Summer – no season lends itself for fests like this. Fest is actually an English Germanism. And the German word Fest (the noun, not the adjective with an entirely different meaning) is actually a borrowed word from Latin festum. How is that?! Well, remember Roman emperor Julius Cesar and all that? He had his military […]
In the Book Nook with … Kit and Drew Coons
Authors Kit and Drew Coons retired from careers as humorous speakers on strengthening and maintaining relationships. Since2020, they have been living in Port Orchard, Washington. The Coonses have written non-fiction for decades, have been published in twelve periodicals, and had a million readers in 2021. They completed their first novel, “Challenge for Two,” in 2018 […]
Across the Fence: Neanderthal
The most curious coincidences create lasting impressions and terminology. In 1856, in a German valley between the towns of Erkrath and Mettmann, Italian lime miners excavated bones that looked as if belonging to a human skeleton. The valley’s name was Neandertal – back then written as Neanderthal –, pronounced nay-‘under-tul, which means valley of Neander. […]
Lakewood Author Susanne Bacon publishes Short Fiction Book
“I only needed to make it credible enough. I had no clue I’d become one of the most notorious, mysterious criminals in American history.Being a nobody made it so easy.Being a nobody made it happen.” This is the beginning of my very first short story in the book I recently published under the title “A […]
Meet Authors at Gig Harbor Summer Art Festival
Have you made any weekend plans yet? Here is an idea you might find very enjoyable. Come to Gig Harbor, the quaint historical town on the other side of the Narrows Bridge. Walk along the waterfront, explore the mom-and-pop stores, the unique eateries … but above all, come to visit the Gig Harbor Summer Art […]
In the Book Nook with … Gene Hill
Author Gene Hill lives with his wife, Sandy, in Kitsap County, Washington State. He used to define and design new computer chips for the Intel Corporation; PC Magazine honored him as Unsung Hero and Person of the Year for two of his designs. In retirement, Gene and Sandy founded and run a non-profit educating on […]
Across the Fence: Abseiling
Have you ever done any abseiling? I have plenty of times, though not always in the literal sense that the Anglicized version of the German term “abseilen” (pronounce ’up-zi-len, meaning to rope oneself down) implies. Let me explore the literal meaning first, before I come to the second meaning Germans use in colloquial speech. Abseiling […]
In the Book Nook with … Sandy Hill
Author Sandy Hill lives with her husband, Gene, and their dog, Bentley, in northern Kitsap County, Washington State. Before retiring, her favorite job was working for NASA as a data analyst on the Pioneer space probe to Jupiter. In her later years, she attended the Institute of Children’s Literature, learned the craft of writing, and […]
Across the Fence: Wurst and Bratwurst
It’s grilling season. Okay, it doesn’t really stop or start ever in the mild climate of the Pacific Northwest. But let’s say, summer lends itself to creating meals on the BBQ. And one of the most popular items to grill – maybe because you can hardly ruin them – are brats. No, not annoying, unruly […]