Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? ~ Ginny Sheller from Small Things
 |
| yes, that would be Sandy outside the window... |
This past week I read Cinderella Ate My Daughter by Peggy Orenstein. Funny, thought-provoking, at times even provocative. I have always been uncomfortable with the "Princess" girly-girl culture and this book helped me better articulate why. It was a fun and easy read with the added benefit that it made me re-evaluate my own beliefs about feminism and how I want to raise my daughter. I appreciate how Orenstein presents various studies and research to theorize that what girls are attracted to and what we define as feminism is mostly dictated by media and commercialism as opposed to inherent biological wiring. Not that Orenstein offers any concrete solutions to avoiding the narcissism and consumerism that plagues girlhood, but my take-away was that the more informed, aware, and present I am in Mayumi's childhood, the better I'll be able to combat the negative attitudes and images that can seep into our home. But perhaps that is topic for another post entirely?
As for knitting, I'm still chugging away at Maya's sweater. Or at least, I eye it sitting in my basket and keep telling myself that I should work on it in between feedings during this luxurious phase while the babies sleep all the time. You know, instead of getting sucked into Pinterest (speaking of consumerism and narcism - with few exceptions it's all about keeping track of things I want) and reading other people's blogs. In my defense, those boys don't always sleep... but now I'm just making excuses. I vow to make this a more productive week in terms of tackling that sweater!
Oh yes, and Happy Halloween everyone.
