Meredith Allard

Books. History. Food. A More Contemplative Life.

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Leaves of Grass

The Books That Shaped The Writer I Became

June 23, 2026October 15, 2026 / Meredith Allard / Leave a comment

When I think about the writer I’ve evolved into, after more than 20 years of learning and honing my craft, I can trace part of that journey through four books in particular: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg, David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, and Leaves of Grass by … Continue reading The Books That Shaped The Writer I Became

Thank you, Robin Williams: A Lesson in Gratitude

August 13, 2014March 31, 2023 / Meredith Allard / 4 Comments

I’m writing and posting this quickly before I change my mind, so, as Anne Lamott said in her own post on the same subject, this isn’t going to be proofread to perfection. I don’t usually comment on the passing of famous people since I’m not sure what I can add that someone more articulate than I … Continue reading Thank you, Robin Williams: A Lesson in Gratitude

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  • What Did Kitchens Look Like in Colonial Salem?
    As George Francis Dow said in the preface to his 1935 book Every Day Life in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the details about colonial life are sketchy, “For why keep an exact record of doings with which every one is … Continue reading What Did Kitchens Look Like in Colonial Salem?
  • What Writing About Immortality Has Taught Me About Time
    Boo! Did I scare you? It's hard to believe that this Saturday is already Halloween. I hope you'll have a wonderful day, whether you're getting into costume and going to a party or just hanging out at home, passing out … Continue reading What Writing About Immortality Has Taught Me About Time
  • The Art of Noticing: Why Writers Should Pay Attention to Ordinary Things
    Recently, I’ve been writing about Thoreau and Oliver and how they remind me to pay attention to the world. There’s magic to be found in the ordinary world, even if we don't always take the time to recognize it. We … Continue reading The Art of Noticing: Why Writers Should Pay Attention to Ordinary Things
  • What is the Color of Autumn?
    October is the month for painted leaves. Their rich glow now flashes round the world.  –Henry David Thoreau As someone who loves New England, that’s often the first place I think of whenever I think of autumn. I happen to … Continue reading What is the Color of Autumn?

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