One of my online writing communities had an in-depth discussion a while back about profanity and its place (or lack thereof) in literature. I got to thinking, as I read people’s perspectives, that there’s a pretty deep philosophical question contained in this conversation. Whenever we talk about the line between too much sex/profanity/violence and an unrealistic picture…
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What’s YOUR Problem?
Life is unpredictable, but over the past several years I’ve learned there’s one thing I can count on with absolute certainty: somewhere between one week and two days before university graduation, I will lose my voice. It happens virtually every semester, just before I join the platform party at honors convocation as the official singer…
Read MoreWe Are Not Rugged Individualists
A couple of weeks ago, I posted a piece of fiction called “Makeover.” It’s about a woman whose life is a mess–grown son dead, marriage in shambles. When she sees her reflection in a storefront, she realizes she doesn’t recognize herself anymore–and she goes to do something about it. The most thought-provoking comment I received…
Read MoreThe Trouble With Absolutes
I used to think I was an “attachment parent.” I have kept my babies, all four of them, close by me, never put them on a schedule, never fed them a bottle, responded to their needs and always proceeded on the belief that we have to learn to be parent and child together. I don’t…
Read MoreThe Importance of Saying “No” (a practices of mothering post)
Click here for Part 1 Click here for Part 2 There’s a Gospel passage in which Jesus says no man gives his child a snake when they ask for a fish. It’s built in to our love for our children, this desire to fulfill their needs…and their wants. Whatever they ask for–the newest toy or…
Read MorePracticing Motherhood
One of my blog friends has been doing a series of posts on her “practices of mothering” the last few months. Last week she invited her readers to join in. At first I thought, I don’t have any practices–at least, none that she hasn’t already talked about. Then I came up with one. And another.…
Read MoreResolved, Unresolved
There are certain times of the year when the whole blogsophere latches on to the same subject. Every September there’s a rash of sentiment about kids growing up and the back-to-school transition. Every November 1st, we’re treated to photos of Halloween costumes. And for a week in January, the topic is New Year’s resolutions. New…
Read MoreLearning To Let Go
They say parenting is a long process of letting go. From the moment the umbilical cord is cut, your child sets out on a journey toward independence. And that journey, exhilarating and terrifying for the child, is even tougher on the parent, whose job is to learn to let go when everything within you cries…
Read MoreIf I Wasn’t A Parent…
If I wasn’t a mom, I’d have so much time to for myself. I’d go sit for hours in remote woods, finding God in the silence, without worrying about the babysitter’s schedule and whether I’m in a place where cell phone coverage will reach. I’d write all day…I’d have my novel finished and be tearing…
Read MoreIs “Beauty” A Bad Word?
“Teaching girls that their appearance is the first thing you notice tells them that looks are more important than anything. It sets them up for dieting at age 5 and foundation at age 11 and boob jobs at 17 and Botox at 23. As our cultural imperative for girls to be hot 24/7 has become…
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Kathleen M. Basi 