Posts by Kimberly Sullivan
Writers take heart – even John Steinbeck was intimidated by the blank page
“After many years, to start a story still scares me to death.” —John Steinbeck If it can happen to John Steinbeck, it can happen to anyone. Who can believe that the famed American author (1902 – 1968) of such classics as The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men, East of Eden and The Pearl…
Read MoreHanging out in Columbus’ trendy Short North district
Last week I wrote about Columbus, Ohio’s pleasant Scioto River walkway, This week, I would like to focus on the trendy neighborhood of Short North, where we were staying during our visit. Once again, a quiet COVID environment gave us a much different view of what would usually be a more colorful and active area.…
Read MoreBook review: The Chalet
Full disclaimer : COVID has left me brutally ski-deprived. I spent this past January driving through mountains positively mocking me with their pistes fluffy with beautiful, virginal snow, yet with not one lone skier on them due to COVID restrictions. COVID killed the season last year, and it’s looking as if this year won’t be…
Read MoreAlong the Scioto River walk in Columbus, Ohio
I was in Columbus, Ohio with my older son this past summer during some scorching days. Despite the high temperatures, we spent lots of time walking around and exploring this city, as well we could during fairly widespread COVID closures. One place we visited frequently was the Scioto Mile, the pleasant walkway along the Scioto…
Read MoreBook review: The Heatwave
I read The Girl in the Photograph, an earlier novel by this author, and was underwhelmed, but I was intrigued by the premise of this novel and its setting. I’m glad to have picked it up, and found it a compelling read. This novel is largely set in southern France’s Provence region, in a small,…
Read MorePerfect views over invading knights in medieval Òsimo
I’ve been writing about a lot of impressive towns boasting spectacular medieval architecture in Italy’s Marche region. The medieval hilltop town of Òsimo is one such town that merits a visit when you next find yourself in the region. This is an easy one to reach – just a few kilometers from the regional capital…
Read MoreReviewing your own writing – except the bad bits
“I like reading my own work, and often do it. I go gently over the bits I think are bad.” —E. M. Forster I’m a big fan of E.M. Forster’s work. The British novelist ( 1879 – 1970) of masterpieces such as A Room with a View, Where Angels Fear to Tread, Passage to India…
Read MoreIn search of olive ascolane in the Marche’s Ascoli-Piceno
In normal times, finding Ascoli-Piceno’s culinary specialty in its historic center is no real challenge. But these are not ordinary times. My son loves olive ascolane – olives stuffed with meat and deep fried. This is a common appetizer at restaurants throughout Italy, although, all too often, they are simply the frozen variety. In the…
Read MoreBook review : The Piano Teacher
This is the second novel by Janice Y.K. Lee that I’ve read. A few years ago, I enjoyed her excellent The Expatriates, so I was curious to read this novel set in Hong Kong in the lead-up to World War II and the time of the Japanese occupation. Lee is from Hong Kong and covered…
Read MoreVisiting the Holy House of the Virgin Mary – minus the pilgrims – in the Marche’s Loreto
The beautiful hilltown of Loreto, in Italy’s Marche region, is said to attract about four million pilgrims a year. But when my son and I visited on a rainy January day this year, most of the shops were shuttered, and we had the town and its spectacular basilica almost entirely to ourselves. We were returning…
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