Are you ready to switch off your screens and ponder or discuss another writing/conversation prompt during dinner tonight? You want to know about my thoughts on it? Here’s my take: Don’t we all have one? An uncomfortable relative? Maybe even more than one? The one that gives you extra-trouble with extra-wishes just because they seem […]
Across the Fence: Olm
Before you scream “Eww!” and scroll on, give this little critter a chance to be presented! Because you are most likely never to encounter one in your life, Germanism in the English language or not. Let me introduce you to the olm (pronounce with an “o” as in odd). Etymologically, it is totally unclear what […]
In the Book Nook with … Katy E. Ellis
Author Katy E. Ellis from Vashon Island, Washington, who does administrative work for her local public health department, started writing when she was 8 years old and received a Hello Kitty diary for her birthday. She began writing poetry in high school, studied creative writing at university, and has never stopped writing. In 2012, dancing […]
Let’s Talk! – The Worst Commencement Speech
Are you ready to switch off your screens and ponder or discuss another writing/conversation prompt during dinner tonight? You want to know about my thoughts on it? Here’s my take: I have had four commencements in my life, if you will. The first one was after the traditional 13 years from my German grammar school […]
Across the Fence: Turner and Turnverein
Have you ever run into a turnverein (pronounce: ‘toorn-fuh-ine) or a turner (pronounce: toornah) over here in the U.S.? The former means gymnastic club, the latter gymnast. And both are Germanisms in the English language. I haven’t met any so far. In the U.S., the connotation has become something different from that in Germany. As […]
In the Book Nook with … Cyndi L. Stuart
Author Cyndi L. Stuart from Harstine Island in South Puget Sound, Washington, just recently sold an artisan farm in Puyallup where she and her husband ran a small nursery and pottery studio. After years spent as a garden speaker and horticultural writer, she now teaches an online continuing education class, The Journey from Idea to […]
Let’s Talk! – A Field of Butterflies
Are you ready to switch off your screens and ponder or discuss another writing/conversation prompt during dinner tonight? You want to know about my thoughts on it? Here’s my take: Isn’t this a pristine image? A field suggests something quiet and peaceful. Butterflies are usually something beautiful, ephemeral, therefore somewhat precious. A field of butterflies. […]
Across the Fence: Mozartkugel
Today’s Germanism in the English language is probably most interesting for all of those among you who have a sweet tooth. A Mozartkugel (pronounce: Mo-tsart-koogle, meaning Mozart ball) is made from chocolate, pistachio, marzipan, and nougat. But this is where the similarity between Mozartkugeln (plural!) ends. Because it has become a generic name for ball-shaped […]
In the Book Nook with … Sarah Ickes
Author Sarah Ickes was born and raised in the Keystone State, Pennsylvania. The social media and website manager also owns a small business, https://www.sarahickesart.com/, and designs her own book covers. Sarah started writing in elementary school, where a few of her works were published in national collections. Her first novel, The Serpent’s Star, came out […]