Owner: Writing In The Mountains URL:http://krisunderwood.blogspot.com Join Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2006 09:16:42 -0500 Rating:1 Site Description: A branch off from Mama Says, rants, raves, some poetry, dealing with the neverending chaos of motherhood through writing Site statistics:Click here
Guest Spot: Vicki Glembocki, Author of The Second Nine Months... 2008-02-27 16:14:43 I'm quite excited and honored to have Vicki Glembocki, author of The Second
Nine Months
, One woman tells the real truth about becoming a mom. Finally. , as the next Guest
Spot on WITM. What To REALLY Expect When You're ExpectingI used to be one of those women who’d hear a mom yell at her child in the middle of Target, and I’d think, Oh. My. God! Then I’d give my husband that, “Did you HEAR her?” look. If my husband wasn’t there, I’d try to catch eyes with another shopper and, when I did, I’d give the shopper the, “Did you HEAR her?” look. And I’d stand there for a minute, listening, deciding that if the mother said one more nasty thing to her child—just one more thing—I’d pull out my cell phone and dial 911.This was before I was a mom.Clearly.And, because I was Read more:Author
MotherTalk: The Liar's Diary 2008-02-26 09:30:51 The Liar's Diary
Patry FrancisPlume Books/PenguinPaperback, 311 pages$14.00 I don't know how to write this without giving away anything!Dark, haunting and compelling, The Liar's Diary is one of the best books I've read in a long time. It pulled me in and wouldn't let go till I finished. I was actually 'on the edge of my seat' with this one, eagerly turning pages in anticipation of 'what happened next'.The first thing that struck me was the way it is written, its voice: It's very human. And, indeed, as you get deeper into the story, you see that theme present itself at every turn. The characters seemed believable, plot, events seemed plausible.Seduction, secrets, lies: lies we tell ourselves, secrets we hold-the ways we seduce ourselves into thinking 'everything's alright.
Reading The Price of Racial Reconciliation 2008-02-24 10:36:14 The Price of RacialReconciliation
Ronald W. WaltersUniversity of Michigan Press (March 2008)Hardback, 249 pages$29.95In The Price of Racial Reconciliation, Walters takes us seamlessly through the heavy subject of reparations and what it would take for racial reconciliation to actually happen in the United States by exploring what has happened in South Africa, and using that as a template for reparation movement in the U.S. .Chapter two focuses on a brief, though in-depth, history of South Africa: how it became an Apartheid state, how racial oppression was commonplace in the Apartheid state and what consequences it wrought on the people-both Africans and white settlers. Also, different groups that developed through time, some extremely militant, some not so much.Other subjects covered inclu Read more:Reading
Books Added To My Library Recently (February) 2008-02-23 13:43:13 The Second Nine Months: One woman tells the real truth about becoming a mom. Finally. , Vicki GlembockiDadditude: How A Real Man Became A Real Dad, Phillip Lerman (see guest post here)The Liar's Diary, Patry FrancisThe War Against Women, Marilyn French
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, Library
, February
Reading The Second Nine Months... 2008-02-21 09:47:06 The Second
Nine Months
:One woman tells the truth about becoming a mom. Finally.Vicki GlembockiDa Capo/Lifelong Books (Jan. 6, 2008)(Division of Perseus Book Group)Hardback 264 pgs.$24.00I read-and finished-this book over the weekend. I didn't intend to, it just... happened. It was just so hard to put down.Glembocki lays it all bare: doubts about breastfeeding, maternal instinct and bonding; the realization that you are somebody's mother and how that particular word can sound so strange coming from your own mouth, the transition of who you used to be and who you are now isn't always so smooth and peachy-keen.It is, indeed, "irreverent, funny and brutally honest"; a book that lives up to its description.This is something (whether she'll admit to it or not) any mother can relate to. If not Read more:Reading
Reading Emotionally Healthy Twins, Joan A. Friedman 2008-02-21 09:44:52 Emotionally Healthy Twins
: A New Philosophy For Parenting Two Unique ChildrenJoan A. Friedman
, Ph.D.Da Capo/Lifelong Books (Feb. 11, 2008)(Division of Perseus Book Group)Paperback 245 pages$15.95This book is a guide for parents of twins, taking them through the 'seven core parenting guidelines', focusing more on the psychological aspect of being parents to twins (and being a twin) rather than the physical. Friedman, mother of five (two of whom are twin boys), is also a twin herself and is a psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of twin-related issues. So, she's well versed on the subject of twins.Friedman emphasizes the importance of identity, individuality, uniqueness and separateness for each twin throughout the entire book. In fact, she suggests it is these attributes that contr Read more:Reading
, Emotionally
Just Some Random Things 2008-02-17 12:16:55 First, Literary Mama accepted one of my poems recently. I can't tell you how excited and pleased I am about this. It won't be out until around Mother's Day, so you'll have to wait to see which poem.Second, I finished The Liar's Diary, Patry Francis. Oh. My. God. Go out and buy this book!!! It's amazing. Yep. That's all I'm going to say about it now...you'll have to wait (again) for the review, via MotherTalk.There's a new post of mine at Green Mom Finds-Tired of chemicalized play doh? Try making your own!And, as always, check out the awesome giveaways!
