Writings by Diane

I have noticed that the majority of shows dealing with advise and overhauls (for example Tabitha’s Salon Takeover , Super Nanny and Kitchen Nightmares ) are all hosted by people with accents other than American. In my opinion, we Americans are very tolerant of criticisms if these words are flavored with an accent. Could it be that we are mesmerized by the foreign twist of phrases? That these hard truths are easier to take in when someone overseas is making the observations? Or is it that their foreign accents are so fascinating that we really don’t hear what they are saying? We love the fact that they are rolling their R’s, all the while ignoring that the words they are hurling at us are” r-r-raging ignor-r-r-amous??” I am basing this opinion on my own experience. Here in Idaho, I completely blend in with my California accent. However, when I was 14 and visited my family in Scotland, I was a rock star! When I was out shopping with my cousins, the minute I opened my mouth, everyone in ...

A few days ago I was slowly pulling out of my garage on my way to work. My mind was filled with plans for the day—the best route to drive to work, what would be waiting for me when I got to the office and so forth. The morning sun glistened on the windshield. As it did, I happened to notice a small fly sitting on the windshield.  I figured when I gained speed, the fly would naturally take off on its own path. However, this little insect didn’t fly away as expected. Instead, its delicate feet clung to the sheer glass steadfastly. Okay, I thought, I’m only going 25 miles an hour through the subdivision. But soon, I’ll get on the main road and the speed will grow to 35 miles an hour then to 50. By then my little traveller won’t be able to fight the wind shear anymore and buzz away. I was surprised again—no matter how much the car built up speed, the little bug continued to hold on. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw its fine threadlike legs quiver ever so slightly, but maintain its ba...