This is a lovely memoir of Helen Whybrow's decades as a shepherd in the Vermont mountains, raising sheep and restoring a 200-acre farm. Whybrow detailThis is a lovely memoir of Helen Whybrow's decades as a shepherd in the Vermont mountains, raising sheep and restoring a 200-acre farm. Whybrow details her experiences with her flock, from her beginning as a new shepherd to gaining experiences over many years. Her stories of the sheep are compelling and honest, full of the difficulties of the life she chose as well as the joys. This is a treat to read....more
This is the story of Amy and Dave Freeman's journey from Alaska to the Florida Keys. Over the course of three years they travelled by kayak, canoe, poThis is the story of Amy and Dave Freeman's journey from Alaska to the Florida Keys. Over the course of three years they travelled by kayak, canoe, portage and dog sled. While traveling they updated school children on their progress and shared what they were seeing and learning outside in nature. I love outdoor memoirs, and this one did not disappoint. I read this a little at a time, returning to it between other books. The Freemans' descriptions of coming across plastic trash in the most remote environments have stuck with me, and they also examine other ways humans are negatively impacting the environment. I previously read and enjoyed the Freemans' book "A Year in the Wilderness: Bearing Witness in the Boundary Waters." Recommended reading for nature buffs or those who, like me, are fond of armchair traveling....more
I loved Lee Morgan's memoir about his 12 years spent as a volunteer veterinarian for the Iditarod. Morgan starts with his rookie year training, then tI loved Lee Morgan's memoir about his 12 years spent as a volunteer veterinarian for the Iditarod. Morgan starts with his rookie year training, then takes the reader through each checkpoint of the race, sharing stories about caring for the sled dogs, what it is like for volunteers (hint: amenities are scarce) and tales of mushers' experiences. I especially enjoyed his highlights of the unique personalities of huskies (I have three of them.) Highly recommended for dog lovers and fans of outdoor narratives such as the Iditarod memoirs "Fast Into the Night" and "This Much Country."...more
I enjoyed de Gracia's intelligently written, easy to read memoir about 6 months spent living on a field station in Antarctica with 3-5 other people, sI enjoyed de Gracia's intelligently written, easy to read memoir about 6 months spent living on a field station in Antarctica with 3-5 other people, studying penguins. She takes the reader through her field work and what it was like, getting up each day and working outside, monitoring and measuring penguins, skuas (sea birds), and seals. De Gracia is introspective and ponders what she'll do next in life as well as the implications of changes to the antarctic ecosystem....more
This humorous memoir is about how Kassinger accidentally fell in love with houseplants. I saw myself in her descriptions of trips to her local gardeniThis humorous memoir is about how Kassinger accidentally fell in love with houseplants. I saw myself in her descriptions of trips to her local gardening store and in her quest to create ideal growing conditions in her historic Maryland house. I found the passages about her quest to build and stock a conservatory in her house delightful. Her personal narrative is interspersed with plant history, which I found sometimes interesting, sometimes a bit slow. I loved how she visited current plant businesses and gave their stories. I learned about Logee's, a wonderful historic business in New England that still sells online and about the businesses in Florida that supply most of the houseplants we find in big box stores. Highly recommended to new plant lovers....more