In my front garden
I’m an American writer who has made Scotland her home. I grew up mainly in Portland, Oregon. I became enamoured of languages and studied French, eventually gaining a Ph.D in French from Yale University. In the 1990s I published translations and scholarly articles, but I never felt as engaged with research as I did with teaching, which I continue to enjoy. When I came to Aberdeen in 1992, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to learn Gaelic, which I can speak fairly fluently. I have been writing fiction and non-fiction for some years now. The themes and questions that continue to interest me are identity, adoption (of a country as well as of a child), belonging, cultural differences, faith and parenting.
I am blessed to have a great family. My husband still makes me laugh, and we are very happy together. Our son now lives in the beautiful capital city of Edinburgh, which is a great place to visit, and our daughter brings us great joy. I call her the Dafter, after her perfectly logical mispronunciation of the word “daughter” – like “laughter” – when she was learning to read. Besides writing, I love gardening, walking around Aberdeen, Gaelic, knitting, and listening to Scottish accents. I am very involved in church life, and was recently ordained as an Elder of the Church of Scotland. (This does not mean, however, that I don’t still have many questions!) In all indoor activities I am ably assisted by our sweet cat, Tilly.
Dear Christine
I’ve been asked by the Scottish Poetry Library to write teachers’ resources for the National Poetry Day postcards, including your ‘Building Vocabulary’. I’m including some biographical details, and wanted to check your place of birth – Wish I Was Here says San Francisco, Silver says Portland, Oregon. Rather than guess, and possibly extend an error, I thought I’d ask…
Best wishes,
Ken Cockburn
By: Ken Cockburn on July 25, 2010
at 10:43 am
Christine…thanks so much for letting me know about your latest project…you’re wonderful book. It looks fantastic, and I shall immendiately ask for it in every bookshop I enter. I shall also mention it on the dreaded Facebbook coz many of my Scottish/American/Norwegian friends would be very interested.
Good luck with it, and see you soon
Jane
By: jane.grieve on August 5, 2010
at 10:45 am
Christine!
Just found your Website. Didn’t realise you had such talents – you are far too modest! I’m sure I’ll get much pleasure in reading what you’ve done plus any future projects.
Best Wishes
John
By: John Grant on August 5, 2010
at 4:00 pm
Christine!
‘MAY’[!] you have lots of success and enjoyment from, and interest in, your latest project.
All the best with the venture
Moira
By: Moi McArthur on August 10, 2010
at 2:40 pm
I came across your blog while looking for info about the knit camp at Stirling University. I clicked to read about your blog and see you wearing my favorite sweater, which I made myself. I am American too, love Scotland (made a 2 week trip to Glasgow, Edinburgh, and the Highlands in 2004), and love to knit! So much in common! I have added you to my list of blogs to read daily.
Best
Martha
By: martha chabinsky on November 1, 2010
at 3:51 pm
Dear Martha,
Thanks so much for your comment. I hope you enjoy the blog – I try to post every 2 to 3 days. (My daughter, “the Dafter” says more than that is total overkill for my readers!) If you’re on Ravelry, I’m “tefighe”. I’d be curious to know which sweater is the one you’ve made as well!
By: christinelaennec on November 1, 2010
at 5:24 pm
Please never ever stop writing Christine, it is a great gift that you share with the world
I loved the photos of the crocuses, btw, made me think of Seaton Park in the sunshine. Some very happy memories,
love to all the family
Tom
By: Tom Lloyd on March 6, 2011
at 11:36 am
Dear Tom,
What a lovely thing to be told: “never ever stop writing”. I am often tempted, but simply can’t! I once read that the definition of a writer is: someone who can’t not write. I’m glad you liked the photos and have happy memories of Seaton Park. Thanks again for coming by and for your good wishes. Love to you and yours.
By: christinelaennec on March 7, 2011
at 9:25 am
Prof. Laennec:
When discussing how engaged you felt when teaching, I am hoping that you remember your time teaching French at Illinois State University. As a student who struggled with learning a new language, I appreciated your passion and obvious enjoyment not only of French, but of your interaction with the students.
I have many fond memories of my time at ISU. What I loved the most were the people there and the relationships I formed with other students and the faculty.
Thank you for taking the time for us, your students.
With Warmest Regards,
Dan Wilkins, B.A., 1991
By: Dan Wilkins on April 9, 2011
at 6:16 am
Dear Dan,
What a kind, kind comment! Thank you so much – this is why people teach. Of course I remember I.S.U., and I remember your name as well. What struck me the most when we arrived there was that so many students would say, “Why did you come here from Yale? Why would you want to teach us?” I truthfully answered that I enjoyed the students’ sincerity and lack of pretension. I’m so glad that you have happy memories of your time there. I think what you say about the value of relationships with others is absolutely true. No-one can make anyone else learn a thing – we can only try to encourage one another. Wow, I’m having a flashback to being in downtown Normal! Thanks for coming by my blog. I hope life has treated you well in the interim.
By: christinelaennec on April 9, 2011
at 7:22 am
Hi Christine, my laptop is in the ICU at St. Best Buy. That means I don’t have your email address, please do send me a note, so I may reply, I have a question for you re: higher education in the UK from the son of a work colleague. All the best!
-Bruce Anderson
By: Bruce Anderson on August 12, 2011
at 4:34 pm
For the wonderful Writing from Scotland: I’ve just given you a Liebster Blog Award – http://lornastearoomdelights.wordpress.com/2012/02/16/dearest-blogs/
My post is a bit all over the place but here’s the proper info you need to dish out some awards of your own:
“Liebster is German and translates into English as “dearest” or ”favorite”. A Liebster Blog Award is given to talented bloggers who have less than 200 followers. So, in a way the award not only recognizes these bloggers as amazingly gifted in their own right but also as your very own personal favorites.”
How to participate:
Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog.
Link back to the blogger who presented the award to you.
Copy and paste the blog award on your blog.
Present the Liebster Blog Award to 5 blogs of 200 followers or less who you feel deserve to be noticed. (Some say just 3 or more blogs of less than 200 followers each)
Let them know they have been chosen by leaving a comment at their blog.
By: tearoomdelights on February 16, 2012
at 5:16 pm