Read time: 7 min.

I celebrated my thirty-fourth birthday a couple days ago, but the post I wrote about it only scratched the surface of who I really am this trip around the sun. I’ve seen a bump in new readers lately, and some have mentioned that the posts I tag as “personal” are their favorites. I thought it’d be a good time to introduce myself a little more.

I did so by asking ChatGPT to come up with a mix of questions to throw my way. I harbor a healthy skepticism of AI as it stands at the moment, but the chatbot provided a mix of fun icebreakers, simple questions geared toward kindergartners, and others tailored to my blog to help introduce me. Don’t worry: I’m not handing over my credit card info anytime soon.

What’s your favorite animal? 

I wanted to be a marine biologist when I was in second grade. Ever since then, my favorite animal has been the giant squid.

What’s your favorite color? 

Purple. Specifically, #7600BC.

What sparked your passion for exploring hidden or abandoned places?

I’ve been intensely curious since I was a kid. I loved discovering secrets in everyday places- the electric eye that opened the doors at Marsh supermarket, the pedal that moved the check-out conveyor, the hidden speakers and drains at the Fort Wayne Zoo, and even the mystery of the “flooded town” beneath Eagle Creek Reservoir. Nothing captured my imagination more than the thrill of uncovering what was hiding in plain sight. That fascination continues to this day.

What’s your go-to karaoke song (even if it’s only in the shower)?

Lately, it’s been a mix of “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars, “I Miss You” by Blink-182, Asia’s “Heat of the Moment,” “Big Wiggly Style” by The Devil Wears Prada, and “Poor Little Fool” by Ricky Nelson.

Do you have a favorite Indiana road or landmark that’s close to your heart?

The old Oak Grove schoolhouse in Jay County holds a special place in my heart. I first saw it at eight years old- a lone brick belfry rising from the middle of a cornfield. Something about it struck me deeply. As we sped past on our way to some long-forgotten event, that abandoned belfry felt like a symbol of solidarity I hadn’t even realized I needed.

What’s one architectural piece you’d love to photograph again?

I really need to get back to Oak Grove and take photos with my drone while I still can. What’s left of the building feels fragile. It seems to sink deeper into time every year, and I want to preserve what I can before it’s gone. Having my own drone photos could be the last way to remember it before nature completely reclaims it. 

What’s the best snack in the whole world? 

Broken Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels. 

How do your experiences with bipolar disorder shape your connection to history and place?

I’ve always been slow to embrace joy, and that made my bipolar diagnosis at eighteen feel like a natural conclusion. Unfortunately, it runs in the family- my dad had it too. I often wonder if I’m neurodivergent in other ways, but I’ve never pursued an official diagnosis as an adult. Instead, I’ve learned that I’m someone who needs to stretch to connect with others. Instead, it’s easier for me to connect with places where people once gathered. I try to capture their stories through my photos and writing, then share them with my readers. It makes me feel like those forgotten places aren’t as lonely as I often am.

Do you like to build things, and what’s the coolest thing you’ve built? 

I do, and the coolest thing I ever built was a Meijer superstore out of blocks when I was in Kindergarten. The coolest thing I ever designed was a giant LEGO set of Muncie, Indiana. 

What keeps you motivated to tell the stories of the places you discover, even if they’re not widely known?

Many of the places I discover and write about aren’t widely known. That’s one of my biggest motivators. There’s something special about finding a corner of history that’s been forgotten or overlooked. Whether it’s an old schoolhouse, a crumbling theater, or a quiet stretch of road with a forgotten name, knowing that I can share its story with others gives me a sense of purpose. Doing my best to research and write about them preserves them in a way. Hopefully, that means they won’t completely vanish once they’re no longer here.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? 

The ability to pause time.

How did you become involved with the Delaware County Historical Society?

I got started with the historical society when I was a kid. Twenty-five years ago, I ate my first gas station cheeseburger there while my mom and grandma volunteered. My great-grandma even served as the society’s president back in the 70s! I always wanted to be a fourth-generation contributor, so I became a member five or six years ago. Over time, my work on this blog opened new doors and I became the editor of the society’s newsletter. In turn, that led me to join the board. 

If you had a personal theme park, what would be its main attraction?

My own theme park would center around a raucous wooden roller coaster like The Voyage at Holiday World or a run-down Pretzel haunted house like the one at Beech Bend.

What’s a memorable story from your college night drives across central Indiana?

The most memorable story from my late-night drives was stumbling across the flowing well in the hamlet of Granville, Indiana. It was midnight and I was twenty, just off a shift at my call center job. One night, totally lost, I crept across an old iron bridge. Right there in the glow of my headlights were two massive boulders with water pouring out of them! Or at least I thought. It looked like a scene straight out of the Bible! I never forgot it.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside?

I love to camp, and I love to fish.

What’s the story behind the most unusual or evocative name of a place you’ve visited?

The story behind Gnaw Bone, Indiana, is a mystery that locals and historians alike have tried to piece together. Some believe the name traces back to an early French settlement in Brown County called Narbonne. Others say it originated with the Hawkins family, early migrants who opened a sawmill and store in the area. According to legend, one day someone went looking for Mr. Hawkins and found him perched on top of the mill, gnawing on a bone. Apparently, the name “Gnaw Bone” took hold and has stuck ever since.

What’s something you loved as a kid that you’d like to bring back today?

I’m a nineties kid who grew up on Nickelodeon. I’d love to bring back Sock’em-Boppers; Gak Splat; Poo-chi; Pogs; and translucent plastic cases on electronics like phones, Nintendos, and iMacs. I can do without the Furby, though.

Do you have any specific music or albums that accompany you on your long drives?

My mom and I spend most of our history drives chatting, but there’s always a steady stream of New Age jazz and atmospheric tunes from satellite radio playing softly in the background. When I’m on my own, I listen to a mix of progressive rock (Asia, Rush, Yes, etc.), melodic death metal (Children of Bodom, In Flames, etc.) pop-punk (Blink-182, Ludo, Motion City Soundtrack, etc.), and straight-up pop.

If you could talk to animals, what would you say to them?

I’m not a psychic, nor do I pretend to be, but I do believe in the importance of talking to my cats– maybe more than I should admit. Zulu is always waiting for me on the TV stand when I get home. I greet her and ask how her day went. Disco, on the other hand, loves to perch on my desk while I’m working on my blog. She’s wise beyond her years. I like to remind her of how furry she is. Then I reassure her that our little secrets are safe with me- at least until Zulu grows up and is ready to hear them.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I’m still growing up! Part of me still dreams of being a marine biologist. I’d love to explore the depths of the oceans and uncover the mysteries of the Titanic with James Cameron and Jason Jr. Another part would love to design sympathetic additions to old courthouses as an architect. Most of all, I love the idea of contributing knowledge and insight through writing. I try to craft my curiosity into something that interests people.