Mumentous - by Amy J Schultz (Hardcover)

I may be the last person in America “Mumentous” was written for. I am a man who was born & raised in New York City and currently resides on the Oregon Pacific coast. Yet after taking my sweet time to pour through each delectable page, gawk at each spectacular picture, and actually being moved and a little teary-eyed by each deeply revealing story, I find myself enthusiastically recommending you read this book. To be clear, read is not quite right…experience “Mumentous” is far more accurate. On the surface, “Mumentous” is about the Texas high school homecoming tradition of exchanging a chrysanthemum-centered corsage (or garter for the boys). But truth be told, “Mumentous” is a story about family, community, and how great traditions develop over time. Even if you have never been to the great state of Texas, I have no doubt you will find yourself reaching for your old high school mementos and reliving the glory days of our shared past.

“A Texas homecoming mum precedes you with the power of a juicy rumor.”- Amy Schultz, Mumentous This is the sentence that struck me as I dove into Amy Schultz’s new book, Mumentous. It set me up perfectly for a deep dive into the culture and history of the Texas mum moms and Texas mums. I wasn’t totally unaware of mums as I grew up in Philadelphia and the Mummer’s Parade on New Years Day is the oldest continuous folk parade in the country. But Texas mums are more associated with homecoming and celebratory events than the Philly version- so I was intrigued. Schultz’s book is first and foremost a photo essay of the traditions of Texas mums and the life of the teens in whose lives they play a large societal role. What I appreciated was the depth of writing that allowed me, a non-texan and non-mom, to understand the history and economics that creating these decorations has become. They are far more than what people might see as exuberant corsages, they are signals of a tradition that has now also become an economic staple for many people. Schultz focusses on the role that mothers play in creating and elevating the production and meaning of mums in the culture and she graciously offers both history information as well as interviews with the people who create these bounteous displays. As a “Yankee”- I thought I wouldn’t connect with the culture behind the imagery in Schultz’s book, but her images and writing allowed me a deep look into the lives of the (mostly) women who create these decorations and keep the tradition growing. I appreciate that the writing supports the imagery and both together create a broader understanding of not only the “Texas mum moms” but the culture of Texas mums as a whole.