Writer, humorist, activist from Newtown Connecticut

You can’t win if you don’t play: I won something

http://ghostprof.org/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=http://ghostprof.org/teaching/past-courses/modernist-novel_2014_01/texts/ April 27, 2017 by Kate Mayer 20 Comments

http://faithfamilyandtechnology.com/random-thoughts/my-best-bacon-tips/ Check me out: I’ve been a woman with a mission, checking goals off my to-do list, entering contests, submitting stories, doing what needs to be done as a writer with bills to pay, people to see, and places to go. I send away, then check things off my list like it’s Taquitos and toilet paper at Costco, vowing to throw spaghetti at the walls until something of mine sticks. It stuck. Apparently, I have a voice. Actually, a Voice of

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How the green grass grows: kids chores make for good growing

April 23, 2017 by Kate Mayer 12 Comments

The guy knocking on my front door in the middle of a weekday doesn’t seem like a Jehovah. Or Seventh Day Adventist. And it’s too early in the season for the disadvantaged teenagers hawking out-of-print magazines in 1000 degree heat or college kids indentured to knife companies or solar energy schemes. That’s probably why I answer the door. Maybe he needs help. Lost a dog. Or is a long-lost boyfriend and found me on Facebook. I

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The financial rewards of having a boy going to prom

April 2, 2017 by Kate Mayer 30 Comments

He’s been dragged to prom pictures for his three big sisters for nearly ten years, but the day has come when it’s finally little brother’s turn for his own high school prom, and this mom is ready. After successfully navigating prom season with three daughters who attended a combined seven proms, I began a new chapter of parenting, this time from the boy’s perspective, despite his very best efforts to keep me in the

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I’m an asshole parent because … prom.

March 26, 2017 by Kate Mayer 28 Comments

Teenagers take a simple ‘don’t ask, don’t tell‘ approach to sharing details from their life with prodding parents. For some reason, this kid of mine, this fourth and final run through the teenager hormonal machine, thinks this is my first prom rodeo. What’s a parent to do? Ask questions. I’m an asshole parent for asking a barrage of questions about the forthcoming junior prom. My youngest kid, the Boy, graces us with his presence

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Locked and loaded: what breasts and guns have in common

March 19, 2017 by Kate Mayer 10 Comments

What is open carry? It’s when you got yourself a firearm, and wear it wild-west style, loud and proud, for all the world to see just cuz you can. Attention K-Mart shoppers! At the library or town park, the movies or the mall, at the road race or concert – just in case trouble erupts, you’re ready to fight back, cuz you’re a good guy with a gun, a god-given

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Shopping local for hope and change

March 12, 2017 by Kate Mayer 2 Comments

Before our country was completely fucked, I was a single issue voter, channeling all my guilt, grief, and anger into gun violence prevention after a military grade weapon in the hands of a mentally ill young man mowed down classrooms of kids here in Newtown. That was until President Trump began to dismantle all things American, all policies we have come to assume would be safe and secure, like um, safety and security. You know it’s gotta

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Trading places: if I were a mediocre white man

March 4, 2017 by Kate Mayer 10 Comments

If I could trade places for one week, one day even, with anyone, I would trade places with a man. Any man. Except maybe a black man, because, well, you know, times are a bit tough for the black man today. And yesterday. And tomorrow. Especially tomorrow, with the mostest mediocre white-ish orangeman of all deciding what’s what, and which lives matter. But if I could be a man for just

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American Girl Doll vs. Victoria Secret Angel: the battle for daughter dollars

February 25, 2017 by Kate Mayer 19 Comments

It’s a good title, but not SEO sufficient for what comes below. If titled appropriately, I’ll be trolled forever by creepy predators. Went to my mailbox and pulled out these two beauties. Together. The same day. So if I were to title this blog post accurately, it might be: Blowjobs and American Girl Dolls Or Boobs and dolls in my mailbox Or Bras & Dolls Or Girls Grow Up See the

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