Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Taking the Globe For Granted

Yeah, I'll miss 'em when they are gone.

"24 receive ‘genius grants’ for finding solutions; BC historian is cited for work on ancient cultures" by Don Babwin |  Associated Press, September 25, 2013

CHICAGO — Robin Fleming’s work has been to show the humanity of nations passed over in history books. A medieval historian at Boston College, she has focused on Great Britain after the fall of the Roman Empire, starting in the fifth century, by analyzing things like coins, pots, and even tooth enamel found in settlements and cemeteries to create a picture of their lives.

What she discovered was the people of the time were so determined to carry on the ways of those who came before, they went to cemeteries to dig up artifacts that would help them do that — including containers that held cremated remains.

‘‘They knock the ash out, give them a wash and put them on the table,’’ Fleming, 57, said.

Attorney Margaret Stock focuses on military personnel and their families who she says are victimized by the nation’s immigration laws.

Stock created the American Immigration Lawyers Association MAP program, which puts volunteer lawyers across the nation with military families that need help.

Fiction writer Karen Russell worked at a veterinarian clinic part-time while writing the acclaimed novel ‘‘Swamplandia.’’ Her grant money buys her time.

‘‘Just the idea of having a stretch of time where you can commit your time wholeheartedly to a project, nobody gets that,’’ the New York City resident said.

Yeah, tell me about it. Nobody giving me a grant to do this.

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Also seeSunday Globe Special: Taken For Granted