introducing my fellow bloggers (part 3)

For the past two Mondays, I’ve reserved my blogging space for the introduction of those “blogmates” with whom I’ve journeyed in the last year-plus, especially those whose links I’ve included in my Peace Garden Mama I Blogger listing. For the first two installments, go here. While I continue to discover new and wonderful blogs on a regular basis, these are among those I happened upon when first entering this world, and continue to enjoy reading and featuring each day.

KAREN EDMISTEN: “The blog with the shockingly clever title.” Author: Karen. I first met Karen through a writers’ listserv, and quickly became “attached” to her blog. She describes the theme of her blog-writing in this way: A thoroughly Catholic (formerly atheist … there’s a story), Eucharist devoted, confession going, homeschooling, writing wife and mother who doesn’t let a day go by without pining for a nap. Well, the first part was interesting enough, but the “pining for a nap” part was what pulled me in. Hello faith sister, I thought. I’m SO with you. I, too, live for the ever-elusive-but-always-appreciated nap. Karen’s devotion to her three children comes partly in the form of homeschooling (a calling I greatly admire). She’s also a widely-published freelance writer and the author of a forthcoming book, The Rosary: Keeping Company with Jesus and Mary.

MOTHERLOAD. Author: Amy. “The fruitless, losing quest for perfection we are pressed to feel as mothers,” is how Amy leads her blog. I found Amy’s blog through another blog, which I found through another blog. That’s the way we get connected in this world, right? But something about it stood out from the others. When I clicked on the link to “tour” her “Mother Load,” one-mother show, I was laughing to the point of tears. This is a talented woman who has found a way to take her mother angst and bring it to the stage. The show is currently on tour, traveling soon to a city near you (if you’re lucky…not sure when/if it will ever get as far as Fargo, but one can hope…). Her witty and thought-provoking posts detail life of a mother interacting with her children and sharing thoughts about the culture around her. Her dedication to the subject of breastfeeding is another reason her blog caught my attention and admiration. You will not regret a stop by her blog.

MURRAY’S MOMMA. Author: Marie. “Musings from a 20-something new mom.” Finding Murray’s Momma was one of the initial delights of my venture into the world of blogging. Marie found my blog first, and in no time, we’d formed an online blogger-mommy friendship. Lucky for me, Marie lives nearby, and in December we had the chance to meet in person. I have truly enjoyed following Marie’s blog and rediscovering and remembering, through her, the joys of new motherhood. Marie is one of those hard-working locals who rolled up her sleeves during the height of the Fargo-Moorhead Flood 2009. Through her blog, she’s recently shared the difficult but hopeful recovery of a relative who was injured in an accident. Murray is one lucky little guy, and it’s been fun tracking his emergence from babyhood into toddlerhood.

NOT STRICTLY SPIRITUAL. Author: Mary. Like Karen, Mary was introduced to me through the writers listserv of which I’ve been part for quite a few years. I find her writing eloquently stated and honest and include her blog among my daily intake, almost as faithfully as my morning cup of coffee. Here’s how Mary describes her work and life in her Blogger profile: I am a mother, a wife, a chronicler of life, and a believer who understands that this journey leads us ever closer to God, even when I feel as though I’m standing still. Although I often don’t understand the plan, I get that there is one and I’m part of it. As for my writing, I am the author of the recently released “Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Catholic Catechism” (Alpha/2008) and Parenting a Grieving Child (Loyola Press/2002). I also write an award-winning monthly column, Life Lines, which has run in Catholic New York since 2001. Mary’s beautiful writing on motherhood and faith has been a true gift to me.

SLEEP ZEALOT. Author: Lori. Obviously, Lori still hasn’t caught up on her sleep. Her last post was in January, but it’s not for lack of talent. Lori and I go back a very long way — to 1987, when we worked in the music office at Minnesota State University Moorhead (back when it was called Moorhead State University). I’ve known her longer than my husband, and she was a bridesmaid in our wedding. This is one of those rare people with whom I have sat up all night in my pajamas discussing everything from politics to religion. Much about our worlds have changed since we first set up our loft in the 12th floor of Neumaier Hall (which has since been imploded), but we’ve managed to stay in touch through all of it, and serve as encouragers to one another in matters of writing and mothering. In fact, Lori was the first person to encourage me to start a blog. I can only hope that once Lori catches a few more zzzzzs, she’ll be back on the blogging trail to share with us more often.

And that concludes my three-part series of blogging introductions.

May your peek into blogging, whether it be as a reader or writer or both, be edifying and worthy of the time it takes to sneak away from those dirty dishes or pile of paperwork to gaze upon the life of another fellow journeywoman/man and make a connection.

Peace!