In my Five Questions Series I interview writers and offer them a platform for their work. It now seems appropriate to also offer space to visual artists. Over the past few weeks, the boarded-up store fronts in my town have turned into an outdoor art show. I now live in... read more
In these past two months I have interrupted the pace of my usual Tuesday-Friday blog postings. World and national events currently take precedence in my life over writing about my chosen topics of language, love and adventure. During this time I have been reposting blogs that are as relevant now... read more
My tag line touts love, language, adventure … out of the ordinary. Over the years I’ve shared with you experiences I’ve had around the world. From Kazakhstan to Cuba to California. But now? How does one engage in world travel in the present circumstances? World Travel: The Current Reality Europe is... read more
Eswatini. You may know it as Swaziland. Or you may not know it at all. It got on my radar yesterday when a reader wrote me: “Thank you soo much Julie. Was able to download 5 books, currently reading The Temporary Bride and am loving it. Thank you soo much... read more
During the pandemic lockdown I’m reposting earlier blogs if they have more relevance now than when I first posted them. This one involves billionaire boltholes. Billionaire Boltholes: Present Billionaires from around the world have their escapes in New Zealand. Here’s a video on this real estate phenomenon from May 4,... read more
I love to travel, and I love to evoke a sense of place in my novels. Either I go out into the world by setting foot outside my door. Or I let the world come to me, primarily through books. Note: This blog is an update of a post from... read more
In this time of self-isolation, I am once again happy that Eva Michelle Wheeler is sharing more of her recent trip to Vanuatu, an island country in the South Pacific Ocean. She found paradise! And a place that promotes good eating. Title image: The billboard says EAT HEALTHY ALL THE... read more
In this time of self-isolation, I’m happy that Eva Michelle Wheeler wants to share her recent trip to Vanuatu, an island country in the South Pacific Ocean. Eva made it there and back to Durham, North Carolina by mid-March. Just before borders around the world started shutting down. Her posts... read more
You might not have been thinking about your carbon footprint twenty years ago. Maybe not even ten. But you are likely thinking about it today. You may have an image in your head of Greta Thunberg‘s arrival in New York City last September. On a carbon-neutral boat. And you may... read more
Eva Michelle Wheeler is our guest blogger this week. She is taking us on a delightful linguistic journey through Colombia. Today she explores San Basilio de Palenque. Title image: Eva below I HEART being Black. Local artist, AfroNeto, created this mural. San Basilio de Palenque: The Rationale Many Colombian cities... read more
