Crickey, if I see one more ad for “Gift ideas”, I’m going to scream. I understand it’s the season for giving and we all want to give our loved ones something nice, but the idea of scrolling through a list of random suggestions and buying a random gift just so you have something to hand… Continue reading Alternative Gift Guide
Sometimes you just hit the jackpot. You hit one of those moments when all your stars are aligned and everything seems just perfect. You’re in a cosy bar, in good company. The barman is handsome and chatty (even if he is half your age!) And you are sipping on the most sublime drink you’ve ever… Continue reading Bacon Schnapps?! Yes, please!
We all travel our own road. Even when we travel with partners or groups, we each take different things from the experience. We enjoy quiet moments away from the group or playful moments with a friend. We notice different details - a stick that might entertain a dog, a feather that might adorn our hair,… Continue reading Nemo Girls [Nemo Mergikės]
The weather has turned distinctly autumny over the past few weeks. We went from blazing heat every day for most of July to wind, rain, mist and chilly temperatures just as August began. While a bit of respite from the heat is welcome, I'm not ready for autumn just yet! Chestnut trees are always the… Continue reading Autumn comes too early
I am as drawn to wildflowers as I am to wild animals. I find them intoxicating, dizzying, especially when they grow together in great numbers. They are feisty and strong, pushing their colourful heads up in the wildest of places. They nod gently in the breeze or sway violently if the wind blows strong. Somehow,… Continue reading Flowering Rushes
There’s something about sand that brings out the child in all of us. The moment your toes hit the warm sand, you are transformed – you are free! Free to kick and dig and run and dive. Free to bury your friends, or yourself. You are a kid again! Lithuania may have a short coastline,… Continue reading Big kids, little kids!
‘Already, I feel different, calmer, freer.’The Irishwoman who moved to Lithuania. June Molloy from Wexford is travelling the length of Lithuania’s longest river this summer. You can read the full article here. Details of our journey along the Nemunas can be found here. Like what you see? Then please subscribe for updates on my writing,… Continue reading My article in today’s Irish Times
The soul of an evening is in the sky. That’s where the drama unfolds, if there is to be drama. Or the serenity, if she’s in a tranquil mood. Clouds drift softly, or fold themselves gently around the setting sun. At other times they move quickly, or form thick blankets that create a tapestry of… Continue reading Sunset Boulevard
Thirty years ago this year, I walked into Dublin's catering college for the first time, nervous and excited. It was a goal I had worked towards for many years and I couldn't wait to see what the coming years would bring. New skills, adventure, self-discovery and, of course, friendship. I had a wonderful time at… Continue reading Old Friends
Life is difficult sometimes. We make choices and think we're on the right path, but then life throws us a curve ball that knocks us off our path. A failed relationship. An unfulfilling career. Illness or injury. Or a global pandemic that keeps us away from friends and family and prevents us from doing the… Continue reading Revive your spirit on the Nemunas
It's hard to describe the peace and tranquility of floating on water, on a beautiful raft, down a beautiful river. Watching the bank slowly moving past, the wildlife undisturbed by the silent boat. The gentle bubbles on the surface of the water where it rolls over stones. The blue sky above, occasional clouds offering respite… Continue reading And We’re Off!
On this day eight years ago, I set sail from Rosslare in Wexford (Ireland) on a huge adventure - to travel through Europe in a small camper van, seeking out delicious food and wonderful scenery. That trip took me through England, France, Spain, Portugal, Switerland and Germany before arriving here in Lithuania. What was meant… Continue reading My Summer Plans – Sailing the Nemunas!
Hark, how blithe the throstle singsAnd he is no mean preacherCome forth into the light of thingsLet Nature be your teacherWilliam WOrdsworth I spend many hours in the forest and have been fascinated for some time by the song of a mysterious bird I could never see. It was reminiscent of a child's toy -… Continue reading Song Thrush
I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately. I wanted to live deep and suck all the marrow of life, to put to rout all that was not life, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. From "Walden", by Henry David Thoreau (condensed) I spend a… Continue reading Into the Woods
Spring came late in Lithuania this year. Winter didn't start in earnest until January, but it found its feet quickly and dug in hard. Snow fell on top of snow and temperatures held at about -19 C (-2 F) until the end of February. It was beautiful to behold, even if it cost a small… Continue reading Wildflowers
It's been a while since I made fajitas. I'm not sure why, as they really don't take very long to make. I guess I get stuck in a cooking rut sometimes and just end up making the same few dishes on repeat. But recently, when a friend came to lunch, I thought I'd pull out… Continue reading Homemade Fajitas [Recipe]
Music has always played a big part in my life, from singing songs in the car on long journeys to busking on Grafton Street and on to playing in various pubs and clubs around Dublin. I remember the first album I ever owned (a vinyl album of Walt Disney classics), buying my first single (Frankie,… Continue reading 30-Day Music Challenge
In my ongoing quest to live a healthier lifestyle, I try to avoid overly-processed and high-sugar foods. Luckily for me, I don't have much of a sweet tooth, but I do love hazelnut spread. I was shocked to discover that the "branded" spreads contain only 13% hazelnuts and a whopping 56% sugar. This homemade version… Continue reading Homemade Nutella
I envy animals sometimes. They live life in the moment. If they feel like eating, they eat. If they feel like sleeping, they sleep. And while they're alert for danger and will bolt if they feel the need, they return to their relaxed state very quickly. No need to dwell on that last danger. No… Continue reading Living in the Moment
"You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen...🎼" "Not again, Robert - WE'RE NOT REINDEER!" Like what you see? Then please subscribe for updates on my writing, photography & daily life. You can also follow on Facebook and Twitter. You can view more of my wildlife photos here and here.