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Looking Forward To Reading This Book 2008-02-13 19:58:45 Edited to add: Have finished the book! Check out commentary here!-AFTER you read this post!***********Called "brutally honest and funny", Vicki Glembocki's book, The Second Nine Months: One Mom Tells the Truth about Becoming a New Mom. Finally. is now out and seems to be garnering lots of press.When I first heard of this book, I thought, this is a must-read in the Mother Lit genre (I cannot bring myself to call it mommy-chick-lit) simply because it deals with a subject not talked of much: those first few transitional months into motherhood after baby is born.It looks to be a myth-busting book on all that goes on after baby comes home.You know there's a spot on my bookshelf for this one.Excerpt from The Second Nine Months..... I want to walk out of Target and leave Blair there, wailing.... Read more:Reading
, Forward
I'm Over Here Now, Too 2008-02-13 09:41:25 I am now blogging occasionally over at the Mom Writer's Literary Magazine Blog. Stop over and check it out!There are some awesome women contributing and I feel honored to be a part of it.
The Not So Golden Age 2008-02-08 18:59:59 So, I watched Elizabeth: The Golden
Age, sequel to 1998's Elizabeth. Well, I can say alot of the critics were right: it was over produced. But the costumes were gorgeous. Absolutely.Also, the plot seemed so choppy-going from one scene to the next without much transition or cohesion-And Mary Stuart? She had about five minutes in the entire movie. I expected to see more of that character.As for Clive Owen-as much as I don't like him as an actor-he was pretty good.Overall, it all seemed a little off as far as a sequel goes.
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Some Words (and other things) I Can't Stand 2008-02-08 15:44:22 Wicked-as in- I'm wicked pissed.When people on the internet-blogging, emailing, whatever-overuse stuff like emoticons or use Internet Slang like LMK (let me know). That just drives me up the wall. Can't you just spell it out? Too much trouble, time?Ain't: I abhor this word. Makes you sound so....dumb. Proper spelling and grammar usage, people!SPAM.-This is all that strikes me at the moment....more to come, perhaps.
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, things
, Stand
December-Into-January Post Round Up 2008-02-06 11:06:27 Better late than never....Jillypoet is back after a brief hiatus.Green Mom Finds is here!New Site: Non Toxic KidsJust wanted to bring this to your attention. I don't think any words could suffice. Originally found it via Mothering.Top 12 Web sites for Health Advice via Mother Earth Living (a division of Mother Earth News magazine)Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database and Free Shopping Guide (find out which veggies and fruits should be bought organic) via Environmental Working Group
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, January
Reading Dadditude: How A Real Man Became A Real Dad 2008-02-02 14:21:00 Dadditude: How A Real Man Became A Real DadPhil LermanDa Capo Press/Lifelong BooksHardcover, $19.95245 pgs.I have to admit, when I found out the author of Dadditude is the same Phil Lerman of America's Most Wanted fame, I was a little surprised. I just didn't know what to expect. What I found between the cover was real..and hilarious.In Dadditude, Lerman lays it all bare from the Dad's point of view, all with raucously sharp humor and keen insight: the perils and pleasant surprises of being an older parent, the infectious nature of Disney, Dora and Barney-and the unexpected occurrence of....nipple pinching, among many other things.It's very likely you'll find a laugh-or at least an amused chuckle-on nearly every page. I found myself busting out a laugh here and there, nodding in agreement: Read more:Reading
Short Comment on No Evil Star, Anne Sexton 2008-02-02 14:19:02 No Evil Star: Selected Essays, Interviews and ProseAnne SextonEdited by Steven E. Colburn , 1985Softcover, 206 pagesUniversity of Michigan PressI had originally received this book as a Mother's Day gift a few years ago and never read it through in its entirety until now.I started reading Sexton shortly after I discovered Plath-it seemed the next logical step, I suppose.In No Evil Star, you can really hear Sexton's voice, get a glimpse of her personality through her words in the interviews, prose, poetry excerpts, etc. Now, whether she was actually telling the truth is another matter entirely.Still, it's an enjoyable book and is, I think, a necessary read for anybody interested in Sexton's work.Technorati Tags: Anne Sexton, Sylvia Plath, University of Michigan Press, No Evil Star, poetry, p Read more:Short
, Comment
Feb 08 Issue of National Geographic-Some Thoughts 2008-02-01 23:36:12 Recently, I picked up the February '08 issue of NationalGeographic
