A Fine Line
October 15, 2006
Man's Other Best Friend
I'm a dog person, no two ways about it. I like cats, too, but not at all in the same way. For instance, I don't stop in the middle of the street exhorting my husband, "Just look at that cat!" I wouldn't watch a cat show on television. And I can't imagine myself buying a "Pretty Kitties" calendar and hanging it on my wall. That said, I've had many more cats in my life than dogs, and I'm nearly always open to the possibility of adding another to the mix. Read more.
Look, Ma... No Hands!
My daughter, who recently turned ten, is on the cusp of adolescence. She agonizes over wardrobe choices and preens in front of the mirror for what seems like hours. She begs for a cell phone and an mp3 player and a second piercing in her ears. Her loyalties have shifted from Barbie to boy bands. She still watches Nickelodeon, but now she eschews Spongebob Squarepants in favor of Zoey 101. And she wants her privacy. Read more.
I Walk the Line
One of the things I hate about being a woman--perhaps the only thing I hate about being a woman--is how we spend so much energy on our appearance, particularly on our weight. Sometimes I wonder how we got so size-oriented. I wonder why we bother putting so much of ourselves into worrying about how big or small, or firm or flabby our bodies are. In any case, I think we all are concerned about our appearance to a point. I know I am. Read more.
Almost Overboard
by Diane Clark
I never thought of food as an Issue--not until I became a mom and self-appointed sheriff of the Food Police.
As new parents, most of us take on roles we never thought we would. I was a cautious kid, but I was never Hall Monitor in school (we had paid teachers' aides for that). I didn't snitch on other kids, and I didn't find myself overly concerned when a classmate stuck a pencil in his nose or even threateningly hoisted a chair over his head. I just wasn't much of a worrier, and anyway, I was too busy reading. But later on, when Mother-brain took over for Adolescent/Young Adult-brain after a particularly fierce coup, I suddenly felt the need to get serious about things, to become a worrier. And food was serious--food was an Issue. Read more.
The Thinnest Line
"If we're going to pursue a relationship there's something you need to know. I'm never having children. Ever."
I was only 25, but after several years of teaching high school and dealing with an out-of-control younger sister, I had no desire to go down the path of motherhood. I had visions of screaming babies, poopy diapers, whiny toddlers and sullen teenagers. I wanted no part of any of that. I'm selfish by nature and knew that having children is all about sacrifice. I couldn't imagine why anyone would voluntarily put herself in that position.
Read more.