by B.L. Unkel | Nov 12, 2022 | Writing
What do you do when you overhear a murderer talking about the murder she committed? Not a question most of us have ever had to consider, but that’s exactly the situation I found myself in several years ago while vacationing in England. Setting the Scene I’d...
by B.L. Unkel | Oct 1, 2022 | History
According to my niece, Johnny Appleseed—not George Washington—chopped down the cherry tree so he could plant his apple trees. But did you know during Prohibition the FBI made it their mission to chop down Johnny Appleseed’s apple trees to prevent the production of...
by B.L. Unkel | Aug 20, 2022 | Travel
Carousels reached the U.S. in the 1800s thanks to European immigrants. During the height of the “Golden Age of Carousels” (1880-1930) between 2,000-3,000 hand-carved and painted carousels operated in the states. More than one hundred years later, the number of...
by B.L. Unkel | Aug 13, 2022 | Travel
As an author, I’ve often heard, “Write what you know.” For carousel carvers of old, it was, “Carve what you know.” They knew horses. After all, as mentioned in DYK This Carnival Ride was Created to Train Warriors?, carousels began as a safe way to train warriors on...
by B.L. Unkel | May 7, 2022 | Travel
If you’re looking for a little magic on your next vacation, plan a visit to the Scottish Highlands. The folklore and legends of this beautiful and ancient land include Kelpies (a shape-shifting spirit described as a black horse-like creature who can take on human...