On a recent walk I saw two mule deer on the trail! There was actually a third deer off to the side, but it was skittish, so I stopped filming and headed down the trail in the opposite direction. Of course I looked back to check, and the third one had caught up with the other two. ☺

Hello folklore friends! My most recent blog post explores two connected dragon legends: the tale of “Lludd and Llefelys” and a story of Vortigern and Merlin (of Arthurian legend). They are linked not only by narrative, but also by a common location, Dinas Emrys, in Eryri (Snowdonia) in Wales.

"The Mandalorian and Grogu is not a movie for any old Star Wars fan, or perhaps any old audience. It exists at a weirdo fever dream intersection of specific desires and interests." Hesitant about The Mandalorian and Grogu? @use-theforce-em.bsky.social was too. At first.

Want a low cost solution to build up your folklore library? Looking for a rare title? We have opened a 2nd hand folklore web bookshop, raising money for charity @folklorelibrary.bsky.social We have 100s of books to add, and the first 20 or so are up www.thefolklorepodcast.com/store/c17/Se...

Trabuco Creek is my favorite creek! I try to walk on the trail that meanders alongside it a few times a month. Just to stop and listen. 💚

Hello folklore friends! This month we continue learning about the Tylwyth Teg, but from a 19th- and early-20th-century perspective. We explore their general characteristics and look at some of the folklore associated with them as collected by folklorists during that time.

Hello folklore friends! This month we continue learning about the Tylwyth Teg, but from a 19th- and early-20th-century perspective. We explore their general characteristics and look at some of the folklore associated with them as collected by folklorists during that time.

I'm so excited for Marilyn Carvin, a writer in the writing group I belong to. Her historical novel ¡Viva California! just came out, and it was such fun to attend her book launch. Congratulations, Marilyn! 💛

Hello folklore friends! This month we begin a two-part series on the Tylwyth Teg (the Welsh faeries). In this initial post, we first look at the many names the faeries go by. Then we explore Annwn (the Welsh otherworld) as described in the Mabinogion, a medieval Welsh text. 💜

Happy spring! I celebrated with a nature walk today and a sunset at the beach last night. Wishing you a lovely day! 💚

I love that our local regional park has a StoryWalk along one of its paths. Each month they install a new children's book to read as you walk. For me, story sign 18 says it all: "Keep reading, stay active, and get outside!" 📚 + 🌿 = 🥰

Hello friends (& Dearest Gentle Readers)! Language of flowers books, which were popular during the Victorian era, shared flower meanings and often included poetry. Floriography (using flowers to send messages) was prevalent during the Regency era and has inspired set designs in the show, Bridgerton.

Not only is this Mental Floss article a fun read, but in the section on protective charms the author links to my article on four-leaf clovers (the link is on the word "glamours")! I'm always grateful (and thrilled!) when other writers reference or link to my writing. :)

Because of some early winter rain we've received, it's now very green alongside the trail. This is my happy place. :)

Hi friends! This month's post is an introduction to the capricious (and enchanting!) Celtic mermaid. We look briefly at her origin story, discover some of her characteristics, and explore a few folktales that include her.

A new book on Welsh folk and fairy tales with an introduction by @folklorewales.com nation.cymru/culture/new-... #folklore #wales #welshlore #fairytales #fables

I was excited to learn that one of my poems has been included in a new Poetry Path alongside Lake Mission Viejo! It was originally part of the Poetry + Art Collaborative installation at the Mission Viejo Library. Thanks to the MV Library for including my poem!

I really enjoyed putting together the December blog post! This month we explore the concept of tradition within the scope of folklore. We also learn about some of our readers’ favorite winter traditions. Plus, I share a few of my writing-related wins of 2025. ❄️

Such a fun and interesting episode to listen to!

There's only a few more days left to submit your favorite winter tradition for inclusion in my December newsletter and blog post. I've really enjoyed reading the responses I've received so far--can't wait to share them! 😊 Click through below to learn more.

We recently took a trip to San Luis Obispo to check out the university (Cal Poly). (Our daughter is in the midst of applying to colleges.) Cal Poly is my alma mater, so it was fun to visit the campus. I love all of the new murals. And I took a selfie with Albert Einstein!

Do you have a favorite (or unique, fun, interesting) winter tradition that you’d like to share with our folklore-inspired newsletter and blog community? This could be a personal, family, or cultural winter tradition. Click through for more info and to share your tradition. ❄️

Many folktales describe how scrumptious faerie food was. But was it wise to eat faerie food? ---- (If you enjoy my blog posts, you might like my newsletter. See the link in my profile to subscribe.)

