Nov from JeanR - observations

 

JeanR does the nicest coordinated cards and envelopes. I should ask for an update on how many she sends each month. I've known Jean since 2010 - she's one of the students who inspired me to start the blog so that I could stay in touch with students. I remember her mentioning how many cards she sends each. month - but, I have forgotten. It's a lot. Maybe she'll see this and shoot me an email.

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I know, I know. The readers who love a good rant want to know why I suggested that I should not *get started* on the Mediterraneans. I need to make a chart on whether my writing is different when the cold brew coffee extract is fresh. I just made a new batch and feel extra chatty. This is not a rant. It's just an observation.

So, here's the thing - most of my formative years were spent in the Twin Cities with a ton of Scandinavians. Being half Scandinavian, I felt at home. In college, and beyond, I crossed paths with people from all over the world. It was enlightening and interesting. For a year, I lived in a Mediterranean  neighborhood and Oh.My.Gosh. I had never experienced anything like that.

Scandinavians are reserved and Mediterraneans are not. I know that's a broad statement - but I don't think it was an exaggeration. I'm sure if you're Mediterranean and you show up in a Scandinavian neighborhood, you wonder why everyone is half asleep. Or maybe you notice the sub-zero temps and figure they are half frozen and you leave.