From the New York Times bestselling author of Rise of the Rocket Girls comes the never-before-told story of a small cadre of influential female spies in the precarious early days of the CIA—women who helped create the template for cutting-edge espionage (and blazed new paths for equality in the workplace) in the treacherous post-WWII era.

In the wake of World War II, four agents were critical in helping build a new organization that we now know as the CIA. Adelaide Hawkins, Mary Hutchison, Eloise Page, and Elizabeth Sudmeier, called the “wise gals” by their male colleagues because of their sharp sense of humor and even quicker intelligence, were not the stereotypical femme fatale of spy novels. They were smart, courageous, and groundbreaking agents at the top of their class, instrumental in both developing innovative tools for intelligence gathering—and insisting (in their own unique ways) that they receive the credit and pay their expertise deserved.
Throughout the Cold War era, each woman had a vital role to play on the international stage. Adelaide rose through the ranks, developing new cryptosystems that advanced how spies communicate with each other. Mary worked overseas in Europe and Asia, building partnerships and allegiances that would last decades. Elizabeth would risk her life in the Middle East in order to gain intelligence on deadly Soviet weaponry. Eloise would wield influence on scientific and technical operations worldwide, ultimately exposing global terrorism threats. Through their friendship and shared sense of purpose, they rose to positions of power and were able to make real change in a traditionally “male, pale, and Yale” organization—but not without some tragic losses and real heartache along the way.
Meticulously researched and beautifully told, Holt uses firsthand interviews with past and present officials and declassified government documents to uncover the stories of these four inspirational women. Wise Gals sheds a light on the untold history of the women whose daring foreign intrigues, domestic persistence, and fighting spirit have been and continue to be instrumental to our country’s security.

Periscope Film: “WITH PRIDE AND DIGNITY” WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS (WACS) 1962 U.S. ARMY RECRUITING FILM XD50944, Periscope Film: DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT CO. A4D SKYHAWK JET ATTACK BOMBER AIRCRAFT U.S. NAVY PROMOTIONAL FILM 80344, VOICES OF HISTORY PRESENTS - Lou Deprizio U.S. Army Vietnam Army Commendation Medal, CBS Sunday Morning: Recovering service members lost in an Alaskan glacier, The Team House: CIA Deputy Director of the Counterterrorism Center | Darrell Blocker | Ep. 175, MoH WWI Navy Rear Adm. Bruce McCandless, Vietnam Veteran Colonel Nelson Modrall | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 118, The Untold Past: BURNED ALIVE! - The Execution Of The Female Spies Of S.O.E., Zero Eyes -AI Gun Detection Technology | Black Rifle Coffee Podcast Ep 237, The Untold Past: This DISTURBING Torture Method Drove The Prisoners Of Dachau INSANE..., The Untold Past: This Female Teacher SLAUGHTERED Hundreds Of Soldiers During World War 2..., Wolrd War Two: 220 - Kiev Liberated! Celebrations in Moscow! - WW2 - November 12 1943, World War Two: The Real Reason for Hitler's War - WW2 Specials, World War Two: The Pornstars of World War Two - Pin-Ups - On the Homefront 017

Military November 10 & 11, 2022

Filed under Military

Military.com: Multiple Instances of Alleged Abuse at Navy Child Care Center; Daughter Honors Memory of Her Dad, Who Lost a Leg Shooting Famous Photos of D-Day Invasion in WWII; Fire Watch: Thank You for Your Service and more ->

Task & Purpose: What Americans are getting wrong about veterans “There is still a lot more work to be done.”; The Army Reserve chief wants leaders to stop wasting soldiers’ drill time on paperwork “I’ve got to get people back to doing interesting missions, to say, ‘Hey this is worth doing.’” And more ->

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks Veterans Day Message

The Untold Past: The HORRIFIC Torture Of The Women Of War-Torn Germany

World War Two: The Auschwitz Business Model – War Against Humanity 086

The History Guy: November 11 1943: Floyd Lindstrom

Team Never Quit: THE STORY OF NAVY SEAL MICHAEL A. MONSOOR with Mike Sarraille & Rey Baviera

