Guy Day and I have a shrine post for you today. But it is also another momentous day, today, and I cannot but add a short reflection on that, too. Today, Ireland is going to the polls. The issue at stake is women’s choice, women’s equality and literally women’s lives. The country is deciding on the difficult matter of an amendment to the constitution that will finally legalise abortion in Ireland. Yes, you have read correctly. Until now, abortion has been illegal in Ireland, as decided by the population in a referendum 35 years ago. Back then, Ireland was still in the clutches of the clergy. But much has changed since then. What hasn’t changed in 35 years, is the fact that to this day, 12 Irish women are having illegal abortions every day, and 9 of those 12 women have to leave Ireland in order to exercise their choice. (The other 3 are taking illegal abortion pills at home, without medical advice or assistance.) They travel to England, often alone, and return to a country that will not give them the appropriate after-care, not to mention the psychological support that a woman in difficult circumstances needs. Because the life of the unborn child is valued higher than the life of the woman who carries the child. This rule even extends to exceptional circumstances, such as pregnancy caused by rape or incest, or babies with fatal foetal abnormalities. Women in such circumstances are forced to carry their baby to term – or to seek a termination abroad, covered in secrecy and shame. The penalty for having an abortion is 14 years imprisonment, btw.
Leaving the cruelty and misogyny of such man-made laws aside for a moment, it is also shameful that women in Ireland do not have the most basic human right – to make a choice over their own bodies. Equality means having the right to live one’s life independently and making your own decisions. I want my daughter and my son to have equal rights and to be able to make the choices that are right for them, just like I was allowed to *choose* to have my son at a time when my circumstances were not ideal for raising a baby. I have never regretted my decision, but I have always been grateful that I had options available to me. It has made motherhood even more precious for me, because it was my *choice*. So, no more shaming and criminalising of women, no more discrimination and inequality. Ireland has to step up and look after their women better. I hope for all the women in Ireland today – Irish or not – that the country is taking the right decision and repeals the 8th amendment. For choice. For equality. For a 21st century Ireland.
Ok, now off the soap box and on to light entertainment. I received a shipment of bling this week. My shrine fairy, the inimitable Kathy Jones, is one of my shrining enablers, and this latest package hit me with sparkles and hearties.
This is just a small selection of bling. It immediately got my fingers itching. I have recently been commissioned to make a shrine, so here was the perfect opportunity to do some creative testing. (If you are reading this, J___, this is not *your* RAPS but a little project to ease myself into the mood.) So with some of Kathy’s bling, I tackled…
Front and back of this mint tin. Super strong, and some fierce animal that *could* be interpreted as a wolf, I decided to leave the tin’s lid intact. And I went a slightly different route with the insides, too.
Sorry, the picture suffers from camera shake. No wonder, eh, faced with *that*… You’ll also notice that I decided to keep the tin the right way up, against my usual practice. Here’s why:
Slowly revealing that there is something “under his belt”. *coughs* Wouldn’t we all like to know what that is…
Difficult to see, but the mint tin lid came with a decoration that says “Yum Yum” – and I did not want to cover that but use it in the RAPS. Thus, the diorama part in the deeper “bottom” of the shrine (which usually is turned upside down for my shrining purposes) is housed in the bottom.
There he is. Yum yum indeed, best dish. I’m practically drooling already. Dinner is ready, ladies!
Anyone hungry? Leave me a comment and I’ll try to feed your appetite!
And keep your fingers crossed for a better Ireland.
Guylty Pleasure 
Best. Shrine. Ever!! Truly inspired and mind-“opening”…Prayers for a “yes” vote and enjoy your weekend!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hehe, and it was a spur-of-the-moment, no-planning shrine… But sometimes things just work out the way they work out…
Thank you for the support re. Yes!
LikeLike
😍😍😍 Oh my goodness, I’m all of a flutter! Veerrrry tasty! It’s almost below the belt… 😉
Wow, what a fabulous parcel of bling from Kathy. And I’ve got everything crossed for the vote… when do you get the result?
LikeLiked by 1 person
*coughs* below the belt is my speciality *coughs*
The polls are open until 10pm tonight, so we are expecting the first exit poll at 10.30pm. It was a warm, sunny day today, which usually bodes well for controversial votes. Fingers crossed.
LikeLike
I really hope that Ireland votes for the equality of Irish women. Being able to make one’s own sexual and reproductive choices is a basic human right.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Exactly. A change is overdue. If this doesn’t go through, I will be truly devastated.
LikeLike
Phew! It’s a bit warm in here! (Runs finger around neckline and fans face). How yummy yummy to have a shrine of Guy’s erm tummy. So delicious I could eat him up 🙂 Another triumph Guylty, time well-spent!
