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Checking In at The White Lotus
Quick and sharp switch up here: Is anyone watching season 3 of The White Lotus? Man, I love that show. Solving a murder in a luxury hotel? What’s not to love? It’s two of my favorite things. And, as with all things, there has been quite a bit of talk on social media (well, Threads,…
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Life After Amazon & Target: How to Boycott
The thing to know about me is: I’m a petty bitch. I will boycott a company or organization at the drop of a MAGA hat. I will slam my wallet shut at the mere sniff of a policy I don’t like. Boycotts have been my preferred method of protest for ages. Not because I think…
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Finding My Roots: An Emmerentze Detour
This will be the last of the Arentz family genealogy project posts for the time being. Thanks so much for bearing with me on all this family history stuff. Because of our trip to Norway this past fall, phase one of my project was primarily focused on tracing my Norwegian roots and feel pretty happy…
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Tusen takk til hjelperne
Throughout this ancestry project, I was so fortunate to not only have the assistance of my genealogist, Egil J. But there were so many “document whisperers” on the National Archives/Digitalarkivet Forum who helped us along when we got stuck on something. One of our biggest expert helpers, however, definitely stands out. And without his…
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Trip Report: Finding My Roots in Solvorn, Norway
“After Bergen, you should consider making a trip to Solvorn, deep into Sognefjorden. Your 4th great grandma, Anna Maria Fraas had deep roots there via her grandmother Elsa Maria Larsdaughter.” With that advice from my Norwegian genealogist and friend Egil J., my lovely and patient travel and life partner, XFE and I set off for Solvorn, a beautiful…
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Trip Report: Finding My Roots in Bergen (part 2)
When last we left the Arentzes, Samuel Martzen and Anna Christina had died in 1801 and 1804, respectively, leaving behind sons Mads Arrens (age 16), Didrich Bay (age 12), Ludvig Holberg (age 5), and daughter Emmerentze (age 9). But let’s rewind a little bit. When barber-surgeon Samuel Martzen Arentz died in December 1801, Anna Christina…
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Trip Report: Finding My Roots in Bergen (part I)
I’m still sad. Still mourning the election results, but coming to an angry, begrudging acceptance that this is just the way it’s going to be for the next four years. So, on that note, back to a different saga: my Norwegian family ancestry project. When last I left off, I was exploring my Arentz family…
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A Time Out from Travel Posts: Dealing with Election Grief
Welp, that election did not go as I expected. I am devastated. Crushed. Gutted. Somehow, this time hurt worse than last time. I really did have hope. I could not (and did not) believe that the ancient, racist, misogynist, traitorous, rapist felon, fraudster, who was twice impeached, stole government documents, and incited an insurrection to…
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Trip Report: Finding My Roots in Stavanger
Am I writing a blog post to keep my mind off the most consequential and potentially historic election of my wizened old lifetime? Perhaps. Also: My stomach is in knots and I am scared yet hopeful for democracy and tomorrow’s outcome. Speaking of democracy and pursuing the American Dream, let me tell you about a…
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Packing for a Fall Trip in Norway
This isn’t really a blog post. This is more of a “Poe Pat-on-the-Back” post because I really do believe I packed the most perfect suitcase for our recent trip to Norway and I just have to brag about it. (Plus, I’m obsessed with packing and packing hacks – including this one for how to fold…