My mom idolizes Jackie Kennedy. I assumed this was because, as a journalist in the 60s and 70s, she wrote or edited innumerable stories about Jackie’s life, wardrobe, and shoe size (which is surprisingly large, my mama, Joanie, tells me). On our visits to New York she would point out the apartment near the Metropolitan…
The Liminal Stage
The Dolphins Ate My Workout
I know, dolphins are a friend to mankind. But I’m a little achy today because I did not get my fabulous prenatal pilates Wednesday workout in yesterday. And it’s not because I was lying on the couch eating frozen custard (two of my favorite pregnancy pastimes). It’s because my great Pilates instructor, Kim, took off…
The Lost Summer
I never want to be one of those mothers who rails on and on about what she gave up for her kids (her career, say, or her 22-inch waistline). First, of all, because I think it’s not very nice to put that kind of responsibility on your children, who, let’s face it, didn’t ask to…
Have Ipod, Will Give Birth
All the baby books, websites, and ads for childbirth prep classes that I read tend to harrumph, “Many expectant parents spend more time decorating the nursery than they do planning the birth!” Well not us, holier-than-thou websites, because Emilio and I spent last night putting together the birthing mix we plan to play while I’m…
When Holidays Attack
As is probably clear, given that this blog is devoted to rituals, traditions, and rites of passage, I thoroughly enjoy a good holiday. But I was just forced to acknowledge that there are certain holidays that cause some of us to run screaming in the other direction. I’m not talking about the holiday blues that…
Math is Hard
That’s a misquote of the elusive “Teen Talk Barbie,” which was recalled by Mattel in 1991 after public outcry deemed her shallow drivel (which included “Party dresses are fun! Do you have a crush on anybody?”) antifeminist and damaging to children. What Barbie actually said was not “Math is hard” but “Math class is tough!”…