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, …
Veterans Day: A Day to Say Thank You!
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 …
How a Historic Journey of Faith and Courage Moved From Italy to North Carolina
Have you ever visited a place that so staggered you that it had an indelible effect on your life? Some veterans and their families experience overwhelming tears when they visit the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Waikiki, Hawaii. Others feel that same emotional tug on their hearts when they see the 911 Memorial and Museum. Many who tour Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, …
Petra: Why it is Deemed one of the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World
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 …
Guadix: A City of Cave Dwellers in Southern Spain
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 …
Dingle, Ireland to Georgetown, Colorado and the Rocky Mountains, Part II
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 …
New Blog Series Travels to the Past and Explores Our History
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 …
Jones House Creative Mission Statement
We exist to be dynamic creatives who breathe life into vision, empower purpose, and remove burdens by bringing inspiration, excellence, and compassion wherever we serve.
All Hallows Dead by Marilyn Leach a Good Read on these Short Autumn Days
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, …
Calling All Kindred Spirits
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 …
Finding A Treasure Trove of Tenable Opportunities
After my Christian suspense novel, Undaunted Valor, released in April this year, people asked me if I had actually visited the parts of Europe where Alessandro’s Grandmother Luciana was kidnapped and held for ransom. My response always feels humbling, because I consider having gone to the Savoy region of France to do research on the book an enormous privilege. Yet the …
Writers: What Do We Feel About Our Writing?
Writers are often asked how they feel about their writing. The answer seems obvious until you read what some prominent authors have said in response. Kurt Vonnegut told an interviewer for the London Times in 2007, “When I write, I feel like an armless, legless man with a crayon in his mouth.” C.S. Lewis once wrote on a …