The bones of Fred McFee and I wish you a spooky Halloween! When my kids were young, Eve Bunting's book, The Bones of Fred McFee, was a favorite read during this time of year. And one year we found our own Fred McFee to help us celebrate the season. He's been hanging around ever since. 🎃

I have a Halloween folklore post for you this month! In the Welsh calendar, Oct 31 is known as Nos Galan Gaeaf (Winter’s Eve / Hallowe’en). It was once celebrated throughout Wales and while it included traditional customs and food, it was also considered to be a night of ghosts, spirits, and bogies.

Anna Fiteni examines the influence of Welsh culture on Fleetwood Mac, Lord of the Rings, Hayao Miyazaki, and so much more.

I think I can safely thank Taylor Swift's new song, "The Fate of Ophelia," for the sudden increase in traffic to my blog post on Ophelia. It's my top-ranking post for the week and impressions got a huge boost. :) stephraemoran.com/the-owl-was-...

Pop-up roller skating in downtown LA last night!

I’ve always been fascinated by cows, and they've inspired this month’s folklore topic! In the British Isles, there are many legends of a magical cow that produces limitless amounts of milk. This post looks at some regional stories featuring this cow and ends with an early medieval tale about her.

I attended Barbara DeMarco-Barrett's book launch party on Sunday. I love the cover! Can't wait to dive in and read her short story collection.

Sights from a recent day at the beach. 😊

Do you like folk songs? I do! As I began researching folk songs for my blog, I soon came across work songs. Work songs were incorporated into a variety of tasks, bought cheer and a sense of community, and were a vital part of daily life in Ireland and Scotland during the nineteenth century.

Where do you like to walk? I always enjoy this wilderness path. It's shady there in the afternoon, which is generally when I go walking. 🌳

So cool!

To collect folklore, folklorists often traveled on foot or by horse in order to visit with people and learn about local traditions and tales. This post takes a behind-the-scenes look at some of the challenges early folklorists encountered while collecting folklore and how they overcame them.

I love this view! You can see so much of Los Angeles from the Getty, which is perched on the hillside. I recently had the chance to visit @gettymuseum.bsky.social. It's a lovely museum that offers a range of art (from medieval to contemporary), plus it has unique architecture and beautiful gardens.

I ran into a few animal friends on my walks this week: a mule deer, a black-crowned night heron, and a sea lion. :) I love that even though I live in an urban area, I still have opportunities to see lots of wildlife. 💜

This month's blog post explores Irish faerie folklore! First we look at their mythological history, then we learn about Irish faerie structure, and finally we touch on a few specific examples of Irish faeries.

On a recent walk I saw several butterflies dancing. 🥰 I tried to catch one on video. 🦋

I hope you enjoy this month's post. It explores a folktale referenced by the character Ophelia in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

Do you have a favorite walking path? This is one of mine. 🌼

I just learned of the following tradition: say "rabbit" as your first word on the first day of the month to receive a present!Source: Notes and Queries (Mar-27-1909). I came across this cottontail on the side of the trail recently. Not sure if it was posing for me or just too terrified to run, lol.

This month's post is the first in a two-month owl folklore theme. It explores British owl folklore and the story of Blodeuwedd (a maiden who was transformed into an owl).🦉 If you enjoy my blog posts, you might like my newsletter. See the link in my profile.

I’m excited—I just discovered that people are beginning to cite my posts as sources for their own work! A playwright referenced my article on apple tree folklore in her show’s program, and a podcast listed my post on Cŵn Annwn as a source. :) Feeling grateful! ✨

I'm beginning to see some pretty, spring flowers on my walks. :)

Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, fell for one of the greatest hoaxes of the 20th century when he became convinced that the "fairy photographs" taken by two girls from Yorkshire in the 1920s were real. Mary Losure explores: buff.ly/11byRMg #AprilFools

I enjoyed attending the AWP Conference & Bookfair on Saturday. One of the highlights for me was that Cardiff University had a booth, and I had fun talking folklore and practicing Welsh pronunciation with their representatives. And they gave me a welshcake, which was delicious!

Granting wishes wasn't the only folkloric use of a four-leaf clover. They were also used to see through faerie glamour, bring good fortune, and for love divination. 🍀 If you enjoy my blog posts, you might like my newsletter. See the link in my profile.

Royal Mail has unveiled a set of stamps featuring mythical creatures and fabled figures from UK folklore. www.bbc.com/news/article...

While this article was written with the scientific writer in mind, the author offers great advice for writers of any genre.