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Author: The Refresh

5 Real-Life Sisters Who Inspired Historical Fiction Novels

5 Real-Life Sisters Who Inspired Historical Fiction Novels

by Elise Hooper The renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead reportedly said, “Sister is probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once the sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship.” The novel Little Women portrays the lives of four of the most well-known sisters in American literature, and I read it with fascination in my girlhood. Were the real Alcott sisters just like Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—the dutiful daughter, the tomboy, the angel, and the spoiled baby? I…

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Chronically Trying: Dating While Ill

Chronically Trying: Dating While Ill

by Kelley O’Brien “I don’t think we should see each other anymore.” It was St. Patrick’s Day of 2011 and my girlfriend just dumped me. We hadn’t been dating that long, but she was my first girlfriend, the first person I dated after a long battle with internalized homophobia. My head was throbbing from crying earlier in the day because it was the anniversary of my friend’s death and I was missing my grandparents’ 61st anniversary dinner back home. She…

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By Heart: The Path to Motherhood with Congenital Heart Disease

By Heart: The Path to Motherhood with Congenital Heart Disease

by Kimberly Rex When my sister, my cousin, and I were little girls, we didn’t just play house like other children.  We played “life.” We would begin in elementary school and move all the way through high school. There, we met the boyfriends we’d soon marry in pretend weddings. Stuffing pillows under our shirts, we’d walk with our tiny hands on our aching backs, until we gave birth to our Cabbage Patch preemies, cradling them in our arms and kissing…

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Marine Biologist Natalie Robson on Remote Pacific Island Living

Marine Biologist Natalie Robson on Remote Pacific Island Living

Lauren Jonik: As a marine biologist, you’ve spent the past 9 months living on The Conflict Islands in Papua New Guinea and focusing on turtle conservation. How did your position come about? Natalie Robson: The owner of the Conflict Islands, Ian Gowrie-Smith, has always been conservation minded. When P&O Cruises first began visiting the Conflict Islands in July 2016, Ian decided that he needed to ensure the protection of the turtles and their nests during the cruise ship visits. During…

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The Quincy Quarries: Where History, Art and Nature Meet

The Quincy Quarries: Where History, Art and Nature Meet

by Meg Crane On the outskirts of Boston, in Quincy, Massachusetts, a local attraction fascinates with a rich combination of history, nature and art. Meg Crane is a freelance writer and editor. Having struggled with anxiety and depression her whole life, she helps other freelancers and creatives learn how to take care of their mental health while pursuing the work they love. Learn more at megjcrane.com.