Somewhere
...there's a place and time for peace and understanding (why not here and now?)
We finally got some snow this week in Philadelphia (first measurable snow in 710 days), and the boys are in Heaven, sledding, snowball-throwing and so on. As for their Nana, though I do appreciate the sight of the frosty trees and glistening icicles, I would gladly have gone another 710 days (at least) without any wintry precipitation. Just adds to my general feeling about January, perfectly captured in verse by the funny poet Brian Bilston:
I SAY PO-TAY-TO, YOU SAY POT-AH-TO—AND YOU’RE WRONG
While I maintain that we humans are far more alike, than we are different, I do enjoy exploring some of the things that set us apart from one another (variety being spice of life, etc.) One of them is the way we speak—and not just English, Spanish, Arabic, etc. but the many many accents and dialects to be heard within those parameters. I have labored (in vain) to pick up even a smattering of Mandarin, so that I might possibly be able to converse with Ya-Jhu’s Taiwanese parents. I stalled as I realized that a) the words for “delicious”: hàochī and “stinky”: Hǎo chǒu, sounded just a little too similar, and b) I would definitely mix them up, and therefore alienate my in-laws at the dinner table.
Steve retains some of his Midwestern vocal quirks (I cannot tell if he’s saying “pin” or “pen”, and after almost 60 years since I lived in NYC, I still sound pretty darned “Noo Yawk,” especially when I’m angry (or tired). Aiden and Peter, even at their tender ages, are all-in on some Philly pronunciations (they buh-in their coats, for example).
GOOD READ: Here’s a fascinating article from Smithsonian Magazine about our myriad accents and dialects, and how our American speaking patterns were formed .
VIDEO: ALL THAT WE SHARE
I love this short video produced by Danish TV (but totally applicable everywhere). It’s amazing how, just by re-categorizing people—and ourselves—we find new common ground…
TRAVELS WITH STEVE AND ELISE
TOP TRAVEL TIP: DO NOT BE AFRAID
I guess my #1 tip this week would be to GO, go as you are able, taking common sense precautions, and experience some more of the world. It’s so easy (especially since the pandemic) to retreat, to stop traveling altogether. It makes me sad to hear people say they don’t want to leave the United States because “other countries are much too dangerous.” Honestly? Several countries have posted concerns about the safety of travel… to OUR country, because of things like our levels of gun violence, etc.
So, for as long as we can, Steve and I look forward to exploring our still-beautiful planet, and connecting with lots of our brothers and sisters in other lands.
I’m currently writing a feature for a Lutheran magazine about mental health, and interviewing folks about what their faith communities are doing to support those struggling with mental illness. One lovely pastor, whose church is doing tremendous things with their mental health ministry, told me simply, “We need to see everyone—everyone on earth—as God sees them, as beloved children.” Easier said than done, I realize, but in the end, it’s the only thing that will save us.
MUSIC VIDEO: SOMEWHERE
In the midst of wars, there are always voices calling for peace.
Please take the 2 1/2 minutes to watch this powerful musical collaboration between the Israeli Opera and the Galilee Chamber Orchestra—Israeli and Palestinian singers.
BIG NEWS!! Starting today, I’ll be publishing my new blog posts on Tuesday mornings simultaneously with the newsletter. This falls under the category of “why the heck hasn’t she been doing this all along?”
BLOG PREVIEW: WEIRDEST JOBS YOU WON’T BELIEVE ARE REAL! Let’s click on the clickbait headline, shall we, and learn about those weird, yet real, jobs? Meet me RIGHT NOW (or as soon as you finish reading “E-Musings”:-) over at Working Title!
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
So, as Peter Pan (Mary Martin) told the Darling children, let’s “think lovely, wonderful thoughts” this week, my friends, and let our minds and hearts soar!