an introduction
My name is Katie McDonald. I have a degree in women’s studies which began with my first college course, Childbirth and Women’s Writing. I gave birth last December. An awful sunny day – the kind from my childhood playground days where you shed layers all day- the day that begins cold and does not stick to the bargain- the sun coming in at a sharp winter angle melting the skin off your bones. My birth was nothing I pictured. My daughter was healthy. She is strong willed. I mother full time and cook and clean (when it gets really bad). I am married. On my medical papers I am listed as Housewife. But I live in a trailer. I am a trailer wife.
My degree in women’s studies prepared me to live in Utah, middle of mormon country with my husband who I am fully dependent on and baby who is fully dependent on me.
I am doing my masters in women’s studies- a real life case study of how poverty, religion, gender, education intersect in rural America.
My daughter’s small foot kicks off the bed across the trailer. Nap time is over. Writing time is over.