Irene North – Writings

Some folks to remember instead of celebrating

On 2026-07-02

Other countries used to like us.

I don’t intend on celebrating the fourth of July this year. I was six years old during America’s Bicentennial. I don’t remember much of it and I was really looking forward to the 250th. I feel cheated because Americans have become so stupid they happily elect con men to all facets of government and gleefully clap as they watch these con men plunder America’s wealth reputation. We don’t have a functioning government. We have pedophiles and pedophile protectors enriching themselves as Americans are forgotten and drown in preventable issues.

It still makes me sick

By Irene

On 2026-06-24

In Ramblings

Moments before sunrise, the visitors center at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is still obscured in fog.

Sometimes, you reach a point in your life where you think, “fuck it. I’m going to tell the story.” I don’t want to hold onto the bullshit anymore. It’s time to tell the story so I can move on.

Finding the positives in a downbeat year

By Irene

On 2026-06-18

In Ramblings

Last weekend, Lewis Hamilton won the Spanish Grand Prix. It was his first race win since joining Ferrari in 2025. He’s told the media he had to remember who he was and what he was capable of. He needed time to figure that out after a disastrous season last year.

Formula 1 documentaries

By Irene

On 2026-06-07

In Watching & Reading

I’ve been struggling a lot lately to write. I open the file. My notes are there. I know what I want to write. I just can’t. It’s not writer’s block. It’s worse. So, I’ve been turning to something that helps pull me out of whatever the hell is going on – Formula 1 documentaries. I think I’ve watched every F1 documentary made.

Pay attention to the poop trough

By Irene

On 2026-05-26

In Stories

An example of an early Pennsylvania dairy barn. Photo courtesy of the American Dairy Industry.

Marc’s farm was a right-hand turn off the highway and then down a long dirt road. I never paid attention to how we got there. I was around seven years old. The sky, the birds, anything outside the window had my attention. If I’m not driving, I’m not paying attention to the directions.

A video not just for this Memorial Day, but for every Memorial Day

By Irene

On 2026-05-24

In Ramblings

I was going to write something about this Memorial Day. I wanted to write something profound and to try to explain how someone like me, who is so adamantly against war, makes a point to remember those who gave the highest sacrifice of all.

After stumbling upon Flavio’s video, I realized I could not write anything better. I hope you take the 22 minutes to watch this video, and remember.

Here’s to thirty years

By Irene

On 2026-05-18

In Stories

Ten years ago, I wrote a much shorter version of this story in a column for the Star-Herald. I was limited to 800 words. Today, on our 30th wedding anniversary, I’ve written a much more detailed version.

crushed by the fear of what is true

By Irene

On 2026-05-17

In Poetry

Last respects

By Irene

On 2026-04-23

In Nebraska, Ramblings

From left, me, Beardog Bob, and National Park Ranger Anne Wilson at the 60th anniversary celebration of Agate Fossil Beds National Monument on June 7, 2025.

The drive north on Highway 29, was a somber one. My mind was elsewhere and I didn’t take note of the weather. A good storyteller would have remembered to do that, but I didn’t today.

When it rains, it pours

By Irene

On 2026-04-13

In Ramblings

My supervisors.

EMDR and therapy have been rough lately. It’s okay. That’s how it works. However, I hadn’t anticipated the current deluge of events, which have rained down more drops than I feel I can handle all at once.