Observing Leslie
Thinking Wandering Migrating Journal
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The History and Future of Switzerland’s Annual Autumn Cow Parade
The History and Future of Switzerland’s Annual Autumn Cow Parade

At the arrival of autumn in Switzerland, you might be surprised by a procession of beflowered cows and traditionally dressed herders filing down the mountain.

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WanderingLeslie FarnsworthSeptember 25, 2024Switzerland, culture, history Comments
A Reading Challenge: Why You Might Like Horror—Even if You Think You Don’t
A Reading Challenge: Why You Might Like Horror—Even if You Think You Don’t

If you think you don’t like horror novels and short stories, you may not have the full perspective on horror fiction. Hear me out—especially if you like thriller and suspense books.

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ThinkingLeslie FarnsworthSeptember 18, 2024books, literature, culture Comments
Ideas for Day Trips around Burlington, Vermont
Ideas for Day Trips around Burlington, Vermont

When we stayed in Burlington, we had more options for day trips than we had time to take. Here are our favorites—all less than a two-hour drive from town.

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WanderingLeslie FarnsworthSeptember 11, 2024travel, history, cultureComment
Month-in-Review Highlights: August 2024
Month-in-Review Highlights: August 2024

Late in the month I marveled at how gloriously long August seemed this year thanks to all the things I did and the people I saw and the places I went.

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JournalLeslie FarnsworthSeptember 4, 2024goals, postmortemComment
Why the U.S. Celebrates Labor Day Instead of May Day
Why the U.S. Celebrates Labor Day Instead of May Day

If many countries have a holiday to honor laborers, why isn’t it an international holiday celebrated on the same day?

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ThinkingLeslie FarnsworthAugust 28, 2024history, culture Comments
Ideas for a Summer Vacation in Burlington, Vermont
Ideas for a Summer Vacation in Burlington, Vermont

When we sought a summer vacation spot in the United States, I figured I should buck up and check out Vermont. Finally.

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WanderingLeslie FarnsworthAugust 21, 2024travel, vacationComment
The Why and What of the Bears in Bern
The Why and What of the Bears in Bern

If you wander through central Bern, in Switzerland, you might stumble on some bears Natural question: Why? Here’s the full story and the scoop on how to visit.

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WanderingLeslie FarnsworthAugust 14, 2024Switzerland, history, cultureComment
Month-in-Review Highlights: July 2024
Month-in-Review Highlights: July 2024

A lot of moving around geographically in July, but work and goals still progressed while the adventures unfolded.

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JournalLeslie FarnsworthAugust 7, 2024goals, postmortem, travelComment
How the French Schedule their Summer Vacations
How the French Schedule their Summer Vacations

In France, family tradition dictates when summer vacation happens, with great debates over which dates are better—and who is better, based on which dates they prefer.

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WanderingLeslie FarnsworthJuly 31, 2024France, culture, vacationComment
Swim to the Office: Summer River Commuting in Switzerland
Swim to the Office: Summer River Commuting in Switzerland

During the hot summer months in at least two Swiss cities—Basel and Bern—workers commute to or from their jobs via river.

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WanderingLeslie FarnsworthJuly 24, 2024Switzerland, CultureComment
My Go-To Snack, Treat, and Meal Spots in Lyon
My Go-To Snack, Treat, and Meal Spots in Lyon

These are our favorite cafes, coffee shops, and patisseries in the center of town that we pop into as we wander between activities when we visit. (And we visit often!)

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WanderingLeslie FarnsworthJuly 17, 2024France, food, cultureComment
Books I've Read: Q2 2024
Books I've Read: Q2 2024

I ranged all over the place with my reading in Q2 2024, from what felt like the gamut of fiction genres through to nonfiction on the writing craft and beyond.

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JournalLeslie FarnsworthJuly 10, 2024books, reading, cultureComment
Month-in-Review Highlights: June 2024
Month-in-Review Highlights: June 2024

June was a hodgepodge of experiences professional and personal and otherwise, which made it an emotional rollercoaster of a month. And with more of those ahead, too.

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JournalLeslie FarnsworthJuly 3, 2024goals, postmortemComment
My Favorite Podcasts for Readers, Writers, and Book Lovers
My Favorite Podcasts for Readers, Writers, and Book Lovers

Anyone who reads this blog knows I’m a huge book nerd who also writes fiction. Whether or not you write, if you love reading, you’ll love these podcasts.

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ThinkingLeslie FarnsworthJune 26, 2024reading, writing, literature, culture Comments
France’s Fête de la Musique: Music in the Streets on the Longest Day of the Year
France’s Fête de la Musique: Music in the Streets on the Longest Day of the Year

Each year on the first official day of summer—June 21, the day after the summer solstice—France (and the rest of the world, so I hear) celebrate Make Music Day.

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WanderingLeslie FarnsworthJune 19, 2024France, culture, musicComment
The Apex of Automobile Endurance Racing: The 24 Hours of Le Mans
The Apex of Automobile Endurance Racing: The 24 Hours of Le Mans

The 24 Hours of Le Mans (24 Heures du Mans, in French) takes place on a racetrack near Le Mans, France. It is the oldest active—and most internationally famous—endurance race.

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WanderingLeslie FarnsworthJune 12, 2024France, culture Comments
Month-in-Review Highlights: May 2024
Month-in-Review Highlights: May 2024

Much progress on the writing fronts in May 2024, hitting target for two big projects. Doesn’t mean I will make my goals for the year, as I have far still to go, but I’m at least on track. (I think.)

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JournalLeslie FarnsworthJune 5, 2024goals, postmortem, writing Comments
Why Travelers Should Use Global English
Why Travelers Should Use Global English

I recommend anglophones on travel—who have the luxury of a native language quite commonly spoken by nonnative speakers—stick to what I call “global English.”

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WanderingLeslie FarnsworthMay 29, 2024travel, language learning, CultureComment
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