Showing posts with label Save It for Later. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Save It for Later. Show all posts

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Save It for Later: Manti Te'o, Kids Online Safety and More



This week: Manti Te'o and our kids' safety in social media, expressing emotions, Notre Dame cover-ups, the flu, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.


Save It for Later is a series wherein I share the best from the Web that I bookmarked throughout the week to read later, at week’s end, when I have time.  Here’s what I found most interesting and useful from this week.

In light of the Manti Te'o scandal, how do we talk to our kids about online safety?


With the fantastic and tragic Manti Te’o story taking the forefront this week, a story about a star college athlete being duped, or victim of an elaborate Catfish scheme, wherein he was tricked into believing a beloved online girlfriend had died then finding out she never even existed, I wondered how I could protect my children, who are a tween and teen regularly using social media, from falling victim to such pranks.  Of course, we discussed the situation and I was stunned at the knowledge they already possess.

Keeping the lines of communication open with my kids is key to keeping them safe online.  Also, online monitoring is vital.  Some of this I do with them knowing, some monitoring happens without them knowing.  Which is better?  Check out these two articles from NetFamilyNews.org:Tech Intelligence for Parents as a start:  


Take some time to explore NetFamilyNews.org.  This site is accessible and intelligent in its suggestions for parenting in the digital age, the age of social media.

Why is a fake dead girl more important than a real dead girl to Notre Dame?


Continuing with the Manti Te’o fiasco, he is alum of Notre Dame.  My beef with Notre Dame is that they have given more press time and more empathy in a situation that involves a fake dead girl when there is a real dead girl that is rarely mentioned.  A young woman was raped by a member of the Fighting Irish football team, bullied into keeping quiet, and later committed suicide.  I have much to say on this issue, but I’ll start by providing you links from several outlets reporting on this horrific incident:


These types of stories obviously bring forth strong emotions.  As adult parents it’s sometimes difficult to know how to appropriatly express our anger and sadness in these situations.  Also, we need to  help our children appropriately express their feelings when tragedy, whether major or minor, comes forth via the media.

iPad App to help young children identify emotions


It’s our responsibility as parents to allow our children to have their emotions and give them tools for them to be successful.  This needs to start early in their lives, which brings me to my next great find of the week.  

There is a great iPad app called MoodyMonster Manor that according to Free Technology for Teachers,
“...is designed to help children learn to recognize emotions. Moody Monster Manor features twenty cartoon monsters that represent emotions that children commonly experience.
After meeting all of the monsters in Moody Monster Manor children can help the monsters deal with their emotions in four fun games (more games are in development). Children can help Hungry Hank make a snack, help Worried Wanda with her homework, and help Confused Carl match name tags to monsters. My favorite of the games is helping Scared Sam capture bad dreams so that he can get to sleep. To help Scared Sam capture the bad dreams students have to move their iPads left and right to shine a virtual flashlight on the bad dreams.” (Richard Byrne)
What strategies do you use to help your kids of any age develop tools to express their emotions?

Also in the news, the Flu and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.


More things in the news this week include the honoring of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the flu epidemic that is severely affecting children.  Below are some informative links on the protecting your children from the flu and some fun learning activities for MLK Day:


Martin Luther King Activities (older kids)


What did you find most interesting on the Web or in the news this week?




photo credit: Fanie! via photopin cc photo credit: San Diego Shooter via photopin cc
photo credit: mdanys via photopin cc
photo credit: GiantsFanatic via photopin cc

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Save It for Later: Women Veterans and Senators


Congratulations! You survived Election 2012.  It was exciting and great for women.  Here’s the best of what I bookmarked this week, all related to women and being American.  Happy Veterans Day!

Women Veterans
Veterans Advantage
According to Veterans Advantage, “Roughly 15% of today’s military are women, but military observers will tell you their influence is greater than their numbers suggest and it's growing.”  As you make your reflections for Veterans Day, be sure to remember some female military greats here: Saluting Women Who Served.


Rape in the Military
The Invisible War
Amy Ziering, producer of the film, The Invisible War, which sheds light on the epidemic of rape in the United States Military, states “There’s much about being raped in the military that’s categorically different from civilian rape.  In many ways it can be even more profoundly damaging. If you’re a civilian, you can seek immediate comfort and support from friends and family, you can seek recourse through an impartial criminal justice system, and you are not blamed and castigated if you report. What the public doesn't realize is that if you are raped in the military, you don’t have these options. Plus, it goes against the creed you've been taught—‘A good soldier doesn’t tell on a fellow soldier — good marines suck it up.’ All these things combined have kept so many victims from being able to talk about what happened to them,” (Los Angeles Post, June 26, 2012).

