If I had My Life to Live Over I Would Pick More Daises

by Sandra Martz

Focuses on the decisions, public and private, that shape women's lives. Inspired by the title poem in which an older woman looks back on a life sensibly lived and wishes she had 'eaten more ice cream and less beans', anthologist Sandra Martz captures the experiences of women, young and old, as they make choices that form the tapestry of their lives. Some of the writers speak of lost opportunities, but more often than not these women proclaim a sense of satisfaction with their lives and would not change a single breathless moment.

Genres: Poetry, Short Stories, Nonfiction, Essays, Womens, Womens Studies, Photography

Paperback

First published December 1, 1992

About the author

Sandra Kay Martz founded Papier-Mache Press in 1984. Papier-Mache Press was known for publishing accessible books which, “presented important social issues through enduring works of beauty, grace, and strength,” and “created a bridge of understanding between the mainstream audience and those who might not otherwise be heard. As an editor and publisher, she has compiled several successful Papier-Mache Press anthologies including If I Had My Life to Live Over I Would Pick More Daisies, and I Am Becoming the Woman I’ve Wanted, a book that explores the powerful feelings women have about their bodies.

Reviews

[Hannah Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want all of the women in my life to experience this book

I love being a woman!!!

[Alexia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this anthology when I was in college in my very early 20's so I am not even marking it as a re-read since it has been so long. I remember how important, though, this collection was to many of us women who were earning our creative writing degrees because all of our professors were men. This collection gave us an opportunity to read contemporary female voices in both poems and short stories. Poems and stories about children, lovers, marriage, divorce, careers, loss and so much more. The good and the bad; the pretty and the ugly. This collection may seem out-dated now, but it was groundbreaking back then. Reading it again now at 52, some of the poems especially that spoke to me then continue to resonate with me and others I have evolved from. I will keep this gem and hope to re-read it again in my 70's.

[Resa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. A book of regrets? I think not. This book is a beautiful collection of precious moments told from the mouths of women who know that the precious moments - even the painful ones - are fleeting. Life is short. Embrace all that it is and all that is has to offer and when you fall down, dust yourself off, out a wildflower in your hat and keep going...because one day you won’t be able to.
This is a book that will remain in my collection, to be read every Autumn, when life slows down a little, the passing of time is evident in the changing and falling leaves and Nature preps for the great sleep of Winter.

[Debbie Hoskins]

Anthology.
I am going through old journals. I actually sort of remember the cover, though nothing else. I wrote down this quote from the story “Holy Places,” by Stephany Brown.
“My mother was wise. She knew I was pregnant before I did…She said she knew I loved Jeff and Jeff loved me and out of such love babies are born…I knew there’d never be a wedding with Anne- Marie and Sally in fuchsia. And having his baby is the best thing I ever did…My mother is old now…We do laps side by side…It seems like a holy place the swimming pool, like a cornfield, like a church, like a room where a baby is born.”

[Riley N · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a beautiful anthology highlighting womanhood and everything that comes with it. I highly recommend to anyone.

[Nancy Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice companion to When I Am An Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple.

[Lisa-Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

And then, there is poetry. I think it will save me. I chose to read this somewhat dated anthology of women’s poetry this month as a break. That shows how bad things are getting, when a book about an old woman’s regrets is uplifting. It has a great variety of short stories, essays and poems from all aspects of life, birth to death.

“If I Had My Life to Live Over” by Nadine Stair

“I’d dare to make more mistakes next time. I’d relax, I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip…I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I’d have fewer imaginary ones…I’ve been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute. If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.”

So here’s to traveling lighter!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This anthology has been on my shelf for many years. I probably read it when it first came out. It would have spoken to the younger me in a different way than it did in this reading. Now it speaks to me as an octogenarian. The selections of poetry, short stories, and photographs contained here begin with the early years of life (women's lives) and move along to the late years of life, which is the part that speaks to me now. Contemplating the past, considering relationships and choices made, thinking about death, and more are examined. It is a companion book to another anthology put together by Sandra Martz, editor, "When I Am Old I Shall Wear Purple," a book which I dearly love, but is now missing from my personal library, probably residing in an unknown friend's library.

