About

Strange Monkeys is a project of the writer Zane Fischer, with support and collaboration from wife and partner, the painter Katherine Lee. It is an ongoing account of the way he (and sometimes they) see and experience the world. Reports come mostly through the lens of sailboat-oriented travel, emphasizing efforts to learn new skills and reach remote destinations in turbulent times. There is copious commentary on culture, current events, controversy and calamity. And a restless search for beauty and elemental experience.

Importantly, the primary content will always be free to anyone who stumbles across it. Basic subscriptions—also always free—are extremely appreciated and come with the ease of a newsletter delivered to your inbox with new content, typically every week or two. Most posts will have a reading time of about 5 minutes or less—enough for some interesting detail, but not too much demand on your time.

Paid subscriptions will never be necessary to read and enjoy, but are deeply appreciated. Every contribution helps to focus more on this project and lessens the time required to stop and pursue other income. Some paid subscriptions include additional content, including the ability to comment, access to a location tracker, as well as occasional essays, fiction, post cards and other projects. All subscriptions, from free to the most generous, are incredibly helpful and received with wild gratitude.

Zane Fischer is an award-winning writer and journalist, with many years of experience as an arts writer, reporter, and columnist. Katherine Lee is a celebrated painter and an accomplished craftsperson. Strange Monkeys comes from a comment made by Katherine about our human fixation on consumerism rather than the many natural delights of being an amazing animal at large on the earth.

The motivations for pursuing this project are described in What Are We Doing?

The start of travel is described in the post Begin From Where You Are.