Fingers crossed on the other matter that sense and compassion for others prevails. For me, everyone should have the right to choose what happens to their bodies, and having been on the other side, caring for people who have had to travel for heartbreaking reasons, and having friends who have had to make appallingly difficult decisions in their lives, I can honestly say that no-one ever takes these decisions lightly. Women should be supported to make up their own minds and should never, ever, ever be coerced or threatened by any individual or institution. We don’t accept bullying for other vulnerable people, and this is ultimately what a No vote would be. (Gets off soapbox).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, I really have some catching up to do with Guy. He is by far NOT the most enshrined chaRActer… which is rather pitiful considering that Guy is my favourite…
Your comment means a lot to me, thank you. You are hitting the nail on the head – voting for the availability of abortion means that women have a choice, not that abortions are a standard. And that they can face the challenges of a termination in a familiar environment, without shame or criminal proceedings. Well said, re. No vote constituting bullying. Imposing their morality and their ideology on others.
LikeLike
Hahaha, this shrine is awesome 😂! You even put down the golden Sunday cutlery for this marvelous dish.
Really hope Ireland voted yes today. It´s hard to believe that women still have to fight for making their own decisions in a European country in the 21st century.
(P.S. not a comment)
LikeLike
Yay, you spotted the cutlery. I bought those tiny knives and forks a while back and couldn’t wait to use it. So cute.
A change in the law is really overdue. It is ridiculous that we still have to fight for certain women’s rights here. I can remember when abortion laws were liberalised in Germany – that was the early 80s!!
LikeLike
Think I really need a cold shower after seeing this one! It’s hot!! (But so is he! 😈)
On the other topic, I do hope it’s repealed – our bodies, our choice is something I feel quite strong about.
LikeLike
Hot indeed – a mystery, why I haven’t made more shrines with Guy. (I put it down to two factors: a) Too much imagery available because the series was long enough; yet b) very few images of Guy smiling…)
Our body, our choice, indeed. I can’t believe we are still protesting for this sh*t! 😡
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really love this yummy Guy. It gets me in the mood, hope it did the same for you!
And reading your stand on Repeal I can honestly say that I am glad I live in the Netherlands where I have the choice and my mother did too. We both did not need to make a choice but we always could.
LikeLike
This *totally* got me in the mood. Ideas are already taking shape…
I rarely feel glad about being German, but in this case I do. If I had had to make a tough decision about pregnancy, I would’ve had a way out. Others are not so lucky. I took that choice for granted for very long. But having a daughter (and a son) really has put a new spin on it for me… Choice is a privilege.
LikeLike
Absolutely delicious RAPS. Mmmm…. easily my favourite dish! As you said earlier, I’m openly Guy
Fingers crossed for the vote!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Openly Guy – forever. I was recently rewatching bits and pieces of RH, and dishy Guy will receive a bit of shrine love from me in the future.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yum! Yum! That just made my blood sugar go up…
LikeLike
Ooops, no no no – it was meant to affect your adrenaline and endorphine levels, not your glucose… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s okay…. lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow. Wow. Wow. This may be the best shrine ever! Well done, you.
I’ve been so inspired to see all the tweets about people coming home to vote. It gives me hope that not only will women finally be given authority over their own bodies in Ireland, but common sense can prevail in all parts of the globe. Goodness knows we need some here in the U.S.!
LikeLike
Thank you for commenting and welcome here, Laura Lee 🤗. Glad you like the shrine – I’m trying to give Guy some love.
As for people coming home to vote – amazing, isn’t it? I find it encouraging to see that. People still care. I hope their efforts have made a difference.
LikeLike
Awesome shrine. 🙂 I’m always hungry for Guy 😀 My birthday will be on Monday, he’d be the perfect cake 😀
I hope that the vote will change Ireland for the better. Here abortion is legal, but it’s often very difficult to have one because a lot of doctors refuse to practice it or to prescribe the pills (the awful thing is that they often do it in private if you pay for it.)
LikeLike
Ohhh, that would be quite the cream tart (with icing on top).
You know, it’s fair enough that some doctors do not want to perform abortions. If their beliefs do not allow it, then that is their choice, and I can respect that. As long as they are not imposing their choice on others. (It’s despicable, though, if they adjust their beliefs for the exchange of money.)
LikeLike
It’s fair that they have the choice to not practice abortion, but in some places a woman who chooses to have one has to go in other cities because in the hospital of her town there are no doctors who practice it. Often they are treated like murderers even if they chose to have one for medical reasons.
Often the doctors who practice abortion spend their career doing only that because they are very few. And those who only do it for money Are hypocrites.
LikeLike
There really needs to be proper, non-judgmental regulation of abortion – in order to provide choice to everyone, everywhere, both women and medical personnel.
LikeLike
Great post. Just the right mix of serious and seriously hot! I hope that the vote is overwhelmingly for choice. This Guy shrine has had me smiling while I eat my lunch. Very clever, and I love the cutlery! (Not a comment.)
LikeLike
Perfect timing – a plate of Guy while you are having lunch. I hope it satisfied you 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Still drooling! 😀
Any news about the poll?
LikeLike
We only have exit polls so far (the count has only just started). But it looks like a landslide victory for YES. Yayyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! Reading articles as I type
LikeLiked by 1 person
orgasmic..Orgasmic…Love it!!..I hope the vote favors choice.
