Fellow pomegranate lovers -- read, watch, and listen closely ... I love pomegranates from their regal crowns at their bases and how the leathery red orbs look like holiday ornaments on their green tree branches, to how cream colored pith engulfs each seed that's further cradled within jeweled juicy sacs. Until recently, their sweet-sour winey taste… Continue reading Video: “Fastest Way to Peel a Pomegranate Ever,” by Rob Barrett→
When I was young and naive enough to believe I had a good shot at making a living as a free-lance writer, I attended lots of writer’s workshops. They were always interesting, and some of the tips helped me place articles with local magazines and neighborhood newspapers. I never did make a lot of money as a writer…my largest claim to fame was a short article in Bride’s magazine and the publication of one (count it, one) children’s book. Still, I learned a lot in those workshops about writing, and especially about the delicate balance between giving an editor whatever he or she wants and developing my own unique “voice.”
The voice of an author is what distinguishes one writer’s work from everyone else’s. It is what comes out when a writer taps into his or her deepest beliefs, inner-most fears, cherished dreams, etc. It communicates the unique perspective of…
Dutch blogger Patty first wrote this great post for us about what it's like to own a dog in Germany. Here she discusses why it is imperative that we all respect each other ... These days violence, intolerance, racism, discrimination seems to increase again. More and more people need to flee their homes and/or their countries, in… Continue reading Guest Blog Post: “Universal Human Rights – Do you know them?” in Patty’s exact words→
Role models can be great. They provide wisdom for how to get where we’d like to be.
Take care, though.
In our eagerness, we risk blindness and deafness to how sometimes they’re better examples of what not to do. Of the ones we love, those who are closest to us, their familiarity can feel like normalcy.
The amazing poem posted by afroliz of Zimbabwe that follows illustrates what I’m trying to say.
I believe we must all continually work to be our own best role models. Let us be lighthearted in working toward that goal. Let us be as serious as happiness when it comes to understanding which role models we might already have unwittingly chosen.
When I was young and naive enough to believe I had a good shot at making a living as a free-lance writer, I attended lots of writer’s workshops. They were always interesting, and some of the tips helped me place articles with local magazines and neighborhood newspapers. I never did make a lot of money as a writer…my largest claim to fame was a short article in Bride’s magazine and the publication of one (count it, one) children’s book. Still, I learned a lot in those workshops about writing, and especially about the delicate balance between giving an editor whatever he or she wants and developing my own unique “voice.”
Paris. 
Sunday breakfast in the Jardin des Tuileries. 
The west façade of Notre-Dame Cathedral. Wonky composite of twelve photographs. 
Notre-Dame Cathedral. Detail 01, west façade. 
Notre-Dame Cathedral. Detail 02, west façade. 
Notre-Dame Cathedral. Detail 03, north façade. 
Notre-Dame Cathedral. Interior. 
Notre-Dame Cathedral. North façade Rose Window. 
Looking south from Montmartre. 
Detail. 
Montmartre street. 
Pont de l’Archevêché. 
Louvre approach through the Passage Richelieu. 
“Was it busy?”… “Yeah, quite busy.” 
Jardin des Tuileries. 
Chair. Terrasse du Bord de l’Eau. 
Musée d’Orsay. 
Poster. 
Pompidou Centre / Rue du Renard. 
Pompidou Centre / Place Georges Pompidou. 
Wall / Art. 
Love / Heart. 
Arc de Triomphe 01. 
Arc de Triomphe 02. 
Avenue des Champs-Élysées. 
Avenue d’Iéna. 
Rue de Buenos Ayres. 
Tour Eiffel 01. 
Tour Eiffel 02. 
River Seine / from the Tour Eiffel. 
