katieb

February 5, 1885

Today is the 137th anniversary of the Chinese Expulsion from Eureka, CA so I have been working on a small gathering to acknowledge the day at the site of Eureka’s Chinatown as part of the Eureka Chinatown Project. Here are my short remarks for the event. On this site in 1885, there was a community,Continue reading “February 5, 1885”

Oversteeped Tea

Today, I found out my partner’s roommate tested positive for COVID. They had been sick for a few days, and once they started showing symptoms a little less than a week ago, my partner and I stayed apart and I started working at home waiting to see what the diagnosis was. Early rapid results testsContinue reading “Oversteeped Tea”

Falling in Love at a Mexican Bakery

(sorry for the missing accents on some of the words, I’m not sure how to get them into the text) My first love in life was bread. Or books. It’s a pretty close tie. But I remember heading home from the store with my dad, a hot loaf of french bread, or somedays even sourdough,Continue reading “Falling in Love at a Mexican Bakery”

Rainy Evening-The Beginning of Fall

Getting cozy and reading- what’s on your list?

My Experience at “This is the Place Heritage Park”

Or, why I choose to call this place “Mormon Disneyland” (I’m not alone in feeling like some of the Mormon educational spots are a bit Disney-esque, sounds like they’ve been like that for a while) Back in June, when the Pandemic sucked a little less, I went out of town with my partner, who wasContinue reading “My Experience at “This is the Place Heritage Park””

COVID-19 and it’s many (hurtful) names

I remember when I first heard the term “Kung Flu” I’m a sucker for puns and plays on words, so I laughed initially, but then realized that was a pretty awful thing to call a deadly disease that was killing people around the world at a growing pace. Then the reports of xenophobia and violenceContinue reading “COVID-19 and it’s many (hurtful) names”

Returning National Park Lands to Tribes: Stepping into “Land Back”

Some thoughts on The Atlantic’s “Return National Parks to the Tribes” article from May 2021

Podcasts I’ve Been Listening To

I’ve been on a podcast kick lately- they’re perfect to put on when I take Parker for his morning and evening walks, or when I’m sewing or embroidering or, lately, while doing volunteer shifts at the Redwood Art Association Gallery. So, here’s what I’ve been listening to: Native sovereignty is one of those things thatContinue reading “Podcasts I’ve Been Listening To”

Tea: Or Why Victorians Had So Many Heckin’ Rules

We have a Victorian Tea Party coming up next weekend and I’m in charge of the program for the day’s festivities since two of my favorite historical topics are Victorians and Tea (also, I don’t mind public speaking, I bet that has something to do with it) The Victorian Period was one of immense change-Continue reading “Tea: Or Why Victorians Had So Many Heckin’ Rules”

Adventures of Parker the Pup I: Origins

I, like many folks during the pandemic, adopted a dog from the shelter. It was a bit on a whim, I do admit. I couldn’t have dreamed of how much of a difference it has made for me though. It was November 27, 2020 and I was laying in bed during Thanksgiving Week. My tripContinue reading “Adventures of Parker the Pup I: Origins”