Category Archives: Life in the United States

“It’s time for … baseball!”* Yes, baseball season is almost here. And we who live in Los Angeles hope, once again, that our teams will do well. For Jeff it’s the Dodgers. For me the Angels. And both teams look … Continue reading →

If you’re part of a working couple (two people who are married or in a committed relationship) with children these days, you’re probably sharing more of the household (related to home) work than parents did 50 or 75 years ago. … Continue reading →

When you walk into a Ruby’s Diner in southern California, you take a step back in time, into the 1940s and 50s. The red booths (a table between two long seats), white table tops, soda fountains, and colorful 1940s posters … Continue reading →

To many people, the word “gentrification” is a dirty (offensive; vulgar) word. Gentrification refers to a change in an urban (city) area with new businesses moving in and housing prices going up, creating a more wealthy (rich) community than was … Continue reading →

If you’re wondering which cities in the United States could be considered the most religious, you may be interested in a recent survey (piece of research where many people are asked the same questions) released by the American Bible Society … Continue reading →

With the start of a new year, new laws go into effect (are now required to be followed). A new law in California has chefs (professional cooks) and bartenders (people whose job it is to serve drinks, especially alcoholic ones, usually … Continue reading →

Not long ago, Jeff explained the tradition of American women changing their names after marriage (see English Cafe 427). Although fewer women are following this tradition now than, say (for example), 50 years ago, it is still very common. When … Continue reading →

If you live in an American city, you know that the word “easement” means an area on your land that the government says must be used for a specific purpose. For example, many Americans homeowners have easements in their backyards … Continue reading →

We shall overcome, We shall overcome, We shall overcome some day. Oh, deep in my heart I do believe, We shall overcome some day. Pete Seeger, the musician who helped make We Shall Overcome (to fight against something and win) … Continue reading →

The winter wind blew hard and cold across the Nebraska plains (large area of mostly flat land) last week. And in that cold wind, a small group of people stood together in a small cemetery (where people are buried) on … Continue reading →