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.  Ove...
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The Red Rose Box

A few weeks ago I randomly drew off the library shelves a Coretta Scott King Honor book called The Red Rose Box, by Brenda Woods. It took me a few chapters to get into it, it begins off quite slow, but once I did, the story developed as beautifully and stunningly as a red rose.

It is a middle grade novel about a young girl who is growing up in Louisiana during the days of severe segregation and racism.  The girl, Leah, and her younger sister Ruth, are somewhat aware of the issues of their state, but only as much as kids could be.  The story develops as Leah and Ruth go off to Los Angeles to visit their Aunt and Uncle, and life takes them on a series of turns that are quite unexpected- and heartfeltly described. 

The Red Rose Box is a thoughtful book.  One that should be shared with kids and mulled over with care.  It brings up issues of politics and race, but even more so, family and humanity.  It is written with a calm style that builds upon itself the further in you read.  

I enjoyed this book. It's been a while since I read something so heartfelt and meaningful, while not being flashy or awkward or forced.  I highly recommend you pick up a copy for yourself.

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