No one can argue the significance of that fateful night on April 14, 1912 when the Titanic went down in history as one of the most tragic ship wrecks of all time. The enormity of it—the sequence of events, the intricacies of the lives of those who survived and those who did not, the dynamics of how the ship sank—has …
Almost 400 years have passed since the First Thanksgiving. It’s hard to imagine that Americans in the 21st century could have much in common with a boat-load of people who hadn’t yet gone through the Industrial Revolution, let alone comprehend the complexities of the computer age. How can we compare in any way to their world in 1621? In many …
Fans of the Harry Potter franchise may recall that Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s (Philosopher’s) Stone kicked off the film series in September 2000 with a final scene at Hogsmead Station. Hagrid waves goodbye to the students, having lived through their first year at Hogwarts. The scene foreshadows the future as they continue their magical journey. Hogsmead Station actually exists, …
By now you’re probably aware today is Veterans Day, if you live in or are a citizen of the United States. If you’ve Googled anything in the United States, you’ve seen an interesting rendering of what looks like an American Flag on the homepage. But why do we celebrate Veterans Day? Originally called Armistice Day, it was declared in celebration …
Have you ever visited a place that so intrigued you that you just had to find out more about it even after you returned home? In my case, it took a while, but I blame the magnificent setting at a lakeside hotel in Varenna, Italy on the shores of Lake Como for setting me on a path of discovery several …
Today, our journey takes us to the Near East to the ancient Nabatean city of Petra. We will be heading south from Amman, Jordan to an area below the Dead Sea. Petra had been on my bucket list for years, so I approached it with great enthusiasm. Nothing could have prepared me for the breath-taking awe of the 2.7-mile (4.3 …
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live underground? Today in my History, Travel, and Adventure Blog, I switch directions back to Europe and take us to a lesser-known, but no less fascinating place in the Andalucían province of Granada, Spain. Located on a plateau at almost 3,000 feet (913 meters) in the shadow of the Sierra …
Last week, I began a new blog series, focusing on historical and cultural sites around the world that have captivated my interest. I began with a two-part series “From Dingle, Ireland to Georgetown, Colorado,” exploring the Dingle Peninsula where my protagonist, Anna Katherine O’Sullivan had come from in my Singing Silver Mine Trilogy. Today, I’m exploring the glorious majesty of …
Do you enjoy an adventure? Are you fascinated by people, places, and history? When you travel, do you find yourself exploring every nook and cranny of a place, talking to locals and learning about the culture? When you read books, do find yourself gravitating towards non-fiction on times and eras and events that took place in the past? Or if …
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As a writer, I’m a reader of various genres–from mystery, thriller, and suspense to historical fiction and romance and, on occasion, mainstream. Each genre gives me a taste of the craft of writing from a number of excellent authors. One of my most recent favorite cozy mystery authors is friend and co-writer Marilyn Leach. At the age of nine, …
At various times in a writer’s life, we come across kindred spirits in surprising places. A kindred spirit is one who has the same view of life as you or with whom you share a common interest. I met such a couple at my church’s 4th of July festivities. Hans and Lily Diehl are parents of a friend at church, and …