It is vital to raise awareness of the epidemic of rape in the military as we continue to strive in our country for the elimination of and healing from crimes against women.  For more information see the website, Not Invisible, where you can watch the trailer, request a screening, and obtain information on having your voice heard.

Celebrating Women Senators
Do you know all of the recently elected female U.S. Senators?  I love this presentation I found on Prezi:




Let's Not Forget Our Widows
The American Widow Project
Back in April, Anna Mahler, a regular contributor to Wednesday's Woman spotlighted Taryn Davis, founder of the American Widow Project.  Veterans Day is certainly a time to keep our widows in our thoughts.

“While the service member’s sacrifice is acknowledged, many simply forget or fail to recognize the sacrifice of the spouse who is now left a widow of war. Often times the invisible wounds of military widows are disregarded due to age or a simple lack of knowledge and understanding." ~Taryn Davis
The American Widow Project provides peer to peer support for a new generation of military widows.  For more information go here: The American Widow Project. 



Women Do Not Belong in the Kitchen
This has nothing to do with the election or veterans.  I simply feel compelled to share.

The trouble with depression is indolence becomes my best friend.  Time with my best friend keeps me from doing things like chores, exercising, reading, and the like.  However, depression and its accompanying sloth does give a great excuse for leaving the dishes, which I despise doing.  

These dishes have been accumulating since Thursday,
a true, off-line, Save It for Later.
Even though I am happy to report that I am gaining momentum (yesterday I raked leaves and cleaned out my car with the help of my youngest daughter, Antonia), I could not bring myself to tackle that sink. This morning, my significant other did it for me.  Thanks, M.  I seriously do not belong in the kitchen.


Save It for Later is a regular feature sharing the week's best bookmarks that I saved to read later.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Save It for Later: Voices of Healing


In my highly neglected series, Save It for Later, I summarized things I found and bookmarked throughout the week from around the Web, reading them later, and then sharing them with you.  Although it is not technically the end of the week, I resurrect the series on the day when we expect to be visited by ghosts, Halloween

Consider this installment of Save It for Later a transition of a series from ghost to reality, and enjoy.

Your Roots Fridays

Last week, I was thrilled to be featured at Erin Margolin’s space for her series Your Roots Fridays, where writers explore their beginnings.  I struggled with this post because, as I am sure some of you experience, it’s difficult to articulate where words come from and where the need to write originates.  Please check out my submission, Me Too, and then explore the rest of the great stories submitted by others in the Show Us Your Roots series.  

As I explored Erin Margolin’s space, I realized she is an active voice and co-founder of the Gay Dad Project.  This is a project that you must take note of and share with friends.  Not only does Erin share her story about the day her dad revealed to the family that he was gay, but you will also find the story told from the perspectives of her mom and her dad.  What struck me most about these stories is the power in more than one person in the family sharing their experiences. 

In my own experience of healing from my hurts that occurred within my family of origin, I have had to separate from family members completely.  Seeing that Erin’s mom and dad were willing to share their stories is profound, brave, and a giant step in the right direction to healing their family’s hurts.  Also, through their words, other families will find strength and courage to live in honesty and love. 

One of Erin’s partners in the Gay Dad Project will appear on the Ricki Lake Show this Friday. 


Spiritual Journey of Healing

Spiritual Journey of a Lightworker
Patricia Singleton is another very powerful voice of healing.  I visit her space, Spiritual Journey of a Lightworker, regularly for inspiration and have written about her before here.  As an incest survivor who is thriving, last week Patricia celebrated the courageous voice of Aaron Fisher, Jerry Sandusky’s Victim #1.  Be sure to read JerrySandusky's Victim #1 Is Hero #1 For All Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse.




Sperk* at One Year

BlogHer '12 VOTY eBookLast week I celebrated one year at Sperk*.  When I started writing here, I had no idea what I was doing.  Presently, I still have that feeling.  Reflecting upon the past year caused me to question if what I am doing here is of any value.  After a bit of self-loathing, I came to the conclusion that Sperk* does have value. (Not only that, because of being a BlogHer '12 Voice of the Year Honoree, I am now published!)  Within these posts, I've grown, become stronger, and know that if I stay the course I will get to a place where I can not only survive, but also thrive.  I appreciate you being my witness on this journey.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Save It for Later: BlogHer '12, Reality TV, and Back to School



In Save It for Later you’re getting a brief run-down of each week's stand-outs from around the Web.