Jocko Podcast 359: The Story of Medal of Honor Recipient Michael Monsoor. With George Monsoor

Veteran’s Days BRCC Special – Black Rifle Coffee Podcast Ep 236 Kevin Reeves Mike Glover Jenna Bakken and Jariko Denman

Cleared Hot Podcast: Full Auto Friday – Round 131

Veteran’s Days BRCC Special - Black Rifle Coffee Podcast Ep 236 Kevin Reeves Mike Glover Jenna Bakken and Jariko Denman, The Untold Past: The HORRIFIC Torture Of The Women Of War-Torn Germany, World War Two: The Auschwitz Business Model - War Against Humanity 086, The History Guy: November 11 1943: Floyd Lindstrom, Cleared Hot Podcast: Full Auto Friday - Round 131, Team Never Quit: THE STORY OF NAVY SEAL MICHAEL A. MONSOOR with Mike Sarraille & Rey Baviera, Jocko Podcast 359: The Story of Medal of Honor Recipient Michael Monsoor. With George Monsoor

Military November 06, 07, 08 & 09, 2022

Filed under Military

DoD: Medal of Honor Monday: Army Pfc. Joe Nishimoto

Military.com: Four Soldiers Die in Suspected Suicides in One Month in Alaska; They Said the Rise in Military Suicide Is a Mystery. Traumatic Brain Injury May Be an Answer.; Free Lifetime National Parks Passes Are Coming for Veterans and Gold Star Families and more ->

Task & Purpose: These are the veterans elected to Congress for the first time during the midterms A total of 196 veterans ran for Congress in the midterm elections.; Navy relieves USS Normandy commander after less than 9 months on the job Capt. Simon McKeon was relieved “due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command.”; How airmen perform the fine art of arming F-16 fighter jets with deadly weapons “Weapons … get some!”; ‘Step away from the uniform’ — Army Reserve chief reminds soldiers of rules for political campaigns “Does it have camouflage and your name on it? Does it have your rank on it? Then you can’t be wearing it.”; ‘F*ck it’ “In the military there are all sorts of ways to say f*ck it.” And more ->

DoD: Russia Suffers ‘Catastrophic Strategic Disaster’ in Ukraine and more ->

The Untold Past: The BRUTAL Execution Of The Saint Of Gusen

The Untold Past: The Daring Survival Of Amon Göth’s Maid

World War Two: The Final Bloody Chapter of Operation Reinhard – November 6 1943 – WAH 085

Periscope Film: TRAIN TOUR OF OCCUPIED JAPAN 1949 HOME MOVIE VISIT TO HIROSHIMA MIKIMOTO HEIAN SHRINE XD65024

The Team House: From MARSOC to the Mozart Group | Andrew Milburn | Ep. 174

Black Rifle Coffee Company: The Final Send

Cleared Hot Podcast: Cleared Hot Episode 258 – Jariko Denman

Periscope Film: TRAIN TOUR OF OCCUPIED JAPAN 1949 HOME MOVIE VISIT TO HIROSHIMA MIKIMOTO HEIAN SHRINE XD65024, The Team House: From MARSOC to the Mozart Group | Andrew Milburn | Ep. 174, Black Rifle Coffee Company: The Final Send, Cleared Hot Podcast: Cleared Hot Episode 258 - Jariko Denman, MoH WWII Army Pfc. Joe Nishimoto, The Untold Past: The BRUTAL Execution Of The Saint Of Gusen, The Untold Past: The Daring Survival Of Amon Göth's Maid, World War Two: The Final Bloody Chapter of Operation Reinhard - November 6 1943 - WAH 085

Military November 03, 2022

Filed under Military

Military.com: Space Force Gets New Chief Space Officer for the First Time Since Forming in 2019; 5 Famous Veterans Who Served in the National Guard; GOP Lawmakers Sound Alarm over Pulling F-15s from Japan and more ->

