Running With Quills: C'EST MOI. STELLA'S BACK!

Welcome to Running With Quills, your online newsletter designed to keep you up to date with what your favorite authors (that would be us) are doing throughout the year. Here you will find the release dates of our new books and get information about our backlists. We'll preview our cover art here long before the books hit the stores and we'll keep you informed about works-in-progress and special projects. You'll also receive advance notice of signings and appearances. From time to time we'll give you a peek at our worlds, tell you what we're reading, and introduce you to some new authors.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

C'EST MOI. STELLA'S BACK!

And I am so grateful to be an American and to live in America.

This is a fabulous country. I love it here. It's great to go traveling, but so nice to come home.

Belgium has lace, chocolate, and the shops close early. Switzerland has cheeses, chocolate, and the shops close early. France has Paris, croissants, and the shops close early. England has Posh Spice . . . um . . . um . . . fish and chips, and who-knows-when-the-shops-are-open?

America has whatever you want, whenever you want it.

Stella is shallow. Stella is self-indulgent. Stella is spoiled, soft, greedy, gluttonous, and ungrateful.

Oh--no--she's--not!

Oh--yes--she--is!

And for those who never saw a Punch and Judy show, or a corny stage review when the master-of-ceremonies split the audience into opposing halves and got them yelling at each other--you haven't missed much. Anyway, we're in an election cycle so you can watch how this works any day, and all day.

That's another reason I'm crazy about this country. We hold the longest, nuttiest, nastiest, most entertaining elections in the world. And they're free. And they're fair. One person=one vote counted for a specified candidate.

I digress--frequently. Sorry about that. My recent journey to see family and friends across the sea was such a blast. If I didn't fear cries of "plagiarism!" I'd write, Boy Howdy:)

In England, a dear cousin and her husband gave a party for us and invited every family member and friend of ours they could find. With six of us in the room it got a tad hot.

Bad, bad--we had a big, lovely celebration that felt like Christmas in September. There's nothing quite like seeing folks you've known all your life having fun and telling bad jokes. I love every one of them.

In France, we stayed with wonderful friends who moved to Paris a couple of years ago. Wow, do the French know how to cook, eat, dress, drink, talk fast and--they are just good at stuff. A cup of coffee in a sidewalk cafe with some of the best people-watching in the world passing by is one of life's "musts."

Then, in America, the lavatories almost always flush, showers produce enough water--hot water--to wash an entire body of any size, homes are mostly watertight, warm in winter and cool in summer, and people don't often die of curable diseases because they can't get timely health care.

And when it comes to food in America, what more do we need than pizza and hamburgers?

Happy Fall,
Stella

What do you like, or not like, most about America?
If you could choose to live anywhere in the world, where would that be?

29 Comments:

Anonymous said...: I´ve never been to America and although there are places there I would like to visist, such as Colorado plateau, The Rocky Mountains and see the Pacific coast, I could not for the life of me imagine living there.

If I couldn´t live in my own country, Iceland, but had to move somewhere else I would choose Europe. Preferably Germany, England, Denmark or Sweden. Maybe Austria even.

But to me Iceland is the greatest country in the world. No contest.

Sirry.; 2:14 AM
Stella said...: Hi Sirry: I'd like to see Iceland. I'm a greedy traveller and long to experience just about everywhere. But, like you, home is so special.

Haven't been to Scandinavia but have mind pictures that are inviting. I was born and grew up in England, which I continue to hold in my heart for many reasons. I could live in France, Italy, or maybe Holland.

Cheers, Stella; 4:05 AM
Anonymous said...: I love traveling to. Through the years I´ve been able to visit Itarly, England, Denmark, Germany, Mallorca and Amsterdam (I never left the city so I don´t say I visted Holland, just Amsterdam).

If I could visit the Americas, both North and South, then I would like to see Quebec state in Canada as well as New Foundland, Toronto and Vancouver. In the USA I would like to see Boston, Washington DC, The deep South, Rocky Mountains and the North-West (Washington and Oregon). And in Latin America I would like to see the Mexico, Argentina, Peru and Ecuator as well as the Galacapos Islands.

Ahh, there are so many places and so little time.

Cheers,

Sirry.; 5:45 AM
Jayne Ann Krentz said...: Welcome home, Stella. I'm just getting back from a three-week cruise, myself, and I know what you mean. Travel is great but there's no place like home. Except for all the mail that piled up while we were out of the country...

