tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107315062008-10-05T18:45:33.156-04:00On raising a son on the autism spectrum, progressive politics, pop culture, and coffee addiction.MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comBlogger553125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-91470204053991195582008-10-05T13:32:00.007-04:002008-10-05T14:14:48.492-04:002008-10-05T14:14:48.492-04:00

Warm congratulations to Dierks and Cassidy Bentley on the birth of their daughter, Evalyn Day Bentley! According to People magazine, baby Evie was born just before midnight last night, October 4. It's a date that's dear to my heart, as October 4 was Bud's due date - though, determined to do things his own way from the start, he was born two weeks early. And thanks to reader M, who keeps me

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-5380983956537396642008-10-02T18:30:00.000-04:002008-10-02T18:30:12.607-04:002008-10-02T18:30:12.607-04:00

If you read the political posts on my blog, then you already know that I'm a capital-L Liberal - a Ted Kennedy Democrat who falls somewhere to the left of the left. It probably won't surprise you that shortly after Barack Obama became the presumptive nominee of the Democratic party, I put an Obama yard sign out in front of my house. About a week ago, the Obama sign disappeared from my yard. My

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-86758675421296737202008-10-01T20:31:00.003-04:002008-10-02T14:15:41.904-04:002008-10-02T14:15:41.904-04:00

Bud's been in third grade for over a month now and he seems to be off to a terrific start despite a few - er - speed bumps we encountered early on. Let me back up. It all started sometime in early August, when I got a letter from the school department notifying me that because of a necessary shift in bus routes, Bud's school day would be starting a half hour later than it had in the past. Like

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-1129940838610846082008-09-28T13:30:00.005-04:002008-09-28T19:59:14.741-04:002008-09-28T19:59:14.741-04:00

I'm not sure which was more outrageous - the brilliant SNL parody or the real thing: Watch CBS Videos Online All I know is that this is the first time in recent memory that I've found myself in general agreement with a conservative columnist.

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-92119667276228204442008-09-10T19:47:00.001-04:002008-09-10T20:06:51.360-04:002008-09-10T20:06:51.360-04:00

This is a remarkable story. Walter Marino and his twelve-year-old son Christopher, who has autism, were swept out to sea and had to tread water for fifteen hours before they were rescued. It seems that, in some ways, Christopher's autism was actually an asset in helping him to manage the ordeal. Says Walter, “His lack of fear was calming to me. He was on an adventure — I mean, he was laughing.

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-63518781538605805042008-09-09T18:52:00.004-04:002008-09-10T06:54:24.297-04:002008-09-10T06:54:24.297-04:00

Yesterday, Dierks Bentley released his latest single, "Feel That Fire," to radio stations. He also made it available for download from his website to fans and executive-producer types. I added it to my iTunes playlist and called Bud over to get his expert opinion. Bud peered over my shoulder to look at the screen while he listened, then read the title, snapped his head toward me, and said,

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-55276213893598584052008-09-05T18:53:00.002-04:002008-09-05T19:06:44.933-04:002008-09-05T19:06:44.933-04:00

Two very different takes from two very different people. One single clear message. Gloria Steinem. Jon Stewart:

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-28755620534050913972008-08-24T10:30:00.002-04:002008-08-24T12:49:08.843-04:002008-08-24T12:49:08.843-04:00

Yes, I am still here. Thanks to those of you who have checked in to make sure that I haven't checked out. As you may know, I work at a college, which means that this is one of the busiest times of year for me in a regular year, and because of a number of factors at my particular institution, this August has been crazier than most. Add to that the fact that Bud is gearing up to start third grade

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-61139629935840806282008-08-09T20:48:00.005-04:002008-08-09T23:22:12.447-04:002008-08-09T23:22:12.447-04:00

I'm sure it comes as no surprise to you that Bud is one cool dude. Lately he's been adopting a cool attitude with me, complete with cool 'tween language - rendered, of course, in his own inimitable Bud-speak. The other day I was ranting at him about something that I clearly thought was important and he clearly thought was not. "Bud," I blathered, "You have to stop blah blah blah, or else it will

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-90014847221065444382008-08-08T23:51:00.000-04:002008-08-09T08:29:52.690-04:002008-08-09T08:29:52.690-04:00

Thank you, my friends, for being smarter than me. Remember earlier this year when you sent e-mails and made phone calls and talked politics with me as you tried to sway my vote away from John Edwards and toward Barack Obama? Remember how I said I just couldn't find a reason not to support John Edwards, how I said I thought he put the needs of the country first, how I said I simply trusted him,

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-15088980265466366622008-07-26T09:36:00.006-04:002008-07-26T12:36:52.148-04:002008-07-26T12:36:52.148-04:00

It has been a very sad week. I got the news on Thursday that Vicki Forman's son Evan died very suddenly and unexpectedly, and I have been reeling since the moment I hung up the phone. I recognize the feeling, because it's one I've had before. I am grieving. In many ways, I hesitate to put the word in writing, because as soon as I do I think "Who are you to grieve? Vicki and Cliff have lost a

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-61082521242078825842008-07-24T22:33:00.004-04:002008-07-25T12:48:25.963-04:002008-07-25T12:48:25.963-04:00

With thoughts of love and peace and comfort and strength in a time of unthinkable sadness, to friends who are far away, but close to my heart.

