Eat Pray Love. Again. And again. And again.

Oprah's caught on to the sensation that is Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat Pray Love. I will be watching intently since I feel an overwhelming sense that I need to -- and will -- meet the author. Although several of my friends are in the audience (by coincidence? perhaps not), I will be watching from home (not jealous, just waiting for my turn).

The insightful and analytical Danielle suggested I read it and later when we talked about, she told me it changed her. I agreed. I've recommended it many times and I know I will read it again.

My yoga teacher did not know what it was about but took it with her when she went to a yoga retreat in Colorado. My cousin read it while traveling in India. I am still waiting for another friend to read it while she waits for the right time. It will come. I am sure of it. It is how this book works.

I think it is because it is one of those works of the soul. Like Carol King's You've Got a Friend, of which she said the words came from God and flowed through her to the page. And wasn't it Michelangelo who said he didn't create sculptures, he simply freed them from the stone? There is that depth and humor and reality and electricity about Eat Pray Love. Read it (when the time is right), you will see.

To read my original review, click here. If you have an Eat Pray Love story to share, do. And if another book has spoken to you in just the right way at just the right moment, do tell that as well. If you were at the Oprah taping and actually saw Elizabeth Gilbert up close and on stage, for God's sake, call me! Spill! And ask her if I can follow her around Italy like a little patient, happy purse dog!

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Linkety Dinkety Doo: Project: Life Change Edition

I will keep this short and slightly sweet so I can keep up with one of my own Project: Life Change promises -- to be really present on the days when I am with Ethan. That's today, so in my Facebook profile, you'll find Jessica is Wiggleworms, walk home through the hood, nap, playgroup and family BBQ ribs and brisket dinner
rather than one of my standards, Jessica is deadlining.

Elsewhere in the interwebs, more parents are signing on to reduce the crazy, as The Mummy Chronicles so aptly put it. Stop by and give a little lovin' to these bloggers on their own mission:

* Not Just a Working Mom has some big professional questions to answer and would also like to give her booty a little boost, bootcamp style. More power to you, WkScMom.

* Mom is Teaching is embracing change, perhaps to spend more time crafting and writing, but also to show her kids that those leaps of faith are worth taking.

* Dare to Get Organized is...well, daring to get organized. First step, cleaning lady. Awww, honey, when you find a fabu housekeeper, can you send them my way? Seriously.

I can't wait to hear more from A Bushel and a Peck...and a Hug Around the Neck. Keep us posted, mama!

Cheers to you and to finding the peace you need (especially in the form of an icy Bloody Mary over brunch with the grrrls, a bike ride by yourself with nothing but Pink on the iPod, clean kitchen counters, painted nails or the journal entry you've been needing to vent for too long).

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The Edwards buzz

I admit it -- I am geeking out over this presidential election. I'm watching debates, reading articles and asking everyone I know with sincere fascination who they are leaning toward voting for and why. It's a little too close for comfort for some people (wah wah wah) but I am really just very interested in knowing the thoughts people have on the candidates. OK, I am interested in knowing the thoughts people have on the Democratic and Green candidates. I really don't have the time or patience or energy to keep myself awake or courtesy smile through any more Republican rhetoric at this point.

My vote is still up in the air. I have to say that John Edwards is a strong contender for me, although Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are definitely on my short list as well. I want to read more, watch more, investigate more before I call out my choice (which you can bet your bippy I will, and proudly). Until then, I give lots of credit to the Edwards camp for being so blog savvy and for making alliances and meeting with bloggers to get out their message. This isn't just catering to me and my bloggy buddies, this is right now, and for that, I'm impressed.

Our meeting with Elizabeth Edwards has received some nice little press, including a front and center spot on the  campaign blog and a cross-posting on The Daily Kos. Some of our questions and discussion points are noted, clips from our reactions on our personal blogs are posted and I am very happy to see my own little Sassafrass link right there among the reporting.

Also, be sure to check out the column on the meeting and the possibility for changing campaign strategy on the View from a Broad. The MOMocrats are putting up some great writing and asking some tough questions that I think every voting mom will want to take a look at. Many of us mama bloggers are also putting out the call to the other candidates to meet with us, share their vision and field some questions that might just shape our votes. Any takers?

My vote will include some strong statements about the issues that are most important to me -- reproductive justice, ending this fucking war, reworking the healthcare and insurance system of chaos and funds for education. That might mean a vote for JE, and it might mean a vote for Hill or Barack. We will see. We will see.

If you are the poli-talky kind, speak up! Who are you voting for? What's the deal with that?

[photo via SVMomsBlog]

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