Task & Purpose: That time Air Force surgeons disarmed a ‘human bomb’ in Vietnam All in a day’s work.; The Army screwed over soldiers in an enlistment bonus fraud investigation. Now it’s trying to fix it “It is clear that we fell short in a large number of these investigations.”; Inside the Army school where helicopter pilots learn the dangerous art of mountain flying Welcome to ‘High School.’; We salute the Army tank crew that named their tank ‘come on bro’ Bro. Bro. Come on, bro. And more ->

DoD: Face of Defense: Engineering the Next Frontier; Childhood Experience Prompts Alaska Native to Serve in Guard and more ->

The Untold Past: The HORRIFIC Torture Of Hitler’s Niece

VOICES OF HISTORY PRESENTS – John Arthur Lanham Jr. U.S. Navy World War II

VOICES OF HISTORY PRESENTS – Cpl Guadalupe Renteria U.S.M.C. Vietnam 1967-1968 1st Marine Division

Team Never Quit: JARIKO DENMAN: Retired Army Ranger Senior Content Production Manager at Black Rifle Coffee Company

Mike Pompeo – Former United States Secretary of State | Black Rifle Coffee Podcast Ep 234

Gen. B. Chance "Salty" Saltzman, The Untold Past: The HORRIFIC Torture Of Hitler's Niece, Mike Pompeo - Former United States Secretary of State | Black Rifle Coffee Podcast Ep 234, VOICES OF HISTORY PRESENTS - Cpl Guadalupe Renteria U.S.M.C. Vietnam 1967-1968 1st Marine Division, VOICES OF HISTORY PRESENTS - John Arthur Lanham Jr. U.S. Navy World War II, Team Never Quit: JARIKO DENMAN: Retired Army Ranger Senior Content Production Manager at Black Rifle Coffee Company, Maj. Gen. James Humphreys

Military November 01 & 02, 2022

Filed under Military

Military.com: ‘Never Forget’: Georgia Man Keeps Legacy Alive for War Hero Brothers; First Sergeant Bans Troops from Using the Elevator; 10 Famous Veterans Who Died in 2022 and more ->

Task & Purpose: These Air Force commandos saved troops under fire for years. Now they are fighting to save their buddies ‘I woke up one morning, started typing a mission statement, and First There was born. Really it was out of necessity because I didn’t want my friend to kill himself.’ And more ->

DoD: National Native American Heritage Month The Defense Department honors the storied legacy of American Indians and Alaska Natives who, from the Revolutionary War to present-day missions around the world, contribute greatly to national defense. And more ->

The Untold Past: Blowing From A Cannon – History’s Most HORRIFIC Execution Method

Mark Felton Productions: Faces of Defeat – German Prisoners-of-War

Periscope Film: MERCURY-REDSTONE 4 SPLASHDOWN & LOSS OF LIBERTY BELL 7 CAPSULE GUS GRISSOM JULY 21 1967 XD48204

Tulsi Gabbard: Hope and the Future of Freedom – Danger Close with Jack Carr

Mike Glover: Kevin Owens | Mission Resilience Series | FieldCraft Survival Podcast EP. 319

Mark Felton Productions: Faces of Defeat - German Prisoners-of-War, The Untold Past: Blowing From A Cannon - History's Most HORRIFIC Execution Method, Tulsi Gabbard: Hope and the Future of Freedom - Danger Close with Jack Carr, Mike Glover: Kevin Owens | Mission Resilience Series | FieldCraft Survival Podcast EP. 319, Periscope Film: MERCURY-REDSTONE 4 SPLASHDOWN & LOSS OF LIBERTY BELL 7 CAPSULE GUS GRISSOM JULY 21 1967 XD48204

