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From Amazon
In an age when "keeping up with the Joneses" refers not only to material riches but also to a whirlwind of activities, author Katrina Kenison humbly asks, "Just whose standards am I living by, anyway?" Kenison, mother of two sons and former annual editor of The Best American Short Stories anthology since 1990, understands the hectic agendas, short tempers, and full-time careers today's families endure. But she has also learned to limit the chaos. The title comes from Kenison's youngest son, Jack, cuddled up with mom one quiet afternoon as she crochets mitten strings. He holds up a long piece of yarn and proclaims, "I'm knitting a mitten string for God"--a sweet phrase, but a bit misleading. Despite a sprinkling of minor religious references, the larger focus of Kenison's beautifully written first book lies in living with care and awareness. Chapters with titles like "Grace," "Healing," "Spirit," and "Breathing" offer soothing pictures of a family life that honors patience, imagination, and Sundays without plans. Kenison weaves together personal stories and wisdom from such philosophers as Thoreau and Anne Morrow Lindbergh; the graceful resulting tapestry shows how peace and simplicity can be savored in a world hell-bent on pushing people to accomplish more, own more, and do it all as quickly as possible. --Liane Thomas
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Publishers Weekly
This heartfelt collection of essays will strike a chord with any mother whose response to the "arrythmic" pace of modern life is a yearning to "shut the door, stop the noise, and tune in to our own inner lives." Drawing on hard-won insights from her own struggle to achieve balance (she gave up a successful career in book publishing to work from home and raise her two young sons) and to infuse her family's days with meaning, Kenison's richly anecdotal musings on such diverse topics as "peace," "simplicity," "play," "Sabbath" and "discipline" resonate with honesty and wisdom. Though this is not a religious book in the traditional sense, Kenison's contemplations are suffused with a spirituality that thrives on connecting with others and with nature and finding the sacred in the everyday. Rendering an intimate portrait of family life with grace and a lively sense of humor, Kenison, who for the past 10 years has edited The Best American Short Stories, is most impassioned and enlightening when she shares "moments in which we were bathed in grace, moments when we were astonished by the simple joy of our togetherness." Though each essay ends with a pat homily, some of which are jarringly treacly ("Someplace deep within me, I carry every story I have ever heard, every story I have ever lived, every story I will ever need"), readers will be left feeling refreshed and encouraged by the generosity of spirit that prompted these thoughtful reflections. (Apr.) Cahners Business Information.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining, inspiring, and filled with thoughtful ideas!,
By Nature Mom w/ 2 children + EE & Management de... (Massachusetts USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Mitten Strings for God: Reflections for Mothers in a Hurry (Paperback)
Katrina has written such a beautiful book. I often pick it up to read chapters over again (and the recipes are delicious!). She includes stories from her own life of things that worked and the sometimes hilarious ones when things went bad (cat peeing on the floor and she lost it in front of the children). And who among us hasn't packed our children in the car to see some children's entertainer, only to realize later that we would have had more fun snuggling up and reading to eachother at home? Because she shares her humbling parenting mishaps, it's easier to consider her advice in the stories when she seems like such a perfect parent. She offers practical and thoughtful ideas for slowing down, connecting, and really being present with our children.This is my favorite book to give to mothers with young or school-age children. Buy an extra one -- you'll want one to loan out so you can still keep your own. Enjoy!
5.0 out of 5 stars
A MUST FOR MOMS,
By
This review is from: Mitten Strings for God: Reflections for Mothers in a Hurry (Paperback)
Mitten Strings For God: Reflections For Mothers In A Hurry by Katrina Kenison is a series of meditative thoughts. Inspirational and life-affirming, it offers reminders of what is of lasting value, such as grace, love, tranquility.Ms. Kenison writes, "I can only bring peace to my children when I possess it myself." The mother of two energetic young sons and former editor of The Best American Short Stories anthology, Ms. Kenison well knows the pressures under which contemporary families exist, the whirlwind activities generated when one wants only the best for children, and the frenetic treadmill involved in being a working wife/mother. Nonetheless, the author has suggestions for discovering oases of serenity as she intersperses personal experiences with philosophical wisdom. Her writing, which is as simple and true as that of Anne Morrow Lindbergh, bears rereading and contemplation. Ms. Kenison brings a sense of reawakened pleasure to the sometimes harried family evening meal, as well as a profound joy found in the ordinary. "Only by slowing down do we make time for one another," she writes. "Only by stopping long enough to observe our surroundings can we bring shape and meaning to our lives." How simple. How true. - Gail Cooke
3.0 out of 5 stars
I'd give this a 3.6 rating on a scale of 1 to 5,
By A Customer
This review is from: Mitten Strings for God: Reflections for Mothers in a Hurry (Paperback)
This book has many beautiful components to it. The author shares hard-won lessons from her own life as a mother, wife, and an editor in a series of thoughtful essays. Certain insights-if you have peace in your home then you carry it into the world-will stay with me.However, I also had trouble with this book. There seems to be little consideration for other ways, other paths to balancing or living a life. Some women have to work for economic reasons. Some women don't have the luxury of being able to maintain a relatively prestigious career from home. Some women want to work. In addition, while certain solutions to a more peaceful, more balanced life may work for the author-no television, unstructured time for children during the summer, fewer lessons-they may not work for everyone. Without being too politically incorrect, television offers a lot of interesting and educational fare if you know where to look. Some children cherish their memories of summer camp. Some kids want all those lessons. Finally, the author clearly has certain economic priviliges not shared by all. In addition, what about the mother of children with disabilities? I would hesitate giving this book to my friends with autistic or physically challenged children. They could never live this life due to the demands on their time. While I admire the author for having the guts to formulate and propound a philosophy for family life, I also must say that I found her and her book a bit smug and self-satisfied with little thought for alternative ways to live.
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