The old man, at the corner of Madison and 76th, was oblivious to the cars honking and the pedestrians rushing home in the drizzle of the early evening. He stood still, staring at the red and white demolition sign screaming “DANGER, KEEP OUT.” This intrusive, ugly sign was ordering him, Felix Menochon, to keep out … More Keep Out!
Ali caressed the curved, pear-shaped body, his fingers running over the fingerboard before resting on the short, delicate neck. The Cedar wood, cool to the touch, gave a beautiful, surprising deep sound that took him back to his childhood in Damascus every time he played a few notes. The Oud was a family affair. Ali’s … More An Ode to the Oud
As a child, I was the target of my mother’s wrath. Verbally, emotionally and physically abused, I was sent to bed without dinner because I wasn’t smiling at the dinner table. No tamales for me. I got the silent treatment, the cold shoulder, the emotional blackmail. On a good day, I was left alone. On … More The Reluctant Daughter
My novel “The Polar Bear and the Palm Tree” continues its journey around the world…here in Denmark. Thank you for that photo, Dorte, it brightened my day!
It all started in 2017, when my husband Tom and I were getting ready to leave Saudi Arabia to settle in New York. This happened after 20 years living and working in Europe, Asia and the Middle-East. I knew the power of the expat community and of social media, so I sent messages to various … More The Reunion of Strangers