"Opportunity often comes disguised in the form of misfortune, or temporary defeat."

Voices of the Year
Thanks to the kindness of Ashley Taylor and Stacey Gill, I had the opportunity to go to BlogHer ’12 and celebrate my VOTY honor.  Thanks to my inability to overcome the fear of the dentist, I missed it.  Also, dentists are expensive--more expensive than what I had saved for a flight to NYC.  I was faced with deciding between a cracked front tooth and lost crown being fixed and attending the conference.  The situation depressed me.  And I still haven’t found an affordable option for fixing my teeth.  I’m in a funk and hoping to overcome it by continuing a fearless examination of what it means to be me:  Sperk*, a human, mom, friend, and one who sometimes loses sight of the fortitude I already hold (that was in no particular order).

Did you go to BlogHer ’12?  How was it?


What Are You Watching?

I’m into the new HBO series The Newsroom.  I like its intelligent take on the media, challenging viewers to be critical thinkers as they take in the news and other forms of entertainment.  In episode four, I'll Try to Fix You, viewers got a fictional and yet impactful look into gossip magazines’ “takedown” stories.   Regina Kulik Scully and Jennifer Siebel Newsom, who write for the blog at Miss Representation, recently wrote an article related to the episode, asking us to take into consideration why we watch reality television.  Although I do not view most reality shows as “takedown” stories, they have a similar trashy feel.  The article, The Toxic 'Takedown' Fast, raises interesting questions related to both tabloid 'takedowns' and reality shows.  

With the premiere of TLC’s new show, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo , premiering on Wednesday, I have to ask, “When will we say ‘enough!’ to reality television?”  And, "Who are we taking down with these shows?" 

I’m grateful my own reality TV guilty pleasure, Pawn Stars, is not in the TLC, but airs on The History Channel.  I’m afraid Honey Boo Boo is going to cause me to boycott TLC.


Back to School Shopping

My kids start school earlier than usual this year—August 15th.  That means school supply shopping is not right around the corner.  It should be happening now.  I’m unprepared.  And both of my girls have long lists of items that need to be purchased in order for them to be prepared for learning (insert a hint of sarcasm here___).

According to a CBS News story, Americans will spend on average $689 per family on back to school shopping.  Here’s some sound advice from J.J. Montanaro, who writes at USAA, on how to make it a little less painful: 




Find something interesting while surfing the Web this week?  Let me know in the comments. 



photo credit: Thomas Hawk via photo pin cc
photo credit: Sarah Deforche via photo pin cc

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Save It for Later: FAMU and Penn State



In Save It for Later you’re getting a brief run-down of each week's stand-outs from my Diigo "Read Later" list, Pulse News, Twitter, and Pinterest

FAMU Marching 100

Wednesday, Florida A and M University President, James Ammons, announced he is resigning after the hazing death of university drum major, Robert Champion, in November.  There is a lot to this story and I wasn’t aware of it until this morning when I watched E:60 on ESPN










Briefly, Robert Champion, a drum major in the FAMU marching band, was hazed to death by band mates on the band’s bus—Bus C, to be exact—a bus known for passengers being hazed if they chose to ride on it.  Seems the band director knew hazing was going on, but thought it had stopped.  However, in an interview shown on E:60, he claims he did not know it was going on, at all.

Also on Wednesday, the family of Robert Champion filed a wrongful death law suit against FAMU.  Of course the president is stepping down.  It’s not timely; it’s what is done once the law suits start coming in.  In my opinion, he should have been gone in November when the incident happened. 

The band was banned from performing this fall—a fitting consequence.  Thirteen band members were criminally charged in the ordeal (11 face felony hazing charges, two were charged with misdemeanors).  However, some, including the victim’s family, want the band to march again in the future.

I feel the days of FAMU’s Marching 100 should be over. Forever. Someone is dead.  Others before him were injured and the university knew about it.  Just days before Champion died, CNN reports, campus police recommended FAMU stop the band from marching or at the very least, suspend the upperclassmen.  

