Letters from a Listener

Have you ever wondered how often you have talked to a man about "Women`s Affairs" (haha, not affairs, just themes)? You know, those things that affect ONLY women, and that means ALL women. Like menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, how hard it is to find a well-fitting bra, how easily a small woman can choke from a seat belt because they were only tested on average-size males? Women have to cope with situations that many men have no idea of. When have you told your colleague that befor you can join him in the conference you must first change your tampon or you would bleed through? Men, as we know, tend to shy away when it comes to "uncleanness" in women. They hope we just don`t mention it! But you see, that is the problem. Men just don`t HAVE such "disturbances" that are, however, a part of every woman`s life, from an early age of about 11 on to 50. No woman can choose to say, Thanks, not for me. But with whom have you discussed this, except your husband or...

Good morning, my friends. I have put up some more benches on my roof terrace for you, baked a strawberry cake and am waiting for your magic carpets to land. Feel at home at my place. The sun is shining, we have a great colourful springtime, and I already enjoyed a visit to the local farmer`s market this forenoon. So far I have not figured out how to post pictures, but you can IMAGINE how brimming and bustling it was. After having lived here for such a short time, I still feel rather invisible, but I don`t mind that at all, as I like to just stroll around and see what is going on around me. This town is full of different people - French, Italian (both borders are not far away), Arabs and Africans, and they come in all different shades. I passed a young father today, with three beautiful cute little boys who held each other by the hands. The one in the middle was singing loudly. They were just such a sight! And I thought, May you always have good experiences with grown-ups. May you be se...

Does anybody understand what death is? How can a living being suddenly stop breathing and not live anymore, never returning? With all its experiences, knowledge, love, everything. Gone! Ever since my husband died, I have been wondering. Where is he, when in my dreams we still chat and do things together. Which one is the real life? And then, what is life anyway? Aah, I know, such impossible questions. But really, haven`t you also wondered? My credo is simple. I think we are here to be happy. Don`t get me wrong. Happiness cannot have anything to do with circumstances, at least with the ones we cannot choose. If I suddenly find myself in a war zone, or a fire destroys my home, or any other catastrophe haunts me, then all I can do is try to survive, and shelter those who may need my help. I think this belongs together, caring not only for my own good, but for the ones around me. At least I have found that this makes my life happy. Looking around me and seeing "the others". My n...

 Hi my friends - old and new! I am Angela. Years ago you knew me under "Letters from Usedom", but I wrote my last post in 2011.  My husband and I were then living on the island Usedom, in North-East Germany, in a house by the sea, not far from the Polish border. It was a beautiful place, and I told you about my encounters and my thoughts, but what I liked best were your comments, and your own blogs. You see, I have my head full of ideas too, but I always love to listen to yours! So when you also write a blog, or would like to chat with me via email, just get in contact. Have you heard of those libraries in Denmark where you can "rent a listener"? You just sit on a chair in the library, signalling that you would like to tell your story to somebody, and then a "listener" sits down opposite of you. Simple but great, hey? That is what I like to be, someone who contemplates with you about the craziness of the world. Because, isn`t it just that? We as human folk...