Rite of Fancy

Dear Henry, Continuing in my study of "People Who Helped The Insane" - I am so relieved that Fish has agreed to clear the history on my internet browser after I die -  I have come across the story of Ms. Nellie Bly. I vaguely remember hearing about her when I was younger. After some research, I have decided that she would be considered one of the bravest women in journalism, even by today's standards. Her first article, written under the pseudonym "Lonely Orphan Girl," challenged the current role of women. It argued for divorce law reform, which garnered her a full-time position at the Pittsburgh Dispatch. She immediately began reporting on women's working conditions in the area's factories. She was then promptly reassigned to the women's section of the paper and told to report on fashion. Unwilling to report on society and unable to write on local items of substance, Nellie Bly went to Mexico as a foreign correspondent. While reporting ...

A short summary of Soul by Soul: A look at the slave markets of the pre-Civil War South. My favorite Walter Johnson quote from the book: "They imagined who they could be by thinking about whom they could buy" Questions to ponder while reading Soul by Soul: What is the price of human life? What is evil? My thoughts about Soul by Soul: A good look into an American evil. A well-written historical guide. A must-read. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors, my  webshop , or by buying...

A short summary of the book The Rum Diary: Partying in Puerto Rico, with some journalism on the side. My favorite Hunter S. Thompson quote from the book: "I was not proud of what I have learned but I never doubted that it was worth knowing." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Have you ever gone too far? How much rum is too much? My review of  The Rum Diary: Fifties-style guys. Fifties-style dialogue. Fifties-style underbelly, Caribbean style. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors, ...

A short summary of the book 1000 Years of Annoying the French: All about the back and forth bickering between the Brits and the French. My favorite quote from the book: "There is the French version of the story and a true one. " Questions to ponder while reading 1000 Years of Annoying the French: Is there more than one version of history? Does humor help learning? My thoughts about 1000 Years of Annoying the French: Calling all history buffs! A great overview of the intermingling history between England and France. An entertaining learning experience. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebac...

Dear Henry, There was another "insect cuisine" article in the paper.  I am beginning to wonder if there is a conspiracy and that something is going to happen to our food supply and the media is prepping us for "bugs provencal" (no, not really, I'm kidding). In the past , and after comparing Fish's and my survival skills to those of a reality T.V. couple, I have stated that I would eat a bug if I were starving, was in competition for half a million dollars, or was at a Mariner's game.  I do have my limits though. The article I was reading was talking about using the larvae of the black fly as a food source. Another name for "larvae of the black fly" is maggots. Eating maggots is a hard no. While the article talks about the negative carbon footprint utilizing this particular food source, the protein ratio to body size, and all of the other benefits of fly larvae as a food source. The fact still remains that eating maggots is a hard...

A short summary of the book The Alienist Profiling a climbing killer. My favorite quote from the book: "Change isn't something most people enjoy, even if it's progressive change." Questions to ponder while reading The Alienist Do you have any issues with your mother? What are your thoughts regarding prostitution? My review of The Alienist A "Sherlocky" feel. Great fun in a book. A mystery to the max. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors, my  webshop , or by buying me a cup of coffee!

A short summary of Olive Kitteridge: All about Olive and Olive's people. My favorite Elizabeth Strout quote from the book: "The appetites of the body were private battles."  Questions to ponder while reading Olive Kitteridge: What are you afraid of? How do you see yourself? My thoughts about Olive Kitteridge: I think I know a couple of Olives Very complicated characters. I wonder if my relationships are so complex. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors, my  webshop , or by buying me a...

A short summary of the book Pigs Have Wings: A story about noble, British, fat pigs, which have gone missing. My favorite P.G. Wodehouse book from the book: "Sudden joy affects different people in different ways." Questions to ponder while reading Pigs Have Wings: Would you, after reading, now consider using a pin to pop a blister? What would you do with a pig in your kitchen? My thoughts about Pigs Have Wings: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle meets Downtown Abbey meets the Three Stooges. It is utterly ridiculous and I laughed the entire time. The book is the cure for what ails you. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  sh...