A Follow Up To The Last Post

The Horror B-Movie House, as I've come to think of it, was very thought provoking. As I said in my last post, I'm not a hunter. I can't even watch nature channels when the program shows predators eating their prey. I know - circle of life and all that - but I'd rather not witness it, thank you very much. I've never had to kill and pluck the chicken that ends up on my dinner table yet I eat meat. Does this make me a hypocrite? I'm sure some people would think so.

Interestingly, the decor lead DH and a nephew to have an interesting discussion about vegetarians - which DH was until health reasons put a stop to it - and responsible consumerism. I am far from setting myself up as an example; there are many ways I could improve in being a more thoughtful consumer. The older I've gotten - or should I say, the more I've learned about certain issues - the more I've tried to change. I am still learning. I am not a vegetarian because I could not give up eating meat altogether. However, I am concerned about where our food is coming from and how my food - animal and plant - has been treated before it arrives at my house. I try to channel this concern into the decisions about where, and from whom, I purchase our food.

I was really bothered on finding out that it was a woman who had hunted and killed these animals. Yes, I realize this is a sexist reaction. But I have to admit I was even more disappointed/disgusted on finding that one of my gender was not only responsible but so inordinately proud of this hobby/lifestyle. (The trophies are listed in the advertisement as a reason to rent this place.) I've realized that I hold women up to a higher standard than men. If they become mothers, they bring life into the world and, often in the traditional role of caretaking, are there when life ends - that because of these roles I expect them to be more conscious and respectful of life - that, generally speaking, women have been at the forefront of anti-war and anti-violence movements. This isn't a criticism of all women hunters - like I said in the last post, I know people (men, women, and children) who are, what I would call, responsible hunters. But there's something awful about the killing for its own sake or killing for the trophy and even worse (to me) that a woman is responsible for it.

We're in deep waters now, aren't we? Perhaps my reaction to this house says more about me than it does about the owners.