I was reading the news story about the woman in Los Angeles who recently gave birth to octuplets. I'm in total agreement with several of those who commented on her situation by saying that the act was both "disgusting and selfish." I'm wondering who advised her that this was a good idea and why? I'm also wondering who will be paying for the births of these children and how much of L.A. taxpayers' money will go toward healthcare and living expenses for this family.
According to the news story on Yahoo!, the woman who gave birth is single and lives with her mother. She has a degree, but it wasn't clear whether or not she is actually working or if she intends to now that she has fourteen children to take care of. I'm not saying that the single parenting aspect is a bad idea; I'm simply concerned because I know how hard it is to take care of one child when you're married. I can't imagine having so many as a single parent. Hell, I can't imagine having so many children at all.
You have to wonder at her motivation for electing to have fourteen children through in vitro fertilization. Does this woman really love children or is she looking for her fifteen minutes of fame? There are families out there for whom this type of assisted reproduction makes perfect sense and who would begrudge them the opportunity of having a family if they are willing to go through the process and see it through? But this woman seems to have abused her right to reproduce as well as taking advantage of some loophole in the healthcare system which failed to protect these fourteen children from the psychological, emotional, physical and social ramifications of this woman's gluttonous behavior.
Why are these procedures permitted and in some cases, even encouraged by health care providers when the parent in question is clearly operating out of some motive other than simply wanting to be a mother? Sure, we wouldn't want to say that parents are limited to having one or two children, but shouldn't there be a line somewhere?
Until next time...
Subscribe to Benston Blogs by Email
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Should anyone have fourteen children?
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Read an excerpt from my upcoming novel for free!
Another blurb from Keeping the Faith is now posted at The Rona Shively Stories website! Check it out today!
Subscribe to Benston Blogs by Email
Updates, Great News, Contests, & Mayhem: Read at your own risk...
I say, "Read at your own risk," because I am aware that sometimes my gibberish can become quite unpalatable. No matter. I'm just getting a little slap-happy from being home so much. It's this love-hate relationship I have with winter. I do love the way the snow looks when it falls, but I hate to drive in this weather. I love the cold, but I hate having to be bundled up so much in all of the sweaters and jackets. I love having snow days, but I really hate not being able to go out and do stuff.
Thankfully, the time off has given me lots of time to pester people about things like entering the What Would Rona Do? contest which ends on January 31st. Hint, hint. I've also been contacting libraries to schedule Tea & Mystery events! I've also been talking with people on Facebook that I haven't talked to for years. Snow days give you lots of time to catch up on the things you haven't done in a while. They also give you lots of time to think about all of the things you should be doing. For instance, I haven't written a word on my fourth Rona book in at least two days. I opened the file and stared at it for a while, but nothing happened. The story is in my head, hiding behind one of my posts. Not a real post, a blog post. Lest you think there is way to much space in my head. Please, no snide comments about that remark. :)
In other news, perhaps most importantly, I'm feeling elated as I have just discussed my third and fourth Rona books with a publisher who has agreed to sign me. Tentatively, Keeping the Faith is now slated to be released in September of 2009 by Stonegarden.net Publishing. The owner is a great guy and I'm so happy that I am now going to be a part of the Stonegarden family! Sorry it has taken so long to get KTF out, but such is the plight of the aspiring author. I'll be posting more snippets from KTF on my website, so take time to stop by there.
As you probably already figured out from my last paragraph and from previous posts where I've said as much, I am already working on the fourth book in the series. I'll have more information about that one for you in a couple of months. I don't want to give too much away just yet. For now, I'm thrilled that my series has found a new home and I look forward to getting Rona out to more and more people this year! Since I'm feeling generous, I think I'll give something away!
***NEW CONTEST ALERT***
How about this? Not only am I giving something away for Rona's Birthday on 2/4 in the What Would Rona Do? contest; on 2/14 I'll be giving away a special Heartbreaker Prize Package for Valentine's Day and the only way to enter this contest is by commenting on the blog.
Each person who comments on the blog today through Valentine's Day will be entered into the prize drawing! I've posted a picture of the last Prize Package I gave away so that you have an idea of what kinds of things you might win! 
There's actually no mayhem, as the post title implied, but I can probably come up with some mishief if it's really that important to you. Mainly, I wanted to share my great news and invite you to win some cool stuff! Have a great day and I'll anxiously await your comments!
Until next time...
Subscribe to Benston Blogs by Email
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
How about brrrr?
As the snow blankets my universe, I am sitting at home with my daughter and I find myself unable to get any work done. The extent of my progress today has been to answer a couple of e-mails and to wonder what I'm going to fix for dinner. Plagued by this dilemma, I decided to step outside and take a few pictures. Here's what I came up with:
and...
It continues to snow and I'm hopeful that at some point this evening, my brain will realize that I could be using this time a bit more wisely. Maybe I'll have some cocoa, turn off the television and think about life...
Stay warm, everyone and for God's sake, get some work done...;)
Until next time...
Subscribe to Benston Blogs by Email
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Short Story for 2HG Readers-Last Chapter Posted
My short story, A Glutton for Punishment has been running on the blog for 2 Higher Ground for the last month. The final chapter of the story was just posted, so hop on over and see how it all ends. The story is about a woman who is struggling to get back on her feet after a nasty divorce and how she gets revenge on her evil ex-husband with a little help from her friends. A Glutton for Punishment is an introduction to some characters from my upcoming women's fiction series called The Maneater's Club! It's kind of like Sex and the City, only bitchier. You'll love it!
Keep watching for more from The Maneater's Club!
Until next time...
Subscribe to Benston Blogs by Email
A Little Bit of Mystery: Short Mysteries to Confuse and Amuse