Military October 31, 2022

Filed under Military

Military.com: First Look at the VA’s New Toxic Exposure Screening All Vets Will Take When Seeing a Doctor; Guardsman Indicted for Drunk Driving in Fatal Crash During Border Mission and more ->

Task & Purpose: ‘They’re judge and they’re jury’ — How the military’s malpractice claims process is failing troops and families “It’s a simple case of having the fox guard the hen house.”; The real-life ‘smiling HIMARS’ meme has been spotted in Ukraine Nothing makes a HIMARS look better than a toothy smile. And more ->

DoD: Medal of Honor Monday: Marine Corps Maj. George O’Brien Jr. and more ->

The Untold Past: The BRUTAL Death Of Heinrich Himmler’s Brother

VOICES OF HISTORY PRESENTS – William “Bill” R. Crow U.S.M.C. Korea The Chosin Reservoir 7th Reg.

Former Counterterrorism Officer Drew Berquist | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 117

Cleared Hot: Cleared Hot Episode 257 – Gary Edgington

Cleared Hot: Cleared Hot Episode 257 - Gary Edgington, Former Counterterrorism Officer Drew Berquist | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 117, MoH Korea Marine Corps Maj. George O'Brien Jr., The Untold Past: The BRUTAL Death Of Heinrich Himmler's Brother, VOICES OF HISTORY PRESENTS - William "Bill" R. Crow U.S.M.C. Korea The Chosin Reservoir 7th Reg.

Military October 29 & 30, 2022

Filed under Military

Military.com: Afghan Commandos That Were Trained by US Navy SEALs Are Being Recruited to Fight for Russia in Ukraine, Report Says and more ->

Task & Purpose: That time they made a parody of ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ starring dogs ‘So Quiet on the Canine Front’ was part of a series of popular shorts from the early talkie film era.; The Marine Corps’ fitness test from the 1950s wasn’t that hard The Marines Corps initiated the test to deal with declining physical fitness among its officers and NCOs. And more ->

American Grit:

Violent But True Season 6, Episode 7: The Over Mountain Men

#Iamvanessaguillen
Grunt Style’s Co Owner, Tim Jensen addresses a panel of M.S.T. subject matter experts, survivors, and advocates in a different format than usual. Included are Navy veteran Janae Sergio, Navy veteran Stephanie Gattas, and Mayra Guillen (sister of Vanessa Guillen.)

The Numbers don’t lie with Don Christense
Retired Col. Don Christensen served in the Air Force J.A.G. for over twenty years. In that time, he went from a prosecutor and defense advocate to lead prosecutor of the whole damn airforce and a Judge. Now he’s President of Protect our Defenders, a non-profit providing legal services to Military Sexual Trauma survivors.

Man Uncivilized w/ Traver Bohem
Men are in crisis across America. We are killing ourselves, taking new and deadlier drugs, resorting to theft, murder, and violence in broad daylight, and sexually assaulting Women in public spaces and dark alleys. All of this is happening in record numbers.

Perfectly Flawless w/ Janae Sergio
Meet Janae Sergio; first, the good– she is a Navy Veteran, a loving wife and mother, best selling author, and a genuinely creative person with her own fashion brand.

What is MST?
Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is an experience of sexual assault or sexual harassment during military service. Unlike the often talked about post-military mental health condition PTSD, MST is not a diagnosis or mental health condition.

The Untold Past: The HORRIFIC Execution Of The American Woman Guillotined By Hitler

