Searching for true wilderness in Cleveland National Forest, a desperate longing to escape the noise and rush of the city. The journey included hikes in the mountains and moments of quiet solitude.

Local Travel, TravelTera VannoyJanuary 26, 2026national park, hiking, hiking southern california, southern california nature, southern california hiking trails, hiking trails, wilderness, open space, nature trail, nature photography, nature photographer, usa, USA, slow livingComment

WHAT HAS BEEN MISSING

Learning more about what had been missing from previous creative projects and finding solace and purpose in writing.

Writing Life, WritingTera VannoyJanuary 16, 2026writing routine, writing life, writing inspiration, writing practice, creative life, writing process, seeking purposeComment

QUE SERA, SERA

A new look at a year where things can change minute by minute or greatly depending on what happens over the summer. Following the journey of what led to this moment and why it is not just another year.

Writing, Mindful LivingTera VannoyJanuary 12, 2026new year, living abroad, learning a new language, live the languageComment

2025 WRITING LESSONS

Learning the process of writing through the enjoyment of reading.

Writing, Writing LifeTera VannoyJanuary 5, 2026writing lession, writing inspiration, writing life, writer, lessons in writing, learning while reading, life of a writerComment

NOVEMBER 2025 READING LIST

Daughters of the Winter Queen begins the legacy of the current British throne. William Stoner leads a passive life as a farmer’s son turned English professor, enduring a loveless marriage and a difficult career. Living By Fiction, a collection of meditative essays about the spiritual process of writing.

Book Reviews, ReadingTera VannoyDecember 19, 2025books to read, book review, reading list, stoner, john williams, annie dillard, nancy goldstone, historical fiction read, historical fiction, historical fiction book review, living by fictionComment

IDENTITY | JORGE LUIS BORGES

Selected quotes from On Argentina, a collection of stories that explores Borges’ heartfelt and nostalgic view of his homeland.

Book Quote, ReadingTera VannoyDecember 12, 2025argentina, on argentina, jorge luis borges, quotes about buenos airesComment

SEATTLE IN SUMMER

A walk around Green Lake. Stepping into the woods of Carkeek Park. Strolls around the Phinney Ridge and Ballard neighborhoods looking for Little Free Libraries.

TravelTera VannoyDecember 5, 2025usa, USA, seattle, travel photography, nature photography, green space, slow livingComment

OCTOBER 2025 READING LIST

Immersed in the life of forest animals in Bambi. The tale of Joan of Arc and the formidable Yolanda of Aragon in The Maiden and the Queen. One family in Provence produced Four Queens who ruled in Europe. The determined reign of Joanna I in The Lady Queen. A dystopian YA about The 100 teens sent to Earth a century after a nuclear war.

Reading, Book ReviewsTera VannoyNovember 18, 2025reading list, nancy goldstone, books to read, book review, bambi, the 100, historical fiction, historical fiction read, historical fiction book review, dystopianComment

SEASONS | SUE HUBBELL

Selected quotes from Hubbell’s reflective memoir, A Country Life, where she discusses life after divorce, solitude, and beekeeping in the Ozarks.

Book Quote, ReadingTera VannoyNovember 3, 2025sue hubbell, slow living, nature reading, nature, a country year, seasons, seasons of life, backs about older womenComment

SEPTEMBER 2025 READING LIST

History told through the eyes of female rulers and leaders in Rival Queens. Swept away by descriptions of Buenos Aires and learning some important social history in On Argentina. Soaked in the quiet perspective of living season by season in A County Life.

TRAITS OF AN EMPATH - TARGET OF ENERGY VAMPIRES

Exploring the empath trait of losing energy from draining relationships, and how to set boundaries and protect oneself from fatigue.

Writing, Writing HealthTera VannoyOctober 8, 2025empathy, empath, empath fatigue, empath emotion, traits of an empath, writing as an empath, mental healthComment

OBSTACLES | PAULO COELHO

In the Introduction to The Alchemist, Coelho explains the four obstacles that prevent people from fulfilling their purpose.

Writing, Writing LifeTera VannoySeptember 22, 2025writing obstacles, writing routine, writing life, writing inspiration, writing practice, the alchemist, impossible dreams, personal legend, seeking purposeComment

AUGUST 2025 READING LIST

Searching for the source of the Nile in the River of the Gods. The bride is drinking rum, and a sullen admirer watches Dolly choose the wrong man in Cheerful Weather for a Wedding. Discovering man’s kinship with nature in Wilderness and the American Mind. An English Cinderella story turns gothic in The Making of a Marchioness.

Reading, Book ReviewsTera VannoySeptember 15, 2025river of the gods, source of the nile, candice millard, wilderness, roderick nash, national park, national forest, john muir, over civilized, julia strachey, cheerful weather for the wedding, little free library, frances hodgson burnett, the making of a marchionessComment

THE SECRET OF LIFE | PAULO COELHO

Selected quotes from The Alchemist focused on pursuing one's true life purpose by overcoming fear and following the heart. It highlights the profound interconnection in the universe, which we access through love and spiritual growth.

Reading, Book QuoteTera VannoySeptember 12, 2025the alchemist, paulo coehlo, life reflections, creative life, finding purpose, writing life, the alchemist quotes, paulo coelho quotesComment

MORNING PAGES PART I

Views on the practice of writing in the morning before reading The Artist Way.

Writing, Writing LifeTera VannoySeptember 5, 2025writing routine, writing inspiration, writing life, writing as a mom, writing journey, writer mom, morning pages, an artist way, writing process, writing practiceComment

Photography

emphasizing connection and compassion towards both nature and humanity.