Thinkingdog Publishing

When people ask me what I miss most about Germany, they expect me to say something dramatic like castles, cobblestones, or perhaps men in lederhosen playing accordions under ancient oak trees. But no. The truth is far simpler—and far sweeter. I miss Kaffee und Kuchen. In Germany, Sunday afternoons have a rhythm as steady as a church bell. Around three or four o’clock, no matter how busy the week has been, people pause. Coffee is brewed. Cakes—sometimes rich and chocolatey like a proper Black Forest, sometimes fruity, tart, and dusted with sugar, sometimes streusel-strewn and buttery—are sliced and plated. Families and friends gather around tables, whether in kitchens or crowded cafés, and for one golden hour the world slows down. It isn’t really about the cake, though heaven knows the cake is reason enough. It’s about connection. It’s about talking face to face rather than through texts or rushed phone calls. It’s about traditions that stitch the week together, offering the promise t...

Why I Escape to a Cabin With No Wifi (And Maybe You Should Too) So… why do I disappear into the wilds of the canadian North with no Wi-Fi, questionable plumbing, and a fridge that sounds like it’s crying at night? Because it’s the only place I actually relax. Yes, I know, you can technically relax anywhere. A spa, a beach, your own backyard hammock with a pink drink and a book about Scandinavian murders. But here’s the catch: I don’t. When I have ten minutes of peace in my regular life, my brain goes, “Oooh, time to spiral!” Suddenly I’m obsessing over Chapter 4 and why it still reads like it was written by a caffeinated octopus. Or I remember that the audio edits on my last audiobook were a smidge less than perfect, and maybe I should recheck that pause at the 47-minute mark. And by the way, did I ever respond to that email about the email about the podcast interview? I don’t relax. I rev . Blame it on my upbringing. I grew up in a German household, and let me tell you, asking...

Wow, Oakville! Did you step outside today and witness the magic in the sky?  We just experienced a total solar eclipse, and let me tell you, it was absolutely awe-inspiring! As the moon slowly crept across the sun, the world dimmed in an otherworldly way. Birdsong quieted, replaced by a hush that seemed to hold its breath.  Streetlights flickered on, confused by the sudden twilight settling in the middle of the afternoon. Then, for a glorious few minutes, the sun vanished completely.  A ring of fire, the corona, encircled the black hole in the sky, a sight both breathtaking and a little eerie.  Gasps and cheers erupted from rooftops and parks as everyone shared this incredible celestial moment. Here in Oakville, the total eclipse lasted for about ten minutes.  But even the partial phases, as the moon began to cover and then uncover the sun, were mesmerizing.  The whole experience was a powerful reminder of the vastness of space and the wonder of our univers...