On Tuesday, HBO's Real Sports will air an interview with Rikki Wills, one of the defendants in the upcoming hazing trial.  Don't miss it.


Freeh Report

Much has been written about the Freeh report since its release on Thursday.  Much has been said as well.  ESPN should stop airing interviews with Jay Paterno, son of Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, and Matt Millen, a former Penn State football player.  I agree with the views on both of the aforementioned in the below links, the first from Ta-Nehisi Coates of The Atlantic, the second from Rob Raissman of the New York Daily Times.  Click them. Read them.  Stop being afraid to read and talk about the child sexual abuse scandal at Penn State.



The Other Joe Paterno



Matt Millen’s biased defense of Joe Paterno

 on ESPN indefensible

Another post about the Penn State scandal, specifically about the role of iconic, former football coach Joe Paterno, came from Ashley over at The Dose of Reality.  She was gentle yet strong in her voice and I enjoyed reading it.   Not because I love the topic---I hate it and it sickens me.  But because she provides for us an example of what we should be doing—talking about it. Make sure you read Silence is Not an Option, including the comments. There is important conversation happening.  Don't be afraid to join the conversation by leaving your own comment.  Then, if you are a blogger, go to your own space and blog about it.

And if you are part of the NCAA, please consider giving Penn State’s football program the death penalty.  Do all who come after the Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal at Penn State deserve to suffer by not having football?  No. Players can play football someplace else.  If Ohio State got in trouble for some players selling belongings in exchange for tattoos, if FAMU’s Marching 100 is no longer marching because they killed a person…umm…you see where this is going.  It is a rule of society that the actions, or wrong-doing of one has impact on all--even the privileged.  We will fail to learn this rule unless big powerful institutions feel the consequences, until we feel the consequences.  The only fitting consequence for Penn State is NO MORE FOOTBALL

My favorite sportscaster, Dan Patrick, was on vacation last week.  I am looking forward to his return tomorrow morning to The Dan Patrick Show to hear his commentary on the Freeh report.  I am hoping to hear something like what he said last November when the scandal at Penn State broke:
“Joe Paterno has lost the right
to be the head coach of Penn State.”
~Dan Patrick
I hope I hear Dan say, "Penn State has lost the right to have a football program."  And after, I hope he takes down that poster of Kate Upton that is hanging behind him.  It's still crushing my morale.

photo credit: divinemisscopa via photo pin cc

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Save It for Later: Father's Day and Jerry Sandusky


Save It for Later is a weekly roundup of items I find around the Web that I find worth sharing.  I use the term  "weekly" lightly, as I have not been exactly consistent it getting this posted.  In an attempt to turn over a new blogging leaf, I am back at it and on Father's Day.

Father's Day is not a fun one for me.  As some of you know, my father is a child molester and I was one of his victims.  I know I am not alone in experiencing mixed emotions during Father's Day and some have different reasons than my own.  However, there are some great dads out there and they deserve to be honored.  If you are one of those dads, and you know who are even if you did not receive a new drill or tie, Happy Father's Day.  Keep up the good work.  Your kids need you.  You are significant in their lives and you must never forget it--even on your worst of days.

Father's Day and Money

According to the History Channel American’s spend 1 billion dollars each year on Father’s Day gifts.  That’s a lot of money.  I am sure many dads deserve to be honored with gifts on this designated day to honor, but I can think of many more deserving ways to spend that much money.

If we took the money we spent on Father’s Day gifts and gave it to an organization that supports the prevention of child abuse, we could make an impact on moving towards eliminating child abuse.  This would result in world full good dads, dads who as children grew up in supportive environments.

I am not saying the good dads out there do not deserve to be honored.  They do.  But how about cooking up a good breakfast with items you already have in your refrigerator and finding a piece of paper and pen and making a handmade card with a poem authored by the kids?

I think the same should be done for Mother’s Day, too.  Little girls who grow up in supportive environments grow up to be supportive moms.

Also, preventing child abuse is good for the economy.

According to the Pew Charitable Trust, child abuse costs our nation 103.8 billion dollars a year:

The $103.8 billion cost of child abuse and neglect includes more than $33 billion in direct costs for foster care services, hospitalization, mental health treatment, and law enforcement.  Indirect costs of over $70 billion include loss of productivity, as well as expenditures related to chronic health problems, special education, and the criminal justice system. (source)

Loss of productivity impacts the economy as does tax dollars spent on foster care services and the criminal justice system.  So what would happen if we all took just a little of that Father’s Day gift money and donated it to an organization that works to prevent child abuse?  What would happen if we all took time after making our donations to learn how to prevent child abuse?   We could make a difference. 