World War Two: 218 – Fresh German Armor in the USSR! – WW2 – October 29 1943

World War Two: Executed for Telling a Joke – October 30 1943 – WAH 084

Periscope Film: GERMAN V-2 ROCKET TESTS PENNEMUNDE GERMANY SILENT FILM WWII XD61604

Periscope Film: “ARMIES OF THE WORLD – THE SOVIET ARMY – ARMOR” 1955 SOVIET T-34 TANKS AND ARMORED VEHICLES XD61374

Eddie Penney: Ret. Tier 1 SEAL Eric Frohardt | The UNAFRAID Podcast – Episode 16

The Untold Past: The HORRIFIC Execution Of The American Woman Guillotined By Hitler, World War Two: 218 - Fresh German Armor in the USSR! - WW2 - October 29 1943, World War Two: Executed for Telling a Joke - October 30 1943 - WAH 084, Periscope Film: GERMAN V-2 ROCKET TESTS PENNEMUNDE GERMANY SILENT FILM WWII XD61604, Periscope Film: “ARMIES OF THE WORLD – THE SOVIET ARMY – ARMOR” 1955 SOVIET T-34 TANKS AND ARMORED VEHICLES XD61374, Eddie Penney: Ret. Tier 1 SEAL Eric Frohardt | The UNAFRAID Podcast - Episode 16

hollywood enters the museum--1/17/25 January 17, 2025
Today's selection--from The Hollywood Brand by Peter Catapano. The MoMA and Iris Barry redefine traditional museum art. “In November 1935, five years after its founding, the Museum of Modern Art in New York announced the opening of its Film Library ‘to render possible for the first time a considered study of the film as art.’ […]
the largest company in history? -- 1/16/25 January 16, 2025
Today's encore selection -- from Merchant Kings by Stephen R. Bown. In relation to the economy of its time, and though it was chartered two years after the much smaller British East India Company, the mammoth Dutch East India Company may have been the largest company in history. It was given the powers of a […]

Recent Research Spreadsheets
Our students have compiled research in three topic areas. Below are the links to their research tables that can be downloaded for searching and viewing. For a state-by-state review of Mandatory Reporter laws, click here. For a state-by-state review of Background Check laws, click...
feigleycommunications
Legislative Drafting Students
Our students spend the summer working on the research project of the LDICP. Through their extensive research, massive databases of information on state statutes regarding the abuse of children have been created and will be posted here as their work is finalized. Here are...
feigleycommunications

Inspiring: This man became a successful writer despite his parents naming him ‘Clive Staples’ January 19, 2025
From The Babylon Bee. OXFORD — Setting an inspiring example for all people saddled by their parents with unwieldy names, a British gentleman born in 1898 seems to have managed to become a popular, successful writer despite having been named “Clive Staples” by his parents. Literary critics throughout the Anglophone world who have come forward […]
bluebird of bitterness

Sunny Ann Starling, July 2, 1943 - January 6, 2023 January 10, 2023
All-American patriot, artist, designer, entrepreneur, flower arranger, chef, and joyful servant, Sunny Lou Starling, was carried on the wings of angels to the arms of her savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, January 6, 2023. She once said her mission was to “Gather and feed all you can, as often as you can, because you never know if […]
Unknown
WASP Final Flight February 28, 2022
WASP Deanie Bishop Parrish, 44-W-4"Failure isn't failure unless you let it be. It's simply a change in direction. Just count your many blessings move on. With God's help, anything is possible!"Deanie Bishop Parrish passed away peacefully in her home in Waco, Texas, on February 24, 2022, just one day shy of her 100th birthday. She met every challenge […]
Unknown

Four Fun Kodachrome Car Image Series No. 519 October 30, 2024
Editors Note: After posting over five thousand features and twenty five thousand images over the last thirteen years, the time has come to end posting weekly features here on The Old Motor. At this point, the site’s future hasn’t been decided, although it will remain online for the foreseeable future. There may be future updates...
David Greenlees
Four Fun Kodachrome Car Image Series No. 518 October 23, 2024
In this weekly series, we ask our readers to tell us the year, make, and model of all of these vehicles along with the location where the image was taken and anything else you find of interest in the photos. You can look back on all the earlier parts of this series here. The photos are via Americar....
David Greenlees

