A Gem of A Day: Jewel Covered Ground
There is a magical place about an hour and a half from where I live in Chinle. Don't ask me how to get there. Given the coordinates and a little luck the GPS keeps bleeping out things like, "In 1/4 mile turn left on unpaved road, in three hundred feet turn right on unpaved road, in two hundred feet..." You get the idea. I was lucky to be with Jolynn a seasoned rock hound at the wheel and we found our way there with only one wrong turn.You know you are [...]
One Author’s Full Circle(No Favorites) Taiwan
When I go to schools as a visiting author one question students always ask is, "Which of your books is your favorite."My answer is usually something like, "I have four children. My books are like my children and I could never have a favorite one." ( OK anyone in my family reading this keep quiet....) My books like my children all have their special qualities and they have all given me some difficulties along the way.And for an author her books are like her children in that she never knows where they will [...]
Return to Africa: Full Circle
Mozambique would be my new favorite destination even if we were not visiting Chris and Laurie, Peace Corps son and daughter-in-law. It did help that they speak Portuguese fluently after two years and some local languages too. But the people, the colors and the simplicity of life in Mozambique made the experience. Add to that the spectacular and varied beaches and travelers from around the world...exotic and bohemian. My kind of place. Watch out Steve, this is where I would retire with one drawback. It takes a long time to get there including [...]
The Next Big Thing World Blog Tour
I was invited to join the Next Big Thing World Blog Tour by friend and writer Deborah Prum. Deb and I met in college and we even took a Children's literature class together. Back then people called it Kitty Lit...very politically incorrect. Debbie and I have only been in touch a few times since college but we both pursued our passion for writing for children. See her new book Fatty In the Back Seat and check her out at http://deborahprum.com/blog/Or go to amazon.com.Now on to my projects. My most recent publication is Beatrice's Dream, Life [...]
Italy Loves Poetry: Details From Ionian Jewel
Italians are passionate. They love their pasta and seafood, cheese and wine. Who doesn't?It turns out Italians also love their poetry. Traveling in the southern region of Calabria we came upon this poem on the wall of a tiny cafe/bar.Unfortunately I cannot read Italian but it was lovely to see this illustrated, framed bit of writing decorating the wall of a bar in a mountain top village.I too am passionate about poetry. I even write some so this idea intrigued me even without the translation. See my recent blog about traveling in Italy [...]
Where I Write Now: Wild and Wooly
Once in a while I do a Where I Write Now blog. In the past I have gone to a coffee house in the Amish community of New Wilmington in PA or I have taken a few days to stay at a B and B in Confluence.Out here in Chinle I have found it more difficult to get out of town to a place where I can write without the distractions of home. A new place to inspire.So what a pleasant surprise to find The Coffee House right here in "Wild and Wooly" [...]