Almost exactly one year ago this week, Liesbet, Mark, and Maya visited our home, via their RV Zesty. I wrote about our 4-hour visit HERE.
Liesbet and I spent part of the time discussing her work-in-progress memoir, PLUNGE, here just a manuscript on her Tablet
Liesbet’s Bio
Liesbet Collaert’s articles and photos have been published internationally. Born in Belgium, she has been a nomad since 2003 with no plans to settle anytime soon. Her love of travel, diversity, and animals is reflected in her lifestyle choices of sailing, RVing, and house and pet sitting. Liesbet calls herself a world citizen and currently lives “on the road” in North America with her husband and rescue dog. Follow her adventures at www.itsirie.com and www.roamingabout.com.
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Now PLUNGE has made a big splash in the memoir world, and I’m pleased to feature Liesbet’s splendid memoir/travelogue here. Let’s start with a Q & A
Three fun facts about yourself
- I don’t have a phone
- I never took any writing or English literature classes
- I’ve been writing a diary every day since I was fourteen
You have been a writer for a long time, journaling and writing numerous articles for travel magazines. When did you realize you wanted to write a memoir?
Even though I enjoyed writing since a young age, at school and in my journals, I never saw myself turning this hobby into something or received awards. The only profession I had in mind as a teenager was teaching.
It wasn’t until I started submitting articles on our sailboat in the Caribbean that “real writing” became a part of my existence. Before that – after a year-long overland journey by truck camper in Mexico and Central America – I once played with writing a book. I didn’t even know back then (in 2007) that the story I had in mind was called a memoir.
During our sailing years, I jotted down anecdotes, thoughts, and experiences in WORD documents. This happened in English, while my diary remained in Dutch. These files, together with my blog It’s Irie, formed the foundation of what would become my first memoir, Plunge.
You’ve written your book about sea travel while leading a nomadic life traversing America. Describe an ideal day writing in your RV, Zesty.
The ideal day for productivity in a small space – with a big table that fits two laptops, solar panels to provide electricity, and reliable internet through AT&T most of the time – starts with being parked somewhere sunny for several days in a row. An extra benefit would be that my husband takes the dog for a long walk or leaves by bike, so I have the place to myself. I open my computer and dive in to write or edit for hours, forgetting about the rest of the world. Bliss! Until my companion(s) return and I say “Wow, you’re back already?” Or until I realize Maya needs water or a potty walk.
What was the hardest scene for you to write?
This question is hard to answer without giving too much away about Plunge, in which many themes are incorporated. Let me just say, the scenes that make the reader cry or hold their breath. Every single time I reread and edited the chapter Disaster in Puerto Rico, tears stained my eyes, despite knowing the story. It was the moment where loss became a part of my life..
What lessons have you learned along the path of writing and publishing your memoir?
Where do I start? I’m fortunate that writing (even in English) comes natural to me. I produced Plunge with a few elements in mind (present tense, novel-style suspense, engaging voice) and without researching the writing craft. I did read Your Life as Story by Tristine Rainier after finishing my first draft. It helped me focus on what’s most important in a memoir and which parts to cut.
I stumbled upon articles that were shared by blogging friends. Jane Friedman was a name that popped up a lot, so I subscribed to her newsletter years ago. Early on, I learned about the importance of beta readers, professional editors, proofreaders, and a cover artist.
But the real and tough learning curve began once I decided to self-publish. Phew! Stress, dedication, time commitment, patience, doubt, frustration, determination, you name it.
My tip for people who consider self-publishing (and something I plan to adhere to “next time”) is to NOT be on a tight deadline and remain vigilant and thorough with each step. Also, I wish I could have prepared some promotion ahead of time. By not calculating that in, I’ve been overwhelmed for six months straight and never allowed myself to enjoy the thrill of launching my debut book.
BOOK BLURB
Tropical waters turn tumultuous in this travel memoir as a free-spirited woman jumps headfirst into a sailing adventure with a new man and his two dogs.
Join Liesbet as she faces a decision that sends her into a whirlwind of love, loss, and living in the moment. When she swaps life as she knows it for an uncertain future on a sailboat, she succumbs to seasickness and a growing desire to be alone.
Guided by impulsiveness and the joys of an alternative lifestyle, she must navigate personal storms, trouble with US immigration, adverse weather conditions, and doubts about her newfound love.
Does Liesbet find happiness? Will the dogs outlast the man? Or is this just another reality check on a dream to live at sea?
