Sometimes English is not enough. I love this French phrase, and the way ChangeBrew has defined it. (I love the cat picture, too.)
Jolie Laide
Author: Evelyn Mitsunaga
Evelyn is a retired industrial hygienist/occupational toxicologist living in Silicon Valley. She writes stories about her travels and about the absurdities of everyday life.
Writers’ Journals
John Steinbeck lived near here when he wrote Grapes of Wrath, and maybe that is what drew me to the book, Working Days, The Journals of the Grapes of Wrath, edited by Robert Demott (more). Steinbeck wrote in longhand and started each writing day with a journal entry. I found his notes to be inspiring and … Continue reading Writers’ Journals
Toilets
It happened just last month, in the ladies’ room at SFO: I had no more than sat down on my paper-shielded seat when I heard a waterfall in the adjacent stall. I looked under the partition to see a gusher of urine flowing freely and loudly onto the tile floor. No feet or legs visible. … Continue reading Toilets
Fireflies
The other day, standing at a busy street corner in California, I’m reminded of summer evenings, growing up in Ohio. The air would feel warm, slightly humid, and as the light faded, small yellow twinkles would start up. First one, then a couple more, then dozens, hundreds. Not synchronized, just twinkling at random. We called … Continue reading Fireflies
In the Austral Summer of 2015 – Part 2
Gauchito Gil: It happened in Patagonia the week before, on our way to an estancia to ride horses. As the bus bumped along the unpaved highway, our tour guide Maria filled us in on the economic history of Argentina. She mentioned a name that I didn’t hear, and Ezekial, our local guide for the Bariloche … Continue reading In the Austral Summer of 2015 – Part 2
In the Austral Summer of 2015 – Part 1
Location: 64°, 57‘ latitude South. 6:00 AM. Our ship inches along, tentative. All passengers are on deck, watching. Bergy bits and ice chunks called growlers scrape against the vessel’s hull; the captain maneuvers this way, then that. The north entry to the narrow channel lies to the left, but we move right, circumnavigating an iceberg. … Continue reading In the Austral Summer of 2015 – Part 1
I Hate to Shop
I walk all around Macy’s. Nothing is worth taking the time to try on. I need a casual outfit that can be dressed up a bit, something that looks “with it” as we used to say. We will be in Ohio in another few weeks for Irv’s 50th medical school reunion, and I can’t wear … Continue reading I Hate to Shop
Books about Africa
In an open-sided lounge area at one of the bush camps, I picked up Alexandra Fuller's Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight. More info. I couldn't put it down. At one point she describes the call of the cape dove as "Work harder. Work harder." As I was reading those words, I could hear … Continue reading Books about Africa
Mafuka of Zimbabwe
By the time we got to Kashawe, we were tired of game drives, having been on more than 20 already. We’d seen everything except a painted dog and a rhinoceros, and we didn’t expect to see either of them at Kashawe. In fact, it looked at first like we wouldn’t see many animals at all, … Continue reading Mafuka of Zimbabwe
Elephants of Botswana
I gaze out the bus windows, a little dazed after two days of travel, and take in scenery that hints of wonders to come. Someone says, “Elephants!” Then our small group of traveling friends hear our tour guide, Wallace, exclaim, “Oh, they are crossing right in front of us!” with a sense of wonderment that … Continue reading Elephants of Botswana
Travel Tales amongst my Ramblings 