Since the fail was Epic, the net result is that it was more valuable than success. I therefore nominate all Readers to take the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge ..read more

Every year around this time, I wonder which one of them will ruin summer first: Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts. Because right around now, each year without fail, one of these two jokers begins blasting out ads for their “Pumpkin Spice” this, their “Apple Cider” that, and their other fall-themed concoctions, way, way too early.  If they did this in June, it would simply be laughable. But doing this as the Labor Day holiday is hovering right ahead of us on the calendar is just plain cruel. There are tiny hints of fall starting to crop up everywhere, and some of us simply aren’t ready for that ..read more

Visit https://thereadings.org The Readings From The Northside is in the process of finding a new home as this one is broken. Make sure to visit us at our new address https://thereadings.org, bookmark it, and to subscribe via email so you don’t miss a post ..read more

O.K., O.K. So it is not technically a Readings From The Northside calendar. But it is basically a Readings From The Northside calendar. The Little Egg Foundation’s 2021 Coastal Wildlife Calendar features 12 classic masterpieces from RFTNS. While I shouldn’t comment on the images because they are mine so I’ll sound like a jerk if I love them and a whiner if I don’t (I love them! Jerk!), I’ve got this thing sitting next me and it really came out great. It is a gorgeous 12×12, full color hanger. Nice and big and easy to write in. And I love it so much that we didn’t ..read more

Windom Earle Walks Alone I’ll always wonder if Windom Earle knew what kinds of dark things happened to his family in Plover Park this summer. I wonder if he understood. And if he did understand, then I wonder if he cared. He never seemed lonely. And in fact, when he was (somewhat) reunited with his siblings at fledge, he appeared aloof; lost in his own world. He surely was the odd one out. Maybe he forgot. Maybe he no longer cared. Or maybe he was just another oddball kid raised in isolation in a traumatized family hiding dark secrets. The only thing I do know is that his mind truly is like a ..read more

I’m Jo Durt & I Know You Can Do The The Thing. Peregrine mom Jo Durt (82/AN), watches attentively from the bridge as her three babies take their very first flights together. I love this picture because her body language and gaze appear exactly as you might expect them to during such a dramatic moment in their young lives. “C’mon… You can do this… I know you can. Just do it. Fly, babies. Fly ..read more

Blue Blanky ..read more

Comet Neowise I spent many nights watching Comet Neowise this summer. This night was my favorite. Black with electric blue and purple swirls would make a sweet color scheme for a custom surfboard ..read more

Someone sees seafood ..read more

Lights On. Moonrise over the Isaias blackout. Tropical Storm Isaias knocked out the power to Long Beach Island for a little more than 24 hours in the middle of the busy summer season. It was obviously inconvenient. But it was also spectacular. Seeing the bustling summer island and the mainland in complete and total artificial darkness is a sight I won’t soon forget. Notice I said “artificial darkness.” Because we weren’t actually in darkness. The lights were just out. Just after the sunset we were treated to a spectacular moon and a sky full of twinkling stars; with everything even more vivid ..read more