The End

I recently published my first edited book,  Labor of Love: A Literary Mama Staff Anthology ,  with  Small Harbor Publishing . It's an anthology of writing from  Literary Mama  staff over the past 20 years. It's a beautiful collection and I am proud of the writers and proud to share the book.  It seems a fitting moment, as I pondered sharing about the book here on the blog, to reflect on my life as a blogger, and acknowledge that it is time to officially end this blog.   I started blogging in about 2007, when my baby was learning to toddle, when I was learning how to be a mother and stepmother, when I was just starting to see my way as a writer. I needed it back then. I craved it. I had a variety of blog iterations--family, art, creativity, writing things I delved into. There's a freedom in blogging, a casualness, an easy familiarity that's lacking (for me anyway) in other kinds of writing. I loved blogging and the words came pouring out.  Over the years since then, some
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Charlotte's Web

If you haven't yet read Charlotte's Web, by E.B. White, now appears to be the time.  At least in Tompkins County.  It's been 60 years since the classic tale about a girl, her pig, and the special little spider who can spell ,hit the presses.  People across the county are devoting the month of March to celebrating this tale of pig and arachnid love. 

The aim of course, is to get kids and their families reading together, which I can tell you, is a pretty fun thing to do.  No, it doesn't rank up there with thrills such as watching "Real Housewives" or bungee jumping, but it does make being a housewife a little more bearable, and tends to keep one from wanting to throw oneself off a tall bridge-something that for me, the "Real Housewives" fails at.

We have begun reading Harry Potter aloud with Cedar, and have come to appreciate, once again, the sweetness of sharing a story with our kid.  That half hour before bedtime, settling in, cuddling up, and listening to a beloved story together has reminded both Rob and me that this is something we absolutely must do more of.  It relaxes us after a long day, calms Cedar down, and gets us all, literally, on the same page. It is a simple and effective way to share something real, something fun, and something that does not involve a screen or plugging anyone into any technological apparatus. 

I picked up a free copy of Charlotte's Web at the Tompkins' County Public Library.  Right after they grumpily told me I had at least ten books out over the regular limit. And I have added it next on our family read aloud list, for as soon as we finish Harry Potter.

Thankfully I didn't have to check this book out, it is being donated by the Family Reading Partnership and is free for anyone who wants a copy.  Also, through Cedar's birthday, April 14, the Library has a exhibit of special White memorabilia and papers.  To top it all off, on April 1st, the State Theatre is showing a production of Charlotte's Web, for full on family friendly fun.

So, pick up a copy of the book, sit down with your wee piglet, and share a tale that is about love and friendship and giving of yourself to others.   There are no "Real Housewives" in it, but I think we might all be better off for it.


For more info here is an Ithaca Journal article,  and the Library blog.

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