MY 5* REVIEW
“I’d rather regret the things I did than the things I missed out on,” declares Liesbet Collaert. Readers will soon discover that the author doesn’t miss out on much, embracing the nomadic life on land and sea wholeheartedly. In her memoir Plunge, the author pursues a life less ordinary, just as her subtitle suggests. . . (Read more here.)
Links for Blog and Book, Plunge
For general info on my blog, including purchase links: https://www.roamingabout.com/about-plunge/
To buy on Amazon (universal link): www.amzn.com/B08NHP3NHC
For eBook versions worldwide: https://books2read.com/plungememoir
For paperback distributors worldwide: https://www.ingramspark.com/how-it-works/distribute
For reviews on Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/book/show/55848458-plunge-one-woman-s-pursuit-of-a-life-less-ordinary
Even if you’ve already read Plunge, buy another copy for a friend. Books make great gifts!
Have you read PLUNGE?
What writers’ tips stand out in Liesbet’s list?
Have you traveled somewhere that would make a great story?
Good morning, Marian (and Liesbet)! Thanks for sharing the story and information about Liesbet and her book!
Good morning, Merril! I don’t know how you do it to always be the first to comment on Plain & Fancy! The early bird gets the worm. 🙂 Sometimes, Jill has been the bird. Thanks for reading!
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Thanks for beginning the conversation here again today, Merril! In our land-locked, stay-close-to-home routines, you’d love her travelogue on the sea. Just a few pages in, I knew I’d unequivocally give her memoir a 5* rating. 🙂
Her advice about self-publishing is sound. Don’t feel pressed, and be vigilant. It pays off in the end. Sounds like an intriguing story, and an exciting life. Not the kind of life I want to live – I love HOME – but fun to read about someone else living it.
I too love home. After all, I was born on Anchor Road, stable – not a ship’s anchor – ha! You’d enjoy Liesbet’s story as an armchair voyage. Thanks for commenting, Arlene! 🙂
Hello Arlene! Since my book writing journey was starting to drag, I had to put a deadline into place. All was well over the summer, when I had the resources in the guest room of my in-laws (we were helping them out because of Covid) to work without distractions. Once we moved into our camper van again, the deadline proved very tight and stressful. We all learn with trial and error! 🙂
PS: I sometimes with for a stable home as well.
Marian — I look forward to reading Liesbet’s PLUNGE!
You will love it, Laurie. You and Liesbet share a similar temperament since your teen years: curious and adventuresome. Thanks for checking in this morning, early as usual. 🙂
Hi Laurie! It’s nice to meet a fellow adventurous soul. Happy reading! 🙂
There’s a seal perched on their sailboat steps! I’m intrigued.
Hi Jean! Any guesses where the photo with the sea lion was taken? 🙂
A sea lion, not a seal. Thanks for the correction.
My guess would be off the coast of California.
Good guess! But this one was taken in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. 🙂
Sister Jean, Liesbet’s book is certainly a cure for winter doldrums. She will transport you to tropical waters, no risk of the virus catching you. Thanks for reading and replying! 🙂
I can’t quite imagine writing a book in a language that was not my mother tongue. Wow. Secondly, I can’t imagine being a nomad. You were fortunate to actually meet them and I’m sure all this doesn’t seem so strange to you, they are just choosing a different way to live. If I were in their shoes/ambitious it would be interesting to try a journey I read about recently of traveling on foot from the southern tip of Africa (Capetown) up to northern Siberia–which you can supposedly navigate without needing to fly anywhere or use a boat. Not sure if the road/path etc. is car/truck worthy or not but it supposedly can take about a year and a half on foot. Of course, they’re sailors so this may not be their thing.
I appreciated the tip of subscribing to Jane Friedman’s blog; I think I used to, I will check her out again. Great post.
You always brig something new to the conversation like this: “traveling on foot from the southern tip of Africa (Capetown) up to northern Siberia–which you can supposedly navigate without needing to fly anywhere or use a boat.” And also noting her facility in English though Dutch is her native tongue. She also speaks French and other languages.
I’m not sure how I met Liesbet, but it was through another blog most likely. I can’t imagine a nomadic lift either, but it suits these two.
And, yes, I remember connecting to Jane Friedman through her blog and possibly book when I was writing Mennonite Daughter. She is well-known as author and publisher. Very wise – and practical too.
Again, thanks, Melodie! 🙂
Hello Melodie!
