Jenny Bristol

Arthur’s Letters at ‘First Person History’

Over on my First Person History blog, where I’ve been typing up my great grandfather, Arthur’s letters from rebuilding Germany after WWII, a couple of letters recently have really stood out as interesting and influential. The most interesting of which included a letter from Arthur’s Haus Frau, Edith. She was so optimistic about the future,...Read More

Jun 4

Leap of Faith from Flickr user Peter Kirkeskov Rasmussen's colleague Ahmed (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

I’ve Got Moxie #9: Mid-Life Redirection

This post isn't so much about me, as most of my Moxie posts are. It's about people in general. All of you folks out there. This is my encouragement to you today.

Jun 3

Typical Montessori Colored Cylinders by Wikimedia user MattThePuppetGuy CC BY-SA 3.0

Olio #9: Montessori Education

In Montessori education, kids use their hands, move their bodies, and engage their minds instead of sitting at a desk trying to stay awake during a lecture.

Jun 2

Wallpaper by William Morris. Image credit: Unknown

The Liner Notes of Art History #9: William Morris

William Morris was a bit of a Renaissance Man, in all things creative. Textiles, wall paper, design, illustration, furniture, and more. His style was distinctive and inspiring.

Jun 1

Letterboxing book from a Letterbox, by Flickr user Kevin McGee (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Things to Love #9: Letterboxing

Traipsing across the land, searching out a hidden box with only a few clues to guide you. Think Geocaching combined with orienteering, but without any pesky technology, and you have Letterboxing.

May 31

Bristol Box #9: For Those Who Like Outer Space

Summer is both the best and the worst time to get out and look at the night sky. The frigid temperatures of winter are long behind us, but you do have to stay up considerably later for it to be dark. But there are plenty of constellations that are easier to see in the summer, such as Cygnus and Lyra.

May 30

I’ve Got Moxie #8: Letter to My Younger Self

See what I might have said to my younger self, if I'd had the opportunity.

May 27

Image from Authentic Small Houses of the Twenties, originally published in 1929. Photo: Jenny Bristol

Olio #8: House Floorplans

Residential floor plans have always been one of my special interests. But only recently has that become clear to me.

May 26

The only issue of the colonies' first newspaper published in Boston 1690.

The Liner Notes of Newspaper History #8: The Genesis of American Newspapers

Learn a bit about the earliest days of American newspapers.

May 25

Roman Aqueduct, Tarragona, Spain by Wikimedia user Pamela McCreight (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Things to Love #8: Armchair Architecture

There are many schools of architecture throughout the ages. Some exist because of materials available. Some because of stylistic preferences. Some because of regional needs.

May 24

Bristol Box #8: Learn to Make Bento Boxes

Bento Boxes are containers, sometimes sectioned or stacked, that hold fancy ways of packaging up meals. They originated in Japan, but have become popular in the U.S. If you enjoy arranging your food in attractive or clever ways, try your hand at making Bento Box meals.

May 23

BASF Tape by Flickr user stuart.childs (CC BY 2.0)

I’ve Got Moxie #7: I Am BASF

I don't make the things you use. I make the things you use better.

May 20

Olio #7: Myers-Briggs Personality Types and INFJoe

I'm an INFJ. That either means something to you or it doesn't.

May 19

The Liner Notes of Art History #7: Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

Dancing girls. Prostitutes. Rich patrons. Dance clubs. The Moulin Rouge. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec drew, painted, and more.

May 18

Things to Love #7: Chocolate

Learn about types of chocolate, percentage requirements of ingredients, and some delectable options for what to eat. Because, well, chocolate.

May 17

Edelweiss by Bohringer Friedrich (CC BY-SA 2.5)

Bristol Box #7: Travel to Switzerland

I adore Switzerland. I've only spent a few days in the country, but it is one of the top places I'd love to see again, this time for longer, and not restricted by a bus tour. If you're interested in a brief taste of the country, check out this week's Bristol Box.

May 16