At Large and at Small: Familiar Essays

‘Collecting Nature' mostly about collecting butterflies, but also about a loss of innocence and natural sciences.

‘The Unfuzzy Lamb' mostly about Charles Lamb, but also about two other writers and family ties and tragedy.

‘Ice Cream'; ice cream is not a favorite of mine, but I enjoy culinary information, history, science.

‘Night Owl' about Larks and Owls and differing preferences for differing sleep patterns. I love this topic. There's also the mention of Linnaeus' flower clock.

‘Procrustean and the culture wars' introduced me to Greek lore I was unfamiliar with, but ideas that I have had before.

‘Coleridge the Runaway'

‘Mail' I love letter writing.

‘Moving' I enjoyed how she described her experience of New York (city).

‘A Piece of Cotton' about the flag after 9/11 which really resonated with me.

‘The Arctic Hedonist' about one of her favorite arctic explorers, who takes a friendlier view of the icy climes. She also speaks briefly of degrees of separation and through two degrees (or so) she has shaken hands with him. This amused me as my sweetheart said that through a few degrees (2 or 3) I have shaken hands with former French president Sarkozy.

‘Coffee' I adore coffee and coffee culture. I also have a respect for caffeine.

‘Under Water' surprised me and touched me in a way that I value.