I just returned from two weeks in Crete - glorious weather, dramatic scenery, the loveliest Mediterranean swimming, and fascinating archaeological sites. I was a bit nervous about traveling during the pandemic but we were outside most of the time and masked whenever not and returned in good health. The tourist volume was way below normal, … Continue reading Land of the labyrinth
As a birthday present to myself this month, I ordered some new post graphics to update the look of Entering the Enchanted Castle. In the new year I plan to close down my other blog The Emerald City Book Review and move my other blogging activity, including book reviews and discussions, over here, so I … Continue reading A new look
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
