Bluestocking

Hi Reader! I’m not a horror movie fan, but I love a good ghost story. 👻 Especially if it takes place far away from my house! I’m glad there’s some distance between me and the most haunted city in America. Their restaurants, theaters, and houses are haunted by ghostly pirates, restaurateurs, and Turkish sultans! But that’s not the only city with ghosts hanging around. Washington, D.C. is said to be haunted by the ghosts of several former presidents! But the spookiest legend from the capital...

Hi Reader! It’s barely October, but Halloween is in full swing at the stores near me. (Need a giant howling werewolf for your front yard? I know where to find one!) This year, I couldn’t resist the caramel apples. I’d never tried one before, but I ended up loving it! Caramel apples might be my new favorite apple dessert. 🍎 But they’re actually not new - their predecessor was invented over 100 years ago! Our neighborhood is decorated with all kinds of Halloween-y animals. My favorite spooky...

Hi Reader! I love taking walks in the cool fall weather, especially when I pass a dog walker and get to pet the pup! 🐶 I’m a dog person at heart, but cats probably have better hunting senses. Strangely, those senses are missing something - cats can’t taste one of the five basic flavors! I’m glad I have more taste buds than cats and dogs, because lately I’ve been enjoying some tasty meals with avocados. 🥑 It turns out that avocados are actually a fruit, specifically a single-seeded berry!...

Hi Reader! Can you believe this is the 100th issue of the Bluestocking Bulletin? 🎉 I’ve had so much fun creating hundreds of pieces of content and connecting with you! I’m celebrating this milestone by featuring a collection of my favorite Bluestocking content. Creating each one of these 100 newsletters has been an amazing adventure! 😁 I abandoned my dinner to film this shocking wildlife event and got hungry writing this article in the dentist’s office. A 15º F cold front inspired me to write...

Hi Reader! Now that fall is here, it seems like everything is pumpkin spice flavored. A store near my house is serving pumpkin spice doughnuts! Glazed or cake, frosted or filled, doughnuts always make me smile. 🍩 The whimsical hole-in-the-middle shape is so unique! But the original doughnuts were hole-less and known as “oily cakes”. That definitely doesn’t sound tasty! Doughnuts are fun, but they’re not exactly healthful. In contrast, old stories claim carrots can improve your eyesight and...

Hi Reader! From cookies to cake, I love chocolate! 🍫 Even my favorite tea is chocolate flavored. But hundreds of years ago, the Maya and Aztecs drank chocolate mixed with hot chili peppers! I think I’ll stick to modern hot cocoa topped with marshmallows. What are the largest and heaviest land animals on Earth? Elephants! These pachyderms might seem slow and awkward, but they have a hidden talent. Despite their enormous size, elephants are great swimmers! What’s next, flying pigs? 🤭 Weekly...

Hi Reader! It’s almost September, but we still have a few days to soak up the summer sun. Before I start wearing sweaters and drinking chai tea, I plan to enjoy a little more lemonade. 🍋 This refreshing summer drink once saved Paris from the plague! Whether it’s classic, pink, or half-tea, a cold glass of lemonade always makes me smile. Even when it’s cold outside, I’m always ready for a scoop of ice cream. The hardest part is choosing which flavor! I love the Neapolitan combination of...

Hi Reader! Writing last week’s article on rainforest plants put me in a jungle mood. I love to imagine photographing beautiful flowers and tracking rare animals! The rainforest is more exciting than my backyard, but both places are inhabited by a variety of birds. 🦜 From finches to toucans, all birds have a shocking secret: their closest relative is a deadly rainforest predator! If you’re ever hiking in the jungle, don’t forget to scan the treetops for danger. Big cats that lounge on branches...

Hi Reader! Back-to-school season is the perfect time to stock up on my favorite school supplies. I love to doodle while I learn new things! But one “fact” that’s often taught in school is actually false. If your textbook said Christopher Columbus was the first European to land in America, it was wrong! 🤯 It’s too hot to go outside and enjoy the neighborhood flowers, so I’m tuning into nature by researching unusual rainforest plants. 🪷 Jungle flora can be beautiful, dangerous, and weird - all...

Hi Reader! This week, I was a sportscaster for the Olympics - in my backyard! Writing last week’s article on how animals stack up to human athletes inspired me to create my own Animal Olympics. Cheer for your favorite contestants as they vie for the gold in the long jump and high jump events! 🥇 After an outdoor excursion, I’m ready to cool down with a refreshing drink. Medieval Egyptians concocted the first lemonade over 1,000 years ago! 🍋 Whether you’re exploring the pyramids or your local...