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Recently in Salon Mothers Who Think

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take my tv
The American Academy of Pediatrics says children under 2 should not watch TV. Why would any parent disagree?
By Jacques Leslie
[08/17/99]

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TV can be a good parent
The American Academy of Pediatrics says television watching is harmful to babies and toddlers. This mama says: I don't think so.
By Ariel Gore
[08/16/99]

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Wake up to Furrow's wake-up call
When my son was young, we went to the JCC to learn Jewish songs, finger-paint and be part of a community -- one that included Jews, Catholics and agnostics too.
By Mona Gable
[08/14/99]

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Buford Furrow's worst nightmare
It's not just the Jews at the JCC who got to him -- it's the way they mix up the American melting pot.
By Joan Walsh
[08/14/99]

Sleeping with children
In the middle of the night, the smell, feel and touch of a small child soothes a restless mother.
By Dulcie Leimbach
[08/13/99]

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When I was about Phoebe's age I had a crush on a man named Terry Hollar, who was the lifeguard at the swimming pool where I spent every daylight moment in the summer. He was married, though young, and I don't know who found him first -- me or my dad, but eventually my dad hired him as a furniture salesman. I also don't remember if he was particularly handsome or not, but he was sweet to me, and a man, and he took me seriously. He used to spend hours sitting by the side of the pool talking to me. With his finger looped through his whistle string, he'd twirl it back and forth, flipping the whistle from side to side. He would send me to the snack bar to get a drink for him, and I did it, even though the guys at the counter teased me for it. "They won't give you a hard time if you tell them it's for me. They know you're my girl."

I used to complain about going, just to hear him say this. Once I even pressed him, "I can't be your girl. You're married!"

"Awww," he said, seemingly disappointed I had brought it up. "You'd be my girl if I weren't."

Unlike a lot of the grown-ups around me, he talked to me as if I interested him. I always loved him for this. When my dad put him on the road selling furniture, I didn't see him for a long time. The next time I ran into him I was much older, maybe 15 or 16. My dad was with a large group of salesmen and he said, "Maurine, you remember Terry Hollar, don't you?"

"Of course she remembers me," Terry said, and winked. I was embarrassed to be reminded of my 10-year-old self, but even so, I was pleased that he remembered me especially.

Next page | A crush in the family