Menarche is a rite of passage for women, yet it is often shrouded in such secrecy that young girls assume it is something they need to fear, or at least be ashamed of. Some of the stories in this collection do recount sad tales of adults who did little to prepare girls for this transition into womanhood. Yet, there are stories of tenderness and celebration.

I hope that this book will begin a new way of thinking about and talking about first periods (and all periods, for that matter). I wonder how euphemisms like “The Curse” impact how women feel about menstruation, their bodies, and sexuality.

Menstruation is a sign that another life is possible. It is an opportunity to celebrate womanhood, creation, life, motherhood, and Self. When did these become shameful things?

Women's Rites is a post from: Living Sexuality

I reviewed “Sex & the Soul: Juggling Sexuality, Spirituality, Romance and Religion on America’s College Campuses” by Donna Freitas.

Freitas interviewed and surveyed students from a variety of colleges, including Catholic and Evangelical schools. Initially she thought she would be comparing these religious campuses with the non-religious ones, but she soon discovered that the real distinction was between the Evangelical campuses and everybody else.

What I couldn’t say in my review is that I totally identified with her description of the Evangelical campus. I went to a conservative Christian college in Minnesota in the mid-90s. There was a lot of pressure to NOT LOOK sexual, NOT ACT sexual, and definitely NOT BE sexual outside of marriage. There was a strict code of conduct that included things like stipulations on how long a woman’s skirt had to be – and it was enforced.

We also had visitation hours strictly enforced. As a resident assistant my junior year, it was my duty to monitor the dorms on the weekends and be sure that if the opposite sex was visiting, that the door was open, the lights were on, and there was no hanky-panky going on. I may not have agreed with the rules, but I managed to adhere to (most of) them. Imagine my confusion, then, when at one point I was taken to task for having a piece of art in my room that was deemed offensive. The closest thing I had to anything “suggestive” was a tasteful (I thought) black and white print of Isabella Rossellini and Mikhail Baryshnikov. (Although, now that I think of it — he did have his shirt off! And they were in an embrace. And dancers do wear those tights that show everything. Ah yes, I can see what was so disturbing to one’s virgin eyes!)

So although the other schools have their share of sexual issues to deal with, it’s clear (at least to me, and I believe to Freitas) that the Evangelical campuses have their share of problems as well. They may not be the “obvious” problems that draw attention, but Evangelical campuses are perpetuating a possibly dangerous naivete among their students.

Ignorance is not bliss.

I’ve Been Published! Sex and the Soul is a post from: Living Sexuality

I’ve welcomed my children to join me in the creative process of painting and collaging and stamping. We even made wire wings, following the directions on p. 74-75. But what I truly long for is a weekend of solitude with just me and my art supplies. With no other obligation than to create to my heart’s content.

“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” – Vincent Van Gogh

(I previously posted about the books I’ll be reading this year. Next on the list is Sex on the Brain.)

Book Review: Taking Flight is a post from: Living Sexuality

I enjoy reading articles and blogs online, but have come to realize that they just can’t cover subjects to the degree that a good book can. I am narrowing down my list of blogs that I will tend to, focusing on ones that either educate or inspire me. More on that in a future post.

For now, these are the TEN BOOKS I COMMIT TO READING THIS YEAR:

Life is a Verb by Patti Digh – which I bought myself for Christmas. I follow the author Patti Digh on twitter and her blog is fantastic! “37 days to wake up, be mindful, and live intentionally.”

Taking Flight by Kelly Rae Roberts – another book I bought myself for Christmas. I adore Kelly Rae‘s creations and one of her lovely prints adorns my foyer. Her book includes a lot of her art as well as others’. “Inspiration and Techniques to Give Your Creative Spirit Wings.”

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein- this was one of my favorite books as a kid, and my daughter is in a real “giving” stage right now. She made ornaments and handed them out to strangers last month. I got upset when she gave her Christmas presents to people a week early, but she cried and said she couldn’t help it because she just like to make people happy. She’s a sweetie and I think she’ll enjoy this book.

Driftless by David Rhodes – I heard a spot on NPR the other day about this book and knew right away that it was going to make my list. Why? Because it’s set in my home-state of Wisconsin. Read an excerpt.

Eve’s Revenge: Women and a Spirituality of the Body by Lilian Calles Barger - Sounds right up my alley.

The Dance of the Dissident Daughter: A Woman’s Journey from Christian Tradition to the Sacred Feminine by Sue Monk Kidd – she probably doesn’t remember this, but Julie Clawson and some other women recommended this book to me when we were at the Emerging Women’s East Coast Gathering in Virginia Beach in late 2006.

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant - gotta have some good fiction to even things out. I heard positive things about this book a few years ago, and I own the book. ‘Bout time I read it!

Now onto books more geared toward my day job:

Sex on the Brain by Daniel Amen, Bonk by Mary Roach, and TA Today: A New Introduction to Transactional Analysis by Ian Stewart.

And if I’m really on top of things, I may even post book reviews!

Ten Books for the New Year is a post from: Living Sexuality

I have been trying to find a local place that serves a specific pasta dish I have been craving. Nothing fancy, just cream sauce over tortellini with peas and proscuitto.

God Bless Rachelle Mee-Chapman at her blog Food Hero - where she posted a recipe!!! (She also has a lovely blog, Magpie Girl ).

I will be making this soon, and savoring every bite. I only wish this particular pleasure was less damaging to my waistline.

One of Life's Greatest Pleasures… is a post from: Living Sexuality