Putin’s People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and Then Took On the West

"Putin understands that Russia can spend any amount of money it wants [on sowing chaos in the West]. The obschak, the black-cash box, has become the size of the budget, and they can give orders to the oligarchs as well. It is a mafia that has seized power, and the state is acting as the … Continue reading Putin’s People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and Then Took On the West →

Two Days in Frankfurt

I need to start out by saying that I have been spending time on the free language-learning app Duolingo in preparation for this trip to Germany. I had wanted to be able to at least understand some of the signs when we went to Germany. I have to say it actually worked too! Not only … Continue reading Two Days in Frankfurt →

Visiting Xanten, a Roman Archeological Park in Germany

Hubby Rick and I recently visited an archeological park in Germany that we think is well worth a visit. It’s in a small German town called Xanten, pronounced Santen, but spelled with an X. It is about 50 minutes drive north of Dusseldorf, not far from Germany’s border with the Netherlands. This park is billed … Continue reading Visiting Xanten, a Roman Archeological Park in Germany →

Latest Review of My Novel on Amazon

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Take On A Very Relevant Topic Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2023 As someone who works with ESL students, I thought this was a beautifully written and carefully researched novel that successfully shines a light on a very important and relevant topic in a way that … Continue reading Latest Review of My Novel on Amazon →

Mexican Pyramids at Teotihuacan

One of the sights well worth seeing if you have are fortunate enough to visit Mexico, rather than heading straight to its beach resorts, is Teotihuacan. Thirty miles from Mexico city, this ancient city existed from roughly 100 B.C.E. to 550 C.E.. It was one of the most influential cities in Mesoamerica, with a population … Continue reading Mexican Pyramids at Teotihuacan →

México City is Amazing

First, I must make a profound apology to all Mexicans. Your country is rich in history, culture and art. Somehow I never understood that before. Perhaps it's because I am from the United States where children are educated primarily in their own history and culture. Nearby countries, like Canada and Mexico, are ignored as are … Continue reading México City is Amazing →

First review of What’s So Special about Spain

Since the paperback version of my book came out last week I have received my first review from children's book author Darlene Foster. Here's what she had to say about it in her Amazon and Goodreads reviews. "A wonderful book describing some of the many wonders of Spain with amazing pictures and interesting details. Children … Continue reading First review of What’s So Special about Spain →

Six Generations of Sad Endings

On my father's side of the family, I have discovered one line with at least six generations in a row of family catastrophes. Men in this family just kept dying in all kinds of ways for 100 years. This is the Zealand line. Death at an early age is not uncommon in most families, especially … Continue reading Six Generations of Sad Endings →

Help!

By Anthony Jones Painting of the Raft of the Medusa A sail on the horizon! A sail, a sail! Please God let them see us! “Au secours! Au secours!” we shouted, although our cries were more desperate croaks. We sounded and looked like a murder of crows, our skins blackened by fourteen whole days under … Continue reading Help! →

Visiting Santiago de Compostela

On Saturday, the day after we finished walking the Camino, we went to a government building in Santiago de Compostela to get our certificates acknowledging our completion of the walk. You need to have walked at least 100 kilometers on any Camino to get this certificate and we walked 143 kilometers. So we more than … Continue reading Visiting Santiago de Compostela →