Today, I have chosen a Germanism in the English Language that touches on psychology as well as sociology. It is called Verstehen (pronounce: fair-shtay-enn, meaning understanding). Very obviously, it goes beyond the mere hearing of what somebody else is saying. It is not a physical event but a motivated psychological one. Now, what does that […]
Let’s Talk! – It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Are you ready to switch off your screens and ponder or discuss another writing/conversation prompt from my friend Tyrean Martinson’s book? Here’s my take on it. Can you hear this waltz faintly playing at the background of whatever you are currently thinking? Because it is such an earworm? It’s the most wonderful time of the […]
Across the Fence: Heiligenschein
Do you remember when you were drawing pictures as a kid? Maybe you drew nativity scenes around Christmas, too? I had no idea that Mary was always drawn with a blue coat in the canon of art history. Of course, Joseph had a beard. And though both parents were dark-haired, my Jesus, although a new-born, […]
In the Book Nook with … Jay Larkin
Author Jay Larkin from a suburb of London, England, is currently retired, but worked as a chemical engineer, later became a guidance counsellor in a college, and ended up as an art facilitator for young people with behavioral problems. She has been writing for about ten years. Her first book – under a pen name, […]
Let’s Talk! – Periodic Table Games
Are you ready to switch off your screens and ponder or discuss another writing/conversation prompt from my friend Tyrean Martinson’s book? Here’s my take on it. What a fun prompt today – or not, depending on where you parse the compound noun. To me, it holds a lot of memories of an auditorium-style classroom, back […]
Across the Fence: O Tannenbaum
Of course, with so many German immigrants in the U.S. population almost from the very beginning, quite a few cultural items have been adopted into American traditions that are undoubtedly German. Among them is the carol O Tannenbaum (pronounce: O ‘tunnen-bowm, meaning o fir tree). Next to Silent Night, it might be one of the […]
In the Book Nook with … T.J. Fier
Author T.J. Fier from Fargo, North Dakota, works as an Associate Professor of Set Design at NDSU. Her first book, The Bright One, was initially published through Three Little Sisters. She recently regained the rights and re-released the book herself. There will be more books coming out in 2025. T.J. credits Moorhead Friends Writing Group […]
Let’s Talk! – Back in Black
Are you ready to switch off your screens and ponder or discuss another writing/conversation prompt from my friend Tyrean Martinson’s book? Here’s my take on it. To be honest, I have heard this word combination before and you may want to laugh or cry that I didn’t even connect it with a specific AC/DC album […]
Across the Fence: Kipferl and Pfeffernuss
It’s that time of year when everything is about family traditions, and I bet that the love for specific German cookies simply made its way into the English language by way of flavor. How else would you explain that Kipferl (pronounce exactly like this) and Pfeffernuss (pronounce: ‘pfeffer-nooss) have been adopted so easily? They are […]