Sixteen Things for Sixteen Years

Did you know that Montenegro (tied with Serbia) is the world's third most recent sovereign nation? Montenegro split off by a referendum in which 55.5 percent of people voted for independence. The threshold to approve was 55 percent. As you might imagine, people still hold many strong feelings about this decision on both sides of … Continue reading Sixteen Things for Sixteen Years →

Trotsky Bear

To live in this world you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and when the time comes to let it go, let it go. -Mary Oliver To the world's best bear, Trotsky Bear (birth date unknown … Continue reading Trotsky Bear →

Hands Off The Mutt

Back in January, I invited a date over to my house. Before he came inside, I gave him the obligatory warning about my dog. That is, don't get in his face or near his food and generally just give him his space. It's not that Trotsky Bear is vicious, but he does require human interactions … Continue reading Hands Off The Mutt →

Being Dog’s Best Friend

When I was 21, I spent five months living in India. It was only the second foreign country I had ever been to, and the first was Australia, which didn't really prepare me for what I was about to encounter. The conditions people existed in—both their own physical bodies and the environment around them—were horrific. … Continue reading Being Dog’s Best Friend →

Struggles of the Wannabe Grammar Police

On my neighborhood Nextdoor site, I recently saw a post about a lost dog that was found. In response, one person wrote, "Glad this tale/tail has a happy ending." I started to roll my eyes at her seemingly unnecessary decision to clarify that she was making a pun, but then I stopped. The truth is, I … Continue reading Struggles of the Wannabe Grammar Police →

Sanctuary 2.0: It’s Never Too Late

I could have called this post Christmas miracles, but that would be hyperbolic and hokey. I mean, it's not like I found a Daisy Red Ryder BB Gun under my non-existent Christmas tree this morning. However, two unexpected events at the Little House on the Prairie have really made this month even lovelier than planned. … Continue reading Sanctuary 2.0: It’s Never Too Late →

Say What? Edition 4: Thoughts From Italy

A collection of random linguistically-related thoughts that popped into my head while in Italy four weeks ago. ******************** Language can provide anonymity in a crowd. One of my biggest linguistic pleasures when in Europe is hearing half a dozen languages spoken around me at any one time. I enjoy it partly because you feel a … Continue reading Say What? Edition 4: Thoughts From Italy →

Italy by Number

I have so many thoughts to share stemming from my two and a half weeks in Europe. My route was Flight to Zurich→ Train to Innsbruck→ Car share to Bressanone→ On foot across the Dolomites to Cortina d'Ampezzo→ Bus to Venice→ Rental car to Padua→Verona→Bergamo→Milan→ Train and kayak to Bellagio→ Car share to Zurich with … Continue reading Italy by Number →