Seeing the life behind the face

A reminder that reading is one response to the events around us, because reading encourages empathy:
"If we are to love our neighbors, before doing anything else we must see our neighbors. With our imagination as well as our eyes, that is to say like artists, we must see not just their faces but the life behind and within their faces. Here it is love that is the frame we see them in."
Frederick Buechner in Whistling in the Dark

"Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is one novel that has helped me discover what life may be like for other people. It's the story of a Nigerian student who comes to the US, and her Nigerian boyfriend who makes his way to London. Thoughtful insight into the experience of race, immigration, and culture.

What books do you recommend?

English as a foreign language-part two

I've been to England before but 
never visited British friends there. So I didn't know that there are no restrooms in England. 

Instead they have:

which sounds slightly vulgar to my ears. 

Fortunately there are other options:

and

Speaking of English as a foreign language

Stonking--used to "emphasize something remarkable, exciting, or very large"

as in "Mathilda is stonking show". 

Contest for most amusing name

Every time I look at a map of England I get a smile on my face. Who thought up all these names?

Or how about Ducklington, Filkins, Minchinhampton, Wotton-under-Edge, Chipping Sodbury, Wooton Bassett, Curbridge or the more prosaic Chimney?

What's your favorite English town name?

London wins

November 2 and London wins the 'earliest Christmas decorations' award.  Guess that's what happens when you don't have Thanksgiving to decorate for first. And yes, they were playing Christmas music.