Loammi Bean: 1906 January 19, 2025
Weirs, New Hampshire, circa 1906. "N.H. Veterans' Association grounds at Lake Winnipesaukee." Seen earlier here and here, the NHVA Civil War memorial-slash-fountain (with basins for horse, human, dog or cat) was blown to smithereens by a lightning strike in 1931. 8x10 inch glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.
Dave
Temperance Drinks: 1910 January 19, 2025
Circa 1910. "Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire. The New Hotel Weirs and Soldiers' Monument." At the Weirs Bazaar (next to the memorial horse fountain), TEMPERANCE DRINKS and HELLGAMITE. 8x10 glass negative (cropped), Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.
Dave

Mrs. Claus: 1949 December 27, 2024
Christmas 1949 in Valparaiso, Indiana. That's Grandma in a Kodachrome slide. View full size. Our Christmas coda is this cocktail-hour Kodachrome submitted by Shorpy charter member Delworthio 16 years ago, in 2008. Cheers!
delworthio
The Third Man: 1951 December 19, 2024
Occupied Germany at the U.S.-Soviet sector The East/West German border circa 1951, ten years before the Berlin Wall was built. U.S. Army soldiers Harry Manville, Dave Crosson, and Ray Kwapil (my dad). I have the Agfa Karat 35mm and Rolleicord 6x6cm Dad is dangling. Nice cameras, they are still working. Location: "Untersuhl by Eisenach, Germany, […]
JeffK

Drinks for everyone, just don't lose your head January 19, 2025
In reply to Temperance Drinks: 1910: The Loammi Bean statue included a water fountains for horses, dogs and people. In 1931, it was destroyed when a lightning bolt struck and decapitated the soldier figure. According to the Laconia Citizen, “The head of the soldier was severed from the body, and shortly after, the entire statue […]
Marabou Scarce
College Ices? January 19, 2025
In reply to Temperance Drinks: 1910: What would be a college ice -- shaved ice in the colors of your college? Note the period at the end -- this sign is a complete sentence. [It's what we would call an ice cream sundae. - Dave]
AuldLangSignCo

Hungarian Wax Peppers October 18, 2024
Here’s an old Italian recipe for canning peppers, one of my husband’s favorites. Searching the internet, you’ll come across many variations — all probably good — but here’s a basic recipe to start you on your course. The kids and I canned these using the boiling method, though pressure canners might make the process easier. Not sure how, […]
gardenfrisk
Easy Microgreens June 13, 2023
Microgreens seem to be all the rage these days and for good reason: they are packed with nutrients and easy to grow! The USDA and University of Maryland found that leaves from microgreens had more nutrients than the mature leaves of the same plants. And great flavor. Plus, you don’t need a lot of space […]
gardenfrisk

Easy Beef Bourguignon January 11, 2025
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our privacy policy for details. A classic French stew with oh-so-tender braised fall apart beef with vegetables in a luxurious red wine gravy sauce. why i love beef bourguignon what exactly is beef bourguignon Similar to its sister dish, coq au vin, beef bourguignon (also known as […]
Chungah @ Damn Delicious
One Pot Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta January 4, 2025
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our privacy policy for details. No fuss ONE POT MEAL! So so creamy, so easy. Chockfull of tender chicken, mushrooms, and spinach! why make one pot creamy chicken and mushroom pasta There’s just one pot and a few ingredients between you and dinner tonight. We’re talking tender […]
Chungah @ Damn Delicious

DIY Sweetgrass Basket Craft Inspired by Gullah Tradition by Josie Riviera May 22, 2024
Welcome back to Daufuskie Island, where every corner tells a story. This island is off the coast of South Carolina and is a 1 hour ferry ride from Hilton Head Island. Today I’m sharing how to make a sweetgrass basket: Materials: Coiled rope or raffia Colored yarn or embroidery thread Large-eye needle Scissors Instructions: Start […]
Josie Riviera
Daufuskie Delights: A Culinary Journey Through Gullah Flavors by Josie Riviera April 22, 2024
Welcome to Daufuskie Island, where time slows down and the rhythms of Gullah culture come to life. This inviting getaway off the South Carolina coast is more than an island; it’s a testament to the resilience and creativity of the Gullah people, descendants of West African slaves. These people were brought to work on the […]
Donna Fasano

