Why I Need a Blog
Or what happens when 35 years of publishing a print magazine every month suddenly and abruptly comes to an end
Howdy! Thank you for reading Expat Life—musings from a Dutch-American couple as they navigate life in Europe, Mexico, and beyond. Welcome to the community!
It all started with a hacker.
I won’t get into the gory details, but this hacker caused so much stress (thankfully, no financial trauma) that I decided I was done with my 35+ career as a publisher of regional monthly magazines.
1. TBH, I was ready.
After 35 years of deadlines (that’s 420 for you math nerds), I was ready for a change. So maybe I should thank Mr. Hacker for giving me the nudge to start something new.
2. So a month went by . . . .
I felt so weird. Like, where were my people that I talked to every month in my columns, most recently in Tidewater Family Magazine’s “Take Five”? These columns were a place for me to share homespun wisdom and lessons in life. And, as you all know (or will soon), I’m an avid traveler and loved writing travel stories in our monthly magazines.
3. A blog? Why not?
Keeping in touch via Substack is a no-brainer, so please subscribe if you like reading my work. You’ll be treated to a melange of stories, travel tales, and observations written in the same “over-the-back-fence” style. When you get my latest post, grab a cup of coffee (or tea or wine), plop down on the couch, and enjoy a few moments of peaceful time to yourself. I plan to post once per week. There will also be paid-only content in the future. If you opt to become a paid subscriber (for a very minimal fee), you’ll be able to read all my posts. Hopefully, my writing will inspire you to think differently about our world and your place in it.
4. Photos, too!
Here I am with Peter, my adventurous husband, on a trail ride near Plakias, Crete, in May 2025. Giddy-up!