Category Archives: where curiosity takes me

Book Review: Fighting for Life by S. Josephine Baker

Fighting for Life by S. Josephine Baker My rating: 5 of 5 stars First of all, Sara Josephine Baker lived an incredible life. Second of all, she has a totally relatable way of sharing her story. Originally published in 1939, this autobiography tells firsthand the story of a woman doctor (at a time when thatContinue reading “Book Review: Fighting for Life by S. Josephine Baker”

Eric Metaxas on cynicism and the human need for heroes

We’ve been in this terrible cycle of, we know everything that’s wrong with America, we know everything that’s wrong with the church, we know everything that’s wrong with every hero from George Washington on. Well, that’s not right, because what you do is you denigrate things to the point of being unable to appreciate what’s great about them, and at that point, you really are telling a lie.

If Medusa looked John Smith in the eye, this is what would have happened

In Greek mythology, Medusa was a monster with the face of a hideous woman and a head full of snakes (not hair). When a person looked her in the eye, he or she turned to stone. That is a totally believable origin story for this lamp I saw at a flea market a little over aContinue reading “If Medusa looked John Smith in the eye, this is what would have happened”

Stories from my grandfather’s life

Last week, I was privileged to spend two and a half days with my grandparents. A lot of that time was spent in my grandfather’s office, where he opened a leather case containing the files of his life and unpacked stories. I now have a pad full of notes, a sampling of his past thoughtsContinue reading “Stories from my grandfather’s life”

Week Three in NYC: City of stories

Read last week’s post here or view all other New York City posts. How do you find stories in a city of eight million? Where the default safety feature is zero eye contact, and you’re more likely to hear a person talking to himself or yelling at someone to “back off” than you are to overhear aContinue reading “Week Three in NYC: City of stories”

NYC stories: I call myself a writer

Being a nonfiction writer has been my reason for not writing. “I don’t have any assignments,” she says, her voice raising from her throat to her nose. That excuse doesn’t cut it. If I am a writer, it’s because writing is an essential part of my being, it makes me who I am. If IContinue reading “NYC stories: I call myself a writer”

Quiet Confidence: Molly Drooger puts her best foot forward

I haven’t posted since the summer for a number of reasons. First, I’m back at school, which means my time for recreational writing is limited. Second, I never want to post something that wastes your time. Third, I’m interning with Taylor University‘s marketing department, so my writing muscles are focused on specific projects. Over the course ofContinue reading “Quiet Confidence: Molly Drooger puts her best foot forward”

Pieced together: Products of Nate Katz’s obsessions

This is the final piece I wrote for my summer internship with the Smithy Center for the Arts, and probably my favorite piece from this summer. Nate Katz, 23, leans over the table, a strip of Scotch tape stretched between his thumbs. He’s focused on a small stack of paper in front of him, an inventory of someContinue reading “Pieced together: Products of Nate Katz’s obsessions”

Stronger than you think: The world of CrossFit in Cooperstown, NY

“We are the machines.” That’s the answer you’ll get if you walk into Cooperstown CrossFit (CCF) and ask about treadmills, ellipticals, or any other kind of motorized exercise equipment. Then, you’ll be asked to join in the warmup and WOD (workout of the day). By stepping inside CCF’s one-room facility at the Maple Ridge PlazaContinue reading “Stronger than you think: The world of CrossFit in Cooperstown, NY”