How Portulaca Oleracea (Common Purslane) arrived to the New World is a mystery. For most of botanical history it was assumed to … More
Tag: History
Beneath tropic seas; a record of diving among the coral reefs of Haiti
In 1928, William Beebe and his fellow members of the Department of Tropical Research of the New York Zoological Society … More
Odd Books: UFOs from Behind the Iron Curtain
My favorite thing about this book is that it’s co-authored. There’s something about a co-authoring that lends a certain type … More
Birdsong
Is there a more beautiful compound in the English language than birdsong? The word is itself intoxicating and just saying … More
City Plants: New York’s Oldest Knotweed
On recent evening stroll, I noticed a healthy Japanese Knotweed plant growing in front of a townhouse in my Upper … More
Words About Ships: Velocera
Very little is written, or at least very little writing still exists about the Velocera, an Italian coasting ship. This … More
I’m just one person
Growing up in the 90s, I was spoiled for choice as to where to displace my teenage angst. Grunge, punk, … More
A Day in New York City
In the morning the pigeons lined up on the street light like urban gargoyles watching from above. Yellow means slow … More
Cafe Society, the wrong place for the Right people
In December of 1938 once Trenton based shoe-clerk, Barney Josephson opened a jazz club at 2 Sheridan Square in the … More
Words About Ships: Snow
The snow is not actually a snow. It is a mispronunciation of the old Dutch word “snauw” which means beak … More