Jessie Voigts's Blog, page 167
June 24, 2017
Top Things To Do in The Bay of Fundy
The Bay of Fundy is a place where the rhythm is naturally created by the 12 hour cycles of the ocean tides.
The Bay of Fundy is a special place in so many ways, a perennial favorite for travelers from around the world. I went to have a look thanks to New Brunswick Tourism and Tourism Nova Scotia.
The seafood is fantastic - I enjoyed it daily.
Top Things to Do around the Bay of FundyHere are the top things to...
Music from Little House on the Prairie
Little House on the Prairie: even if you’ve never been to the American midwest, these words bring up images -- images which seem like memories, really -- of life at the edge of pioneer times in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas a century and a half ago.
Perhaps you had Laura Ingalls Wilder’s stories read to you when you were young. Maybe you’ve read them to your own children or grandchildren or students. Perhaps you remember the long-runnin...
#WeNeedDiverseBooks: Author Re-writes the Fairytale
Once I realized that With Grace was turning out to be a fairytale, I did not resist it...but I did do my best to subvert the tropes of the genre.
Why didn't I resist, though not strictly speaking a children's writer (I had only one previous children's book among five to my credit)? Because as a writer, I enjoy wrestling with genres I've never attempted before – even if that cage match is to be within the deceptively simple and straightforward world o...
Reading About Nova Scotia and Campobello
This summer, my sister and I took a road trip together around Nova Scotia. We were limited to six days, which was about twenty days less than we wanted to have, but we found this Canadian province to be packed with beautiful landscapes and seascapes, historic forts, M'ikmaq Indian lore, Scottish music, well preserved Victorian towns, small fishing villages and more lobster and scallops on our plates that even we who love our seafood could eat. (You...
June 23, 2017
Why and How to Travel with Only a Carry-On
This story is mainly for the ladies. Sorry, guys. Based on the conversations I’ve had with my customers, it seems women have more trouble than men packing light. Who knows why? My client base is primarily female as well.
Still, there are a few pointers here for men. What about how to choose color? That’s good basic wardrobe advice for anyone. And looking good while you travel? Pure travel packing genius.
Why and how to travel with only one carr...
Family and Friends: Seven Irish Music cds
Irish music has a way of touching emotions and reaching hearts across time and place and language. That seems to be true, too, whether you hear the music at a big stage show, at a lively pub, in a living room, or through a recording. Take a listen to several newer releases and a pair of longtime favorites to learn more of Irish music.
The New Broom takes its title from a saying known in Ireland and with counterparts around the world: “A new broom sw...
The Rock Animals of Eidsfjord, Sortland in Vesterålen, Norway
Here are photos of some animals, made in stone, at Kjørstad, Eidsfjord, Vesterålen. It's a 40 min drive from my home. You can see cormorant bird, cow, eagle, fox, puffin, black grouse, seagulls, a stone church, a stone man, and a turtle.
They are placed around in the woods, not far away from the gravel road. A person made these things out of rocks. Take a look...
Stone seagull
Stone cow
Stone fox
Stone turtle
Stone man
Stone eagle
Stone blac...
The Black Sand Beaches of Arizona's Upper Lake Mary
The Black Sand Beaches of Arizona's Upper Lake Mary
"Yes, they just built a beach down there - its Arizona black sand but it's a beach!" said the Forest Ranger as we entered Upper Lake Mary's Picnic Area. "Arizona has a beach?!" I thought. "A beach! An hour from my house?!"
We pulled into the parking lot and spilled out the car like water bursting out of a fire hydrant and descended - our two cars, eight kids, four adults and one dog - onto...
Music Holiday Favorites
Whether you make it for a living or listen for fun -- or both -- music is a central part of the winter holiday season. Listen in as those whose music you enjoy offer ideas about music they like to hear or play this time of year.
Trish Murphy heads straight for traditional music in her Austin, Texas, home. “I love holiday music, the more nostalgic the better. I'm sure everyone lists Vince Guaraldi's Charlie Brown Christmas, but that's my all-ti...
June 20, 2017
Michigan's Small Town Treasures: The Craziest Festival in Michigan’s Thumb
If you only have time for one small-town festival this summer and you want it to be filled with enough silliness to make you forget all the serious stuff going on in your life, consider the Annual "Cheeseburger in Caseville" Festival. It is too big for a weekend and runs every year in August. As you reach the city limits, you’ll be greeted by more pink flamingos than flock anywhere else north of Miami as the small beach town of Caseville mor...
