I was robbed on February 15th, 2025. Excited by the discovery and revelation, I was equally disappointed that one of my favorite mysteries had apparently been solved. “Historian Russell Edwards says he has identified Jack the Ripper as Aaron Kosminski through a DNA match of a shawl found at the scene of one of his murders.” Like many earlier theories, this one has also been … Continue reading The Mystery of Jack the Ripper
After reaching the grand old age of seventy-two, I recently thought of questions I wish I’d asked my parents. Many of my queries seem frivolous. Nothing about the responses would change my life. They are simply curiosities, little puzzles that have popped into my head I know very little about my parent’s early relationship. I know my mother worked at a lunch counter in Grand … Continue reading Old Age Thoughts
While recently attending the Knoxville Book Festival I had the opportunity to meet author Pebbles Wireman. We spoke about her book “Finding Faith in the Storm” and the life experiences that led her to write it. Pebbles is a sparkly woman with a smile that immediately draws you in. As she related all the medical traumas she’d experienced it, was hard to understand how she … Continue reading “Finding Faith in the Storm” by Pebbles Wireman
You’re going on a cross-country trip. Airplane, train, bus, car, or bike? I’ve loved traveling since I was a small child. My parents were always looking for new adventures. Mom was from Galway, Ireland and Daddy was from Knoxville, Tennessee. Our first big vacation was to visit my aunts and cousins in Knoxville. Daddy liked to start off early in the morning before sunrise. We’d … Continue reading Trains, Planes, and Automobiles (and Buses)
Have you ever performed on stage or given a speech? As far back as kindergarten I was often chosen to take part in school productions. I spoke clearly and easily remembered lines. But it was easy to do that. It wasn’t until the upper grade that I met the real challenge of speaking in front of groups. One of my first adventures outside of the … Continue reading Confidence
I recently had two things happen that drew me to read this book. First, while at the West Virginia Book Festival, I met an author whose genre was ‘dark romance’. I had never heard of this sub-genre previously and put it on my list of authors to investigate. Later, in the same week, I visited my daughter and her family in Morgantown, West Virginia. Knowing … Continue reading “Gothikana” by RuNyx
What’s something you would attempt if you were guaranteed not to fail. In my younger days, I was willing to try almost anything if finances and time were not issues. I’d still be willing to attempt things like skydiving, parasailing, or ziplining. While these activities might be physically challenging it’s not impossible that I might give one or all of them a shot. If I … Continue reading If I Could, I Would
“Free Spirit” is the third Bite Size Read by Paul White that I’ve read. I’ve become addicted to these short tales. They are my bedtime treat. So far, this is the shortest story in the bite size series. But. don’t let the length of the book fool you. It packs as much punch as the lengthier stories. White does more in seventeen pages than other … Continue reading “Free Spirit – A Bite Size Read”
One of my favorite authors, Paul White, has begun offering his creative skills in a new format. Bite size reads are the perfect tales for a quick bedtime story. I’ve read three of his tasty, tiny treats and every one has been a delight. As I settled down with my nighttime tea and biscuit I indulged in the appropriate ‘Tea with the Reaper’. Was I … Continue reading Tea with the Reaper – A Bite Size Read
One of my favorite writers recently released a series of books in a great new format. These are longer than flash fiction and shorter than novellas Paul White says. What he doesn’t say is they are tightly written with amazing character development in the two stories I’ve read so far. The first of these little gems I read was ‘Daisy and the Chocolate Factory’. I’ve … Continue reading Bite-sized Reads
Life in Kana-text (er... CONtext)
Shape Your Mind, Body, and Spirit to Prosperity
True wealth is the wealth of the soul
I write southern historical fiction, local history, and I've written a devotional book. The two novels I'm writing are set in Virginia and the Carolinas in the 1760s. My weekly blog started out to follow my journey as a writer and a reader, but in 2025 it has been greatly expanded to include current events and politics in the United States as I see our democracy under attack from within. The political science major in me cannot sit idly by and remain silent.
Travel, Food & Fitness
America's Danmaku Maker
A Blog that Shares Tips, Tricks, and Insights on Various Topics
by Wendy Waters
Experience a Better Bathroom
An Independent Traveller's Blog
words. hearts. humanity.
Empowering readers and Authors to Build Better Books Together.
Author Karina Kantas shares her latest news, books, reviews, awards and blogs as well.
My own curious world about books and writing
There is no box.
I love books!