The financial costs of child abuse is substantial, but let’s not forget the cost that is immeasurable—pain and suffering that lasts a lifetime:

. . .it is impossible to calculate the impact of the pain, suffering, and  reduced quality of life that victims of child abuse and neglect experience.  These “intangible losses”, though difficult to quantify in monetary terms, are real and should not be overlooked.  Intangible losses, in fact, may represent the largest cost component of violence against children and should be taken into account when allocating resources. (PCAAmerica)
Here are some organizations that work to prevent child abuse, could use your donation, and can provide you with information to learn to prevent child abuse:


Jerry Sandusky Stands Trial

Jerry Sandusky
Jerry Sandusky who is accused of 52 counts of molesting 10 boys over 14 years maintains his innocence.  His trial began on Monday June 11 wherein testimony from The Sandusky 8, the victims in the trial, was damaging to Sandusky at best.  At some point in the coming week, Sandusky himself is to take the stand in his own defense.  The defense is claiming the victims are in pursuit of financial gain and plan to have an expert testify that Sandusky has a psychiatric disorder—histrionic psychiatric disorder—that caused him to seek the boys attention.  Meaning, he wasn’t really grooming them so that he could rape them he just needed friends.

As uncomfortable as it is, it’s important to stay aware of what transpires during the Sandusky trial.  The Pennsylvania Coalition against Rape (PCAR) has invaluable resources available that parents, school officials, government officials, and anyone concerned with the effects of child abuse on our society should read.  It’s not a short list, so if you just have time for one, be sure to read Talking Points: Child Sexual Abuse.  At the very least, we all should be talking about it.  You can also follow the PCAR blog and real time updates via Twitter from PCAR during the trial.

Keep in mind, although difficult, incredibly difficult, it is possible to heal from child sexual abuse.  In response the hearing victims testimony during the Sandusky trial, Chris Carlton wrote an inspiring piece expressing support for the victims:

So, where does that leave me? Well…hopeful. Not for me—I feel like one of the lucky ones; I’ve found help. I’m hopeful for the men who have yet to reach out for help because what they need is right at their fingertips. The resources they believe are unattainable are within sight. The next three weeks of media bombardment need not be sustained alone and without defense—the bunker is much stronger, much larger and much fuller than anyone might think. To feel less alone and to get a glimpse at some of the millions strong in this bunker, visit 1in6.org/men/other-guys-like-me/.
 Be sure to click the link above and read the entire post.  After, visit 1 in 6.  Learn about child sexual abuse.  Information is empowering.  When empowered, we can be a force of prevention.

Happy Father's Day.


read to be read at yeahwrite.me










photo credit: naphiu via photo pin cc photo credit: marsmet551 via photo pin cc

Friday, May 4, 2012

Save It for Later on Pinterest

I have to say, I have a million posts swirling around my brain.

There is so much I want and need to deliberate in the form of sharing here at Sperk*.  The high-quality responses I typically receive in the comments always surprise me and I am grateful.  Your stories and insight propel my initial pondering into compelling conversations, helping me to discover even more of what I am trying to grasp.  THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS.

To gather my thoughts into a cohesive and purposeful state, I usually read articles of interest via Twitter or Pulse News, or I will pin, pin, pin on Pinterest.  However, today, organized thought eludes me. 

I am thinking that if I share some of the content I have been curating at Pinterest (or using in desperation to bind an idea into a succinct bit of writing), it may be fruitful in helping me to work out whatever restlessness keeps me from focus.
 
I visited Delilah over at Confessions of a Semi-Domesticated Mama this morning because I know she regularly shares her pins of interest in a category she calls “Pin…teresting.”  I was taken aback to find that she too is feeling restless.  She questions the change in weather in being the cause and I, too, am going to go that route:


Please enjoy this bit of a highlight from my beloved curating project over at Pinterest as I attempt to deal with the global warming that is transpiring within my brain:

For Fun: Vintage Dresses

Did you know that I love vintage dresses?  I do.  I really do.  If I ever acquire a ton of expendable cash, I'm going to line my mega walk-in closet with archival quality boxes full of them.  I may wear them, too!

