mountainmelody

Let's just say that this place is very, very close to me.

Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin. ~Mother Teresa

I am fascinated by different cultures. Today I heard a good presentation that reminded me about high context and low context cultures. Some scholars argue that the American South is an example of a traditionally high context culture in the midst of a low context nation.

A related topic is direct versus indirect communication. I definitely think that in the South, women especially are socialized to communicate more indirectly. Even today, if I want someone else to do something, I always phrase it as a question instead of a command: "Could you please make a copy for me?" And I find it difficult to strongly criticize someone I'm talking to. Instead, I would say mostly nice things and slip a kindly worded suggestion in the middle. But if they were from my context, they would understand.

I think this type of background makes direct communication seem more jarring, especially when it comes from someone with whom you do not have a strong relationship. Understanding the cultural differences is essential.

What do you all think about this--especially those of you from the South?

We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature--trees, flowers, grass--grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence. . . . We need silence to be able to touch souls.
~Mother Teresa

I'm reading this book for about the third time, and I have to say it's just as good this time around as it was before. This time I've gotten smart and gotten myself a free copy by agreeing to review it! :)

I decided to change back to a black layout. See what you think.

We accidentally went to Auburn on our road trip. It was the week after their national championship--not bad. We saw the toilet paper in the trees at Toomer's Corner and everything!

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. ~e.e. cummings

snow pictures

I went on a great road trip with a friend today. We drove all around the state, eventually making it to Eufaula. I'll post more pictures later if I get a chance!

I think it is safe to say that while the South is hardly Christ-centered, it is most certainly Christ-haunted.

~Flannery O'Connor

I finally made it home and am enjoying the snow/ice from the warmth of my house. :)

Still stuck and not sure when I can get home...blah. At least I have a warm place to stay!

My house had 4 inches of snow...but I'm stuck at Shocco with 1 inch if ice!

This is what happens at the bread aisle in the grocery story when snow is forecast for Alabama!

(photo from www.alabamawx.com)

It's going to snow again...maybe a lot!!!

This is amazing, since it didn't snow at all for at least the first five or six years I lived in Alabama!

Every good, beautiful, perfect, inspiring, moving, joyful, sustaining, edifying, unifying, loving, gracious, whimsical, happy, life-giving, soul-stirring, paradigm-shifting, kind, generous alive thing is a gift from God.

~Cathleen Falsani

(Tune: London Bridge)

Help us build a bridge of peace,
Bridge of peace,
Bridge of peace!
Help us build a bridge of peace,
Hi-ho, laddies!

Help us live in friendly ways,
Friendly ways,
Friendly ways!
Help us live in friendly ways,
Hi-ho, lassies!

Don't you wish you could come to the archives with me??