Now that sounds like a real adventure – journeying all the way from southern Africa to northern Siberia. I’d never attempt that on foot, but my husband and I have played with the idea of taking a camper from Europe to Singapore one day, and exploring Africa long-term another day. Plus, it’s been a dream of mine, since I was teenager, to take the Trans-Siberian Railroad from Moscow to Beijing through Siberia and Mongolia. So much to see and do, so little time! 🙂
While we sailed for eight years in the Caribbean and South Pacific, we are RVing in North America now. Much easier, especially with dogs, but I miss exploring different countries and cultures. Thank you for the inspiration about another epic journey!
😀
A great interview with Liesbet. She has had a fascinating life and I´m glad she wrote a memoir about it.
Her life to date has been very adventuresome and bold. I expect second book from her now that she is traveling the USA in Zesty with Mark and Maya. She writes in her journal every day, so she has the detail to support a sequel. Thanks for tuning in today, Darlene! 🙂
You do remember how much work writing a memoir is, right? 🙂 I like your thinking, Marian, but I feel that our current lifestyle is quite boring compared to our sailing adventures. Of course, if we end up taking Zesty to South America one day… 🙂
Thanks for the interest, Darlene. I’m trying to find a balance between living the adventure and writing about it. 🙂
Having followed Liesbet’s journey, I’m thrilled for her and the success of Plunge. I enjoyed learning more about her between the pages of her fantastic memoir. I’m happy she discovered Jane Friedman’s blog. It’s a goldmine of information.
Hi Jill! I’m so happy you enjoyed reading my book and you left a fantastic review. You and Marian have been fabulous cheerleaders on my road to completing and publishing Plunge.
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Jill, I know you have promoted Liesbet and have written a review for her amazing book, I believe. It’s good to see great writers succeed, especially with a debut memoir. Thank for being a part of that success and letting us know here. 🙂
Good morning, Marian! Although, I’m pretty sure it’s already afternoon in Florida. Thank you so much for featuring me and Plunge on your blog today. I enjoyed answering your questions and look forward to interacting with your readers. My apologies for being a tad late – we just returned to “internet territory,” after 24 hours in the boonies. We’re in town (Yuma) to work and will head back into nature again to sleep. 🙂
You are very welcome. My pleasure!
I understand completely, Liesbet. Actually, I was surprised at the “turnout” this early, as many of my readers were watching the inauguration proceedings as I was.
It’s always a delight to see someone turn their daily life, no matter what it is, into a memoir. I doubt that I’ve travelled anywhere that’d make a great story, but I enjoy the idea of it. Lovely that you could interview Liesbet about her process and subsequent book.
Yes, indeed. I knew the essence of Liesbet’s story but what surprised me when I read the book was how engaging it was: I literally felt all the emotions Liesbet felt as she experienced them: treacherous waters, illness, even angst about her boyfriend in the middle of the ocean, where there’s no getting away. This one’s for you, Ally, the armchair anthropologist – ha! 😀
Hi Ally! So many things resemble an adventure and are worth writing about. People can travel in their own neighborhood or country and encounter people or creatures worthy of a book, or experiences worthy of a tale. 🙂
That’s rather the premise of my blog– experiences worthy of a tale! 🤔
;-D
Perfect!
“I’d rather regret the things I did than the things I missed out on.” That sentence intrigued me, and I so identify with it! Since I’m in my mid seventies I have the advantage of looking back and seeing what has all taken place in my life. What do I regret? A few things, not many, nothing crucial. Looking back, I had a great life because I said YES to God’s call, quite fearlessly I must say! It took me around the world, to Africa and back again. Yes, there was heartache and loss along the way, but that’s life. That will come whether you embrace life fully or hang back fearfully. While I Embraced life I also felt embraced by the loving arms of my heavenly Father and that has made all the difference! Thank you, Marian, for introducing us to Liesbet and her adventurous life. Liesbet, congratulations. Keep on writing and embracing life to its fullest!
Thank you so much, Elfrieda! What a delight to have traveled all over the world as well. One of my goals in life is to have no regrets. There are bound to be a few things that I might have changed, like you, but in general, I’m still on the right track. Happiness oozes from your comment and that makes me smile wide! 🙂
Thanks for your affirmation to Liesbet. She has never hung back and I doubt she ever will. It’s not in her nature.