                                                                       
Source: nymag.com via Sperk* on Pinterest

                                                                       Source: omgthatdress.tumblr.com via Sperk* on Pinterest

                                                                       


For Kids: Tech and EdTech

Summer is coming!  What are you going to do with your kids on a rainy day?  How can you be sure your students don't lose skills they acquired during the school year?  Check out my Tech/EdTech board for ideas on engaging your children over the summer.

Are you a fan of TEDTalks?  You'll love the newly launched TEDEd:

                                                                        Source: youtube.com via Sperk* on Pinterest



Kids too young for Facebook but dying to get social online?  
Help your children learn social media skills on PixyKids: Social media for ages 6-12:



                                                                          Source: pixykids.com via Sperk* on Pinterest





Maybe summer is a good time for your kids learn Spanish?  There's an App for that:

                                                                        Source: blogs.kqed.org via Sperk* on Pinterest



For You: Stories About Moms

Just in time for Mother's Day, I created a pin board of stories found around the blogosphere about mothers.  If you come across an great one, let me know.  If you would like to collaborate in gathering content, by all means, let me know and I'll add you to the board.



                                                                                  Source: blogher.com via Sperk* on Pinterest



shared this moving story about her mom this week 

                                                                        Source: peopledothingswiththeirlives.com via Sperk* on Pinterest



There couldn't be a pin board curating stories about moms
without this one from Ado at The Momalog:

                                                                        Source: themomalog.com via Sperk* on Pinterest


My brain now feels cooled off and clear.  Thanks for accompanying me as I sift through the stuff that obstructs clear and concise thought! Go check out my Pinterest profile for more curation-creation by Sperk*.


Sunday, April 22, 2012

Save It for Later: My Bad Blog Comments and Poetry



 In Save It for Later you’re getting two stand-outs from my Diigo.com "Read Later" list.

1) Friday I sat down to catch up on the great bloggers I connect with each week at yeah write.  To do so, I was going through the comments left at my yeah write #53 entry, making sure I connected with each author at their place of blogging.  See, I believe in reciprocity, not for the sake of gaining followers, but for the sake of establishing meaningful connections.  I truly value the relationships I am making through Sperk*, and as we all know, relationships that are one-sided tend to fizzle and die.  Plus, great comments usually come from great bloggers.  Reading great blogs is definitely painless.

Or so I thought.

Was it the ongoing stress of parenting, all this healing from child sexual abuse, or the constant up and down of letting the Chihuahuas in and out (they have tiny bladders) that caused me to lose my cool?  Maybe it was that I just couldn’t contain my buried anger towards the Church any longer?  Excuses aside, I totally lost it in commenting on a fellow blogger's blog.  And I regret it.  

I contemplated taking screen shots of my comments, removing them, and then posting them here for analysis, but thought that would seem a bit cowardly.  So I am just directing you to them here:


That will earn a little more blog traffic for It’s My Mind and hopefully the gesture will be put towards my case for forgiveness.  I do not usually comment on posts that I disagree with, but on Friday I lost control of any logic, intellect or wisdom I have gained during my short time as a blogger.  In the future I will heed to my sensible voice and click away silently.  

2) Did you know that April is National Poetry Month?  I did, but had not given it much thought until I was examining the writing of Melissa Ward, this week’s Wednesday’s Woman, on BlogHer.  She has a few “how to” articles for those of us who are interested in writing poetry, but aren’t real sure about how to properly tackle things like style and form.  

One of my favorite bloggers, Tara Pohlkotte, is a great poet and recently my older daughter has caught the poetry bug, so I am going to give writing poetry a try.  I encourage you to do the same, in your spare time of course.  And check out all that is and has been happening for National Poetry Month at Poets.org and find some ways to celebrate through the use of technology at edutopia.

If you don’t want to write a poem, carry one in your pocket on Thursday, April 26th


The idea is simple: select a poem you love during National Poetry Month then carry it with you to share with co-workers, family, and friends. You can also share your poem selection on Twitter by using the hashtag  #pocketpoem.


