Writing has been a long and winding journey for me, but here are a few thoughts along the way.
Writing
A Week of Wonder: Naxos Greece, 2024
The warm sun caresses my skin, balancing the sharp chill of the ocean below. My mother stands next to me, holding my head and chest. I tilt back, fully submerged in the chill. I break through, back to the sunlight, and gasp for warm air. "You now have a new skin." My mother is calm, … Continue reading A Week of Wonder: Naxos Greece, 2024
Undiscovered Paradise: My Week in the Upper Peninsula
Hi friends! Last weekend’s camping adventure was so much fun that I decided to do it again! This time for a whole week, and two states away. I spent five days in the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Lake Superior in Michigan with my sweet boyfriend Carter, his friend Frank, Frank's brother Sam, and Frank’s fiancée … Continue reading Undiscovered Paradise: My Week in the Upper Peninsula
State Fair 2024
Hi friends! It seems I'm on a quest to squeeze an entire summer's worth of fun into three weeks; challenge accepted! Tuesday's mission: the Minnesota State Fair. "The Great Minnesota Get-Together" is a time-honored tradition of fried food, rides, and people- so. Many. People! I last went in the summer of 2022, and I managed … Continue reading State Fair 2024
The Missed Formation in “Misinformation”
Labeling ideas as “misinformation” is a cop-out. It allows us to ignore the uncomfortable possibility that two contradictory ideas can coexist.
On Gardening and God
Hi friends! While I’m still looking for a job I’ve been able to build more structure and routine in my life in the last few weeks, mainly through tending my backyard garden and joining a new church community. Here are a few of my thoughts on these new developments and how they overlap. I live … Continue reading On Gardening and God
The Six Acts of Elena’s Grace
Welcome back to the blog. It came to my attention that my very first post was published on March 7, 2017. I can't believe I’ve had this little blog for six years already! Let’s take a walk down memory lane. Act One - The Movie Buff: I started this site out of spite. I distinctly … Continue reading The Six Acts of Elena’s Grace
Restaurant Review – Porterhouse
Hey everyone! I wanted to branch out a little bit and share some of my favorite restaurants around the Twin Cities. As the daughter of a foodie mother, I have sophisticated taste in restaurants. Porterhouse offers elegant steakhouse fare, friendly and professional waitstaff, and a fun community of regular patrons. Since January 28th, 2000 (eight … Continue reading Restaurant Review – Porterhouse
Where Men Win Glory – An Unwilling Mockingjay
Hi all. This week I want to revisit my favorite biography about politics and football. I care about neither politics nor football, but Where Men Win Glory is an engaging drama about the life, death, and manipulation of one very interesting man. Let’s get into it. I was also inspired to write this imagist poem … Continue reading Where Men Win Glory – An Unwilling Mockingjay
Elvis (2022) – A Tragic Spectacle
Hi! I finally saw Elvis after playing his music around my house for two weeks, and I have a LOT of thoughts. I actually saw Elvis twice in the same weekend, and the emotional onslaught was only slightly minimized the second time. I suppose I’ll put a spoiler warning for this stylized retelling of true … Continue reading Elvis (2022) – A Tragic Spectacle
Elena’s Grace 