Army officers had to write haikus about Pacific theater of World War II during a leadership course January 20, 2025
Instructors at a military leadership course gave field grade and warrant officers a lesson in communicating complex ideas in a simple format. Their chosen medium: a haiku. Haikus are a Japanese style of poem with three lines written in 5-7-5 syllable count and typically focus on nature imagery — not so much the nature of […]
Patty Nieberg
National Guard troops issued special identification patch for Presidential inauguration January 19, 2025
Members of the National Guard activated to support Monday’s presidential inauguration have been issued a special identification patch for the event, with the goal of making it easier to identify them as members of the Guard. Thousands of National Guard troops active ahead of and during the Jan. 20 inauguration of Donald Trump will wear […]
Nicholas Slayton

Day Trip to Bisbee, AZ January 19, 2025
Riding in their Jeep Gladiator, Martha and I accompanied Chris and Lori Z on the 30 mile or so drive to Bisbee, AZ.Cool town with buildings and homes nestled on steep hill sides. Martha and I checked out the town's museum after a short walk along the "main street". Nothing remarkable about the main street […]
redlegsrides
Day Trip to Chiricahua National Monument and Now Boondocking by Dragoon Mountains January 17, 2025
Yesterday, January 15 We drove down in Lori and Chris Z's Jeep Gladiator to the Chiricahua National Monument by way of Apache Pass Road.I'd visited this monument before on my own back in 2021: LINKIt was chilly and windy with snow in the shady parts of the monument's tour route. Very tough to get good shots […]
redlegsrides

Amazon Seems Not To Like Reviews of The Putin Interviews January 9, 2025
UPDATE: A friend at Amazon saw this post, looked into it, and informed me that the whole thing was a mistake: my second review did indeed post; I shouldn’t have received the first email, requiring revisions; I certainly shouldn’t have received the second email, mistakenly informing me that even my revised review wouldn’t do. They’re […]
Barry Eisler
The Myth of American Idealism: How US Foreign Policy Endangers the World December 16, 2024
If you’re not familiar with Noam Chomsky’s insights into the real causes and consequences of US foreign policy, The Myth of American Idealism is an excellent introduction. If you are familiar, it’s a great refresher. IMO, the biggest, high-level takeaways:1. Rulers have far more in common with and concern for each other than regard for the people […]
Barry Eisler

Kashevaroff Mountain April 6, 2019
Long before we were a sailing family, Alisa and I were a young couple in love with adventuring in Alaska. The opportunity to introduce Eric and Elias to the delights of outdoor living in the Great Land was one of the big bright sides of our return to Alaska. Earlier this winter, the boys and […]
Letting go March 20, 2019
So...this beautiful island is our home. See the barky? The boys just had their spring break. A week off from school and nothing to keep us from buggering off in Galactic. The weather was generally poor - nothing like the pics above for the most part - so we just snuck off to the west […]

PDS on PBS II Cross post from "Frozen Grin" April 5, 2024
Here is a link to a story about my struggle to draw with Parkinson's Disease. the story is from "The Daily Cartoonist" a Web journal concerning the world of professional cartooning. It was occasioned by the release of the documentary "Matters of Mind, My Parkinson's" which follows three families and their efforts to cope […]
Peter Dunlap-Shohl
Matter of Mind, My Parkinson's, PBS Looks at PD and PD-S March 4, 2024
Here is a short trailer for the PBS documentary "Matter of Mind, My Parkinson's. It follows the attempts of three people and their families to cope with the progressive, disabling and incurable neurological condition. The film won the Audience Choice Award for documentaries at the recent San Francisco Film Festival, possibly due to a scenery-chewing […]
Peter Dunlap-Shohl

