Incorporating masculinity into the juxtaposition equation

juxtaposition equation:

feminine + masculine = different

different= good

As my girls watched Bambi for the first time many questions arose like (ok maybe just one question asked over and over), "Why are people trying to kill the animals." I had a tough time explaining this one to my sensitive four year old as I still remember being in those very same shoes. Bambi made me cry when I was a little lass (still does) & I could not understand why anybody would hunt. You can imagine the looks on the girls faces when I finally pronounced, "You know Dad is a hunter". With looks of horror little "M" said, "He is...my Daddy is a hunter". I felt kind of bad dropping that bomb on her but that fact of the matter is, well that it was true. Trust me I was actually in denial the first couple years of our marriage about the hunt. What made it worse was that I was working for Sundance & helping out with some NFPA (North Fork Preservation Alliance) stuff. Husband & I had many debates on the hunting subject matter during that time. Finally one year I decided to be a good little open minded wife & go up on the hunt to see what all of the hype was. I was the only girl for miles & miles as far as I could see. I really was hoping to put an end to all of my judgements. The trip didn't really help me change my mind but after I saw how happy husband was basking in all of his manly glory up in those mountains I called a truce. I'm not even going to try & figure this one out but just let it be, I told myself.

Well when little "M" came into the kitchen dressed up in the above get up I thought, "Well there's a piece of Sweet Home Alabama". You see I can relate very well to that movie...well sort of...not really but for the sake of this post just go with it. You know the part where she wants to be a designer in New York & he is pretty much just a redneck, country bumpkin. I better add that we all know in the movie he turns out a bit more refined as the lead actor creates works of beauty from glass. I really like that movie.

It's hard to believe that 2 people that are so vastly different could stand side by side & go together even with all of their contrasts but in the end if having those contrasts would obtain results like in the above picture then sign me up. Oh did you know the definition of juxtapose is to place close together or side by side, esp. for comparison or contrast.

I also hope to master that same skill of setting contrasting things side by side & having them mesh as I decorate my home. Problem is I need to throw in a few more masculine items to set next to the already existing feminine items....or a few more modern pieces to set next to the already existing antiques.

So here's to masculinity....