About

The Rambler

While trying to decide what kind of a blog this should be, I was reminded of my grandmother's old Rambler.  When Grandma Hansen passed away, along with Grandpa coming to live with us in Plainfield N.J., we inherited Grandma Hansen's old Rambler. It had a push button starter and was in perfect condition.  I sure wish I'd had a driver's license back then!

I thought the blog should be short accounts or moments spent in and around my home in the mountains of the Noto Peninsula, random ramblings, I thought.  The inspiration comes from Sei Shonagon's The Pillow Book.  It was one of my favorites when I was studying Japanese Literature in college and it was also the book I had with me on my first NYC subway ride with Haru, my future husband and the one who discovered this small paradise on the Japan Sea that I call home.
"The Pillow Book is the precursor of a typically Japanese genre known as zuishitsu ('occasional writing', 'random notes') which has lasted until the present day and which includes some of the most valued works in the country's literature." Sounds like the perfect blog style to me!

I have lived in Suzu for over 30 years now, and have taught English conversation classes pretty much
the entire time I've been here. Though it has sustained me through thick and thin, it has also been quite frustrating to watch people pay good money to learn how to speak a second language, yet never have a chance to use it in an authentic conversation. My new Organic English venture is dedicated to those  English students out there who want a genuine conversation experience. The blog is a little extra English available to read and possibly pick up on a new idiom or phrase that might be useful in the future. As a beginner blogger, any tips from readers on how I might improve the posts are most welcome!
Nike says it best "Just Do It!"
Ramble!