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Recent Posts: M Thomas Apple Author Page
The Broken Valley: The Hidden German Civil War of the American Revolution
This is the third of a series of posts introducing the five-part historical fiction novel Unbowed, which will be published in November 2026. All five parts are based on true events and real people – my ancestors. The first post described the outcome of the Battle of Dunbar in 1650 and one of its survivors, […]
Mind your own business!
If you had to sum up your life philosophy in one sentence, what would it be? As my Anglo-Irish immigrant ancestor Thomas Bushell wrote in his Will and Testament: “Live and let live.” Far too many people want to know what’s happening in other people’s bedrooms. You do want you want to do, and leave […]
Why do we still say camera “roll”?
Share a few recent shots from your camera roll, no context needed.
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© Matthew Apple and Taking Leave, 2009-2020. Duplication of this material without express and written permission is strictly prohibited. If you would like to post or copy brief excerpts from the blog, please provide a link to the original URL along with an author’s credit.
Category Archives: art
Working Cover
Quick update on the book: In the end, I’ve decided to go the indie route to self-publication. An update to the update! (2/16) It looks like I won’t be self-publishing this one after all. A small press that normally published ESL/EFL … Continue reading
Posted in art, gender roles, Japan
Tagged Amazon, bilingualism, child care, child education, child-raising, Japan, Paternity leave
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Toddler Artistry
One of my daughter’s favorite pastimes is o-egaki (picture drawing). Even before she could walk, she was scribbling with crayons…the washable kind, a set of 12 colors that my wife and I got for her at around her birthday last … Continue reading
Posted in art, baby toys, parenting, Paternity leave
Tagged baby toys, child care, child-raising, crayons, fatherhood, half-Japanese, Japan, Japanese, parental leave, Paternity leave
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