Author Archives: Marahm

About Marahm

At first glance, I may appear to be a middle-aged American woman with kids, grandkids, retired from a job in a hospital, gratefully relieved from the responsibilities that come with all of that. Behind the image, which is true enough, I am fairly unhinged from much of American mainstream living, having spent twelve years in Saudi Arabia, years that sprung me from societal and familial impositions, and narrow bands of truth. I have learned to embrace my identity as a seeker, an artist, and a writer. I study Arabic and Italian language, because I love them, and I love their people. I still dream of spending more time in the Middle East and Italy, though the dreaming now seems more real than the possibilities. I am a photographer. I write, and sometimes publish, flash memoir, and now a blog or two.

Learning to Say, “Yes.”

Growing up, I was taught to obey. My father’s favorite words, when talking about child-rearing, were, “Discipline!” and “Obedience!” I was expected to say not only, “Yes,” but, “Yes,” with a smile, or at least with no expression of displeasure. … Continue reading

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Learning Egyptian Arabic– Yet Again!

The Internet is now bursting with programs to learn all sorts of Arabic, even Egyptian Arabic, and I’ve been reading some of those sites, downloading some of the materials, listening to some of the audio files, and trying alone– like … Continue reading

Posted in Arabic Language, Family, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

The Best of Both Worlds

I lived in Riyadh for twelve years, from 1986 through 1998— the first six in the King Faisal Hospital women’s housing compound on campus (men lived off campus), and the second six in the city, amongst working class expatriate Arabs. … Continue reading

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“Likes” and Comments

During the years I did not post to this blog, things had changed. WordPress added new features and withdrew others; that’s to be expected. A few of my readers from the past have showed up again. Thanks! The most striking difference, … Continue reading

Posted in Blogging | Tagged | 10 Comments

Another Swing into the Fullness of Islam

December 21, 2022 I don’t know how or why I found myself looking for a stream upon which I could set my vessel for a slide back into Islam. Muslims would say Allah was guiding me. I don’t know. It … Continue reading

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Return to Riyadh?

My American friend Sharon, married to a Saudi man for at least thirty years, has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. This came as a big shock more to me than to her. She’d suspected it, but hadn’t been honest with … Continue reading

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New Year’s Resolutions

I have not made New Year’s Resolutions for years, simply because I have never been able to keep them when I’ve made them. Now, however, at the age of seventy-two, I’ve become aware that I may not have many years … Continue reading

Posted in Arabic Language, Blogging, Health and Medicine, Horses, learning Arabic, Life Writing, Religion, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

To Thine Own Self be True

Yesterday I was rummaging around my closet, looking for something, but I didn’t find it. I did find an old art project I’d done in high school, more than fifty years ago. The assignment was to choose a short phrase, … Continue reading

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Would I Return to Riyadh?

As the years pass, and my chances to return to the actual Riyadh remain firmly in front of me, I do not jump, and I do not plan. The actual Riyadh today holds little attraction for me. My one remaining … Continue reading

Posted in Saudi Arabia | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Hijab– the Perenial Argument

Originally posted on The Convert Connection:
No person can approach Islam without considering that glaring badge of belonging– the head-covering of women. My comments in this post refer to the physical expression of hijab– the headscarf. I won’t post evidence for…

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