Roses are red
Violets are blue
You're to the end of another Sperk* post
And of course, I love you.


photo credit: blakeemrys via photo pin cc
photo credit: theunquietlibrarian via photo pin cc

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Save It for Later: Topics that Wore Me Out


 In Save It for Later Saturday, you're getting the best of my "read later" list from the week.  I have been unable to get these up on Saturdays and am changing the name to simply "Save It for Later."  This gives me the option to post on any day of the weekend.  Check back weekly for updates and enjoy.


 
photo credit
Although I had the most incredible week which included an outpouring of support for my post on child sexual abuse and the Church, continuing to create meaningful connections with other bloggers, both of my girls getting all A’s on their report cards, the sun shining, and the winter blues diminishing, I still had the need to shut it all down for a day.   I had a therapist once tell me that if I felt like I needed to stay in bed and had an opportunity to do so, to go ahead and do it.  That’s exactly what I did yesterday.  I needed it and feel better for it.



Here are two topics from the week that wrought my mind with contemplation (and wore me out) and deserve more conversation:


Ashley Judd, photo credit
1)  On Monday, April 9, Ashley Judd responded to the viral media attention to her puffy face.  Her words were compelling, intelligent, and a thought provoking observation on our culture’s view and treatment of women.  Read it here, then read then read Morgan Shanahan’s personal reflection on Judd’s response here.  Shanahan’s reaction is compelling because she outs her own self in engaging in the very behavior Judd knocks:

"Reading her words began to feel incredibly uncomfortable as I was forced to realize that I am as much a propagator of this epidemic as I have felt a victim of it. . . . I thought back to this recent post I'd written...and was acutely aware of not only the fact that I'd thought it about another woman, then published it, but also that the high volume of clickthroughs had made me happy, as if I'd succeeded at something."

As bloggers, we all want “clickthroughs”.  What are we willing to do to get them?  

As parents, how do we raise our children in a world in which, as Judd describes, has an“abnormal obsession with women’s faces and bodies”:

"This abnormal obsession with women’s faces and bodies has become so normal that we (I include myself at times—I absolutely fall for it still) have internalized patriarchy almost seamlessly. We are unable at times to identify ourselves as our own denigrating abusers, or as abusing other girls and women."

If we succumb to the requests of our tween and teen daughters to enhance their looks in order to fit in, are we part of the problem?  I don't think the issue is that black and white.  This conundrum as it comes up in parenting is explored in Fitting In, by Literal Mom, and in Step Away from the Confetti Cannon, by Sisterhood of the SensibleMoms.  Give them a read and ponder what we can do in order to combat the problems of our patriarchal world as well as raise empowered daughters.

Stop Child Abuse, photo credit
2)  We are 15 days into April, the month known for that unavoidable headache--taxes.  April is also Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  Child abuse and sexual assault are headaches of a different kind, but like taxes, affect all of us.  I created a pinboard with resources and ask you to share it with others.  

When I started Sperk* last late October, I had no intention of delving into the topic of child sexual abuse (CSA) nor disclosing the fact that I am an adult survivor.  To say the least, the cat is out of the bag.  Because of it, I am making connections to other survivors of child abuse in all of its forms, and the experience has been incredibly moving and empowering. 

This week, my blogging partner in writing my weekly feature, Wednesday’s Woman, Anna Mahler, shared her child abuse survivor story, I Have My Reasons, her blog The Mommy Padawan.  It is a strong piece and received recognition at the weekly writer’s competition yeah write.  It was a well-deserved kudos and I was happy to see this type of story recognized.  

Also from yeah write, making it into the top five popular vote, was So You've Been Through Hell-Now What?, by CSA survivor Angela Shelton.  She questions how to find balance when helping others amidst our own healing and meeting our needs for self-care.  She recounts a day wherein her desire to stay anonymous as an advocate for victims of sexual abuse during a much needed massage is circumvented by her friend, a "traveling P.R. firm."  Angela chooses to lend support not because she was outed, but because she knows we can never be off-duty in the plight against child sexual abuse.  Her story also amplifies the need for survivors to also take care of themselves.  She states, “Hell can consume you, if you let it.  Or you can choose to let it go.”

My hell was thwarted by a day of rest.  Now, on this beautiful Sunday, I am continuing my plight of self-care by heading out to catch a glimpse of the Goodale fountain which has just been turned on for the season.  Following I just may stop by the Park Street Tavern. The chores and to do list will be here when I return.  Besides, now that Instagram is on Android and Facebook, going out is an opportunity to provide you visually appealing stuff.  I am surely tired of photos of my dogs, my tiny little house, and the sky from my front porch brought to you via my 365Project.  

Have a great week!