Like you, I have looked back on decades and have seen how my heavenly Father has guided my steps even when I’ve felt unsure. So, no regrets from me either. Yesterday I got out my stack of prayer cards and gratitude books which began in 1985, all a tribute to God’s faithfulness.
Liesbet will read your comment here and be encouraged. Again, thanks, Elfrieda.
Enjoyed meeting Liesbet and learning about Plunge!
Bette, Liesbet is like Shawn Daniels in your novel Dog Bone Soup – strong and full of courage. I promise you’ll be transported reading PLUNGE.
It’s good to see you here. Thanks for commenting! 😀
Hello Bette! Nice to meet you as well. Thank you for reading and commenting!
I love that Liesbet doesn’t have a phone. It is possible to function in 2021 without one. I own one, but I’m not glued to it like so many. I enjoyed reading Plunge, especially getting inside the head of someone who made these lifestyle choices. I think it’s fascinating to look at life from such a different perspective.
The title Plunge is a metaphor for life. Sometimes we’ve got to put on our big boy pants and go for it. I just wish I wouldn’t have taken so many years to gain this perspective. Better late than never!
I haven’t read what Liesbet’s follow-up plans are. I’m imagining another memoir and writing about the years on land, but I’m curious if she has any plans to write fiction.
You covered all the bases, Pete, and then some. Yes, I believe PLUNGE is a metaphor for Liesbet’s lifestyle and it succeeds, I think, because through dialogue and descriptive detail you are able to get inside the author’s head.
Liesbet has been reading these comments, so she’ll probably divulge what her goals for writing in future. By the way it’s great to have a reader put on his “big boy pants.” In other words, it’s good to have a male voice here. Thank you, Pete! 🙂
Hi Pete!
My husband has a phone and that seems to be enough. I use my computer for work and blog writing and my tablet for emails, blog comments, diary, social media, and to Skype my parents and best friend. I don’t like phone calls and feel more comfortable writing. You might have guessed that! 🙂
I appreciate you swinging by Marian’s blog as well. We seem to be circulating in the same circles! If there is one thing I have no regrets about, it’s having been able (somehow) to travel my entire life, without it being my job. These last years are quite boring compared to my sailing years, so I’m not sure it’s worthy of another memoir. I have a few book ideas, but really would like to enjoy my life on the road again before I dive into the next major project.
Fiction writing sounds appealing, but I have never tried it. I feel real life has enough crazy characters and experiences worthy of a story… Yet, the possibilities with fiction are endless!
Fabulous to see Liesbet featured here Marian. I have to say about Liesbet’s comment about the palpable parts of our writing that sometimes take a beat and can make us cry – if it can make the writer cry, you know you’re going to touch others. <3
Yes, Debby, when I read her answer to that interview question, I nodded in agreement. As you know, memoir writers do re-live the experiences they write about. I remember how I felt when I wrote two chapters of my story.
You featured Liesbet on your blog earlier, so thanks for that – and for appearing here in support. You are the best! 🙂
Hey, you guys are my blog fam! 🙂 And yes, you know all about the welling up when editing our stories over and over. 🙂 Hugs xx
Welcome, Debby! Yes indeed, you are fam – a sister, in fact. You have read, reviewed, and featured Liesbet and her book on your site too. Yay!
You definitely make the blog world a better place, to say the least! 🙂
Amen to that, Marian! Debby deserves a medal!
I’m humbled my friend, thank you 🙂 x
You are the expert memoir writer, Debby. And, I’m sure you have been able to evoke all kinds of emotions in your readers. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for you to write certain episodes in your books, especially the ones about your narcissistic mother. Thank you for swinging by here and promoting all my guest posts and interviews on social media!
My absolute pleasure Liesbet! <3
Wonderful review Marian, thank you both! Your book sounds excellent Liesbet. Happy continued travels, keep safe and well.
Hello from South Africa, Susan. Thanks for your good wishes. Liesbet and Mark are now in California, and as far as I know keeping healthy these days. All best to you and your family too. 🙂
Hello Susan! Thank you for your kind words. We are being very careful, camping in wide open places away from people. I hope you are staying safe and healthy as well, across the pond.
What an adventure Liesbet is having…I wish I had started mine earlier in life but too late now…I’m sure Taking the Plunge will be an awesome read …Nice share, Marian 🙂 x
Carol, in my view, you’ve already made your splash, plunging from the British Isles (I hope I’m right!) to Thailand, where you are enjoying life in the land of smiles. 🙂
You would love Liesbet’s book because although she takes big risks, she comes out okay in the end. (But of course–she has lived to tell the tale!)
