Monthly Archives: February 2011

God, catholics and superheroes

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

On Sunday, my husband was honored with an award for the work he does at a coach at St. Ignatius by an organization called Sports Faith International.  One of his student-athletes nominated him for the Hometown Heroes Award.  As our … Continue reading →

Posted in abortion, adoption, coaching, education, expectations, experience, family, language, lessons | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

A room of her own — a mother-in-law’s pad

Posted on February 26, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

In a cosmic coincidence, on the 22nd anniversary of my mom’s death, I went apartment hunting for my mother-in-law in order to give her some options for her life.  My mother-in-law lives outside Boston and has been somewhat isolated there, … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, connection, family, memory, writing | Tagged , | 2 Comments

The mad cap adventures of Princess Belle

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Gorilla Girl’s cousin and aunt sent her a new favorite book for Valentine’s Day — it is called Enchanted Stables and it incorporates three princesses, Belle, Cinderella and Snow White, each in her own mad cap “adventure” involving a horse.  … Continue reading →

Posted in consumerism, expectations, fairy tales, lessons | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

A Tet party in five acts

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Act One: It’s 10:00 am in an apartment on the Southside of Chicago.  A family of four, mom, dad, two adopted Vietnamese four-year olds, prepares for a houseful of guests who want to celebrate Tet with them. The house has … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, community, connection, food, friends, holidays, memory, motherhood, Tet, tradition, transformation | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

What it’s like to be the mom of two four-year olds adopted from Vietnam (for those who aren’t)

Posted on February 20, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

On Friday, I attended the CASE (Council for American Studies Education) Conference at the Chicago History Museum. I signed up months ago, when I envisioned February to be a time when I would have time on my hands and need … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, connection, education, inspiration, memory, motherhood, Tet, tradition, unexpected gifts, writing | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Oddly familiar — wealth and democracy

Posted on February 13, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

“Be it resolved that slavery will be abolished in these thirteen states and in any future states.” This is the first motion that was debated and passed in our Constitutional Convention Role Play in my 7th grade class last week. … Continue reading →

Posted in education, lessons, teaching | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Not so pretty in pink

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Peggy Orenstein’s Schoolgirls, when it was released in 1994, like other feminist works of the 1990s, questioned, probed, revealed, and prompted changes and shifts in education, the work place and social interactions.  Her book, like Myra and David Sadker’s Failing … Continue reading →

Posted in class, consumerism, education, expectations, fairy tales, fraud, gender, identity, language, motherhood | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Promises, promises or “political poetry”

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

One of the duties of a 7th grade teacher is to explain to students the importance of the Declaration of Independence. It is no easy task, complicated by the challenging language and lofty ideals, that even today leave readers with … Continue reading →

Posted in community, connection, education, identity, inspiration, language, lessons, poems, transformation | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

“Reprehensible”

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

I’ve been trying not to pay too much attention to the anti-choice rhetoric spewed by the right and by Republicans, but this recent spate of attacks on women has me more depressed than ever. I try not to pay attention … Continue reading →

Posted in abortion, gender, motherhood, scars | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Too much of a good thing?

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

We lost power the night of the thundersnow, February 1st. We snuggled under the blankets and listened to the transistor radio detailing the troubles of  the lost souls, and cars, on Lake Shore Drive.  It was warm enough and we … Continue reading →

Posted in community, expectations, lessons, motherhood, snow, unexpected gifts, winter | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment