Folks don’t believe me when I say my cat enjoys traveling, but she does. And boy are we lucky. — Folks don’t believe me when I say my cat enjoys traveling, but she does. And boy are we lucky. Recently I posted a family photo of my partner, myself, and my cat at the Grand Canyon on a Facebook travel group. …

A random photo sent me down a rabbit hole of learning more about my immigrant great-grandfather, his employer Endicott Johnson Corp., and… — I left my hometown in Central New York as soon as I graduated college. Not because I hated the town, nor because I wanted to detach from my community. I adored my childhood as the granddaughter of the Main Street business owner; our staff and customers were family. …

Nobody got our costumes, but that’s ok. We were happy little nerds anyways. — Nobody got our costumes, but that’s ok. We were happy little nerds anyways. In this house, we listen to Warren Zevon — the rock n’ roll prodigy, renowned LA curmudgeon/asshole, and singer that Gen Z doesn’t know enough about to cancel though would cancel if they did. Because of our…

I like White Claw and here’s why. — I love White Claw and here’s why. Recently I attended a small outdoor gathering and brought with me a six-pack of the popular hard seltzer beverage White Claw. As I greeted the host for the first time, she looked down at the cans in my hand and made a face…

With antisemitism on the rise, it’s vital that we never forget what happened. — With antisemitism on the rise, it’s vital that we never forget what happened. (Trigger warning: Every horrible thing you can think of) Imagine watching your beloved dog repeatedly stabbed by a bayonet. Imagine watching your lifelong friends and neighbors throw children into the freezing river. Imagine watching your childhood home…

Though his death was barely noticed, he mattered. And I want you to know about Dr. Thomas Mwanika. — Though his death was barely noticed, he mattered. And I want you to know about Dr. Thomas Mwanika. During the last six months of my grandmother’s life in our local hospital’s nursing and rehab center, I met a remarkable man — a man with a smile and laugh as warm…

I used to write about important current issues. Now I don’t and here’s why. — I used to write about important current issues. Now I don’t and here’s why. I’ve written essays online for 13 years — initially on my blog and then on Medium. When I first began writing online, I wrote about light stuff like movies, music, pop culture, and the life of…

Low cost of living? Arts & culture? Beautiful scenery? Weird phrases & smoke-filled bars? Streets as narrow as sidewalks? You’ll find it… — Low cost of living? Arts & culture? Beautiful scenery? Weird phrases & smoke-filled bars? Streets as narrow as sidewalks? You’ll find it all in Pennsylvania’s Steel City. I’ve lived in several major American cities and regularly travel throughout the country, and I will adamantly tell you that Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is…

An exploration in angst while watching music videos from the 80s. — As I write this, I’ve watched nine hours of 80s music videos in the past 24 hours. I stumbled upon this free music channel with a perfectly 80s name — XITE — and have been transfixed ever since. I’ve got to be honest — it came at a great time. …