Is anyone’s family truly ‘normal’?

While reading and formulating my response to Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed (Picador, April 2015), I was reminded that intentionally childless people are not alone in being criticized. In her blog posts, Kate Wasserman challenges negative views that society holds toward single parenting.

‘Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed’ (Book review)

Sixteen writers examine their decisions not to have children in Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed (Picador, April 2015).

Edited by Los Angeles Times columnist Meghan Daum, the book reflects Daum’s assertion that “people who opt out of parenthood ... are not a monolithic group” (2). As these writings make plain, there is no single reason why these women and men chose to remain childless.

But what unites these writers is the way in which society feels it can judge or intervene in this among the countless other decisions that can define an adult life.

Roller-derby librarians!

These librarians aren’t on the usual sort of “wheels” that I showcase, but I couldn’t resist passing along an article from the Arizona Daily Star, which proclaimed that “Librarians become new selves when not between shelves.”

Generation holds ‘fate of the earth in balance’

For the first time, “a generation of people [hold] the very fate of the earth in balance.” For the Huffington Post, Marilyn Sewell, a Unitarian Universalist minister, lists 10 reasons why more people are not crying out for change. (Distributed by UU World’s The Interdependent Web.)

Cross-posted to RVUUFian Parents on Facebook

Sewing for Body Support Systems, Inc.

Had a productive day: worked my shift in Bellview Elementary School library then rode my bike to Body Support Systems, Inc., where I put in 2.5 hours of work doing industrial sewing.

Neon socks with short-row-heels

With my sock explorations to-date, I’d used the heel-flap-and-turn technique taught by Ann Budd in her book Getting Started Knitting Socks (Interweave, 2007).

With this latest pair of socks, I decided to attempt the short-row heel technique.

Oregon Battle of the Books, early titles for 2015-2016

Oregon Battle of the Books! At Bellview Elementary School​ library, students are already interested in reading next year’s selections. And fifth-graders anticipate the books they will read in Ashland Middle School’s 6-to-8 division.

June Ingraham for National Library Workers Day

During my time growing up and entering young adulthood, one steady constant in my life was the Calistoga public library. June Ingraham was the Calistoga librarian, and I honor her today for National Library Workers Day.

Beth Volkman for National Library Workers Day

Source of image: ALA Allied Professional Association

Today, in honor of National Library Workers Day, I want to give special appreciation to library workers who inspired me. Among them, Beth Volkman served as librarian at Calistoga Junior/Senior High School in Calistoga, Calif.

‘Welcome to the library!’

Cartoon image created with Bitstrips

I’m sure to have plenty of occasions to use a cartoon
that says “Welcome to the library!”

‘Rogues’ anthology of short fiction

During the recent “Winter Reads” program through Jackson County Library Services, participants were able to select a free “gently used” book for each reading log turned in.

My selection was Rogues, an anthology of short fiction edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois.

I was already partial toward anthologies of short fiction for the benefits they offered the reader: short stories, easy to read in one sitting, but with a variety that transcended the collected works of only a single author.

‘Teen Crafternoon’: Poetry mural collages

Source of image: Ashland Teen Library on Facebook

I’m looking forward to another “Teen Crafternoon” activity, noon to 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the teen area, Ashland public library, 410 Siskiyou Blvd. This time, participants will use magazines, books and art to create poetry mural collages. Ashland Teen Library has posted some photos to inspire our creative ideas.

‘Selfish, Shallow and Self-Absorbed’

In response to the question, “Why don’t you have children?,” author/editor Meghan Daum recommends this answer: “Parenting is probably one of the hardest things you could do. It’s an important job, so why should somebody who doesn’t really want to do that job, do it?”

That’s according to columnist Zosia Bielski for the Globe and Mail, who highlights a social contradiction: “Although we pat ourselves on the backs for tolerating all kinds of familial configurations in this country, we continue to reserve puzzlement, pity and judgment for adults who really don’t want to have children, ever.”

Microsoft wants to hire people with autism

In sharp contrast to the personality screenings that seem designed to flag us for rejection, I really enjoy reading about companies that view autism as a source of talents and abilities.

In an essay posted April 3 to “Microsoft on the Issues,” Mary Ellen Smith, corporate vice president of worldwide operations, announced a pilot program to hire people who are on the autism spectrum.

Personality screenings and autistic job candidates

Cartoon image created with Bitstrips

My primary purpose when creating Bitstrips cartoons is to illustrate blog posts and pages. When I found this image, among Bitstrips’ cartoons, it suggested a perfect illustration for my concern about personality screenings for job applicants.