Cynthia D. Bertelsen's Blog, page 16

Truth versus Belief

The most brilliant propagandist technique will yield no success unless one fundamental principle is borne in mind constantly – it must confine itself to a few points and repeat them over and over. ― Joseph Goebbels, Hitler’s Minister of Propaganda ___________________________________ I am a stickler for the truth. Or at least as much as any truth … Continue reading "Truth versus Belief"

Memory, My Old Friend

As Notre Dame burned on the night of April 15, 2019, all my memories of Paris converged, accordion-like, folding inward, into that deep place of mine where not much gets in. Sobs, tears, disbelief. History ignited, bursting into flames, before my very eyes. Never mind that history, by its very nature, changes day to day, … Continue reading "Memory, My Old Friend"

Smörgåsbord: Perfect for the 2020 Holiday Season

This year – and I know you know this as well – the holiday season will be nothing like it used to be. A few weeks ago, I thought I’d throw together a Christmas meal of meatballs and lefse and that would be it as far as my efforts would go. But then I changed … Continue reading "Smörgåsbord: Perfect for the 2020 Holiday Season"

What I Miss Most about My Pre-Pandemic Life

To paraphrase Charles Dickens, “It was the best of times, it was when I strolled through the grocery store, leisurely, a flâneur shopping for food with nary a care in the world.” Of course, many cares dominated my life – family, health, concern about uncertainty of the future of planet. But grocery shopping, or browsing … Continue reading "What I Miss Most about My Pre-Pandemic Life"

Holiday Shopping Made Easy – BOOKS!

As any regular reader of this blog knows, I collect cookbooks. Also books about food. Books about writing and history, too. And, as with most good things, sometimes you can just have too much. That is why for the last several months, I’ve been purging my many bookshelves. After donating several boxes of books to … Continue reading "Holiday Shopping Made Easy – BOOKS!"

Thanksgiving, in the Time of COVID-19

I turn the calendar page and the tiny print at the bottom of the little square reminds me: Thanksgiving, November 26, 2020. After nearly a year of increasing horrors, many deaths, travel restrictions, and just plain fear of a still-mysterious virus, I find myself wondering just what Thanksgiving means to me now. This year, it … Continue reading "Thanksgiving, in the Time of COVID-19"

A Kitchen in Exile

Until recently, I really never thought of exile as having anything to do with me. To speak of exile brings up visions of Napoleon Bonaparte languishing on Elba (later St. Helena) or Leonardo da Vinci doodling in the Château du Clos Lucé, near Amboise, France, yearning for his native Italy. Or the sad case today … Continue reading "A Kitchen in Exile"

Yes, it’s Early, But …

It’s early, and I apologize for the blatant plug for my newest book – Meatballs & Lefse: Memories and Recipes from a Scandinavian-American Farming Life. The thing is, the printer recently announced that they are already overwhelmed by the Christmas rush and orders for any books ordered after Thanksgiving just might not reach you in … Continue reading "Yes, it’s Early, But …"

Grief and Love Go Hand in Hand: Reflecting on Elizabeth Berg’s “I’ll Be Seeing You”

Mourning, and grieving, take up a lot of space in my head these days. So, floundering around for something new to read, I searched for a list of Elizabeth Berg’s books, which I always enjoy. And I found one, just not what I expected. Last night, I finished reading her new book, I’ll Be Seeing … Continue reading "Grief and Love Go Hand in Hand: Reflecting on Elizabeth Berg’s “I’ll Be Seeing You”"

Mexico’s Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos)

In Mexico, the Día de los Muertos (Todos Santos) (Day of the Dead/All Saints’ Day) resembles the norteamericano Halloween only superficially. Mexico is deeply, profoundly Catholic. And Mexico is also deeply, profoundly Aztec. Or at least traces of indigenous religions color the Catholic festivals occurring with such regularity throughout the year that daily life slows … Continue reading "Mexico’s Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos)"