Tag: florida

  • December 4, 2019

    December 4, 2019

    I grew up in Florida. I learned to swim in freshwater lakes. I walked around barefoot for more than half the year, ate kumquats directly from the tree in our side yard, read books high up in the branches of the Jacaranda tree, stood at the top of the Citrus Tower and looked out at…

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  • February 7, 2019

    February 7, 2019

    December, 1970. Florida. Flowered polyester bedspread. Two front teeth missing. Pig-tails. Smiling at my mother. Awash in hope. Who do I write stories for? This kid. Reactions: 1K Comments: 33 Original Post

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  • September 10, 2015

    September 10, 2015

    I’m on an airplane. The seat in front of me is occupied by a four-year-old girl. She is looking out the window. She says, “Where are we, Daddy? Ohio? Pennsylvania? Indiana? Michigan?” She knows a surprising number of states for someone so young. “Are we in Florida?” she says. “Oregon? Washington? Louisiana?” “Shh,” says her…

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  • March 24, 2015

    March 24, 2015

    I am back from Florida, Maryland, Washington D.C. and Virginia. How was it? To describe it best, I am going to have to borrow some words from Annabeth (in West Chester, Ohio) who wrote me a letter featuring these amazing words: “My favorite part in Edward Tulane, was when Lucy the dog finds Edward at…

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  • March 17, 2015

    March 17, 2015

    Dispatch from Florida Here is one (of many) highlights from my visit to the Sunshine State: A ten year old boy who stood in front of me and looked me in the eye and said “I just want you to know that every word, every phrase, every sentence of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane…

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  • February 19, 2013

    February 19, 2013

    I grew up in Florida and have lived in Minnesota for the last eighteen years. Sometimes, deep in the heart of winter, I think: how did I get here? It is not, in any way, a complaint. It is more a question of wonder. I grew up swimming year-round in fresh water lakes; and now,…

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