Gossip and News: How 17th Century French Peasants Shared Information

We can’t live without our phones, email, TV, and podcasts. How did the people of yore manage? In a 17th-century French village, news traveled at the pace of footsteps and farm carts, stitched together by habit, ritual, and the human love of a good story. Most peasants lived within a few kilometers of one another … Continue reading Gossip and News: How 17th Century French Peasants Shared Information

LeMans France – Old and New

The ancient Roman city of LeMans, France becomes the epicenter of world motorsport every June with the running of the 24 Hours of LeMans. The race was never held within the walled city, but pre-race events are, many in front of the sixth-century church — Notre Dame de la Couture. The Driver’s Parade and scrutineering … Continue reading LeMans France – Old and New

Time Travel Tuesday

The poorest of peasants in France in the 17th century did not have horses, mules, carts, and carriages. They traveled on foot and, by necessity, carried whatever they could–but only what they needed. They used baskets, wooded frames, cross-body satchels, fardes (like a hobo’s bindle,)  and sac à dos — literally, ‘bag for the back.’  … Continue reading Time Travel Tuesday

Mystery Monday-I like mine cozy

My debut mystery novel, Rim to Rim- Death in the Grand Canyon is an Adventure Mystery because it doesn’t quite fit the criteria for a cozy mystery––but almost.  Here’s the story behind the story…I was on a five-day backpacking trip with the Sierra Club from the Grand Canyon’s north rim, down and across the floor … Continue reading Mystery Monday-I like mine cozy

What is your cat reading?

A Reader's Review One of my readers, and fellow author, Patti Walsh, sent me a very clever review of Rim to Rim….Her cat's opinion of my novel. What a great idea. Here it is: At 19 years old, Cici Brannen may be slow, deaf, and nearly blind. To accommodate her limitations, her human mate, Pam, … Continue reading What is your cat reading?