Are you looking for The Insect Epiphany?

Dr. Barrett Klein—entomologist, professor of biology at University of Wisconsin LaCrosse, and brother extraordinaire—has a book out!

The Insect Epiphany is available "everywhere books are sold" as the line goes. 

You can hear Barrett talk about his book on Science Friday! (How cool is it that my brother was on Science Friday?)

He's been on a ton of podcasts and shows recently, and got to showcase his book at the recent Wisconsin Book Fair in Madison WI, which I hope gets people interested in what technically is a niche kind of book. But it isn't, really, because it touches on all of humanity and our place within this world alongside nature and our insect neighbors.

Other reasons to check out The Insect Epiphany if you know me, would be some artwork by my mother Karen Anne Klein, as well as a picture of a viola I made (that I play on) and how that relates to the contributions of insects in our culture.

But truly, the best reason to read this book is that it is an extension of Barrett himself. I wish everyone could know Barrett. His enthusiasm is contagious, and his kindness and curiosity come through on every page of The Insect Epiphany. He is brilliant and fun, and his appreciation of the world and its insect inhabitants is both inspiring and touching.

I love my brother, and I love that through this book I can share some of what makes him special. Go get this book.
 

 

Ecological Fiction and Hidden Ubiquity

 

This past weekend I was able to duck out to Michigan for a day to attend a show opening for both my mom and my brother. The only downside was the drive out on Thursday night was so snowy and horrible that the trip took about ten hours, and it was so blinding at times I had to drive on the rumble strip for parts of it in order to figure out where the road was. My two daughters came with me, and they stayed wide awake until we arrived at 3:30 in the morning because the whole ordeal was too scary for them to sleep. (Although we did listen to Aden's version of a mix tape which was good and my new favorite song is She's Kerosene by The Interrupters.)

However! Having survived the drive we all felt a renewed sense of gratitude for life, and were rewarded with not only the beautiful shows, but time with extended family we haven't seen in a while. Plus my mom made a really good cake.

If you can't read the card, the shows are at the Rotunda and Connection Galleries at the North Campus Research Complex, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Rd, Building 18, Ann Arbor MI    January 25-May 3 2019

Wedding Fun

Barrett and Dosha

Well, I've let almost two weeks get away from me without writing about my brother's wedding, so I'd better record something now or I will forget more of it than I care to.

My brother, Barrett, is amazing.  He's an entomologist who teaches at the University of Wisconsin LaCrosse.  He does scientific illustration and sleep research on bees, and is an all around brilliant, compassionate, and funny guy.  I'm constantly floored by his knowledge and talent, and his enthusiasm for life and learning is inspiring.  I adore Barrett and I'm honored to be able to say I'm his sister.

My new sister-in-law, Dosha, is gentle, kind, and creative.  When she heard the news a few years back that Ian was being deployed to Iraq again, her first response was that she would find a week or two to come out to Milwaukee and help me.  And she did.  Living through a deployment with small children teaches you quickly who really means it when they say they are there for you, and it's not always the people you expect.  Those ten days where Dosha stayed with us and made it possible for me to breathe easier for a little while will always mean the world to me.  I love her.

The two of them make a lovely couple.  It's the kind of pairing that seems so natural that it's hard to imagine them not together.  Barrett's energy and extroversion is nicely balanced with Dosha's calm and patient amusement.  Just knowing they have each other makes me happy and feel better about the world.

So, of course, they had a lovely wedding.  It was unique and moving and fun, just like their relationship.