Image: Sleeping Hermaphroditus, Louvre; Roman copy of a Hellenistic original. Source I have a feeling that most of the mistakes I make in French and German have to do with not knowing or not remembering the gender of a noun, and thus the associated changes that have to be made in articles and adjectives. I … Continue reading Should language have gender?
As well as multiple languages, there are other things I've had to get used to in Switzerland. Some of these I knew about from previous visits, while others came as a not so pleasant surprise. And some may be general European things, while others are more particularly Swiss; I can't be sure, not having spent … Continue reading Settling into Switzerland
Is it possible to learn two languages at once? I don't know what the research says, but it would seem to me that probably one at a time would be more effective. However, living as I do between the French and German parts of Switzerland, I don't have much choice. I have to speak French … Continue reading Doublespeak
As I've continued with my project of reading the Bible in one year, the program I'm using doesn't necessarily go through the Old Testament in order. Occasionally it breaks the sequence to skip to a later book, before returning to the traditional list. After many, many books about the kings of Israel and their misdeeds … Continue reading A journey with Jonah, with a poem
Dear friends, as I wrote in Moving and changing, some changes are coming to this blog. As a part of that, I'm starting a new venture called Enchanted English where I can offer language lessons and literary services. To drum up some interest from English learners, I wrote a little booklet called HOW TO READ … Continue reading Enchanted English is launched!
I appreciate the work of John Fox, who connects poetry writing, self development, and soul healing. His books are full of inspiring stories, example poems, and writing exercises, along with lots of quotations from poets and other artists. They encourage me to stop worrying about being good or correct, and just enjoy messing around with … Continue reading we cover up the roots: a poem
Challenging my tech skills, I believe I have successfully moved this blog from WordPress.com to a self-hosted platform. I've tried to migrate all my followers -- I definitely do not want to lose any of you! -- so I hope that worked. If you are still on board, I would love to hear from you … Continue reading Moving and changing
Honeybees are so important and so endangered in our world today. I'm grateful for the years I spent working in the office at The Pfeiffer Center in Chestnut Ridge, New York, where I learned something about these amazing creatures, and got to know some beekeepers who are doing wonderful, holistically-oriented programs. If you want to … Continue reading Seeking the honey of life
Written in a time of transition a few years ago, this poem may not have have much literary value, but the process of working it out was valuable for me. The Greek krisis means turning point, as in the decisive moment of a disease leading to either recovery or death. I decided to take that … Continue reading Crisis: a poem
As we retreat from one another and the world to reduce our risk of contagion, the passing of harmful substances from one person to another, it makes me wonder about the transmission of health. Is this something that may also be passed from one person to another? It would seem not, because health is not … Continue reading Can health also be contagious?
