Author: Patricia Furstenberg

Patricia Furstenberg writes with passion about history that blends with fiction, about war heroes, human or canine, while her poems and children's books are uplifting and humorous. Welcome to her blog, Travel, History, Fiction ~ Romania & South Africa ~ 'For what is wind, but the amassed power of words long ago uttered?'
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A Mischief of Murder by Helen Hollick: Which Truth We Seek?

A Mischief of Murder by Helen Hollick

History rarely buries its secrets cleanly. We often mistake quiet for innocence. But history and human nature also suggest otherwise. I’ve been exploring a remarkable group of historical voices lately and discovered what lies beneath quiet surfaces. When confronted with the past, is it the truth we seek… or the version we can live with?

A beautiful story by Helen Hollick is featured in our new historical fiction anthology COURAGE: Tales of History, Mystery and Hope.

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Colorful Birds in a South African Garden, International Bird Day

Cape White Eye bird

We are lucky each winter to spot so many colorful birds in our garden, to have it turn into a theater of feathers and folklore. There are brilliant flashes of color, bold intruders strutting like conquerors, and quite a few picturesque personalities.

I am so happy to share with you not simply a list of birds, but a procession. And each one arrives with a story. Find more African birds and their legends here.

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Why Red and White Became the Colors of Mărțișor on March 1st

Why Red and White Became the Colors of Mărțișor

Red and white color my thoughts well ahead of 1st of March. In the Romanian tradition, on the first day of spring (in the Northern hemisphere), twined together, threads of red and white spring forward on Mărțișor day, quiet yet insistent. Unassumingly simple. Deceptively small. A charm no heavier than Spring’s first breath.

But red and white are never accidental. They’ve followed humanity across centuries and continents like faithful companions.

So why do red and white spell Spring?

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