[Lauri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of stories...I've read them over and over.

[Kristy Pavlichko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book at my local thrift store and usually the books I find there are gold. This is one of them. How incredible it is to see the accounts of women about their strength, struggle and heartache at all ages. The book is composed of poetry and short stories arranged in chronological order from young women to old women. Many of the poems have resonated with me. So many women endure some of the same experiences and it’s refreshing to know we are not alone. A few poems that really spoke to me were, “If I Had My Life to Live Over by Nadine Stair, “Good Intentions” by Doris Vanderlipp Manley, and “If I Could Begin Again” by Sue Saniel Elkind.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a companion volume to When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple. I got this book from Barnes and Noble a long time ago. It is an anthology (collection) of stories by women. The stories deal with love, loss, sickness, death - what we deal with in life. The stories cause you to reflect on life's experiences. Every woman can relate to the stories within this book. It's a book you want to share with other women so they can see themselves in the stores.

If I Had a Hammer: Women's Work and The Tie That Binds are anthologies by Sandra Martz. Women will see themselves in the stories. RECOMMEND

[Adhiambo Ongalo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books written or compiled by women, for women. I love being part of a community called women. I love listening, reading and hearing about women's experiences. I feel less alone when I know that a lot of experiences are collective rather than individual. Regrets, heartbreak, aging, being mothers and being daughters, fear, love, joy and contentment; are some of the things we share as humans and as women.

[Janet Mercer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I collection of short stories and poems about life. The short stories are excellent, engaging, thought provoking, entertaining vignettes about life and aging. The poems, well some spoke some didn’t, but I figure that’s poetry. Overall an enjoyable read and makes for good discussion! Let’s all pick more daisies.

[Marci Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a companion book to "when I am an old woman I shall wear purple" and it contains poems and short stories about getting older, living life, and surviving others. It's a beautiful book that would make a great gift for a woman of any age.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay read- nothing earth-shattering or overly memorable, but a decent enough read. "Old Women's Choices" on p. 186 struck a chord with me and made me a little misty-eyed. So true and I am definitely guilty.

[Racheal · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked a lot of parts of this book but as a whole it was really hit or miss. I don't think I would recommend the whole collection but certain short stories and poems will really stick with me forever

[Jaclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An anthology of short stories and poetry all based around the topic of women making choices in life. It starts w stories of young people and ends in old age. As with any anthology, there will be misses, but I found myself tabbing “favorites” over and over. Randomly found this at a used book store recently and I’m so glad I picked it up!

[ieatbooks for3mealsaday · Rating 5 out of 5]

These poems, were so moving. I loved this collection. I closed the book and just cried. What a celebration and observation of life from so many perspectives. You slowly absorb this book. Don’t read it quickly. Delve into it, feel it.

[Dominika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a bigger fan of the poetry in this than the short stories, but there's a lot of poignant ones.

[Gail Sacharski · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with When I Am Old, I Shall Wear Purple, this was a very good & inspirational book. I enjoyed it very much.

[Barbara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this to be extremely tedious. I don't particularly enjoy short stories and especially not poems. But other people might find this anthology enjoyable. Definitely not me!

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. I enjoyed these stories and poems.

[Jean MacLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book.

[Danielle Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable! I didn’t love everything in the book, but the ones I did love were worth the purchase!

[Amy Webster-Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

did not know it was short stories and poems, but it was a pretty good read,have the other two , might eventually read those as well

[Carmen Montero · Rating 4 out of 5]

pleasant table read

[Camila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quiero regresar a leerlo as I age :) siento que va a significar diferentes cosas y voy a entender más así, muy bonito

[Nanci Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a delight to read!

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute short stories and poems.

[Salem · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Beautiful ✨