Yes you are, Marian but sailing the seas is going that extra mile.. I admire that greatly.. 😀
It’s never too late to take a little risk – or plunge – and expand those horizons, Carol. Based on Marian’s comment, you already have. So awesome! Thailand is an amazing country. I backpacked there in the 1990s. That sounds ancient. I hope to return to SE Asia with my husband one day. Being an expat in SE Asia or Mexico is sounding mighty attractive to us!
Its a beautiful place so much to enjoy and learn they have so mucht
I agree Thailand is amazing so steeped in tradition and culture as are the surrounding countries so much to experience and learn…You have plenty of time to do both, Liebet…India is next on my list after all this ends so much to see and the clock ticks on…
India is quite something else… At least it was when I backpacked there a long time ago, in 1995. I was twenty and it was my first trip out of Europe. I was very open-minded, so the culture shock didn’t quite take effect. 🙂 I hope you get to go this year, Carol! Please, take care.
I am quite open minded and certainly when we visit Aston’s grandmother and family we sleep on the floor the same as they do ..no mod cons there but lovely people who make us so welcome..I am also good with squat toilets anything really…Food has been a revelation but I try anything once and much I like …if you don’t embrace a culture you will never fit in and would miss so much which you probably have discovered be well and stay safe 🙂
You have the perfect attitude, Carol. I love it! Stay healthy as well!
Marian, thank you for this interesting interview. I am a huge fan of Liesbet and I loved her travel memoir.
Hello, Gilda. I’m certain I’ve seen you on Liesbet’s blog “Roaming About.” You too are a traveler who doesn’t want to defer adventure; you’re photos of Italy on your website are awesome. We enjoyed the highlights of Italy too: Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany, and the Amalfi coast. So lovely.
Brava to more travel and exploration! 🙂
Marian, Gilda has been a super fan of Roaming About, Plunge, and our lifestyle. I feel like we are kindred spirits as she is incredibly adventurous, loves to travel, and has an RV (motorhome) as well! 🙂 One day, she and I will meet, in the UK, Europe, or elsewhere. Iceland? 🙂
Gilda, you keep being amazing! I sure hope we can ever meet in person, so I can thank you with a real hug for all your support and encouragement!
I remember last year’s post very well. Has it really been that long? So much has happened in the world! The book sounds amazing and I will look out for it. They certainly are my kind of people! 👍
Fatima, you & Peter and Liesbet & Mark are a perfect pairing. You would “click” immediately as you have roamed the earth either on foot or on wheels. I hope you will read her memoir soon. You, of all people, can understand the trials and triumphs of the journey. You too can relate to being with a partner in close quarters 24/7. Thanks for checking in today! 🙂
I most certainly can relate to living with partner in close quarters; luckily we tolerate each other’s company quite well, but we also make sure we have time apart through work, exercise, etc. Not sure many people would find it so easy, though! 😉
Hello Fatima! Strange but true and oh-so hard to believe… This last year has flown by, despite everything. Crazy how the older you get, the faster time ticks. How wonderful to learn that you and your partner have roamed the world long-term as well. Happy to connect!
We love travelling in our motorhome and lived in it for 2 1/2 years, but are back in a house now as weather in England is too harsh for motorhome living. So glad we did it, though! 😉
Doing it before Brexit (unintentionally maybe) was probably a good idea. My husband and I hope to tour Europe in a small camper one day as well. I’m originally from Belgium and all my family lives there, so I’m sure this will happen in the future. 🙂 My friend Gilda (above) lives in the UK as well and they too go on long journeys in their motor home. Let’s hope after the pandemic all this is possible again!
Hi Marian, it’s so nice to meet you as you feature Liesbet’s Plunge. Your own story of being a Mennonite girl sounds fascinating! I’m currently reading Plunge and appreciate how Liesbet can weave facts and emotions into what almost feels like an impossible journey. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Liesbet twice IRL. Thank you for a great review and best wishes to Liesbet for continuing success.
Welcome, Terri. I marveled too how well Liesbet could weave the narrative of the journey with her deep emotions. That’s what makes her memoir so sensational. The fact that you’ve met Liesbet twice suggests that there are fewer than 6 degrees of separation between us. I appreciate your kind words and hope you will have an opportunity to read Mennonite Daughter sometime!
