Why We Have Lost the Word for Loneliness
“I shall also give a white amulet upon which is inscribed a new name, which no one knows except the one who […]
Arthur Ransome’s “Swallows and Amazons” and the Power of Natural Consequences
Beginning Arthur Ransome’s “Swallows and Amazons” with little to no context, one might wonder where it takes place. The names are not […]
The Very British Childhood of Anglophiles Everywhere
There can be a real thrill in testing out an idea you’ve read about. Is it true? Does it hold up to […]
The Strength that Comes from Stories in Childhood
One of the most memorable reads of 2023 for me was E.B. Sledge’s “With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa.” By […]
Can Watching YouTube Videos Make Your House Cleaner?
There are people who don’t care about little messes and clutter. And there are those of us who long continually for clean […]
Manic Martyr Moms on Mushrooms
Next up in the trend of “normalizing” and “destigmatizing,” we have moms on mushrooms. Unfortunately, we’re not talking about mothers learning new […]
Lois Lenski’s “Regionals”: Fascinating Stories for Young and Old
Lois Lenski is often remembered primarily as an illustrator. An introduction to her work may come through the amusing picture book series […]
What Grit Is and How to Have More of It
Reading Charles Portis’s excellent little book, “True Grit,” you will likely be entertained. Personally, I did not find it to be as […]
Propagating Success
Someone recently asked if I was actually a plant person or if I just pretended for my blog. An interesting query. Plants […]
Sentimentalizing Mothers and Mothers Who Are Not Overly Sentimental
Used book sales are a treasure trove of cast-off volumes, unwanted and unlooked for by most. Gorgeous old tomes sell for a […]