By Eilene Lyon I often take a break in January and thus miss my blogging anniversary. Last year I bowed out in January and for six weeks in October and November in order to complete a book manuscript. Not surprisingly, I wrote only 41 posts in 2023 (a record low after 2022’s 43 posts). My... Continue Reading →
From the Vault: First Byline?
By Eilene Lyon It really doesn’t count as a byline, but it’s my first recollection of something I wrote being published somewhere—even though it was just a question. In this case, it appeared in the Teen Action Line column of the Miami Herald international edition on Nov. 17, 1974. For a 12-year-old, this was a... Continue Reading →
Anacapa Island Conservation
By Eilene Lyon The highlight of our recent vacation trip to Channel Islands National Park, off the coast of southern California, was a day spent at Anacapa Island. Anacapa consists of three islets about 11 miles from Santa Barbara. Landing on East Anacapa was adventurous. The zodiacs transporting us from the National Geographic Venture had... Continue Reading →
Cactus Rescue
By Eilene Lyon Our rural dirt road is bounded on the east by steep shale and sandstone slopes prone to erosion. Last week we had several torrential rains that swept water and mud across the road, leaving piles of debris and cutting new gullies down toward the river below. While walking the dogs a couple... Continue Reading →
From the Vault: Merit Badge
By Eilene Lyon This one goes waaaaay back to the early 1970s. I was surprised to find this in my “vault.” I started out in Brownies, as signified by the wing badge on this sash. This was during the years we lived near Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. I may have been in Girl Scouts for a year... Continue Reading →
From the Vault: The Deed
By Eilene Lyon While in college, I had a job as night auditor for Hyatt Regency in Columbus, Ohio. One night, a co-worker seemed rather grumpy. “What’s up with you, Cindy?” “It’s my birthday.” “Uh. Happy birthday? You don’t seem too thrilled about it.” “I promised myself I’d have my second house by the time... Continue Reading →
In Defense of the Dead
By Eilene Lyon I do not shy away from telling less-than-savory stories about some of my ancestors and relatives. If there is credible evidence they committed a crime, then I document it. But some people have taken to “solving” unsolved crimes by insinuating the guilt of dead people on websites like Find A Grave (FAG)... Continue Reading →
Transitions
By Eilene Lyon Losing a Parent I abruptly abandoned the blogosphere a couple weeks ago. Usually I give a little notice that I won’t be reading, commenting, or posting. I'm officially back now. About ten years ago, my mother began exhibiting signs of dementia. For the past six, she has lived in memory care in... Continue Reading →
The Picketwire
By Eilene Lyon First, the name. Legend has it that an unauthorized expedition of Spaniards led by Antonio Gutierrez de Humaña and Francisco Leyva de Bonilla, came to what is now southern Colorado in 1594 (a much-disputed legend at that). On their way home, Humaña murdered Bonilla in order to make off with all the... Continue Reading →