My uncle gave us weird nicknames one summer and perhaps it was those names which carved out a new hierarchy? It was a rough summer for my cousin Phil.

If you want to hear more on any particular subject, or if you want to ask a question or simply connect, you can find me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dianathebard/  or email me at [email protected]

To listen in on my other podcast which is all about Shakespeare's naughty bits, check out F*ckShakespeare on Apple podcasts and Spotify.

Summers in Italy part 2. What it was like to swim in the Mediterranean Sea in the late 60s when environmental regulations were not so strict. Hmmm...

If you want to hear more on any particular subject, or if you want to ask a question or simply connect, you can find me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dianathebard/  or email me at [email protected]

To listen in on my other podcast which is all about Shakespeare's naughty bits, check out F*ckShakespeare on Apple podcasts and Spotify.

My aunt and uncle represented normalcy to me. Whenever I spent time with them I was able to imagine life as part of a regular family. It was something I craved and each time spent with them built up my hopes for such a family of my own one day. Here I tell of their home in New Jersey and of traveling to Italy with them for summer vacations.

If you want to hear more on any particular subject, or if you want to ask a question or simply connect, you can find me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dianathebard/  or email me at [email protected]

To listen in on my other podcast which is all about Shakespeare's naughty bits, check out F*ckShakespeare on Apple podcasts and Spotify.

WARNING: This episode contains a scene of violence that may be upsetting or triggering to some people.

My governess was an old-fashioned woman with a long history of association with our family. She was a specter not easily shaken.

If you want to hear more on any particular subject, or if you want to ask a question or simply connect, you can find me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dianathebard/  or email me at [email protected]

To listen in on my other podcast which is all about Shakespeare's naughty bits, check out F*ckShakespeare on Apple podcasts and Spotify.

My grandmother and her sisters grew up going to a rustic family ranch in the Rockies, and in the summer when I turned 10 she took us there for the first time. It was magical!

If you want to hear more on any particular subject, or if you want to ask a question or simply connect, you can find me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dianathebard/  or email me at [email protected]

To listen in on my other podcast which is all about Shakespeare's naughty bits, check out F*ckShakespeare on Apple podcasts and Spotify.

A brief episode about some things I am thankful for today.

If you want to hear more on any particular subject, or if you want to ask a question or simply connect, you can find me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dianathebard/

To listen in on my other podcast which is all about Shakespeare's naughty bits, check out F*ckShakespeare on Apple podcasts and Spotify.

For a few years there when I was a teenager I collected quotes in books. Those collections give a glimpse into what I was interested in and obsessed with at various times. I'll even read a few to spark your curiosity.

If you want to hear more on any particular subject, or if you want to ask a question or simply connect, you can find me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dianathebard/

To listen in on my other podcast which is all about Shakespeare's naughty bits, check out F*ckShakespeare on Apple podcasts and Spotify.

He's my ex-husband and the father of my children and today is his birthday. In this episode I talk about how we met and what is happening with him now.

If you want to hear more on any particular subject, or if you want to ask a question or simply connect, you can find me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dianathebard/

To listen in on my other podcast which is all about Shakespeare's naughty bits, check out F*ckShakespeare on Apple podcasts and Spotify.

Another magical piece of Sneden's Landing was the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory which sat at the top of the hill and overlooked the neighborhood. It was acres of playing paradise with a secret rose garden where we sat in the sun and told stories.

If you want to hear more on any particular subject, or if you want to ask a question or simply connect, you can find me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dianathebard/

To listen in on my other podcast which is all about Shakespeare's naughty bits, check out F*ckShakespeare on Apple podcasts and Spotify.

Our childhood seemed to be full of the spaces we built to house our stories - treehouses, snow forts and "sets" created out of abandoned houses.

I have a Patreon page! Please check it out. If you make a small pledge you'll get to see photos and clips from my journals and hear a bit more about some of the stories. This is a fun way that I can share visuals with you.

Check it out HERE.  Or at patreon.com/dianathebard

If you want to hear more on any particular subject, or if you want to ask a question or simply connect, you can find me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dianathebard   or email me at [email protected]