Lemon

Smile, though your heart is aching... is bullshit. And don't bloody tell women to smile.

Expecting, demanding that others do emotional work for you is damaging, it's forcing a lie. It doesn't help, and may harm.

There are times when keeping a neutral face is important. But demanding a cheerfully fake grin is intrusive. Ordering others about their own faces, it should be obvious...

As I've gotten older, I do get this a lot less. And I know when to wear a benign mask. At work I wear an actual mask, so they only see my eyes - which seems to help, at least around those who have known me a while.

I have a potent resting bitch face, likely honed as a self defense both at home with my father and on the streets of Detroit to repel casual crime. Reinforced in the army. Not to mention that nobody wants a grinning nurse when they are in pain, they want skill and reassurance and attentive listening.

Genuine smiles, even a calm mind expressed in a benevolent visage, that's fine. Plastering a fake smile on... probably not so much.

Anyway.

Finch on a pole.



Old cat in the sun.



"They went thataway."



"Sour, too sour, too much lemon..."