Here is my complete answer to Maria’s question about publishing something other than my books:

- Have you published anything other than books? (i.e. essay, short story, poetry, etc)

Yes, I have. An article regarding the mystery behind Poussin’s intriguing painting, which he named “Et in Arcadia Ego.”

Here is the story behind the article:

I was on a trip to Cyprus visiting a friend when I met Andrew. Andrew was extremely gifted and talented, like a modern-day Leonardo Da Vinci. 

However, unlike Leonardo Da Vinci, he was handsome with shoulder length blond hair and beautiful green eyes. 

 In addition to being an excellent architect, artist, painter, and sculptor, he was also a great poet and writer. 

When I jokingly asked him to write a poem about me, he did––a poem about “a fine maiden” that he put together on the spot, in minutes.

I was immediately taken aback by his multiple talents and abilities, and I wasn’t alone.  For a local Cypriot newspaper had written an article on Andrew’s life and achievements.

When Andrew had asked me where I was from, trying to impress him, I jokingly responded “et in Arcadia ego”.  

I thought he would find my response amusing, for I had told him in a “clever artistic way,” that I was born at and now live in the Arcadia area of the Peloponnese.

Well…, that was the moment I realized that in addition to being talented, Andrew also was strongly opinionated and had a bit of a temper. 

He started at me, “You Greeks think everything has to do with you.  Poussin’s painting has nothing to do with Greece, he painted it in, and it represents Arcadia, France.”

Well, I could not believe my ears.  I quickly responded, “No it does not! I don’t know where he painted it at, but it represents ancient Arcadia of the Peloponnese.” 

To this Andrew swiftly responded: “That is impossible, for during Poussin’s life, the Peloponnese was under Ottoman rule and occupation and the clothing would reflect that.” 

Then he went on “I have friends who have worked for many years to find the mystery or mysteries of that painting but have failed. I too have looked at it and it has puzzled me, but I know one thing for sure, that during Poussin’s time, the people of the Peloponnese did not dress like that.” 

He was right, and this would be an additional point that would help prove my theory correct. I had already conducted some research on the mysteries of both pieces: Poussin’s painting and the related Shugborough Shepherds Monument, and had worked out how the two were connected.

I smiled and looked him straight in the eyes, “It is not about the painting, it is about the relief sculpture found on the monument instead!” 

“Prove it!” He shouted back. 

So, I did... 

The article was published in the fall of 2022 in the Voices section of the Pappas Post, not long before my first book was published.