Category Archives: Essays
The Miserable
When Anne Hathaway walked onstage in a pink gown to receive an Oscar for her role in Les Miserables, I remembered the year I had seen the musical of the same name: 1988. I was in seventh grade. I had … Continue reading
How I Reclaimed My Body and Style After Severe Depression
I remember the moment one evening on a short walk to the mailbox in my condo complex when I first noticed the pinch of waistband in my size 10 jeans. It was a few months after I had come home … Continue reading
Two Rivers
“No talking in the boat! Eyes on the head in front of you.” Behind my coach’s voice, I could hear the noise of cars barreling down the Schuylkill expressway. Both my hands clutched the oar as we passed the first … Continue reading
Gladeswoman
“If a baby rattler gets inside your house, just sweep it out with a broom,” Alan, the head of Pine Island Interpretation tells me. I am neighbors with the deadly coral snake, who likes to sunbathe under blue skies. If … Continue reading
Swiftwater Safety
The middle fork of Idaho’s Salmon River rushes fast, brown, and smooth, swollen with spring runoff. In a few weeks, when the guides begin rowing tourists down the river, the water will be lower. The snow on the surrounding peaks … Continue reading