Large Headphones and a Funky Mic

Posted on July 24, 2019 by Nancy

In the recording studio, Producer Suzanne Hogan interviews author Nancy Dailey about Jim the Wonder Dog of Marshall, Missouri. Nancy is holding a copy of her book, JIM aka The Wonder Dog. — Suzanne Hogan, left, of KCUR 89.3 interviews Nancy Dailey, right, about Jim the Wonder Dog and his ties to Marshall, Missouri.

It took about three hours to arrive at my destination–the studios of KCUR 89.3 in Kansas City, Missouri, an affiliate of NPR, National Public Radio. Now 11 a.m. Friday, July 19, 2019, I am in a recording studio. It’s kinda cool to sit in front of a funky-looking microphone and listen through headphones to what is being said, what I am saying.

This is an interview for part of an upcoming series of NPR podcasts about lesser known community histories. Producer Suzanne Hogan contacted me for this interview after reading my book JIM aka The Wonder Dog. Jim was an actual dog that lived in Missouri from 1925-1937. He had some very unusual talents which have never been explained, even today. Although Jim lived in three towns in Missouri, Marshall is the community that has taken Jim to heart and is doing what it can to keep the dog’s memory alive. There is a Jim the Wonder Dog park located in the exact spot where the Ruff Hotel was. That also happens to be where Jim lived. There is a museum next to the park.

My interview is scheduled to be aired in November 2019.
Stay tuned.

PS: A note from Suzanne: “The interview sounds good.”

A Royal Palace, A Caterpillar

Posted on February 4, 2019 by Nancy

Royal Palace in Amsterdam

What is now a royal palace in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, was built in the 1600s as an impressive City Hall.

The unusual caterpillar was found in the jungle of Suriname, South America.

What could possibly connect these two things on different continents an ocean apart? Not royalty, not even someone from the wealthy upper class; it was a little old lady named Maria Sybilla Merian (1647-1717), a lady well known in her time for her studies of caterpillars and their metamorphosis into butterflies or moths; and for her painted illustrations of them.

Having seen a few specimens of unusual butterflies in the collections of wealthy collectors, Maria decided to travel to South America to discover what kind of caterpillars became these beautiful butterflies. Her friends and acquaintances were horrified and tried their best to dissuade her. They argued that 1 she was too old to make a two-month sea voyage (at 50 she WAS old), 2 the trip was too dangerous (it WAS dangerous, what with storms, pirates, and probably inadequate food), 3 she certainly could not travel without a man accompanying her (she had already done so twice), and 4 the cost was prohibitive (it really WAS a lot). Reason number four was the only one she was concerned about. She made plans and apparently sold everything she owned except her art supplies.

When her friend, the mayor of Amsterdam, realized that Maria was determined to go, and probably that she could also bring him some new specimens for his own collection, he persuaded the city fathers to help fund her trip.

Upon her return to Amsterdam two years later she was invited to exhibit some of the insects and other small creatures she brought back with her. The exhibit was a huge success since these were things most people in Europe had never seen before. They were amazed.

You can read all about this and more in my book Chasing Caterpillars, the Life and Times of Maria Sybilla Merian. It can also be ordered here on this website.

Road Trip to Photograph Bricks

Posted on February 1, 2018 by Nancy

While in Marshall, Missouri, to snap pictures of bricks—yes, that’s right, bricks—I saw Jim decked out for winter.

2017 International Conference on Maria Sybilla Merian

Posted on August 17, 2017 by Nancy

I attended this conference in Amsterdam this summer! And while the organizers did say the conference was for everybody, not just scholarly, I’m convinced that their “everybody” and my “everybody” is totally different. However, I am very glad I went.

I did learn a few things at this conference, nothing new about Maria Merian, however.

I learned more about the dangers in the rain forests of the world through an entertaining, though very serious, presentation by Redmond O’Hanlon who has actually trekked through rain forests throughout the world.

I learned that university professors apparently view things through a very narrow focus, so that if that focus was from a different field, they do not have that knowledge. Some of the questions asked clearly showed this.

I discovered that while their research was quite narrow, mine was very broad, encompassing everything I could find.

And finally, I reached the conclusion that based on the many years I have researched this amazing woman…I am an EXPERT on Maria Sybilla Merian!

Amsterdam!

Posted on July 2, 2017 by Nancy

I was flat out amazed at how many buildings were built in the 1600s and are still there and still being used. Their use today may be different than in times past, but they are still in use.

This building, for instance, is now a royal palace. When Maria Sybilla Merian lived in Amsterdam it was the City Hall! Very impressive.

Picture Shell con’t

Posted on March 18, 2015 by Nancy

Lighthouse by the sea

I decided to add a touch of blue to suggest the ocean. Then finished it as a pendant.

I had hoped to find a few more shells suggesting pictures in the arrangement of colors and or patterns, but that did not happen on this trip to Fernandina Beach. Maybe next time.