. Particularly because I was intrigued by the cover story: The Black Pharaohs: Conquerors of Ancient Egypt.While the story was interesting and brought up some previously unknown points on Egypt and its Pharaohs, there were a few things that ran through my mind:1) How could there NOT be black pharaohs in Egypt, or at least ancestry of such a race within Egypt and its line of pharaohs? It is in Africa; with Egypt having the close neighbors of Nubia and Sudan. That's like saying Jesus was as white as a pearl with blond hair and blue eyes....That in itself never made sense to me-look at the geography.2) There was a statement in that particular article about how 'the ancient world was devoid of racism'. I realize that the author Read more:National Geographic
The Spider on Mercury 2008-02-01 16:18:34 Scientists think that the planet Mercury
is actually shrinking as it ages:"Scientists had theorized that as the core of Mercury cools, it contracts, and the whole planet shrinks."Messenger has sent back pictures showing 'wrinkles' on the surface of the planet and what scientists are calling "The Spider
", a series of wrinkles that radiate out from a crater-like formation, most likely what used to be a volcano.Why is this significant? Because this is a side of Mercury that has never been seen before. These pictures throw off all theories that have been known about the planet. It's making everyone reassess.It also proves how little we know of the universe itself. All we can do is make educated guesses at most things-sometimes it turns out right, sometimes not. And, sometimes, what we thought
Sesame Street For The "Kids" 2008-02-01 10:13:32 Is it me or does SesameStreet
seem a little 'adult' these days? Not in the sex blog kind of way, or anything like that.Some of the sketches strike me as a little-to-way- beyond a kid's understanding, using references to adult shows such as Law and Order, The Apprentice, and others. Was it always this way?Then it occurs to me-holy crap-they're marketing to those kids who grew up with the damn show in the 70's and 80's, and now have kids of their own.**Ack! That would be me!**Unacceptable! What happened? While there are still segments of the show that are truly kid-friendly, etc., the magic is gone, inspiration is gone, simplicity is gone.Is it time for Sesame Street
to just bow out? Possibly. Gracefully or not.Just a thought....And, yes, I've vented about the sad situation of Sesame Stree
New Book On Anne Boleyn 2008-01-30 14:47:21 There's a new-ish book (released September '07) on Anne Boleyn, Da Capo/Perseus Book Group- Anne Boleyn: A New Life of England's Tragic Queen by Joanna Denny.The debut of Showtime's series The Tudors back in April last year and the start of the second coming up in March '08 as well as the adaptation of Philippa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl, is sure to spark renewed interest in Anne Boleyn and the Tudor legacy. Indeed, it already has.The description claims to "forever change our perception of this much-maligned queen". I'd like to see if the book lives up to its claim. This just went on my To Read list.Technorati Tags: Anne Boleyn, Tudor, The Tudors
Guest Spot: Phil Lerman, author of Dadditude 2008-01-24 19:49:31 I am pleased to present Phil Lerman, author of Dadditude, as the next Guest
Spot on Writing In The Mountains. Discussion of the book coming soon! Stay tuned!What an honor for a dad to be asked to guest-blog on a mommy site! I feel like I’ve snuck into the women’s locker room. Only no one’s called the security guard. Yet, anyway.Kris asked me if I would write about how I’ve handled it when my son has an attack of the “No’s.” I can answer that question very quickly: How do I handle it?Very, very badly.In my book “Dadditude,” I wrote about one of those days that was – well, it was one of those days:Max, here are your pancakes (“No no no! I want popcorn for breakfast!”). Sorry, you’ve got pancakes. Try to use your fork to eat that – “No no no, no want fork.” OK,
Everyday Toxic-a small follow up to Toxic Bathroom 2008-01-23 19:54:03 Looking at those last two posts (and if you browse through the Skin Deep Database) do we really have to wonder why humans have infertility problems? And a host of other 'disorders' and diseases such as cancer? And what about things like Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder? I'm only hypothesizing, I have no real, hard facts on that, but what if disorders such as these are related to the crap that is in products we use and consume everyday-from shampoo to cleaning products to the very food we eat- and the crap that is in our environment? Toxins that we are exposed to every single day? It's not just the Mercury in vaccines.Maybe I'm just going off, Maybe this doesn't make much sense. But, what about it?