--Jayne; 6:22 AM
Lori said...: Oh Stella, I give thanks every single day - without fail - that out of all the countries in all the world, I was born here. My kids were born here. My grandson was born here.
I would love to travel, and I'm sure there are other countries just as wonderful, but this is home, and like most, I'm so proud of our country.
It's a touchy subject, so I won't say anymore.
But hey, it's good to have you back!
Hugs,

Lori; 6:38 AM
susan andersen said...: Hey, Stella, welcome back!! I love to travel, but like you, it is always sooo good to get home again. And like Jayne, I dread the foot high stack of mail and the 300 plus emails I usually come home to.

I envy you your trip to France. My husband is the world's most easy-going guy. . .until it comes to the French. He's a Viet Nam vet and blames the war on them. (I know, I know) He's my fave travel partner, but I'm never going to see that country in his company. A friend and I have talked about going, but so far that's as far as it's gotten--the talking stage.

I have no desire to be an ex-pat, but I wouldn't mind living in another country for, say, three months or so. Maybe in Amsterdam or Haarlem, from which we could take all sorts of trips to see other European countries.

Barring that, our short-term plans are to get to Norway to see the soulmate's family while the older generation is still alive, as we haven't seen them in years. And I've never been to Italy and I want to see Australia and New Zealand and. . . oh, there are just so many places.; 7:23 AM
Lynn said...: "Stella is self-indulgent. Stella is spoiled, soft, greedy, gluttonous, and ungrateful."

Nah, sounds like Stella is appreciative of what she has. :-) Glad you enjoyed your travels.; 7:47 AM
DFender said...: Stella,

Welcome HOME! I'm thrilled to read that you had a wonderful time.

I know that when I return to the US from vacationing in another country I'm thrilled to be home with all the good and the bad mixed up.

Unlike Lori (who is so, so nice!), I'm not too careful about what I say or how I say it. Opinions are just that. Discussion and debate are good for the mind! I'm very proud to be an American. Democracy, capitalism, middle America, values, food!, culture mixes, different landscapes in different states, Thanksgiving!, etc.

We're not the most peaceful of nations but we do have strong beliefs. With all the ridiculous government crap and all the "stuff" that's bad about America there are so many more good things than bad.

If I couldn't live in America (or, depending on the next election, not want to live in America) I'd choose Ireland.

Deb

No "happy Monday" from me today, the Tribe lost and I'm sad. But hey, as a Clevelander, I'm used to it. Our mantra: There's always next year. LOLOLOL; 8:07 AM
Elizabeth Guest said...: Welcome home, Stella!

I love where I live: a city in the Midwest with about 250,000 people and all the amenities I need. BUT I also loved traveling in England, Scotland, and France. I sure would like to try an extended stay in each place of a few months.

Happy Monday! (I can say that because I don't follow baseball.:-)
~EG; 9:15 AM
Stella said...: Hi Jayne and welcome back home to you, too:)

Mail? It's absolutely dreadful and I may never get to the bottom of the pile.

Stella; 1:37 PM
Stella said...: Hi Lori:

It's time you did travel--you'll enjoy seeing places you've only read about.

Like you, I'm proud of this country. Americans are such generous people and we enjoy freedoms most of the world can only imagine, like the freedom to disagree, we hope gracefully.

Hugs, Stella; 1:41 PM
Stella said...: Susan:

I play with the idea of spending a fairly long period somewhere--it would be while I wrote a book set there. But I keep putting it off which suggests I'm not committed enough to the idea.

As for France; I wouldn't be surprised if your husband changed his mind after spending time there. Everyone was very kind to us on this trip. Folks even took time to help out with my stumbling French and I appreciate that. I think that as long as you try with the language, they're pleased.

I hope you go to all the places you'd like to see.

Stella; 1:45 PM
Stella said...: Thank you, Lynn! You're absolutely right--I do give thanks for the many opportunities that come.

Stella; 1:47 PM
Stella said...: Hi Sue:

I forgot to tell all the baseball "disappointeds" that I wish them a quick recovery:)

Yep, you live in a great place and it always seems just right for you.

Stella; 1:48 PM
Ranurgis said...: I like Canada just fine. I've lived in Europe enough to realize what the good and points are and the same goes for the U.S.

Canada seems to combine the two though it does lean towards the U.S. from sheer proximity. We just had our Ontario election and I like the fact that we have more than two parties to vote for. Though it didn't happen this time, like the British we've had minority governments where a third, smaller party was able to hold the balance of power.

I kind of liked having Sundays free from shopping. Now most commercial places are open 12-5 and I can live with that, though I can probably count all the times I've actually gone shopping on a Sunday on my two hands.

