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Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
The Dragon Factory by Jonathan MaberryMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Another page-turner, this one deals with eugenics, old threats with new technology, and plenty of monsters, including the most frightening - the human. The mountains of gore and detailed description of fighting maneuvers are a bit too intense for me, however, the storyline keeps me reading, and I am already looking for the next one. I am not happy about all the outcomes, killing off the sole strong female broke my heart. I so wanted her to live and give us female readers someone to identify with. And the other thing that I didn't like ( and believe me, I've had this issue in my own books) was the high amount of errors - some of which really confused me. For example, in one instance, a character called Eighty-Two is suddenly referred to as Eighty-Six, making me think another clone had entered the storyline. Nonetheless, a fun read with some pretty heavy subtext.
View all my reviews
Friday, May 11, 2012
Note to TIME: Motherhood is a hard enough job
I hate the fact that I am commenting on this cover, giving
it even more exposure. But what I hate even more is the way this image
disrespects all mothers, no matter what their parenting style. Yes, this mother
is an advocate of prolonged nursing. Does this photo accurately portray how she
regularly nurses her 3-year old? I
hope not. It appears to be nothing but a staged image, arranged to make both
the mother and son look bizarre — and controversial. It reminds me of the
videos of (you know who it was) allowing her son to eat directly out of her
mouth. Both are disturbing and both are being used to sensationalize parenting
trends that at worst, have yet to be proven effective (and might might actually be harmful), and at best, are not for
everyone.
I hate that, whatever the article says about attachment
parenting, this image will forever be associated with it. I hate
that it will polarize mothers rather than bring them together for healthy
discussion. And I hate, most of all, that more pressing issues, such as
prenatal care for mothers without health insurance, child care for the working
poor and the availability of jobs at salaries that can actually support
families, are being overshadowed.
Motherhood is a hard enough job without this.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Motherhood Comes Full Circle
This year, Mother’s Day provides me with an extraordinary
opportunity to look back at my life from a unique — and in many cultures —
sacred, position. From ancient
goddess-based civilizations to new age consciousness-raising groups, the stages
of a woman’s life have served as religious metaphor, reason for subjugation and
the starting point of self-analysis. And while the stages, roles and paths of
today’s women may have many more facets, the concept of Maiden, Mother, and
Crone still holds relevance – especially on Mother’s Day. To me, these three ancient
elements of womanhood translate into three elements of motherhood; my roles as
Daughter, Mother and, now, Grandmother.
As a daughter, I grew up rejecting much of what my mother
did, vowing to be “different.” My formative years were colored by my mother’s
alcoholism, leading me to believe that once one becomes a mother, one loses all
interest in the outside world and spends the rest of life regretting the past
and ignoring the future. For me, it was to be a Maiden’s life forever — no
marriage or children for me.
But marry I did, and not only had children, but had three is
short succession. My new attitude was that by accepting the role of Mother, I
would be the most involved, and
dedicated mother ever, and one who not only knew what was going on in the
world, but participated in it, fully and intensely. It was perhaps my
fierceness as Mother that contributed to the collapse of my role as Wife. But I
shouldered my new Single Mother role with as much, if not more fierceness. As
my children matured into adults, leaving the nest but not my heart, my role of
Mother evolved into that of anchor and mentor. I continued to learn and grow, not wanting to “go gentle in
that dark night.” The concept of a wrinkled old Crone, no matter how wise, was
not for me.
Now, as I embrace one grandchild, and wait for another later
this year, I realize that the role of Grandmother sits on my head like a crown
of diamonds. It honors me and honors my life, and all the roles I have played.
It elevates me to matriarch, and I am humbled by that. My curiosity about the
world and my desire to grow are still intact, and now I get to share it with
another generation.
Saturday, May 05, 2012
World laughter day at the Jersey shore May 6, 2012
Laughter Yoga teaches us to "laugh for no reason" and doesn't rely on jokes or slapstick or baudy humor. Done as an exercise it adds in Yogic breathing to ramp up the "feel good" hormones. Laughter Yoga asks us to "fake it til we make it," because the human body doesn't know the difference between laughing at something funny or "laughing for no reason."
As a Laughter Yoga leader I am privileged to help others discover this fun and easy method for relieving stress, bringing oxygen into the body and increasing the joy in life!
Tomorrow I join the person who trained me, Beverly Burns, on the boardwalk between Ocean Grove and Asbury Park for a joyful and free laughter celebration. On the beach. Join us!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Limping Over the Finish Line on the Last Day of NAPOWRIMO
Poetry Marathon
the winners have been crowned,
the crowds have winnowed down,
I still limp along the route,
short of breath and sore of foot,
to cross the abandoned finish line
with worn out words trailing behind.
(c)2012 Noreen Braman
the winners have been crowned,
the crowds have winnowed down,
I still limp along the route,
short of breath and sore of foot,
to cross the abandoned finish line
with worn out words trailing behind.
(c)2012 Noreen Braman
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