Mama Leone’s, Gaylord

Every year for the past several, minus one 2020, my family and I have taken a trip up north. It’s much like the trips we took as kids, but instead of camping we say screw all that work and we rent a house. We go to a different part of Michigan every year. Maybe one day we’ll go out of state, but for now it’s Michigan, which has plenty of worthwhile destinations.

This year we rented a place outside of Gaylord, near Otsego Lake. As we were wrapping up the week, we decided to get breakfast before heading out of town. We wanted a local place, and being a family with Italian heritage, it was a natural to choose Mama Leone’s.

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The Beach

Not just any beach. Although it could be any one of many. A Lake Michigan Beach. Lake Michigan expands endlessly. The shore line goes on for miles. The other side is so far away, it is invisible. That expanse gives room for large rolling waves to build and then crash on shore. The sun sparkles off the swells and laps. The sand beneath is rippled like the water’s surface. The water so clear.

Salvator Rosa

I recently have been visiting the Detroit Institute of Arts on my lunch break. I am within walking distance and it is summer. I realized I should take advantage of the nice walk by the beautiful Beaux Arts building and the very refreshing water fountains out front, say “hi” to the old Thinker and take in more art. Of course, the place is huge and I can only see a fraction in the 45 minutes or so that I have mid-day. Bit by bit I am planning to make my way through. Recently, I decided to take the “Tour of Italy” to see what they had.

Ancestry, part two

I’ve been trying to figure out who my great-grandmother was. What was she like. I don’t know anyone still living who would remember her. I don’t have diaries or other first-hand accounts. I have a handful of facts and my imagination. Her name was Alphonsine. I’ve never come across that name anywhere else. How unique was she?

Ancestry, part one

I’ve always identified strongly with my Italian heritage. That’s where my last name comes from so it is literally part of my identity.

Growing up, I believed I was 25% Italian. I knew my dad’s dad’s parents came to the United States from Italy. Therefore, my grandpa was 100% Italian, my dad 50%, and I was 25%. My brothers also identified with the Italian side of our family. My youngest brother got an Italian flag as his first tattoo. Then, several years ago, my eldest brother had his DNA tested and received a scandalous revelation: he was only 2% Italian. I received similar results not long after. 

Women and the Presidency

[Portrait of Abigail Adams by Benjamin Blyth], Library of Congress

I’ve enjoyed listening to the Presidential Podcast from the Washington Post over the past few months. Each episode is about a different U.S. President, and the experience has been enlightening. It’s easy to forget that these historical figures are more than just a name we try to memorize and only associate with one or two events or policies from their administrations. They each had complicated stories, and in some cases they’ve been misunderstood.

Summer Olympic Dreams

Proposed Olympic Stadium. Image from the Detroit Historical Society.

We are in the midst of the Olympic games, which always make me think of what a Detroit-hosted Olympics would look like. Could we do it? What venues would host the different events? Would it be contained in the city, or would some events be in the suburbs? Would we be best suited for the summer or winter games?  

A Promise of Paved Roads and Inside Toilets: Redford’s Annexation to Detroit

I’ve been spending more time lately contributing to other blogs besides this one. I debated about just publishing this one here, but it’s Redford and we really needed some content for the Historical Commission’s website!

 

 

Annexation: A Promise of Paved Streets and Inside Toilets (Part I)

Annexation: A Promise of Paved Streets and Inside Toilets (Part II)

Ancient Assyria at the British Museum

I recently came across a news item about the Google interior view of the British Museum. I saw the screen grab of the interior atrium and was transported back in time to my visit there during my semester abroad.

Spirit Photography

Spirit photographs from Chronicles Of The Photographs Of Spiritual Beings

In her preface to Chronicles Of The Photographs Of Spiritual Beings, Georgiana Houghton refers to the photographs she collected thusly, “I send them forth in full assurance that they carry a weight of evidence as to the substantiality of spirit beings far transcending any other form of mediumship.” The year was 1881, and Spiritualism was reaching its peak.