One thing very similar to your people-watching from a cafe in Paris is just walking around the city. I seemed to find a lot of delightful people and places in my wanderings. I found no other city quite like it and must confess my huge disappointment in places like Frankfurt which was totally dead after the stores closed on Saturdays, most of the time at noon.

But then, this was more than half a lifetime ago and who knows how much everything has changed.

BTW, do they still have bidets in France?

Welcome back. Wish I'd been there!

Sirry, I have a German friend who's been in Iceland numerous times and her daughters have both lived there for at least a university semester or more. She's made Iceland one of the places I still want to see.

Actually I might fit in quite well there because my real name is very common, so I am told, in Iceland. You may be able to figure it out because it's "hidden" in my blogger identity.

P.S. Stella, I'll have to come read the Boa selections.; 7:50 PM
karende said...: I’m not sure whether it’s a matter of preferring one country over another, though I’d much prefer not to live in a war zone. I think we like where we are because it’s where we are, or where we grew up. I had a lot of friends in AK who were from other countries, and the cultures and life styles they described wouldn’t have suited me at all. On the other hand, a lot of what they talked about I was quite envious of. But I’m used to the US, my grands and great-grands emigrated here for reasons that were valid and admirable, and I’d feel sort of like I was betraying my family if I moved elsewhere. There are places I’d have liked to visit when I was younger [see that earlier posting!] but for everyday life, I need space around me. I need plenty of room and acres of untamed - or at the very least unmanicured - land. The Alps are beautiful, but Europe has been inhabited so long by so many people, I don’t think there are any places left like the American west.

But what I like most about the US is free speech and freedom of religion - or freedom to not have a religion, for that matter.

karibear; 9:05 PM
Anonymous said...: Ranurgis.

Your wouldn´t happen to be Sigrún, now would it. LOL. That´s a very common name in Iceland indeed.

I´m happy to hear your German friend has been taken enough with my country to visit several times. Did you know that the German and Icelandic grammar are 85% the same. If you know either language learning the other one is not too difficult. Both are Germanic in origin. I studied German in secondary college and loved it. I also spent a wole summer in Germany in my early twenties wich I will remember for the resto of my life. It was great. The Germans are a very nice people to visit.

I hope you will have opportunity to visit my country someday. I´m sure you´ll love it, but then I´m predjudiced. Just remember to bring clothes for all kinds of weather - even in the summer.

Sirry.; 12:39 AM
DFender said...: Stella,
Although I already left my comment I wanted to tell you that I started A COLD DAY IN HELL last night... it's great so far! No surprise :-)
Deb; 3:30 AM
Stella said...: Thank you, Deb! I'm glad you're enjoying the book. I loved writing the story.

Cheers, Stella; 10:50 AM
Stella said...: Sirry: I've learned lately that German is a base, or part of many languages. Switzerland is a good example where there are several different "germans" spoken. I found traces in the Belgian languages, too.

Stella; 10:52 AM
karende said...: My grandmother's parents both came from Germany. They spoke High German in church, and Low German at home, and English at school, according to her. My gran also taught High German at the church school to children. I've never been quite clear as to what the difference was, but from what I heard of it, Low German sounded a lot like Yiddish.

On a related note, when the families involved all reached America, their last name was Gerdt von der Mark. The customs person who signed them in said that was too long, so he made part of them Gerdts, and part of the Vodemarks [that was shorter than von der Mark, and apparently easier for him]. I wonder how many others have different names than the ones they started with.

karibear; 12:35 PM
AgTigress said...: Karibear: you can see the family tree and relationships of the Western Indo-European languages here:

http://www.danshort.com/ie/iecentum.htm

High German is a 'standard' dialect that is understood in all German-speaking countries.

:-); 3:40 PM
Louis said...: I'll take right where I am...my five acres here in southern California...despite the fires and earthquakes. We were packed and ready to evacuate (San Diego County fires). I've lived in five different areas of the US but I'll still take the back country of San Diego County.

Stella...keep on writing.; 7:20 PM
Stella said...: Hi Louis:

The fires have look horrible. But I certainly understand loving the place you call home. I like the San Diego area.

Thanks for the writing encouragement!; 8:26 PM
Stella said...: Karibear:

How interesting. But it seems too bad that your family didn't revert to their real name. It's beautiful. And what a cheek for someone to decide it was too long!

Cheers, Stella; 8:29 PM
Stella said...: Atigress: Thank you for posting the link. I'm going to enjoy poking about on the site.

