Bay to Ocean Journal: Gundog by Abbey J. Porter
Authors Note: I am inherently curious about people—their motivations, relationships, and ways of being. That interest underlies my exploration of the dynamic between the characters in “Gundog.” My love of and familiarity with dogs made writing this story especially enjoyable and familiar-feeling—though I had to do research and consult a hunter-friend for some details. I […]
Bay to Ocean Journal: Flock by Lesley Younge
Authors Note: While driving one day, I saw a group of teens walking down the street with a basketball. They were laughing, and even from my car, I could feel their delight in the day and one another’s company. I felt a swell of care for them. “Flock” is an attempt to capture the warmth […]
Looking at the Masters: Autumn with the Hudson River School
“There is one season when the American forest surpasses all the world in gorgeousness…that is the autumnal; …then every hill and dale is riant in the luxury of color…every hue is there, from the liveliest green to deepest purple from the most…golden yellow to the in tensest crimson.” (Thomas Cole, 1835) Thomas Cole (1801-1848) is […]
Looking at the Masters: Ruth Leonela Buentello
Ruth Leonela Buentello (b.1984) is an American/Chicana artist. She was born and lives in San Antonio, Texas. She said, “The biggest influence [in my work] has been experiences with my family from around the house; some about joy, some about health, coping with family issues and just the things that we do together.” Always interested […]
Not Knowing: The Uncharted Path by Tammy Vitale
Author’s note: I have always journaled (I have my journals and diaries back to 8 years old), and when I realized that I was losing my husband of 40 years to cancer, I began to journal with the intention of sharing the day-to-day devastation, liminal spaces, and transition of losing “we/us” and becoming “I” because […]
Messages from the Sky: September 11, 2001 By Fred Moramarco
After the world-altering tragedy of September 11, 2001, artists and writers around the world began to express their grief through their work. I was invited by Etruscan Press to a meeting in New York City to consider publishing an anthology of poetry responding to the tragedy. Fred Moramarco’s poem, Messages from the Sky: September […]
Design with Jenn Martella: “Highcroft”, circa 1780/1840
The open side yard, makes for a perfectly sun-drenched home. Just a few blocks away from the center of Chestertown’s downtown is this property on a narrow and deep lot like others along the urban streetscape. Unlike its neighbors, this house has the advantage of abundant sunlight on one long side of the house […]
Looking at the Masters: Sir Laurence Alma Tadema
Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema (1836-1912) was born in the Netherlands and studied at the Royal Academy of Antwerp in Belgium. His mentor Jan de Taeye (1822-1890), who also taught history, encouraged Alma Tadema to study ancient civilizations. He began with paintings of Egypt. Tadema was married in Brussels in 1863, and the couple honeymooned in […]
Bay to Ocean Journal: How to Celebrate Spring, A History by Carol Casey
Author’s Note: Until moving to San Francisco in the winter of 2024, Carol Casey spent most of her adult life in Maryland, where spring was the season she eagerly awaited. As a child, however, she found the death of Jesus to mark one of the saddest times of the year. While an editor for a university […]
Adkins Arboretum Mystery Monday: Guess the Photo!
Happy Mystery Monday! Can you guess what is pictured in photo #1? The answer to last week’s mystery is the bellwort, Uvularia species, pictured in photo #2. The bellwort, Uvularia species, also known as merrybells, is a delicate Spring wildflower native exclusively to North America. Found in moist to dry hardwood forests along the eastern […]