Category: Uncategorized
Which Edgar Allan Poe story are you?
Just for fun, take this quiz to find out which of Edgar Allan Poe’s stories best represents you! (A note to linguistic purists: this quiz does include some grammatical and mechanical errors, but try to overlook them and enjoy the quiz.)
Kiddie Lit?
When I was in grammar school at St. Cassian’s, we normally had our library class once per week. We’d go to the school library and have the option of checking out a book. Searching for a book to read for a book report, I checked out Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher—because it was short! My sixth-grade mind was a little bit … Read More Kiddie Lit?
I’m ravin’ about this Halloween decoration!
Upon entering CVS today, I encountered this pack of Halloween window decorations. When I inspected it, I realized that one of the window decorations in the package features not only the likeness of a raven but also part of the text of “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe! If you love Poe as much as I do, hie thee to your local CVS to … Read More I’m ravin’ about this Halloween decoration!
Poe Week
Autumn is undoubtedly here; a damp chill hangs in the evening air. What’s on my reading list for today? Something by Edgar Allan Poe, of course! To get us all in the proper horrific spirit for the season, I hereby decree that this is Edgar Allan Poe Week! What does that mean? A “Poest” from me every day. (Sorry, I know that was terrible.) … Read More Poe Week
A freezy breezy fall day
Some quasi-autumnal eloquence from our philological friend Dr. Seuss: “Through three cheese trees three free fleas flew. While these fleas flew, freezy breeze blew. Freezy breeze made these three trees freeze. Freezy trees made these trees’ cheese freeze. That’s what made these three free fleas sneeze.”
Fall, autumn…what’s the difference?
Each season has a name: winter, spring, summer, and fall…err…autumn. Which is it? Today, it’s either. Many of us might prefer “autumn” because it just sounds nicer. Something about the word is mystical and misty, evoking images of fog-wrapped trees on a forested hillside. Even the spelling of the word is alluringly mysterious: why the silent “n”? Is it a vestige of an ancient … Read More Fall, autumn…what’s the difference?
Unwelcome no longer!
Each time I visited Ploch’s Farm last year, I encountered this sign. Needless to say, I was disappointed and felt singled out. I continued to visit Ploch’s, but I was a little bit self-conscious each time I’d stop in for produce or ice cream. This year, I have been greeted by this sign. What a huge relief! The Ploch family has reconsidered its ban … Read More Unwelcome no longer!
Welcome, autumn!
It’s almost equinox time! “Autumn” by Emily Dickinson The morns are meeker than they were, The nuts are getting brown; The berry’s cheek is plumper, The rose is out of town. The maple wears a gayer scarf, The field a scarlet gown. Lest I should be old-fashioned, I’ll put a trinket on.
Apostrophe fails
A grammarian’s one-way ticket to Nightmare City. Read at your own risk.
Food and spelling!
Mmmmm…food and spelling: two of my favorites! Enjoy this blog post by food expert Alton Brown.
Diagramming
If you like diagramming sentences as much as I do, you’ll appreciate this article from NPR. Share it with like-minded friends!
The Graceful Grammarian 