Best, Stella; 8:30 PM
Ranurgis said...: Shh, Sirry, it's a secret, but you're right.

I found out about the Icelandic community centered in Gimli, Manitoba when I was in Grade 10 in Winnipeg, also Man. I was always allowed early into the classroom because my father could spare me the more than 3 km-walk from home to school by driving me there on his way to work. I still got my exercise on the way home.

Anyway that first day in Grade 10, I was sitting in my new classroom in our school when a dark-haired woman came in. She began looking at the class register at one point and suddenly said to me, "There's someone in the class with the same name as my daughter's." She then said the name when I asked for it. "Sigrun? That's me," I said and she proceeded to tell me about the Icelandic community which also had one of Canada's premiere air bases during World War II.

However, I've forgotten why they chose to settle specifically in that spot. Unfortunately, I was never able to see it, even though it wasn't all that far from where I lived. We now live in what is called Southern Ontario, north of Lake Erie in London. It's the most populous province.

Is Icelandic very different from the other Scandinavian languages? The daughter of my oldest cousin is married to a Finn, though of course, Finland is not really Scandinavian. The language is in a group of its own.

Yes, High German is what BBC English is for the British and... hm, I wonder what the American equivalent would be.

Austria and Switzerland teach High German when they take it in school. What many people speak are dialects of the language, as there are different dialects in Britain, Germany, the US (think old South). Even Canadian English has some differences from province to province with Newfoundland having the most distinguishably different language because they were the last to become a Canadian province, after World War II, and certainly fielded distinguished military forces in World War I by themselves under the British umbrella. I'm not sure what the exact arrangement was in WW II: Canadian or British.

Dutch and the Belgian Flemish belong to the same family as German and the strictly Scandinavian languages.

French too, has its own dialects, governed for a long time by Parisian French which then became more Academie or International French which all French speakers learned in school, including those in the former French colonies in Africa, Quebec and other parts of the world.

Sorry, I'm not proofreading this. I'm not sure anybody will read it anyway.

Shouldn't have got me started on that topic.(grin); 10:48 PM
Ranurgis said...: Amen to getting home safely after traveling for a while or even living "out of country" for a few years. Wherever "home" is, it's still the best, sometimes even in war, until you have the opportunity to emigrate to a new country, a new home as Stella and I did. Before I left Canada and ended up being away for 10 years, I said I'd be back and have been now for almost 28 years.

Regarding name-changes: I don't like forced name changes but I do know some people who changed theirs from long names or those which couldn't be spelled or pronounced to something easier like Lukjavenko to Lukas. The "von" appellation usually denotes aristocracy. Would you believe two of my nephews are named "von Biela" from their Indonesian father? I don't think I'll go into that story.

Nice to see everyone back.; 11:09 PM
Anonymous said...: Ranurgis.

Icelandic, Norwegian, Swedish and Danish as well as Faroese all have the same origin - namely Old Norse. As the centuries passed each area developed their own version of the Old Norse. In Norway, Sweden and Denmak vocabulary became very similar but they dropped for the most part declinations and some of the more complicated grammar regard verbs. Iceland was more isolated by the virtue of being an island in the North Atlantic Ocean and so we kept more, much more of the original grammar and the vocabulary developed at slower rate.

Despite this all the Scandinavian languages are very. Danish and Norse are the closest, they can read each other´s languages without much trouble even though the pronounciation is different enough that they won´t necessarily understand each other´s spoken language without exercise. Swedish is a bit further from Danish and Norse but Icelandic is to far from any of the three for them to understand without actually learning the language. They may, however, understand some of the vocabulary.

Faroese is a special case. They have vocabulary that is closest to Icelandic, more often than not almost or quite identical. The problem is the meaning of the words is often quite different. This actually makes Faroese harder to understand for Icelanders than any of the other Scandinavian languages, even if the Faroese grammar is not quite as complicated as the Icelandic one.

For example the word "rúm" in Icelandic means "bed", but in Faroese it means "room".

The difference in the Scandinavian languages is howere slight enough that it is relatively easy for a native speaker of one language to learn any of the others. Just like a native speaker of Spanish (Castilian) wouldn´t have to much problems with Portugese or Galician (spoken in Galicia the province in North-West Spain). A native speaker of French would also find it easy to learn Catalonian (spoken in Andorra and South-East Spain, in Catalonia of which Barcelona is the most famous city).

Sirry.; 1:16 AM

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Sunday, October 21, 2007

C'EST MOI. STELLA'S BACK!

29 Comments: