Author Ryan LaMantia from Denver, Colorado, worked for Safelite Autoglass for twelve years, but in 2021, decided to borrow some money from his house to live off for a year, while chasing his dream of writing a book. When that money dried up, he began driving for Uber and Lyft to pay the bills so […]
D.L. Fowler and Susanne Bacon at joint Apple Squeeze Booth
This Sunday – and hopefully it will do its name justice! – the Steilacoom Apple Squeeze will draw huge crowds from all over the region and beyond to the Town on the Sound’s historical center. The popular event is organized and hosted by the Steilacoom Historical Museum Association (SHMA). Among all the colorful booths you’ll […]
Let’s Talk! – Running in the Rhythm of the Dark
Are you ready to switch off your screens and ponder or discuss another writing/conversation prompt from my friend Tyrean Martinson’s book? Here’s my take on it. I’m NOT a runner, let me tell you that. I used to be a decent sprinter when we still had sports at school. I long gave up running, even […]
Across the Fence: Schadenfreude
You probably have heard this Germanism in the English language before: Schadenfreude (pronounce: shah-den-froy-duh, meaning glee bout damage). And probably hardly anybody is immune against it, unless they are saints. Though, allegedly, there are such people. Apparently, the term turned up in the German language around 1740, about a century later in the English language. […]
Let’s Talk! – Torpedo Lights
Are you ready to switch off your screens and ponder or discuss another writing/conversation prompt from my friend Tyrean Martinson’s book ? Here’s my take on it. This is one of those terms that teach me something: torpedo lights. No, torpedoes are obviously not lights on torpedoes – why would these underwater bombs need light […]
Across the Fence: Spitz
If you are familiar with dog breeds, you might have come across another Germanism in the English language: Spitz (pronounce: shpits, meaning pointed). Indeed, the dog race is named for the shape of its muzzle. Apparently (thank you, Wikipedia!) Spitz dogs have already been depicted in ancient Egypt around 2600 B.C. and in ancient Greece […]
In the Book Nook with … William J. Zambini
Author William J. Zambini (aka Bill Jarcho) from Vashon Island, WA, is also a semi-retired, still working artist. He has been writing for over 40 years, but his first children’s book was published just now. William is part of the Tacoma Children’s Book crit group. When he is not writing he enjoys music, movies, reading, […]
Let’s Talk! – Straddling the Border
Are you ready to switch off your screens and ponder or discuss another writing/conversation prompt from my friend Tyrean Martinson’s book? Here’s my take on it. I was thirteen when I first visited the United Kingdom. Back then, there was no Chunnel that connected the continent with the island. There was no physical evidence when […]
Across the Fence: Kletterschuh
September is the hiking season at its best. At least in moderate climate zones. And as hiking is of such importance in German history – even as to being considered political protest by specific movements during the Empire and, later, in the Third Reich – my guess is that this is the reason that the […]