When I was a child I often heard about my Oma with whom my mother had a strained relationship. The complaint my mother frequently made was that Oma treated her sons and daughters very differently. Sons were useful and contributed to the family’s existence and thus were to be indulged, while daughters were primarily useful … Continue reading So mothers be good to your daughters too
Tag: girlhood
49 and hotter than ever!
If by "hot" you mean experiencing hot flashes, that is. Holy perimenopause! Male readers, be warned. This may not be the blog post for you. Unless, of course, you're trying to develop your understanding and empathy for the universe's women. In which case, read on. The move to what I'm considering my third stage of … Continue reading 49 and hotter than ever!
I didn’t know
The first time I remember wanting to be a runner I was about 12 or 13. It seemed like such a cool thing to do - put your sneakers on and a pair of nylon, fluorescent colored shorts (it was the 80s) and just GO. I was infatuated with the idea, but, as I've come … Continue reading I didn’t know
The beautiful awkwardness of middle school
One of my responsibilities at school is morning hall duty. I generally bring a book to my post at the end of corridor, but often I don't read more than a sentence or two because I am so captivated by the students making their way to their home rooms. They are so incredibly compelling in … Continue reading The beautiful awkwardness of middle school
A tale of two abortions
Many, many years ago an older friend shared with me the story of her illegal abortion. It involved a large amount of money, cash only, of course, a bus ride out of the city and into the "everything looks the same" suburbs, and an extracted promise to never tell anyone where she had been (as … Continue reading A tale of two abortions
Comfortable in my own skin
I wish I knew when my body began to be more enemy than friend. I have distinct memories of admiring the strength of my body while still a girl in elementary school. My legs! I could push things with them! I could walk and run and play for hours without an iota of complaint from … Continue reading Comfortable in my own skin
Glory Days – Greenwood Lake Middle School’s Class of 1980
It probably wasn't coincidence that I heard that Springsteen song not once, but twice, on my way to the 35th reunion of my 8th grade class, right? There probably isn't a song more appropriate for getting together with classmates and reminiscing about shared childhoods than that nugget that made its debut the same year I … Continue reading Glory Days – Greenwood Lake Middle School’s Class of 1980