> Articles by: Ann
Date registered: January 19, 2012
Aug
23
Growing up most of us were fortunate to have some special people to watch over us. Perhaps it was our parents or a favorite aunt or uncle. Whoever it was we felt the security of unconditional preservation. Even when there were disagreements or misunderstandings, the reality remained that we would always be taken care of …
Aug
02
Today begins a shift, a shift away from a summer of discover and adventure and a return to my wonderful hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina. It is a city I came to because I had a brother in school there. My visit turned into an extended stay—almost three decades worth. I always thought I would …
Aug
01
During my last days in France, I returned to a small town in Normandy. A place where two of my new friends live and run a bed and breakfast. Most of us think Normandy and we think beaches. Normandy is actually a really big region and from Fountaine Sous Jouy, the beaches are still three …
Jul
30
It is time to Close… People in France—both the natives and visitors—kept saying Paris shuts down for the month of August. The Parisians go away to the coast or further. They vacate the city. I believed what I heard, but I figured it was a bit of an exaggeration.
Jul
25
I am getting to know Paris, a bit—a bit better than I am learning the language. There is a saying the French use—Petit a peti l’oiseau fait son nid: Little by little the bird builds its nest.
Jul
19
The English provide me with new words for familiar directives. One of my favorites was diversion. Diversion is used where we in the States might normally use detour. Is it because I am a little too used to detour that I resonate better with diversion? Is it because it sounds slightly more sophisticated? Or is …
Jul
16
Right outside my window is the most amazing view. The Eiffel Tower, you think. No. Some grand landscape. No. It is a building. Yes, it is a rather old building. But really there is nothing architecturally marvelous about it. Well, I take that back. If it were outside my window back home, I’m sure I’d …
Jul
13
Most of my friends at home has a key to my house. If they don’t, they know where a key is kept or they know of someone who has one. I do not know why I so liberally give the key to my house. Perhaps I am anxious about locking myself out or maybe it …
Jul
10
Last weekend as this Anglophile watched the Wimbledon finals, I couldn’t help but be mesmerized as the ball went back and forth, back and forth until talent or miscalculation broke the rhythm. The players stamina and force was impressive; their relenting almost unperceived. We, like the star athletes of the court, volley as well.
Jul
04
Independence is an obvious word choice for the day that we celebrate the Fourth of July in the U.S. Yet the word does not just embody the idea of being free from oppressive governments. We are also free to make choices about how we live and what we accept in our lives. Sometimes we take …