It's incredible the joy a little animal can bring into your life. It's almost a year since I collected Luna from an animal shelter. Her mother had been dumped with seven tiny pups on an abandoned farm. I fell in love with her the moment I saw her. She had walked away from all the… Continue reading Lovely Luna!
We are lucky to have so much wildlife right on our doorstep. Roe deer are very flightly and quite hard to sneak up on - they are usually on the run and out of range before you can get your camera to your hand. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you'll catch one in flight. They are… Continue reading Roe Deer Doe
I find snow very soothing. It dulls sounds, softens light, quietens the mind. Having a dog is great for getting you out of the house and into the fresh air, even when the temperatures have fallen well below zero. I walk about 4 km each morning, and even though I regularly take the same route,… Continue reading Pale Morning Sun
One of the greatest joys of writing books for kids (or for any audience, to be honest) is getting positive feedback from readers. It takes a long time to write a book, and even longer to get it published, so hearing that people have read and enjoyed your work is extremely gratifying. A friend wrote… Continue reading Ask the Author – Millie’s Questions
I know lots of people are feeling "stuck" right now, with all the travel restrictions that are in place. I managed to make it to the seaside a few days ago. It was the first time I'd ever seen snow on sand and slushy ice at the water's edge. Between the sky, the sea and… Continue reading Stuck in Colder Weather
It seems that the whole world is now on lock-down, with the term "social distancing" now a part of our daily vernacular. While social distancing will hopefully help to stem the spread of coronavirus, self-isolating in this manner is not without its challenges. This is particularly true if you have kids who are now home… Continue reading Keeping Kids Entertained During Social Distancing
It was a swift ending to a long and fruitful life. One minute, she stood strong, leaves shivering in the gentle breeze, the next minute she was gone. Broken. Lifeless. All in about 15 seconds. When I stepped outside on Thursday afternoon, I was pleased to feel a breeze on my face. The weather had… Continue reading So long, and thanks for all the fruit
I've been watching the ducks down at our local pond since the start of April, following their journey. I think there are four drakes and three ducks. I certainly saw plenty of mating action in April and was really looking forward to seeing the ducklings emerge. I had spotted a few broken eggs on the… Continue reading Mallard with Ducklings
Making the most of nature's bounty is a huge part of my philosophy. I try to make use of anything that is available to me, whether it's fruit and vegetables I grow myself, that given to me by friends and neighbours or wild food I find out in the fields and forests. So when I… Continue reading Homemade Nettle Tea
I've waited so long to take these pictures. I know they're not perfect, but when one of your favourite animals strolls out from the trees a few metres away, you take whatever photos you can get, regardless of the strong shadows. Red deer feature prominently in my middle-grade novel, Guardian of Giria, and I have… Continue reading Red Deer Hind with Calf
A gorgeous male chaffinch. It's a pity there is a branch partially blocking him, but there is still some lovely colour and feather detail. Beautiful birds. Like what you see? Then please subscribe for updates on my writing, photography & daily life. You can also follow on Facebook and Twitter. You can view more of… Continue reading Male Chaffinch
There are days when I go out to take photos and seeing nothing of interest. Perhaps a few roe deer that run off as I approach or a fox skulking by a distant hedgerow. I regularly see birds, but most are small and skittish and have moved on before I can lift my camera. Once… Continue reading Bean Goose Migration
Driving through the countryside at the moment, the air is filled with the song of these tiny little birds. I scan the skies, I scan the fields, but they are so hard to spot. Finally, I see one. I sit and watch. I listen. It is magical. If you're not familiar with the beautiful song… Continue reading Skylark
Now that spring is here and the snow has finally melted, I am reopening my school & library visits. If you would like me to visit your school or library (here in Lithuania), please contact me and we can arrange a date. The presentation typically lasts for about one hour, but we can adjust this… Continue reading School & Library Visits: Now Reopening
Our house is nestled at the edge of our village, facing out onto fields and forests for as far as the eye can see. Sitting in my front room, I regularly see buzzards swooping and soaring over the fields. Generally, they are quite far in the distance, but occasionally they do come quite close. I… Continue reading A Buzzard Soars
