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Raising Cubby

March 12, 2013 by 4 Comments

Raising Cubby By John Elder Robison

On a recent training run for Saturday’s half marathon — my first — I described the opening scene from Raising Cubby to my running partner who works with special needs students.

“Yep, I have a student like that,” she responded. (I assume she was nodding in agreement but I tend to look at the road ahead when running.)

I was honestly baffled. This is a world I do not live in.

But, that’s also why I wanted to read this book. I wanted to understand it.

Alas, with training for a half marathon, working a full-time job and raising two food allergy kids (a different kind of special needs), I just haven’t had the time to read more than the first chapter.

What are you busy reading?

This post was inspired by Raising Cubby: A Father and Son’s Adventures with Asperger’s, Trains, Tractors, and High Explosives by John Elder Robison. Parenting is a challenging job, but what challenges does a parent with Asperger’s face? Join From Left to Write on March 12 as we discuss Raising Cubby. As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.

 

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Remembering My Early Days In Publishing: A Post Inspired By “Gone Girl” By Gillian Flynn

June 12, 2012 by 8 Comments

I’d arrived in New York in the late ‘90s, the last gasp of the glory days, although no one knew it then. New York was packed with writers, real writers, because there were magazines, real magazines, loads of them….a time when newly graduated college kids could come to New York and get paid to write.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

This was me. Only I wasn’t writing for a magazine, although, that was the original plan. Instead, I was working as an editorial assistant at a well-known (a-hem, romance) book publisher. I sifted through the slush pile; I wrote rejection letters; I answered my boss’ phone.

One day, a reporter from Entertainment Weekly called. I can’t remember why exactly. But I do remember her name.

It was Gillian.

I remember because her name wasn’t pronounced the way I thought it would be. Her name wasn’t Jillian. It was Gillian. With a G, not a J. Like gill, not Jill – I made sure to tell my boss how to pronounce it correctly.

And I remember being a little star struck because I had just spoken with someone from Entertainment Weekly. I was new to this publishing biz. I was green.

Heck, I still get a little star struck talking with someone from one of the big magazines.

These days, many of the friends I made in New York in the late ‘90s have moved up – way up – the publishing ladder, myself included. Many have moved on to other things.

And that reporter? Well, I think she wrote this book.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Such a small world we live in.

Where were you in the late ’90s? How does that compare with where you are today?

This post is inspired by Gone Girl (Amazon affiliate link), a psychological thriller about marriage and murder by Gillian Flynn.  As a member of From Left to Write, I received a copy of the book for free. Join us as we discuss the book. And make sure to add it to your summer reading list. It’s a good one!

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Baking Mac Without the Cheese

May 23, 2012 by 5 Comments

I miss cheese. It’s the one thing I haven’t quite found a substitute for. Most of the vegan cheeses at my local market contain caseins and therefore aren’t completely dairy-free for the food allergic. One product that is dairy-free and works well is Daiya; its my go-to when I can’t go without, like on pizza.

Or the baked Mac and “Cheese” recipe I tried for lunch today.

Dairy Free Mac and Cheese

I was inspired by the novel Julia’s Child by Sarah Pinneo about a mom who makes and sells organic food for toddlers. There are several recipes sprinkled throughout the book, including one for “Mac and Cheese With Plenty of Dairy.”

Its like the title challenged me to make it without dairy.

Most of the substitutions were easy, with the exception of cottage cheese. I have not found a dairy-free cottage cheese. (If you know of one, please share.) So that’s where I started to improvise.

It turned out pretty and tasted fine but I want to work on the recipe before I share it. I kind of threw it together with ingredients I had on hand. I promise I’ll share when its ready.

Did you try something new for lunch today? Please share in the comments below. I’m always looking for new recipe challenges ideas.

Julia's Child by Sarah Pinneo   This post is inspired by Julia’s Child: A Novel (Amazon affiliate link) by Sarah Pinneo. Worried about what her kids eat, Julia Bailey starts a prepared organic toddler meals business. With names like Gentil Lentil, can Julia balance work and family and still save the world? Join From Left to Write as we discuss Julia’s Child. As a member, I received a copy of the book for free.

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Don’t Quiet the Internet

January 18, 2012 by 4 Comments

On this day of the Internet blackout in protest of SOPA/PIPA, I considered not posting. I considered staying offline all day.

I considered staying quiet.

I am quiet by nature, a classic introvert. I’ve tried rallying against it, tried being an extrovert for others, but that’s not who I am.

I accept that I’m quiet – no, I embrace it! But everyone has a voice and this blog is mine. I do not want to silence it.

So, while I’m not participating in today’s blackout, I fully support it…

…in my own quiet way.

Are you an introvert or extrovert?

This post was inspired by Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking (Amazon Affiliate link). In her book, author Susan Cain explores how introverts can be powerful in a world where being an extrovert is highly valued. Join From Left to Write as we discuss this book. We’ll also be chatting live with the author at 1PM Eastern on January 26. As a member of From Left to Write, I received a copy of the book for free. All opinions are my own. This post is not intended as a review.

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Why I Don’t Like the Special Needs Label

November 9, 2011 by 6 Comments

The first time someone referred to my son as special needs it struck me like a slap across the face. It wasn’t intended that way; I just don’t consider him special needs.

But I guess his food allergies are special needs. I just don’t want them to be. I want him to be normal, whatever than means.

Food allergies are an invisible disability, which might be why I don’t think of them as special needs. I don’t see my son’s food allergies when I look at him. I see an adorable three year old who melts my heart. Of course I would see him that way; I’m his mother. But others don’t see his food allergies either. They just see a toddler.

And therein lies the threat.

Last fall, before my son had any awareness of his allergies, we went to a parade where participants were throwing candy into the crowd.  A well-meaning grandmother (no relation) kept handing candy to us. I didn’t have the energy to explain to her why our son couldn’t have the candy. Thankfully, at two, he wasn’t all that interested; he was more into the fire trucks.

This year, we went to the same parade and he delighted in collecting candy (we came home with a bagful) but now he understands that some foods, candy included, make him sick. For the most part, he’s happy with whatever safe alternative we provide. And he doesn’t get upset when he’s eating a Popsicle while all his classmate get to enjoy ice cream.

I hope that one day this won’t be the case. I hope that one day he won’t have any special needs. But, for now, food allergies are our reality and the only label I care to deal with is a nutritional label.

Disclaimer: This post was inspired by Expecting Adam: A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic, a beautifully written memoir by Martha Beck about expecting a child with Downs Syndrome. As a member of the From Left to Write Book Club, I received this book for free. These opinions are my own. This post is not intended as a review. The book link is an Amazon Affiliate link.

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