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-3153989123875563312008-07-22T22:13:00.002-04:002008-07-23T09:31:04.987-04:002008-07-23T09:31:04.987-04:00

Hey! It's my blog! I remember my blog! Hello, blog friends! Thank you for continuing to check in to see if I'm here. I'm sorry I haven't been. It's been a busy summer. It's been busy for a lot of reasons. We've had some vacation getaway time on a lake and at the ocean. Bud's been taking - and loving - swimming lessons at the college pool. We've been engaged with a fabulous summer school program

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-34272306187274886202008-07-02T11:41:00.000-04:002008-07-02T11:42:00.455-04:002008-07-02T11:42:00.455-04:00

Oh, those pesky, pesky pronouns. I'm often reminded when talking to Bud just how difficult the English language is. This morning I was reminded that, when spoken, the word "your" sounds exactly like the word "you're," and confusion of the two can make the response to a question sound like a personal affront. Bud woke for the day today at 3:30 a.m. - a phenomenon I haven't seen since late last

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-81525122701314570142008-06-28T16:29:00.003-04:002008-06-28T19:24:46.446-04:002008-06-28T19:24:46.446-04:00

You know how sometimes you're just in the right place at the right time? I had a lot of that this week. First I discovered that my vacation schedule was coordinating well with the work schedules of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, making it possible for me to join them at their historic unity rally in the tiny, rural town of Unity, New Hampshire. Then I discovered that friends of mine were

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-4535345418170135412008-06-18T20:28:00.003-04:002008-06-19T12:39:16.184-04:002008-06-19T12:39:16.184-04:00

I mentioned previously that Bud likes a certain Trace Adkins song. Apparently, I didn't realize just how much he likes it. We were driving in the car the other day and Bud was sitting silently in the back seat, listening intently to his iPod. Suddenly, his voice rang out and filled the car with a passion-filled declaration: "Ladies Love Country Boys is MILLIONS of good!" Then he fell silent

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-7955286909867496712008-06-17T22:33:00.005-04:002008-06-17T23:33:41.799-04:002008-06-17T23:33:41.799-04:00

It seems there is another MOM-NOS out there posting on the web. I stumbled upon her posts through a Google search and discovered that "MomNos" is a "Senior Member" of the Autism Speaks community and has been an active poster on their boards since June 2007. I also discovered that she and I have radically different philosophies: she lists her interests as "fighting autism" and her occupation as "

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-61580394310089077692008-06-15T11:02:00.005-04:002008-06-15T22:13:26.053-04:002008-06-15T22:13:26.053-04:00

Children's author David Elliott creates characters who are much like the author himself: full of humor, full of heart, and just the tiniest bit subversive. I know this for two reasons: first, because David is a friend of mine, and second, because I never miss an opportunity to fall in love with one of the characters he's created. My love affair started with Roscoe Wizzle, the boy who took on

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-21311613101572749782008-06-14T09:34:00.001-04:002008-06-14T09:39:02.127-04:002008-06-14T09:39:02.127-04:00

Ask Bud who his favorite singer is, and he'll give you the same answer every time: "Dierks Bentley." But put your head next to his while he's listening to his iPod these days, and it's likely that you'll hear a different voice singing these lyrics: "Now she's riding in the middle of his pickup truck, blaring Hank Jr., yelling "Turn it up!"..." It's Trace Adkins belting out "Ladies Love Country

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-56332081767534508022008-06-06T13:25:00.008-04:002008-06-06T22:56:01.944-04:002008-06-06T22:56:01.944-04:00

I've been following the online weather forecast closely, loading and reloading the page, willing it to change. But so far, it's not working. Every time I check, it tells me the same thing - that this is what is headed our way today: This is what's in store for us tomorrow: This is what Sunday will bring: And this is what's coming Monday: If you're a long-time reader, you may recall that two

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-25034778289597457492008-05-28T21:32:00.007-04:002008-05-29T22:02:50.999-04:002008-05-29T22:02:50.999-04:00

It takes a village to raise a child. People say it so much that it sounds cliche, but if you have a child, then you know it's true. What you do as a parent is important, but you can never underestimate the power and influence of the other people in your child's life - especially the people who are with him when you are not. You choose some of the people in your child's village; others are

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-45186739499104567142008-05-20T18:32:00.009-04:002008-05-22T20:29:50.358-04:002008-05-22T20:29:50.358-04:00

You can't tell by looking, but my blog is on fire today. Like many bloggers, I have a Site Meter tracking tool that tells me how many people are visiting my blog and how they are finding me. On a typical day, people surf in after searching for things like "echolalia" or "autism every day" or, even, "why am I getting split ends all of a sudden." But today? Today I have had a constant stream of

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-34842317560332131722008-05-14T19:23:00.003-04:002008-05-14T19:27:27.755-04:002008-05-14T19:27:27.755-04:00

If John Edwards can do it, so can I:

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-11465582381241360622008-05-13T19:44:00.003-04:002008-05-13T21:53:42.434-04:002008-05-13T21:53:42.434-04:00

Niksmom has tagged me for a meme and challenged me to write my life story in six words. I'm guessing that this meme has its roots in the Smith Magazine Six Word Memoir project, and it's an interesting exercise because it forces people to hone in on the essence of what is - or has been - most important, instructive, or instrumental in their lives. Here's mine: Amid the losses, so much found. If

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10731506.post-66886427855090377792008-05-12T18:47:00.002-04:002008-05-12T18:57:50.784-04:002008-05-12T18:57:50.784-04:00

If you've been reading my blog lately, then you probably think that there's not much going on around here and that the only things on my mind are the melting snow, my hair stylist, and Dierks Bentley's new cd. Au contraire. Sometimes it seems like there is an inverse ratio at work on my blog: the more that's going on, the less I am able to write. There are a lot of contributing factors. Bud's

MOM-NOShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00871470010300861815noreply@blogger.com