LikeLike
Hehe, Guy always evokes strong feelings. I really should make more Guy shrines…
As for the vote – it looks like a landslide victory for choice!
LikeLike
Yum yum yum, indeed!! Great shrine, gorgeous subject!
Here in Ontario, in addition to abortions being legal, our legislature has enacted regulations about a 50 metre zone around clinics and homes of clinic workers; meaning no protesters can assemble anywhere within that zone. It is a difficult enough decision to make, I also chose to go ahead with a pregnancy at an inopportune time in my life, without young women and their supporters having to wend their way through hostile territory.
Good luck with the vote; hopefully enough people who see reason will get out and make their opinions known!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, you can’t really go wrong with Guy…
That sounds like a very sensible regulation in Ontario. Is there much protesting going on in Canada as regards abortions? I know that it is a controversial topic in the US.
The exit polls are looking *very* good at the moment!
LikeLike
This is a really special one of your “little treasures”,My favourite Guy ready to go- what’s not to love!? I also hope the law is changed,as others have said,no one makes the decision lightly, but everyone should have the choice about what happens to thier own body.Many women have lost their lives because of this archaic, man made law.
LikeLike
Really glad to see that Guy is receiving so much love!
You are hitting on an important point there – the decision to terminate a pregnancy is never taken lightly. None of the women I know who have gone through it, have done it as a kind of “contraception”. Every single one of them has agonised and considered the question carefully. I really hated the way the no-voters painted all women who are in favour of abortion, as thoughtless, callous murderers. Misogyny of a different form.
LikeLike
Yum! Yum! is right. Love the naught little shrine. Perfect for paying homage to a certain *ahem* part of our man.
Keeping my fingers crossed for Ireland’s vote today.
LikeLike
Hahaha. Well, let’s not go there, Dele… can of worms…
Looks as if the vote has turned out in favour of women’s rights, hooray.
LikeLike
Lovely shrine!
Kathy out did herself with the bling, lots of inspiration there.
The morning radio news in Aus’ indicated that the yes vote would win, it wasn’t a final count but it was something like 62% to 38% in favor at that point. Fingers crossed xx
LikeLike
Kathy is great with her choices of bling. She knows my project very well 😉
And it looks as if the exit polls were correct – the count is now in full swing, but the accepted view is that the Yes side has won, i.e. abortion will be legalised.
LikeLike
Cute and cheeky, lovely to see another Guy shrine. The thought of peeking behind the leather curtain feeds the imagination. Yum Yum is the perfect reveal.
Hoping the voters come through to give Ireland a choice.
LikeLike
Oh, you have expressed that really nicely – “peek behind the leather curtain”. Love it.
Looks as if the voters have done their duty – a great day for women’s rights in Ireland, and yet another sign that we have a new Ireland that is inclusive, tolerant and modern.
LikeLike
So glad shipment of bling arrived in its glittering glory. It is almost as much fun to collect it as seeing it enshrined in a shrine. Good luck on the vote.
LikeLike
Well, may you continue to have so much fun collecting the bling. I am a very grateful beneficiary of your bling-hunting fun. (I fully agree, btw. Whenever I see crafty bits and pieces that would suit a shrine, I find it hard to resist it.)
Vote seems to have turned out great – 68% in favour of choice. Hooray!
LikeLike
Praying for “yes” – yes, women are human beings, so, yes, they are worth to share human rights. I can’t face to be still at this point! And yes, Guy is hot, poor little tool.
LikeLike
You are so right – it was absolutely disgusting to think that we as women still had to fight for our equality in this matter. It looks as if Ireland has made the right decision.
LikeLike
Theres an old cat food commercial which follows a cat around while it’s singing yum yum yum yum over and over. Now I can’t get it out of my head. But yes I look at The Man and say yum myself.
Crossing my fingers for a YES vote.
LikeLike
Yeah, shallow me finds pretty much *every* chaRActer yummy…
YES has done it. Landslide victory. Two thirds of the Irish voted pro-choice. This is monumental!
LikeLike
Landslide victory for YES! Woohoo, so great! Must feel like such a relief to also have such a clear result. 🙂
LOL on the naughty shrine!
LikeLike
It is a great endorsement of women’s rights and women’s equality in Ireland, and I am very very happy about the outcome. Not for me, but for my daughter and all the other young women of the future. And their partners and families.
LikeLike
Like Katy Perry says : Bon appetit baby… 😉
LikeLike
Hehe, mouthwatering indeed.
LikeLike
Better late than never 😉 Any Guy shrine is great and this is just perfect!!! He will forever be a character we can sink out teeth into! .. including literally ;-)))
And the vote was fab!! some weird reactions in church the weekend after not so much… still scary how much impact the church can have and how intolerant it can be in this day and age; When you think how hard the time generally are you’d think the church of any denomination would make an effort to help or at least support people who turn to it. Baffling. Anyway, at least the law will now change and the society will recognise some respect and care for women. For the next generations and for the future, hip hip hooray!
LikeLike
Pingback: RA Pocket Shrine 274/? – Peachy | Guylty Pleasure