MotherVerse Offers Workshops 2008-03-22 17:48:19 MotherVerse magazine is now offering two different workshops: the Writing Motherhood Workshop and the Publishing A Blog Workshop. For more information, prices, etc., click here.MotherVerse mother writer workshops are a great way to connect and learn from other mother writers in an intimate and private setting.Workshops
are on a first come first serve basis, so sign up today and reserve a spot.
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Concentration, Keep In Rhythm 2008-03-22 14:08:03 One of the things I hate about being sick is the lack of concentration. I don't even have the energy to finish the book I was reading before I got the flu, or even really go through my reader.I just stare at words that don't really make sense the longer I stare at them, then eventually shut down the computer or the book for lack of concentration.Here's to getting over....... (spacing out again).......the flu.
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, Rhythm
New Posts Up At MotherVerse and Moms Speak Up 2008-03-25 21:28:11 Talking about vaccinations via Brain, Child and Mothering Magazine and an article/interview with Pamela Paul and her book Parents, Inc. via CCFC.Would love to get my hands on that book!
Denied Entry for Moral Turpitude? 2008-03-27 16:14:49 So, just about everyone knows about the U.S. not letting in Sebastian Horsley for 'moral turpitude'.All I can say is the puritanical streak in America runs strong.More info on moral turpitudeTechnorati Tags: Moral
Turpitude, Puritan, Puritanical, America, Sebastian Horsley
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Mother Talk: Healthy Child, Healthy World 2008-03-27 10:45:53 I was so excited when I heard Healthy Child, Healthy World
was on the Mother Talk list. I am always looking for ways to green my routine. Especially when it comes to cleaning. I had known about the many cleaning properties of vinegar for awhile now, but was curious about alternatives to detergents, fabric softeners, furniture polish (not that I do much of that), Drano and Comet; the last two being the more deadly of the bunch. And, what do you know, I found it all in this book, along with some other great resources and facts.This book is filled with amazing tips and facts, how-to safer cleaning and more, without breaking the bank. I finished it in a day and a half, most likely because it's not just straight text but made up of easy to read sections, great for flipping back and forth.Each
No title 2008-03-31 12:43:04 This video from Nationwide Insurance really does not sit well with me. I never really paid much attention to it before: it's just a commercial. An insurance commercial.I saw it again recently, with a new view. There seemed to be an underlying message here: Women-don't bring your kids to work. In fact, why don't you just stay home and take care of the kid.Perhaps I read too much into things. Perhaps some people will not see this.The fact that the video is titled 'Bank Brat', the dynamic of working mother with a rather demonic child shooting out paraphernalia through the tube at a car that happens to be driven by a man-it bothers me because of the underlying message.But what if it were the other way? What if the dad was the bank teller bringing his 'bank brat' to work and the woman in the ca
Words To Steer Clear of When Reviewing A Book 2008-03-30 15:05:45 The Seven Deadly Words
of Book Reviewing
, by Bob Harris from the New York Times Paper Cuts Blog, via New Pages Blog.Check it out. I've been guilty of using a few of those words, I admit. Check out the comments in the post also-more deadly words to steer clear of.****Also, new post up at Green Mom Finds on the Healthy World, Healthy Child book by Christopher Gavigan. See the review for Mother Talk here.
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, Clear
Finally Getting Around To Rachlin's Persian Girls 2008-04-02 11:01:54 I finally got a copy of PersianGirls
by Nahid Rachlin. It had been on tour for Mother Talk awhile back and I sooo wanted to grab it then. It was also a Mother Talk Book Club selection back in January. Looking forward to reading this one.
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Spring Issue of Mom Writer's Lit Mag Out 2008-04-01 14:27:03 The Spring
'08 issue of Mom Writer
's Literary Magazine is finally out! Stop by and check out poetry, an interview with mom writer Nancy Cleary, reviews and, as always, MWLM's regular columns! Don't forget to take a look at the Writer's Resources Page, an excellent place to kickstart your inspiration.
So.....What Happens To All The Review Books On WITM? 2008-04-10 15:30:26 Do they stay or do they go?Well, some of them stay, get added to my library and others go, often donated to my local library or passed on to friends.I have to admit, most stay and get absorbed into my library.Liar's Diary? A definite keeper.The Reincarnationist? That went to the library. There are other people out there that would enjoy that book more than I did.Itsy Bitsy Yoga? A definite keeper as well. Loved that book.What Mothers Do, Especially When It Looks Like Nothing? Yeah. That's a staple in my library.Two other books I'm currently reading: Private Guns, Private Health/David Hemenway and the Mamarama book will definitely be staying.How did this all start? How did I get here, reviewing all these great books? I started off reviewing some books for Mother Talk and in between differen Read more:Books
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