I think it might be nice if there was a Cosimo de' Medici around today, offering commissions to the poor, but talented artists.

set sail on a voyage of your own titanic facts

While I was drawn to the Renaissance, my first (unpublished) novels took place in modern times. When the subject of alchemy started creeping into my stories, an astute mentor observed that the bits about alchemy might fit better in another time frame. When I finally decided to weave the pieces about the medieval science into historical settings, a successful novel began to emerge. (And I dusted off that art history book, and put it to use once again.)

I love teaching. It's a job that lasts forever. Whatever you teach children today travels with them far into the future.

I believe we're entering a new era, where dynamic female leaders will have an opportunity to bring greater harmony and peace to the planet.

There is no water and still less soap. We have no city, but lots of hope.

Then everything was still. Absolutely still.