Identifying Devil’s Club Plant August 10, 2023
Devil’s Club is a common wild plant in Alaska that’s large & covered in hidden sharp thorns, growing everywhere from remote forests to even well-groomed Anchorage city trails. Just because you’re “in town” doesn’t mean you won’t run into devil’s club. It’s smart to stay on the trails, particularly if you’re not confident spotting it. […]
Ashley
Pumpkin BOO-berry Muffins (Fun Halloween Toddler Snacktivity!) October 21, 2022
Here’s a delicious fall-time spin on classic blueberry muffins. If you’re a solo adult who likes good food, this recipe is for you. Or if you’ve got extra kitchen “helpers” around (read: kids who need entertainment), turn baking these Halloween muffins into a fun toddler snacktivity. Pumpkin BOO-berry Muffin Recipe Ingredients: 2 boxes Jiffy brand […]
Ashley

"Home" vs. "Away" May 20, 2022
I’m home now. I’m looking at the flea market couch I brought up from California; I had cushions made three times over the years till I got it just right. Now it’s just right. It’s been in my life 42 years. Tim has been in my life 34 years, but he had to be out of […]
CloudyinAK
Goodbye, Toronto May 10, 2022
I’m saying my goodbyes to Toronto. I’ve seen my last Hot Docs Festival film, and I’m just back from my last author program. I’ve probably had my last roti, checked out my last book at my local branch library, gone to my last art workshop. Horror of horrors, I’ve even watched my last play. The thing […]
CloudyinAK

Malnourished launches today January 21, 2020
It’s here. The big day. My memoir, the one I spent 15 years struggling over, launches today from Raised Voice Press. I’m feeling very exposed, very vulnerable. This is not at all similar to when Dolls Behaving Badly launched from Hachette Book Group. That was a novel, and while some of it was based on… […]
cinthiaritchie
Book review: Secondhand Summer by Dan Walker December 1, 2019
I had had Alaska writer Dan Walker’s YA novel SECONDHAND SUMMER on my list for a long time, and two weeks ago finally had the chance to dive in. I wasn’t disappointed. Walker’s book, geared for middle school readers (but still immensely enjoyable for adults), follows 14-year-old Sam’s move to Anchorage from the small fishing… […]
cinthiaritchie

Sitka Nature Show #322 – Kitty LaBounty January 13, 2025
Download Radio Show The January 12th show featured a conversation with Kitty LaBounty. We spoke about Christmas Bird Count experiences in Sitka and Arizona and the Continental MycoBlitz, including potentially new-to-science species from Southeast Alaska. Other topics included the Alaska Native Plant Society, Kitty’s on-going work to put together a flora of Southeast Alaska, and […]
matt goff
Channel Birds and Swan Lake Plants January 12, 2025
Low clouds and occasional rain. Light winds. Temperatures in the 40s. Though clouds seemed lower today, the light felt brighter. I don’t mean it was bright day, but yesterday was so dim. After finishing up my radio show for tomorrow shortly after noon, I stopped at the channel. For some reason the scaups were right […]
matt goff

Sandra’s Overnight Artisan 10" Cast Iron Soft Bread-No Knead March 2, 2024
INGREDIENTS3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon active yeast (not rapid or instant)1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt1-1/2 cups slightly warm water (tepid)--2 teaspoons canola oil (For top and bottom of dough ball so it doesn't stick or form crust while rising)-2 TB butter melted in ramekin, with brush (set aside)--10” Seasoned Cast Iron SkilletMETHODAdd flour to bowl. Add yeast […]
sandra
Sandra's Fresh Apple Pecan Cake (9x13") September 18, 2023
My husband loves this cakeso much he had two pieces 'after' eating lunch...Ingredients2 Eggs1 ½ cup Canola Oil2 cups Granulated Sugar3 cups A-P Flour2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon½ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg½ teaspoon Kosher Salt1 ½ teaspoons Baking Soda4 cups Chopped Apples (peeled and cored): measure after chopping1 cup chopped Pecans: measure after chopping1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract⅔ […]
sandra