Category Archives: Living On The Edge

Advance Praise: What Do Mermaids Eat?

Posted on October 16, 2024 by johnrachel

For a book that isn’t even out yet, there sure seems to be a lot of “buzz”. Could it be that it has given people a reason to be positive and hopeful at a time when there’s so much bad news in the world? Continue reading →

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What Do Mermaids Eat? . . . Marta

Posted on October 14, 2024 by johnrachel

I met Marta in Ponce, Puerto Rico. She feared being captured by us topsiders and forced to jump through flaming hoops at Sea World. Besides, she hated chlorinated water. She told me that mermaids have a favorite movie about us … Continue reading →

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What Do Mermaids Eat? . . . Cassandra

Posted on October 12, 2024 by johnrachel

Cassandra was the 6th mermaid I met. I was stunned by how young she looked. Boy, was I in for a surprise! Continue reading →

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What Do Mermaids Eat? . . . Rahqa

Posted on October 10, 2024 by johnrachel

Meet Rahqa, a mermaid with muscles, tattoos, and some very passionate concerns about the destruction of the oceans. You can’t blame her. It’s where she lives! Continue reading →

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What Do Mermaids Eat? . . . Corinne

Posted on October 7, 2024 by johnrachel

Meet Corinne, a mermaid that was hit by a nuclear submarine. Read all about her and 18 other mermaids in the most uniquely beautiful fantasy/travel/cookbook ever! Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Dekansho 2024!

Posted on August 18, 2024 by johnrachel

The Dekansho Festival here in my hometown is my favorite. The music, dancing, food and fireworks are great. But most of all, it’s seeing the whole community come together to have a good time that makes it so special. It’s truly inspiring! Continue reading →

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My Two Recent Anti-War Books

Posted on July 18, 2024 by johnrachel

Writing about and promoting peace to an American audience might be a thankless enterprise. But to be thankless, it would first have to be noticed. Dylan said it best: There’s no success like failure. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Shitake Barbecue Restaurant

Posted on April 24, 2024 by johnrachel

My wife, one of her twin daughters, and I had an interesting experience recently. We went to a shitake barbecue restaurant, specializing — you guessed it — in shitake mushrooms! What made it so interesting is that we gathered our own shitake to grill. They grow it on the premises and when you enter, they give you a little green basket and off you go, personally selecting the feature food item for today’s barbecue feast. Continue reading →

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Chiang Mai, Thailand: Karen Tribe Farmstay

Posted on September 10, 2023 by johnrachel

When Masumi and I were in Chiang Mai, Thailand we drove over an hour into the countryside and stayed at a Karen Tribe rice farm. Continue reading →

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Chiang Mai, Thailand: Elephant Camp

Posted on September 3, 2023 by johnrachel

Masumi and I are fascinated by elephants. Around Chiang Mai, there are a number of places to see them. We chose Elephant Camp because the folks there are very humane in their treatment of these amazing creatures. Continue reading →

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