what happened
May 15, 2021
When she finally let me leave the attic, she hissed, “don’t tell mom and dad or they will hate you. You’ll get in trouble.” … More what happened
Video: The American Mall
October 26, 2021
There is so much to explore about malls, Gen X, and the both of us entering our middle age. For now, I’ve created this short visual story about it.
Close Your Mouth
May 15, 2021
The thing is, she didn’t ask for his opinion. She doesn’t need him to post on social media his approval or disapproval of her makeup routine. And he’s assuming a lot about why she’s even putting makeup on at all. Because of the media? Maybe she’s putting it on because she likes it. I could … More Close Your Mouth
history remembers those who write the elegies
December 15, 2020
It’s weird to be talking so much lately about growing up poor when I’ve spent my life pretending that I didn’t and or feeling ashamed about it all. Now, as the subject of white, rural poverty seems to be in the miasma of the 2020 election and some think it’s a Rosetta Stone to understanding … More history remembers those who write the elegies
Pierre Moran Mall
May 6, 2017
I feel like the Pierre Moran Mall disappeared when I wasn’t looking. It was a huge part of my life from the earliest of the 1980s well into the late 1990s, and then, it was gone. … More Pierre Moran Mall
Concord Mall
May 6, 2017
I spent a couple of hours at Elkhart’s Concord Mall today. This is a mall near to my heart. I cannot count the hours I spent there, the happy times, the ears pierced, the popcorn eaten, the stickers bought. Not now, anyway. … More Concord Mall
Now It’s Part of You
September 20, 2016
This popped up in my inbox the other day, and, oh Ticketmaster, you don’t know what you’re asking. How do I describe for other Monkees fans – or for anyone, for that matter – how the concert was? How do I describe how any of this has gone? Begin at the beginning. It’s a very … More Now It’s Part of You
Travel Dog’s Travel Tips
August 1, 2015
I recently had a fabulous time flying with my dog, Buttercup. But in preparing for the trip, I found nothing but horror stories and heartbreaking posts on message boards all over the internet. Not helpful! I needed some friendly advice about how to best prepare for flying with a pet, and couldn’t find much. So, … More Travel Dog’s Travel Tips
Winter Moon
March 9, 2015
I think that would a good album title for vaguely holiday-ish but not overtly Christmas music. Anyway, here’s a picture I took.
From Exuberance to Irony: “Walking on Sunshine” in Film
January 29, 2015
Written for grad school in 2009, this piece is a fun look at how one song has endured through twenty-five plus years and scores of use in various media. Kicky drums and tambourine open the song, beating out a sense of excitement about what’s to come. Almost any listener knows the song … More From Exuberance to Irony: “Walking on Sunshine” in Film
Megan Stemm-Wade 