Category: Uncategorized
For those whose work is never done
(National Poetry Month, Day 6) It’s getting late, and I’m getting tired! But I couldn’t let day 6 of National Poetry Month go by without sharing a poem with you. Tonight’s selection is “The Ballad of Father Gilligan” by W.B. Yeats. This poem is appropriate for those who feel overworked or overwhelmed, and for those who believe in miracles. It’s based on … Read More For those whose work is never done
Guess what I found at the Shop Rite…
(National Poetry Month, Day 5) Poetry is everywhere! Proof: here’s what I found on the back of a box of Celestial Seasonings Jammin’ Lemon Ginger Herbal Tea.
For baseball fans only
(National Poetry Month, Day 4) Every once in a while, something reminds me of the magic that is baseball in America. I’m not saying that rabbits inexplicably pop out of batting helmets or that the sand shaken off of cleats is pixie dust. However, there is a certain mystique surrounding baseball: the dreams it awakens in young children playing in all-important little league … Read More For baseball fans only
Here’s to history teachers!
(National Poetry Month, Day 3) It’s the height of dissertation season. This week, I’m having the enlightening experience of editing dissertations by two history teachers. Reviewing their dissertations is reminding me of the importance of teaching; it’s really an honor and a sacred responsibility to guide students to greater knowledge and understanding. When I was younger (and even more foolish than I am now), … Read More Here’s to history teachers!
In Honor of Pat
(National Poetry Month, Day 2) On this second day of National Poetry Month, I’d like to pay tribute to the worthy predecessor of Gilligan: my late, great spaniel-lab-mutt, Pat (Padraig Harrington—really!). Here’s Robert Frost’s “Span of Life,” in honor of Paddy: Span of Life The old dog barks backward without getting up. I can remember when he was a pup.
Kicking off NPM
(National Poetry Month, Day 1) Today is the first day of National Poetry Month! Throughout April, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite poems with you. Since today is such a beautiful day in my corner of New Jersey, here’s an exuberant, springy poem for you: “i thank You God for most this amazing” by e.e. cummings. i thank You God for most this … Read More Kicking off NPM
Top 10 sentences
The ten best sentences, according to The American Scholar magazine. Hey, why didn’t Dr. Seuss’ masterpiece, “Through three cheese trees three free fleas flew,” make the cut? What other sentences would YOU like to see on this list?
Create-a-Word Day
Over the past few days, we’ve thought a lot about new words that have been added to English through the years. So that we can make our own contributions (albeit unofficial contributions) to English vocabulary, I hereby decree that today is Create-a-Word Day! I challenge you to caption this photo, including in your caption at least one word that you create. It can be … Read More Create-a-Word Day
Playing with words
If William Shakespeare, Lewis Carroll, and the general public can invent words, why can’t you? You CAN! I most often notice the need for new words when I’m playing Words With Friends. Of course, my words might never officially be welcomed into the English language or into the pantheon of words accepted in Words With Friends or Scrabble; still, I don’t let that stop … Read More Playing with words
When English vocabulary isn’t adequate
The English language includes many fantastic words, and this is because of the efforts that millions of people have made over hundreds of years to express ideas clearly and creatively. When we compare our native language with other languages, though, we sometimes realize areas in which our native language could use some improvement. It’s hard to know what we’re missing if we don’t even … Read More When English vocabulary isn’t adequate
Welcome, new words!
Just this month, the Oxford English Dictionary added words to the lexicon. Based on the common use of some of these words, they should have been included long ago; others might seem too time-bound to be likely to have relevance beyond 2015. What do you think of these new words and new uses of already-existing words? Do any surprise you? Would you remove any?
“He chortled in his joy”
We have the captioning permanently visible on our TV. It does get a little bit distracting sometimes, I’ll admit. But it also sometimes adds a fascinating dimension to my television-based diversion. Last week, I was watching “Who Wants to Be a Millionnaire.” A young man was considering the four choices before him. While pondering his options, he let out a low chuckle. If I … Read More “He chortled in his joy”
The Graceful Grammarian 