What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day

His sermon topic, as promised, was No hiding Place Down Here. It was a fairly weird mixture of traditional references and contemporary anecdotes. The Apostles, for example, became the Jesus Posse, which I thought was going just a little too far, but at the heart of things, it was still a depressingly old-fashioned message about an all-seeing, always-judgmental God the Father, who’s got a lake of fire waiting for your sinful ass if you don’t shape up.
I hate that kind of preaching. It scares the shit out of people for an hour on Sunday and hopes the threat of hellfire will keep them under control until they get back for another dose the following week.

I think it was back in 2003 when I first stumbled upon a book by Pearl Cleage titled I Wish I Had a Red Dress. I loved it so much that I now try and read everything she writes. So when I was shelving books a couple of weeks ago and noticed What Looks LIke Crazy On an Ordinary Day, I had to check it out. Of course it was great, and seems this was actually her first novel so maybe you should start with it if you’re interested in reading about strong female characters. The best part is they not only entertain, but educate. The following lists from the book cover everything we attempt to teach the teenagers we foster (minus the religious thing):

Ten Things Every Free Woman Should Know*
1. How to grow food and flowers
2. How to prepare food nutritiously
3. Self defense
4. Basic first aid/sex education and midwifery
5. Child care (prenatal/early childhood development)
6. Basic literacy/basic math/basic computer skills
7. Defensive driving/map reading/basic auto and home repairs
8. Household budget/money management
9. Spiritual practice
10. Physical fitness/health/hygiene

*not necessarily in that order

For Men Only
1. Tell the truth
2. Get a job
3. Show up on time
4. Pay your own bills
5. No hitting women & kids
6. No raping
7. Use a rubber
8. If you make a baby, be a father
9. Respect the old-timers
10. Bring the love