One question that has come up a number of times when chatting with readers about Guardian of Giria is why I made wolves the “bad guys”. And my answer is this – the wolves are not the “bad guys,” they are the antagonists. And those are not the same thing. Let me explain. (Please note… Continue reading Why the Wolves are not the Bad Guys
Here's a great post from GroundEd on creating a visual display of your school library in the style of a NetFlix screen. Full instructions and a template are provided. View original post on GroundEd. Like what you see? Then please subscribe for updates on my writing, photography & daily life. You can also follow on… Continue reading Bookflix
A mistake I frequently see made by learners of English is use of the wrong possessive pronoun. For example, someone might say “it is yours coat” instead of “it is your coat”. Overview A pronoun is a small word which takes the place of a noun (or number of nouns) in a sentence, such as… Continue reading Possessive Pronouns (“Your” v “Yours”)
One of the most common mistakes I see being made by non-native speakers of English is incorrect use of definite and indefinite articles – “a/an” and “the”. This mistake is particularly common in countries where the native language does not have a similar grammar rule, such as here in Lithuania. Even those who speak English… Continue reading Definite & Indefinite Articles (“the” & “a/an”)
Between the mists and the snow, the roads look endless. Oh, to drive forever on such roads, the crunch of snow beneath my wheels, the cold air pouring through the open windows as I dare not miss a single sight. The countryside is already beautiful, but under a thick blanket of snow, it is magical.… Continue reading Snowy Lanes
Regardless of whether you are traditionally or self-published, you will need to be heavily involved in marketing your book. This means having a visible presence on a variety of social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, as well as attending a wide variety of events, either as a speaker or to mingle with… Continue reading Step 5: Market & Promote Your Book
Self-publishing is a huge area and whole books have been written on the topic. I have tried to condense what I’ve learned into a few short(ish) sections, but if you plan to self-publish you will need to explore each of these sections in much more detail. Editing Before you publish your book, you must ensure… Continue reading Step 4b: Self-Publish Your Book
If you would like to be traditionally published then you need to find a publisher who is interested in publishing your book. Some publishers will allow you to submit your manuscript directly to them. However, most big publishers will only accept submissions via an agent. Your first step is to research which publishers publish your… Continue reading Step 4a: Find an Agent and/or Publisher to Publish Your Book
Now that you have a well-written and clean manuscript, you need to decide which publishing route you would like to take. There are two main routes – either publish through a traditional publisher (the traditional route) or publish the book yourself (the self-publishing route). There are advantages and disadvantages to each. In a nutshell, with… Continue reading Step 3: Pick a Publishing Route
Yes, I know – you’ve written the perfect book. There’s nothing that could possibly be done to make it better. Except there is! I have no doubt that your book has the potential to be a bestseller or Man Booker prizewinner, but at the moment it is an unpolished gem. It needs lots of further… Continue reading Step 2: Make it Better
If you want to publish a book, the very first thing you need to do is write a book. You simply cannot publish a book that isn’t written. While it’s good to have an overview of the process of publishing before setting out on your own publishing journey, there is little point in reading multiple… Continue reading Step 1: Write a Book
Since I published My Food Odyssey - Lithuanian Food: Nine of my favourite traditional Lithuanian recipes early last year, and perhaps more so since I released Guardian of Giria earlier this year, I am often asked how to go about getting a book published. It’s a question that is not easy to answer in a… Continue reading 5 Steps to Publishing a Book
Please note that I am putting my Word of the Day and Idiom of the Week series on hiatus for December. They will return in the New Year. Like what you see? Then please subscribe for updates on my writing, photography & daily life. You can also follow on Facebook and Twitter. You can view… Continue reading Quizzically
For details on my Word of the Day and Idiom of the Week initiative, see here. Like what you see? Then please subscribe for updates on my writing, photography & daily life. You can also follow on Facebook and Twitter. You can view more of my wildlife photos here and here.
For details on my Word of the Day and Idiom of the Week initiative, see here. Like what you see? Then please subscribe for updates on my writing, photography & daily life. You can also follow on Facebook and Twitter. You can view more of my wildlife photos here and here.
June Molloy 