PBS American Portrait. A National Storytelling Project
FEATURED COLLECTION
“The nature I am surrounded by...”
Enjoy these stories of Americans young and old connecting with the wonders of nature.
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From small nook gardens to vast mountain ranges, explore the stories of America's great outdoors and nature. What does the natural world mean to you?
- When I step outside my door I love the fresh air, green plants, sunshine,the birds singing &to get my hands in the dirt. I keep a bird feeder in the pear tree and we see birds feasting on the bounty. I planted a Gala/Cox apple tree...
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- How does your age shape your perspective?Share a Story
- At this point in my life At 74, I am eight years retired from my primary career and a widower. Seeking one last grand adventure, my wife and I adopted an infant. She died while our son was in middle school. This fall he a...
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- What does “family” mean to you?Share a Story
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- Now is the time to stop and listen to each other. Remember that everyone will not agree with each other but respecting each other goes along way.
- What are your hopes for this moment?Share a Story
- Now is the time I did not celebrate 4th of July. My passion for change is being awakened. During this time of change in the U.S., protests, pandemic, and struggles for equality, I feel that Black Lives Matter and the protests are a cataclysm for change...
- Now is the timeI am a Black women here in America. I'm a human being and I am breathing. I've managed to survive it all on very little, Let it be written in the book of life. That racism is a horrible sin. My...
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- What were you raised to believe?Share a Story
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Discretion Advised,
Mature Content.- I was raised to believe that we should treat others as we would like to be treated; fairly,equally,respectfully. My parents were working class people with little education but strong democractic principles. They believe in God, Country and Family. I as one of their children come from...
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FEATURED COLLECTION
“Independence day is more than just a day of celebration...”
Hear stories about American ideals and our struggle to live up to them.
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On July 4, 1776, America’s founders declared our national ideals of equality and opportunity. These new stories celebrate those ideals as well as our struggle to live up to them. What does Independence Day mean to you?
- When I step outside my door I fear what will be changed. As we stop to recognize and celebrate our independence as a nation we must consider how it was we got that independence. Our freedom was fought for. We fought other nations and we fought...
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- A day's work isFUN. I start with a cup of tea and doodling small art pieces. This leads to "real" art. However, I also tend my dog and chickens. I "shelter in place" and garden. Pre- and post-pandemic, I hope to return to leading walks...
- What’s a day’s work for you?Share a Story
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- My greatest challenge is not staying on task! I need more stamina and faith. I get too easily weakened by tough spots. I need a spotter or two!
- My greatest challenge is finding the right balance between family, faith and work, especially during this pandemic crisis. Covid-19 has forced us to slow down, spend more time together and look forward to finding the joy in our everyday lives. Although many of the effects of...
- What is your greatest challenge?Share a Story
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- My American story started when m y grandfather was brought here from Italy by Vermont Marble. He was the sculptor who carved the 13 eagles on the Supreme Court, the portico signing on the Jefferson Memorial, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. When the Lincoln...
- My American story started when I became homeless. I realized that my body and my mind are my first home. I also realized that the American dream of owning land is my dream. It is not the American dream that we seek in today's automated society.
- How did your American story start?Share a Story
- My American story started when My sixth great grandfather, Joshua Hightower, and his Virginia militia marched the British POWs away after the battle of Yorktown. At that point we had been in the colonies for over a century but that was the point we really became...
- My American story started when my Grandma came over from Poland between the two World Wars. Hers was a typical immigrant story. When my parents married my Grandma really wanted my Dad to marry a nice Polish girl. My Mom was German-American which wasn't great, but...
- My American story started when I arrived in New York City, in 1939 at the age of two. I was fortunate to have arrived here with my parents six months before the outbreak of WWII. We were Jewish and were one of the many thousands of...
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- I never expected to be homeschooling my kids... again...this time during a pandemic...while going through a MSW program.
- I never expected my life would be so enjoyable while basically waiting to die. I am not contributing to society nor taking away and my focus is on exercise, meditation and harmony of my life and love for my wife of 56 years
- What has surprised you about your life?Share a Story
- I never expected to be sewing free masks during my eightieth year of life. A door opened for using stashes of material saved "just in case". My 1974 Kenmore sits waiting "just in case." Thread line up "just in case." My "just in case" came March...
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- The tradition I carry on is preparing good food, but it wasn't a tradition born out of love. My paternal grandmother was not the nicest person...but, her food was extraordinary. She would cook to show off and used mealtime to make others miserable. But, she did...
- The tradition I carry on is my Mayflower heritage from 1620 onwards. The Pilgrims that came to settle consisted mostly of English families wanting a new religious life and to get away from the oppressive State Church - to worship the way they wanted. When they...
- What tradition do you carry on?Share a Story
- The tradition I carry on is homemade birthday cakes. The one thing that stands out to me about my childhood is food. I watched my grandmother bake dessert and goodie and then watched my mother take up that tradition. I can't recall a birthday party where...
- The tradition I carry on is making "Stollen", the German Christmas bread. This was a custom my mom brought to our family when she married our father and one I learned standing by her while she made it. I even have her yellow mixing bowl. This...
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- What gets you out of bed in the morning?Share a Story
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It’s your story. Join in.