Monday 12 November 2007

Me and My Girl


The above picture was taken on Saturday at Agility Class Two - Moll running towards her Mum. (I'm the one in the red coat. The other one is Lisa, one of the people who runs the classes.) The photographer couldn’t get too near but you get the gist.

In the papers over the weekend came the news that curvy women are more intelligent and are more likely to give birth to brighter children.

Have you noticed that these sort of pieces are always preceded by “scientists say” – though in a piece like this, it doesn’t say who these scientists are. Mind you, I’m not surprised. I wouldn’t particularly like to be renowned for discovering such a thing. Wouldn’t win you the Nobel Peace Prize, would it?

But I doubt the authenticity of this news as I can think of loads of examples to disprove it.

The first one is my mother who is tiny – she just peeks above five foot on a good day when she’s wearing heels, and no way would you say she’s curvy. But – and here I can boast – she’s a member of Mensa.

She evidently didn’t pass her brain cells on to her children, but that’s through no fault of her own I’m sure. Perhaps her Mensa cells got stuck somewhere in her womb?

As for her offspring – well, I’ve got my mother’s build though I’m six inches taller and my brothers take after their father who was a six foot plus rugger player.

When it comes to children, my nephews and nieces are far from stupid. Sadly, we don’t have any children, but as Himself keeps telling everyone, “Mollie’s very bright, you know.”

22 comments:

Akelamalu said...

Mollie looks like she's really enjoying herself!

My Mum was only tiny and I'm a genious (I wish), well not stupid anyway. I wonder how much of a grant these scientists were given to come up with that hairbrained result?

Flowerpot said...

ak - I know, it makes you shudder to think doesnt it? Thousands of pounds I should think. Sigh....!

Cornish Dreamer said...

Yes, I was going to say that Mollie looks like she had a great time.

The problem with these investigations is that it only looks at one factor at a time. There might be something else that's influencing the results and not just size. I wouldn't want my name labelled to such a study either!

Anonymous said...

You always seem incredibly bright to me. I'm very curvy! I would love to know who the scientists are!

Crystal xx

Flowerpot said...

RT - yes, Moll had a great time though they all the dogs get incredibly over excited! And boy is it exhausting!

Crystal - well if you're curvy then that's why you and Amy are so bright!

laurie said...

well, maybe not EVERY SINGLE curvy woman is smarter. but i like to think that, for the most part, we are.

not that i'm "curvy." just what you might call "sturdy."

for intelligence purposes, i'm going to assume it's the same thing.

i love the picture. i really think i need to get riley into some of these classes.

Flowerpot said...

laurie - so we're all bright, us bloggers. Thin or curvy. OK?!! And yes, I'm sure Riley would love agility.

KellytheCulinarian said...

Cool photos!

the rotten correspondent said...

I'm catching up after being away. Mollie really does look like she's having a blast.

I'm so sorry about the rejection letter, and although I know how easy it is to say hang in there - Hang in there.

Good things are sure to be coming your way. You've worked too hard for it not to happen.

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

I don't know where I am on the slim/curvy spectrum. Used to be slim, now less so. Children are very bright (they are adult now so i feel I can say it more freely than when they were little because it is clearly true!).

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

I think the article said it was the waist/hips ratio that matters, so your tiny mother probably had a tiny waist. I must get Jake into these classes. Mollie looks like she's having a blast.

bichonpawz said...

Your dog is very, very cute!!! And Agility! I'd love to get into that....but I personally am not that energetic, yet! I'm hoping...someday!

laurie said...

hey, flowerpot--i've tagged you for a meme.
see my blog.

Lane Mathias said...

i think these scientists have way too much time on their hands. You'd think there are far more important areas to research.

Loving Mollie and her flying leap:-)

Mid-lifer said...

Well, think how much MORE intelligent your mum could have been if she were curvy!!

Honestly, these findings are ridiculous. For instance - define 'curvy' - how curvy do you have to be to be intelligent. Is it a case of the more curvy you are the brighter you get? and what's the difference between curvy and fat? Maybe the respondents in the study just ate more as infants when the brain was growing, or maybe, just maybe, it's got nothing to do with curves at all but another one of those crazy statistical correlations that people try to make something out of.
huh!

Flowerpot said...

kelly - good to meet you and please call this way again!

correspondent - thanks indeed for that very heart warming message. I feel very consoled. Really.

elizabethm - I think most of us fall into that category of used to be slim now less so. Menopause here we come (in my case!)

Flowerpot said...

wakeup - yes you're right. My mum did have a tiny waist. I'm sure Jake would love agility classes but in ours they have to be a certain age and have achieved a level of training - worth checking.

bermudabluz - good to meet you and hope to see you again. Agility is such fun you don't notice it's hard work!

Flowerpot said...

laurie - thanks I'll take a look!

Flowerpot said...

lane - I quite agree. Why don't they spend money on research where its needed? Cancer or something?

Mid-lifer - I quite agree. Crazy. Though my mother's quite intelligent enough thanks - I couldn't take any more!

Philipa said...

Looks like fun!

But I have to say I hate these statistics, spouted by journlaists usually and as you say, what was the sampling? The age group? The geography - is there any trend in that area or are those with curvier figures outsiders and more likely to have avoided inbredding in the area, is there a trend due to race? Is there a cultural trend - are the curvier ones vegetarians? Are the slimmer ones vegetarians? Do all the slim ones considered smoke? Are the slim ones the poor ones and send their kids to the local comp? Or are the slim ones the rich ones who send their kids to private schools after spending no time with them at all teaching them things? I mean there are just so many variables the findings mean nothing really! Unless of course you work for the daily Mail.

Philipa said...

And how do they define intelligent? I've got two degrees and working on a third yet am single because my choice of men is dire - how intelligent is that? Academic yes but sometimes, compared to visiting girlfriends with loving husbands and more affluent homes, I just don't feel I'm very bright! Perhaps I'm not curvy enough, I should eat more donuts and all will be well :~}

Flowerpot said...

philipa - I know, a senseless survey I think and what a waste of money! I had lousy taste in men until I met Himself when I was 38 if thats any comfort. He was 56 then so hope for us all....