BOOK REVIEW for 'Mommys'

If you are a Mommy or a brand new Mommy or going to be a Mommy or want to be a Mommy, this book review by Taylor Darling is for you!

Book may be purchased in the Liberty Post Amazon Shop!

Abortion + My Book

My novel, 'BABIES', deals with some difficult themes. One of them is abortion. It was the hardest part of the book to write. (In fact, there's more to that story and what happened to me when I wrote one specific chapter. I'll save that for down the road)

On January 28, 2010, Ruth Proskauer Smith died in Manhatten at the age of 102. Smith co-founded the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws, which later became the National Abortion Rights Action League and is today known as NARAL Pro-Choice America. Smith was born into a life of privilege and politics; her father Joseph Meyer Proskauer was a New York State Supreme Court Judge and a close associate of Governor Al Smith. Her mother, Alice Naumburg Proskauer, was an activist in the right-to-die movement who founded the Euthanasia Society of America, a cause that Smith would later take on herself. After graduating from Radcliffe, marrying, and getting divorced, Smith became involved in the reproductive rights movement as a fieldworker for Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts in the 1940s. She later became the executive secretary of that organization, and helped lead the fight to legalize contraceptives in Massachusetts, a state dominated by the interests of the Catholic Church. After losing that battle, Smith met Margaret Sanger ***, who introduced her to the radical concept of abortion rights as a vital part of reproductive health. Returning to her home state of New York in 1953, she directed family planning services at Mount Sinai Hospital, an experience that opened her eyes to the direct impact class had on abortion access. In 1969, Smith co-founded NARAL. Four year later, the Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade legalized abortion in the United States, in no small part thanks to the dedication of groups like NARAL and Planned Parenthood. Smith remained active in NARAL's New York chapter, and continued to advocate for the "right-to-die," contributing greatly to pro-euthanasia campaigns in the 1990s. Even as a centenarian, Smith worked, teaching other senior citizens about the Supreme Court as part of the City University of New York's Quest program (a job that was described quite charmingly in a New York Times profile in 2008).

***Sanger was an avid defender of free speech who was arrested at least eight times for expressing her views in a time when speaking publicly in favor of birth control was illegal.

PLEASE take a few moments to honor Ruth by watching this video. She has an urgent message for women everywhere. LPXO

Red, White + Taylor

My Daughter is visiting this week and every time she comes we do a fun photo shoot. Here are the results. (Click on the images to ENLARGE for a better view) Want to see our post-shoot gluten-free breakfast? Click HERE. LPxo

Winter Driving In Canada

A little drive-by shooting for your viewing pleasure. It won't be long and the world will be here in Canada. (2010 Olympic Games) Many people, I believe, have misconceptions about my country, but when it comes to their 'picture' of our landscape and what it's like to drive here in the winter, I think they are 'dead' on. This was a 1.5 hour drive in Ontario yesterday. Back and forth to pick up my Daughter and Baby J; who really has become Toddler J overnight! Canada has a lot of land. A lot! It goes on for miles and miles and miles. In most cases it only takes but a few minutes outside any major city, town, village or hamlet to see this kind of landscape in the cold months. Many visitors ask 'What do you do with all this land?'. (especially the Japanese!?) Well, if it's below the permafrost, we farm, we grow, we hike, we snowmobile, we walk, we let the dogs go wild, we run, we bike...we love our land. What do you think?

Life 'IS' In The Details

It is so easy to slip into a negative mindset when there is a life-challenge. I'm not talking about a tragic loss, as witnessed by all of us today. No, no, that is, as Joni said - torture - and completely normal. Humans must mourn the losses of their loved ones and to lose a child must be the worst moment in a life. How does one go on living? (Cottage Rose, you inspire me. You go on living a beautiful life even after losing your daughter and her unborn child. What a strong woman you are!) And it is in times such as these, where we could decide 'nothing matters' - why are we focusing on paint chips and fabric swatches and linen slipcovers? - but like lightening striking, I realized today after reading about Baby Gavin and thinking of my own children and wee grand babes - that every second counts. Every ounce of energy we can pour into our environments, our homes, our family, our tables, our food, our hugs, our time, our smiles - and yes, our wall colour and decorative vignettes and sconces and the glued crack in an heirloom collectible......they all matter. Linda of Surroundings continues to make beautiful spaces although she is missing her Father; she knows. Life 'is' in the details and I am so very glad I've got all of you to share them with - you give, I receive, I give, you receive. Life 'is' in the details and our give and take; while we have each other. Let's fuss.

A Blogger's Loss (Gather Around This Family)

Gavin has gone to heaven.

The 10 PM Shopping Cart

Cause when you stay at Bubby's (the artist) you never know if she'll have milk in the fridge and yes, we should have been in bed, but Bubby loves spontaneity. Sippy.

Kewpie Doll

On my doorstep. On my kitchen floor. In my bathroom. Daring to touch the fireplace. Edging her way around my oval coffee table. Pulling her diaper off and tumbling around nude. Peeking inside cupboards. I'm on Kewpie Doll patrol. Did you know that they were originally manufactured in Germany? But now this Bubby has a real live one to play with!

The Swing

Just a lovely, denim-filled, baby moment I wanted to share with you. LPxo

How Pro-Choice Are You?

Just wondering. (I think my novel makes my position abundantly clear. Or does it?)

Lucky Girls + Ju-Ju-Be

Is your diaper bag fashion-forward? (or was it years ago when you had a baby in your arms?) I just can't get over all the stylish diaper bags and accessories in stores today - Young Mom's have it made in spades - colourful and fun. It seems to me we had plastic vinyl ones..without a lick of design attached to it. It was all function. Today, the market is full of wonderful fashion-forward choices. Smart, but sassy, Ju-Ju-Be is the fusion of technology, style, and attitude into the hottest diaper bags on the market. My daughters are so hip and fortunate to be giving birth in this decade! Lucky girls. Lucky Babies. These are the ultimate/best baby gifts! You'll get oohs and ahhhs. (Shhh...I was wondering....would it be wrong if I ordered one for myself?)

Miss Liberty Turns One

Bubby is celebrating today! My little Granddaughter is '1' today. She is my smooshy puddin' and lovey butterbean. Happy Birthday Miss Liberty! I'll be at your house shortly to give you bagfuls of kisses. (That's my Son and Libby's Mama) xo