Kissing the Crisis: Field Notes on Foul-Mouthed Babies, Disenchanted Women, and Careening into Middle Age

My grandmother always used to say that middle age is not for sissies. As I turned 48 this year and find myself slipping over that particular hill, I have to agree completely with her! Kara Martinez Bachman has given those of us sliding kicking and screaming into that stage of life a handbook of sorts in her book Kissing the Crisis: Field Notes on Foul-Mouthed Babies, Disenchanted Women, & Careening into Middle Age.

Her introduction gives us a taste of what’s to come by regaling us with such advice as stock up on Bengay…and glitter! Middle age is going to hurt, but she tells us that we have the power to make it fabulous! In the following chapters she shares a few of the hilarious stops on her journey. For instance, in “Big Ass Beers and Sports Freaks” she tells us that sometimes it’s a good thing to hang out with drag queens who are masters of taking what they have and making themselves into whatever they want to be. And in “Gunshot Jamboree” she describes the first time she shot a gun and the truly addictive feeling of momentary risk and excitement that the over-40 woman needs sometimes.

Not every story applied to me, but I can tell you that, more often than not, I found myself giggling and nodding in agreement. Grab a glass of wine and some snacks and settle in for the night!