Sylvia Rose
Pioneering German Women - Bertha Benz
In August 1888, Bertha Benz of Mannheim, Germany loads her kids into a revolutionary vehicle and heads for Pforzheim. She drives the Benz...
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Sylvia Rose
May 18, 20237 min read
Butzemann, Witches & Nyx - Scare 'em Good
The Butzemann, witches and Nyx are all Kinderschrecken, literally 'child frights' of German folklore. The purpose of a Kinderschreck is...
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Sylvia Rose
May 17, 20233 min read
3 Great German Artists for Art Lovers
Here are three amazing German artists everyone should know. Franz Marc is a founder of German expressionism. Käthe Kollwitz depicts war...
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Sylvia Rose
May 13, 20233 min read
Romanesque - Magic of Light & Stone
Europe is famous for Romanesque architecture. Grand, elaborate stonework with stunning use of windows, vaults and arches appears in...
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Sylvia Rose
May 12, 20232 min read
Nibelung - Stories of Heroes & Worms
Ancient Worms, Germany is central to the story of Germanic hero Siegfried and epic poem Nibelungenlied (Song of the Nibelungs). Prince...
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Sylvia Rose
May 8, 20234 min read
The Anxious Victorian - Mental Health
The Victorian era brings progress to Europe, but also problems. Increased pace of life leads to stress conditions such as neurasthenia ,...
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Sylvia Rose
May 7, 20234 min read
Frau Holle - A German Fairy Tale
A mother, her daughter Hilda and stepdaughter Elsa live in a house in the woods. Elsa does all the work as the other two are lazy, but...
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Sylvia Rose
May 5, 20232 min read
The Bronze Monkey of Heidelberg
Among the most endearing attractions of Heidelberg is the Bronze Monkey or Bridge Monkey . Much of the action in Death Cruise , the...
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Sylvia Rose
May 3, 20234 min read
Wiedergänger - the German Undead
Wiedergänger are Undead who cannot rest. They're hideous vampires who curse their families from beyond the grave; ravaging werewolves,...
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Sylvia Rose
May 1, 20234 min read
Steam & Style - Agrippina of the Rhine
This is the story of paddle steamship Agrippina of the Rhinel the fate of the Empress Agrippinal; and the lowdown on Victorian era trends.
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Sylvia Rose
Apr 29, 20232 min read
Speyer, Lorelei & Murder on the Rhine
Enjoying a fabulous Rhine cruise here in Canada! The Rhine is one of most romantic rivers in the world, with gorgeous scenery, ancient...
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Sylvia Rose
Apr 27, 20233 min read
Chicken Soup: Chickens in German Folklore
Chickens are a large part of folklore and mythology in Germany. They may be grain or harvest spirits, house spirits or dragon chickens....
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Sylvia Rose
Apr 24, 20232 min read
Magic of Music & Cats
Cats are the second most common pet in the world, after goldfish. When I helped Mama Cat raise four kittens, even the darkest of moods...
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Sylvia Rose
Apr 23, 20236 min read
Steam & Coal in Victorian Germany
In Victorian era Germany, steam is an engineer's dream. Wood burning steam machines and logging for quick construction almost destroy the...
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Sylvia Rose
Apr 21, 20232 min read
Victorian Detective Murder Mysteries
A luxury Rhine cruise turns into a trip to murder as Reiker goes undercover to solve a slew of tourist murders.
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Sylvia Rose
Apr 20, 20233 min read
Care and Feeding of Your German Kobold
One of the most fascinating creatures of German mythology and folklore is the Kobold. Elusive and canny, Kobolds are house spirits, ship...
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Sylvia Rose
Apr 18, 20232 min read
Lora Ley Adventures - Feast of Fools
Action, celebration and madness ensue as half-Nyx Lora and Wolf find themselves in the year 1148, the early Middle Ages of Germania....
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Sylvia Rose
Apr 17, 20233 min read
Wild Women and Winter Tales
December 25 marks the Feast of Frau Holle or Hulda in Germany. She's also celebrated at the Winter Solstice as a goddess of Light. Her...
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Sylvia Rose
Apr 12, 20234 min read
Queen Eleanor & the Calamitous Crusade
The final novella of the Lora Ley - Winter Tales has a time travel twist and takes us to the Germania of 1148 AD. The Feast of Fools ...
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