Category Archives: Geography and History

A Brief Book Review: The Voyage of the Sanderling: Exploring the Ecology of the Atlantic Coast from Maine to Rio by Roger D. Stone

In my infinite quest to find books about travel and sailboats void of the fetishization of colonialism, imperialism, or eurocentrism, I dove deep into this novel which I purchased in a quaint bookstore called Westsider Books in the Upper Westside of New York City. While Stone, who recently passed away this year, makes some goodContinue reading “A Brief Book Review: The Voyage of the Sanderling: Exploring the Ecology of the Atlantic Coast from Maine to Rio by Roger D. Stone”

Discovering a New Universe in The Planet of Junior Brown

For my African American Childhoods class, we’ve been reading classics that have some sort of juvenilia reference. Whether that be books written by children, for children, or about children we’ve covered a wide mix. I according to the syllabus picked up my next weekly novel, a two hundred or so page book called The PlanetContinue reading “Discovering a New Universe in The Planet of Junior Brown”

So Where Do We Go Now?

I sit here knowing I shouldn’t write about school stuff or the things that make my eyebrows squint downwards so the images in my head can replace my vision. The creases on my face tighten almost rhythmically at the thought of anything abstract. Yet all that spirals around in my brain are the things I’veContinue reading “So Where Do We Go Now?”

Map of “Somewhere”

            m I am free On an island far far away from here, where  sailboats toss and roll in the  surf, and seagulls soar like a soprano’s song Lines destined for a diary or at least a schooner’s topsail  becomes the indicator of land where inlets become infinite, coves abundant A land where I am free,Continue reading “Map of “Somewhere””

Miss Rumphius and Reflecting on the Violence and Romanticization of Childhood Stories and Memories

I’ve had the privilege of academically diving into the idea of recognizing the violence in so many of our most beloved childhood stories at Bryn Mawr College. In some of my English classes, we’ve analyzed the works of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Lucy Maud Montgomery, all three Brontë sisters. Now outside of my usual academic setting,Continue reading “Miss Rumphius and Reflecting on the Violence and Romanticization of Childhood Stories and Memories”

Writing (His)Stories as They Happen

In the same way that we see history as the study of the past, I sometimes wonder about the ability to tell stories without later reflection. If we can think so intensely and fondly of memory does that mean that in the moment, while the action was taking place, an equal relationship occurred? Or perhapsContinue reading “Writing (His)Stories as They Happen”

The Lighthouse Guided Me to Shore: My Adventure Coming to Bass Harbor, Maine

The day after I finished finals I had a dream about a lighthouse. When I woke up, having nothing immediate to do for the first time in forever, I decided to look up some lighthouses on the east coast. Maine in particular always struck my fancy, as my Mom is from a tiny island offContinue reading “The Lighthouse Guided Me to Shore: My Adventure Coming to Bass Harbor, Maine”

Sparrows, Mao’s “Little Red Book”, and Elizabeth Strout’s Olive Kitteridge

If you’re a real follower of this blog then you’ve undoubtedly read my Biomythography. Chapter V is titled “Sparrow” and you can imagine my surprise when this same bird was mentioned in my little, red copy of Mao’s Quotations.  I was reading on a pink kayak in the middle of a lake (I paddled outContinue reading “Sparrows, Mao’s “Little Red Book”, and Elizabeth Strout’s Olive Kitteridge”