The East Village Mamele

History in the Making

By Marjorie Ingall

Voting in this year’s primary was thrilling. As always, Josie accompanied me into the booth. She’s clueful about how it works now, after reading a number of books about the democratic process. Our favorite is the delightful picture book “Vote!” by Eileen Christelow (Clarion, 2003), which uses a pretend mayoral election to explain debates, fundraising, campaigning, and the history of universal suffrage (bonus: narrated by cute dogs!). As we got ready to flip the levers for our candidate, Josie said, “Isn’t it amazing that 150 years ago, neither of these guys could even vote?”Read More

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The Old Gray Mère: Does She... or Doesn’t She?

By Marjorie Ingall

I apologize in advance for the possible vapidity of this column. In my next piece I will discuss my plan for Middle East Peace, the fate of the Jewish people in an age of rampant intermarriage, and Martin Buber. But right now, I’m anxious about my hair. It’s getting gray, and I am not happy about it.Read More

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Age of Afflictions: Disorder or Quirk?

By Marjorie Ingall

Maxine has quirks. She refuses to wear tights, turtlenecks, jeans or anything made of wool, claiming all those things are categorically “too itchy.” She hates having her teeth or hair brushed, wailing, “It hurts!” The texture of some moisturizers makes her shudder. When a street sweeper or Harley Davidson roars by, she grabs my leg with the intensity and ferocity of Dr. Phil leaping at an opportunity for self-promotion. (We live near the Hell’s Angels clubhouse, so there’s a lot of terrified leaping.) She won’t touch challah dough — the feeling of it freaks her out. Is something wrong with my child?Read More

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Gender Matters: The Bell Curve of Girliness

By Marjorie Ingall

When Josie was 2, I wrote a column about my bafflement at her girly-girlness. How could I, a person unburdened by mascara or a blowdryer, have spawned someone who so loved nail polish, frills and Hello Kitty hair accessories? At the time, I expressed shock. Today, older, wiser, and most importantly, the mother of two girls instead of one, I have more insight into Josie’s condition. (Call it Polyprincesstic Ovary Syndrome.)Read More

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Online Battles: Thoughts on Video Games

By Marjorie Ingall

In addiction, the first step is admitting you have a problem. And Josie has a problem. She’s jonesing for Toontown.Read More

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’Tis the Season

By Marjorie Ingall

This should be an easy column to write. Blah blah blah, New Year’s resolutions, going to the gym, 1,000 words, yadda yadda yadda, file it, done. Yet I cannot seem to start.Read More

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The Best Children’s Books of 2007

By Marjorie Ingall

The best Hanukkah presents are books. Even if your iPod-craving child screams in grief as she rips off the gift-wrap, smile serenely in the knowledge that you are a superior parent to the consumerist iPod buyers and your child will get into Yale while theirs has to go to a state school. Seriously, these books are awesome.Read More

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Thank You, But No

By Marjorie Ingall

Thanksgiving is upon us. If I were a nicer person this column would consist of a list of all the things I’m thankful for, but alas, I’m a crank. Ergo: “Things I Am Not Thankful For,” by me, Marjorie Ingall.Read More

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Study Break

By Marjorie Ingall

I just learned two new words, which is exciting, at my advanced age. They are: redd, a nesting area for trout eggs; and alevin, a newly hatched fish with its yolk sac still attached. (I also learned milt, but I’m trying to block it out. Google at your peril.)Read More

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The Tooth Fairy

By Marjorie Ingall

Josie lost her first tooth. How is this possible? Only moments ago she was teething. (Cue the music: “Sunrise, Sunset.”)Read More

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