Motherhood & Words

D and I need to get wireless at home. We have DSL on our home computer, but that computer is so old it crashes regularly, and it’s in our basement, which is cold and full of radon. There’s no point in eating organic food if I’m going to sit down there are breathe radon, so I’ve been pirating wireless from my neighbors (they said it was okay). Unfortunately, the only place I can access the connection is if I sit on the stairs overlooking our living room. It’s not terribly comfortable, especially if I’m trying to hold a baby and my computer, so I haven’t been logged on much lately. This is why I’ve been so slow in responding to e-mails and why I’m way behind on my blog reading. (This doesn’t explain my lack of reading in general or my lack of literary posts. I just find it difficult to read when I’m tired and have nursing brain.)

I’ll try to catch up on a couple things, though. A few weeks ago (pre-Zoe), Jen and Denise were kind enough to give mother words: mothers who write a daily dose award. The award is supposed to be passed along to blogs you can’t live without. “They make you laugh, cry, think and feel connected every time you read a post. They give you a thrill as you see them loading into your browser and you get an equally satisfying thrill when you see that they have commented on your blog.” Jen and Denise are both preeclampsia survivors, and I always find strength, hope, and such great compassion in their posts. Thanks to both of you!

There are so many blogs I love, but for this, I’m going to focus on a few blogs that are fairly new to me:

Lisa at Eudaemonia: Lisa is a wonderful writer and blogger who has a true sense of herself in the world. Her posts are full of compassion, and I’m so glad that I’ve gotten to know her.

Kristen at from here to there and back is another writer who posts about life and parenting and writing. I always find something that makes me think on her blog. Thank you, Kristen.

Andria at Nora and Soren: Andria is a writer (we got our MFAs together), who is currently at home with two little ones. She hilarious and lovely and dear and I’m so glad that I’ve reconnected with her.

Thanks to the wonderful words you all write. You’re certainly helping to keep me sane right now.

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Kate

I have been teaching creative writing for almost twenty years. Reading about other women’s lives and experiences has expanded my world. To be able to walk in someone else’s shoes, whether it’s for a moment or an hour or a few days, is an incredible gift, providing me with insight into the human experience. It takes courage to write your truths, especially if it doesn’t seem as though anyone cares, as though anyone is listening. Let me tell you: your stories matter, I’m listening, and I’m here to help you find the heart of those truths, to get them down on the page, to craft them, and to send them out into the world. Together, we will change the world, one story at a time.

5 Comments

  1. Lisa on March 25, 2008 at 12:05 pm

    You do need to get wireless at home. I’ve taken to wandering from room to room with my laptop and now I can’t remember how I managed to work while I was tethered to my desk. And a basement full of radon isn’t the best place for you!

    I am both humbled and honored by your kind words and so glad that I found you and your inspiring blog. Thank you.



  2. kristenspina on March 25, 2008 at 6:36 pm

    Thank you, Kate. I’m honored and touched by your kind words and this lovely award.



  3. Andria on March 29, 2008 at 1:56 pm

    Hey, thanks, Kate!!!!!!



  4. Emmie (Better Make It A Double) on March 30, 2008 at 3:34 pm

    The new City of Mpls wireless is nice, and only $18 a month. Thanks, RT. BTW, I keep meaning to recommend my friend Caro’s blog if you haven’t already read it: http://buynewpants.blogspot.com/
    -She’s right in your ‘hood; you guys have to meet someday. She’s dealing with some “big sister” issues as well. This post in particular was truly awesome, and so speaks to your encouragement to write about the really hard stuff:
    http://buynewpants.blogspot.com/2008/03/it-will-make-perfect-baby-shower-gift.html



  5. kate on April 2, 2008 at 12:13 pm

    My pleasure!

    Emmie, thanks for reminding me about the city’s wireless. I’m not sure it comes in well in my neighborhood, but I’ll check it out. It would be a huge help right now not to be stuck on the stairs to check e-mail.