Even for those of us who speak the same language, communication sometimes falters, often fails. Miscommunication is often the death trap of a young marriage. Just when older married folks are finding their stride and communication is no longer a problem, the hearing begins to go. What he said is not what she heard. The problem is certainly compounded when there are two different languages involved. Remember, when you are speaking with someone from another country, eye contact does not necessarily mean respect, loud voices do not mean anger, lack of a smile does not mean contempt and silence does not mean agreement. When in doubt, ask. “Are you upset by what I’ve just said?” “Tell me what your thoughts are about this.” “Have I offended you in any way?” And so forth. Better to ask than to risk a misunderstanding.

Here it is, May 26 and the temperature is a chilly 53 degrees. It appears I put my winter coat away too soon. My house is cold but I refuse to turn up the heat. I think there’s something wrong when we run the air conditioner one day and the heat the next. So here I sit, chilly but stubborn.

June is Gay and Lesbian Pride month in Canada, the U.S. and Australia.

Let’s not forget to fly our flags with pride on June 14, Flag Day.

And, of course, Father’s Day is June 21 in Canada, the U.S. and the United Kingdom.

There are also all sorts of festivals all over the world to celebrate the summer solstice when the sun is at it’s height.

June seems to be a very powerful month.

The South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is hosting Dinner in the Dark, an experiential supper on Friday, June 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. Guests will be blindfolded during dinner to experience what those who are blind or visually impaired experience. Tickets are $15 and proceeds go to the SD Chapter of the National Associaton for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments. Seating is limited so call Amy at 626-2580 or Rhiannon at 380-9375 to make a reservation or pick up tickets at the front office at the SDSBVI, Monday through Friday from 8 am. to 4 p.m.

The event also includes a raffle, a silent auction and Dawn Brush as MC. The event will take place in the Waler A. hack Activities Building, 423 17th Ave. S.E.,

Here’s another addition to “things you probably already knew but I didn’t.” Cinco De Mayo, May 5, marks the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the Batalla de Puebla in 1862. What you probably knew but I didn’t is that the event is celebrated on a much larger scale in the United States than in Mexico.