Again, thanks for commenting. 🙂
I see that we are both former educators. I just finished 19 years as a lecturer at Sacramento State University teaching in recreation and parks management. Onward and upward. I’ve downloaded your book and look forward to reading!
Terri, I hope you enjoyed your experience in education as much as I have.
And, I’m SO PUMPED! Thanks heaps for downloading my book. I’d love to hear what you think of it when you finish. 😀
Hi Terri! Thanks for swinging by Marian’s blog and leaving a comment. And how great you downloaded Mennonite Daughter. You will find that you and Marian have more in common than being educators, bloggers, and authors. 🙂 Like you, she has a deep faith and strong beliefs, is kind and supportive, and enjoys making new connections.
🙂
Yes, I am sure it will all go back to normal eventually. Positive thinking! 👍
Having inhaled Plunge already, I am a big fan of Liesbet. Lovely to read more about her journey. I can not imagine writing in two languages.
Hi Sue! Thanks for hopping over to Marian’s blog. To be honest, I think I’d have the hardest time writing in Dutch right now. I still “practice” in emails to family and on the phone to my parents, but an entire book… Mmmm. I’d have to start thinking and dreaming in Dutch again first. 🙂
Welcome, Sue! At least one of my other readers here, an author and editor, noted Liesbet’s what I’ll call “limber language use.” I like that you used the phrase “inhaled Plunge,” as the memoir is so very sensory rich. Thanks for stopping in to comment.
Oh – I definitely want to give this a read!
Whether you order an e-book or a paperback, PLUNGE will rescue you from winter doldrums and transport you to the high seas. Happy reading, Fiona!
Hello Fiona! Welcome aboard. 🙂
I plunged into LIesbet’s book as soon as I saw it (beta reader first) and then the “real” paperback. So I’ve read it twice, and each time was so enthralled with her story and enthralled with her ability to write with such an honest and open voice. In fact, I’m now going to order the book and send it to my good friend in Texas. Great suggestion to send this book to friends as a gift.
PLUNGE has captured the imagination of readers since it published in November 2020. And you understand the appeal of the book having engrossed yourself in the story: detailed prose and a voice of vulnerability. What a winning combination. Liesbet will be thrilled that you are gifting her book to a Texas friend. (She reads ALL the comments here.)
Huge hugs for your happy comment here! ((( )))
Thanks for suggesting the gifting idea, Marian! You are right, books make fantastic gifts. I actually played with the idea of gifting Plunge to a few family members for Christmas, but then I would not sell any, haha! I did gift it to one (famous) friend; it was the first time I signed a copy. 🙂
That’s awesome, Pam! I hope your Texas friend like Plunge as much as you do. I’m looking forward to plunging into your newest book soon. 🙂
A famous friend, Liesbet? Hmmmm. . .
Gifting may be worth it with many happy returns! ! 🙂
The founding member of Blood, Sweat, and Tears, Marian. He had written his memoir when we house and pet sat for him and his artistic potter wife and gifted me a signed copy while we were there. He also played guitar for us and we became friends. 🙂
That’s wonderful, Liesbet. You have such great connections; this one sounds serendipitous. 🙂
I know she’ll love it!
🙂
Fascinating! What an interesting life and the book must reflect that, too. I’m one of those people who likes being home most the time (even before covid and partly because of my hearing loss) and I never could have written a memoir on the road–so I love reading about Liesbet’s adventures and how she made that happen.
My one and only memoir was not self-published, but it still demanded more focus and energy than I had imagined. I play with the idea of writing a second book, maybe about raising Monarch butterflies, but I need a passion for the project I don’t have right now. Maybe it will come later, but I’m letting life lead the way. In June, the Monarchs will return. Thanks for another creative blog, Marian.
Me too! I’d classify myself more as a homebody though we traveled abroad several summers after the children left home. I could never lead an entirely nomadic life, but I do like to read about the adventures of those who do. Liesbet and Mark have been together for more than 14 years and haven’t “sat still” since they met – two sailing trips together and now roaming about in their RV. I guess I’d say, “Vive la difference!”
I notice you have had another snow storm, but each day brings you closer to the return of the Monarchs – yay! 🙂
Hi Marian and Liesbet. Congratulations on your book, Liesbet. I remember Marian’s earlier post about you. How wonderful to use your journaling skills to document your experiences!
Yes, Liesbet’s journaling was the key to the vivid detail in PLUNGE. You as a librarian and book lover would really appreciate her preserved memories comes to life in the memoir, Barbara. 🙂