed, Violence, Fraudulence. Stoicism, Alcoholism, Adultery. Unhappiness, Heart Attacks, Suicide. Let boys cry; Allow them to wear pink. Let young men fail; Allow them time to think. Let men express emotions; Allow them to spread wings. Give males the chance to learn The joy that just being, brings. See more

Where Have All the Hippies Gone? Runa Pigden, 2020 We stood with fists raised to the sky And sang songs of peace and love.... We sat refusing to give way; Wearing floral wreaths and the dove. Eventually we went home, Returning to presumed duties. We mouthed the words to our children But surrounded them with beauties. We scowled at vile politicians And shook our heads at back room deals, Shrugged and continued the status quo, More concerned about Happy Meals. We griped about the lack of change, Sent our money to save the whales, Smiled at the shouts of black-dressed punks, And rested on our hippie tales. In time our children left the nest For jobs leading to the Good Life And to create their own families, Barely noticing the world’s strife. We once were the golden model Of caring about human rights, Concerned for our planet’s creatures, And ceasing all the world’s fights. We grew complacent and lazy, Expecting others to do the work, While issues spun out of control; Evil stood by, watching with a smirk. Our youth stare in shock and disgust At the legacy they’ve been handed - Dying planet, renewed race wars, Everything corporate-branded. Where have all the hippies gone? To Boomers, almost every one. Oh, why is it we never learned Evil must be constantly spurned. Arise again, my greying friends, Do not leave without one last push To stand against hatred and greed. Get up off that widening tush. Stand alongside your grandchildren; Sing out your voice and raise your fist. Stop the spiral of ruination. Fading light can still repel a mist. See more

Runa’s Ramblings #82 2020: A Time for Reflection and New Action Plans As an amateur astrologer, one of the things I love to do is check in on which ancient Greco-Roman god is cavorting where. Oh, and goddess. (Sorry, Venus and Serena, but not you tennis goddesses.) According to the precepts of astrology, where a planet representing a god or goddess is traveling, what direction they are moving, and what their relationship is to any of the other gods at the moment, can in...Continue reading

Runa’s Ramblings #81 I Can’t Breathe This column is being written a week after the murder of George Floyd, a Minneapolis Black man who was returning home after purchasing groceries with a cheque. He had done nothing to raise suspicion except be a Black man. In the process of unnecessarily restraining him, a police officer who had been repeatedly reported for bullying and excessive violence kneeled on his neck until George Floyd died. The anger boiling in minority communi...Continue reading

Runa's Ramblings #80 Mother, May I? Years ago, when I first started writing Runa’s Ramblings, one of the now lost 13 columns was a piece about honouring mothers. I remember mentioning how impressive my mother, my good friend, and my daughter were to be able to juggle child-rearing while struggling with other difficulties in their lives. But other than that I was unable to reclaim that article of which I was so proud. Over the years I considered writing another one but it h...Continue reading