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Katrina Kenison

celebrating the gift of each ordinary day

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news & reviews

in print and from around the web

 As an avid NPR fan, I was pretty excited to receive an invitation to The Bookshelf, my favorite literary show in my home state of New Hampshire — even though I also had to complete a homework assignment for host Peter Biello: write about my five favorite books and why they matter to me. Read and/or listen here.

The first time I went to Nashville to read at Ann Patchett’s bookstore Parnassus, my whole book group came along with me — only to have an ice-storm shut down the city moments before I was to begin. (Fortunately, we were able to reschedule.) The blog entry Ann wrote about Magical Journey and the storm-that-wasn’t made up for any disappointment. Read Ann’s story here.

This review made me bristle — for about 30 seconds — and then it made me laugh out loud.  And then it made me want to give HeadButler Jesse Kornbluth a hug and take him out to dinner.  (My only published review by a guy, and one of my favorites, ever.)

Priscilla Gilman’s questions pushed me to go deep and reach far. Her provocative interview is here.

I’m always inspired by the personal stories of service and transformation on Maria Shriver’s Architects of Change website. It was an honor to be asked to contribute; my essay about change is here.

Ali Edwards needs no introduction, her fans are legion. I love knowing our readers overlap. Here’s what she had to say about Magical Journey on her blog.

Power of Moms is an online gathering place for “deliberate mothers.” Tune in to my podcast with founder April Perry here.

Rebuild Your Life Now is an inspiring website for anyone in a time of transition. Loved doing this interview.

My friend and writing buddy Margaret Roach and I did a GoodReads chat together and covered a range of topics with readers and friends. It’s archived here.

Magical Journey was an Editor’s Choice pick at the Chicago Tribune and was featured in People, too, as a “memoir we can’t put down.”

Awesomely Awake is a site devoted to “inspiring you to be the parent you want to be.” My interview with Shawn Leddington Fink is about keeping it simple, with parenting tips for busy moms.

VIV Magazine  ran a Magical Journey excerpt and a terrific interview, too.

The Kitchen Witch always makes me laugh, and she usually inspires me to cook something new, too. What author wouldn’t be thrilled with a review that begins: “You Need This Book. You Do.”

I never miss Lindsey Mead’s blog, A Design So Vast. Her review of Magical Journey captures the essence of what I aspired to do.

The best reviews are the ones that tell a story of their own. I love what Pamela Hunt  wrote here about her own mothering journey and how our paths crossed.

Jena Strong says this piece is not a review. No matter. I can’t imagine a lovelier response to Magical Journey.

Bruce Dolin is a kindred spirit, a seeking dad, and a wonderful on-line friend. He paused mid-way through reading to share his thoughts.

Life coach Stacy Curnow helps women identify their sense of purpose. Practical, warm, and wise she is. And a lovely writer, too. Her review at Midwife for your Life is here.

Was delighted to have an excerpt from Magical Journey on the Huffington Post. Click here to read it.

More on the web. . .

*** On “Redefining Success and Celebrating the Ordinary,” New York Times, June 29, 2012

*** Chapters of a Life: Author Katrina Kenison’s memoirs have attracted a growing legion of fans with their simple message: “Enjoy the little moments of life before they’re gone.” Smith Alumnae Quarterly, Summer 2010.(Turn to page 38.)

*** Lovely to have The Gift of an Ordinaray Day featured on Maria Shriver’s Architects of Change site. Click here to read my story.

*** And here is a thoughtful interview in Psychology Today, with a fellow mom and memoirist.

Let’s stay in touch. Receive new reflections & inspiration

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I do not understand how this election could be clo I do not understand how this election could be close. I don’t understand how any woman could cast a vote for a man who makes a joke of his contempt for us, who proudly takes credit for taking away our reproductive rights, who calls Kamala Harris the anti-Christ, who brags about assaulting women on the one hand and, on the other, claims he will “protect women whether they want it or not.” But after weeks of anxiety and dread, I’m feeling something else stirring as this gruesome chapter draws to a close — a kind of quiet faith that decency will prevail, that we women will stand together, that we will vote for the world we want to see. As Rebecca Solnit so beautifully writes: “What  we care about is what we love. And we love so much more than the narrow version of who we are acknowledges: we love justice, love truth, love freedom, love equality, love the confidence that comes with secure human rights; we love places, love rivers and valleys and forests, love seasons and the pattern and order they imply, love wildlife from hummingbirds to great blue herons, butterflies to bears. This always was a love story.” Let us make history as we make our voices known: Vote with love for not only what is possible, but necessary; not only what is beautiful but soul-sustaining:  Freedom and Justice for All.” #vote #womensupportingwomen #kamalaharris
Kind of a collage on a plate — the beauty of lat Kind of a collage on a plate — the beauty of late-summer garden tomatoes, basil, arugula, and nasturtiums, layered with fresh mozzarella.  #salad #augustgarden
“There must be always remaining in every life, s “There must be always remaining in every life, some place for the singing of angels, some place for that which is in itself breathlessly beautiful.” ~ Howard Thurman.  A late summer Monday in Maine, a passing shower at dusk, and then, for a little while here, the angels were singing.
“The world slips more deeply into us when we sli “The world slips more deeply into us when we slip more deeply into the world.” ~ Rosemerry Wahtola Trotter.  For one August week each summer for the last twenty-two years, we slip more deeply into to the world here, on the shores of this lovely lake in Maine. Always there is the shadow of summer’s end, which makes each quiet, mild day even more precious.  There are no peak moments, just many sweet, small ones — a paddle dipping into silky water, the call of a loon, morning swims, coffee under the pines, a novel to get lost in, long walks and talks, family nestled close and dear old friends gathered round, cocktails before dinner, music before bed, falling asleep to the sound of waves lapping the shore, and even the lump in my throat as we close the cabin door one last time and head for home.
“A miracle, just take a look around: the world i “A miracle, just take a look around: the world is everywhere.” ~ Wislawa Szymborska.  One of the less celebrated rewards of travel is the slow reacclimation to home after being away, and perhaps seeing all that is familiar through fresh eyes. And so it is that I’m reminded every day to take a look around, to see the miracle of a summer day in my own backyard.
A last after-dinner stroll through Saint Antonin N A last after-dinner stroll through Saint Antonin Noble Val. This small village turned out to be a perfect home base for us this week. And @lauren_seabourne and I are on our way home today  with full hearts and lots of memories. #tarn #southoffrance #joyoftravel #saintantoninnobleval

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