Anguish Language Supporters?*

Big surprise...I love words (and phrases!). What I love even more is when society is called out for misusing them. Mainly because it can be funny stuff--or at least mildly amusing. (And thanks, Mom, for many amusing years--I promise I'll start that "collection" of your best catch phrases one day!)

So, it should be no surprise to you that I truly enjoy this university's humorous raking of our language choices. "Winner of five nominations" is my personal favorite. Enjoy the nonsense (or is it, now?)!

http://www.lssu.edu/banished/current.php

*Disclaimer: Supporters of the Anguish Language do not search for misuse. They are more interested in the economy of language, among other things (see http://www.crockford.com/wrrrld/anguish.html#Introduction). But don't you think this Banished Language List furthers the SPAL cause!?

'Tis the Season!

About 10 years ago, I got a wonderful "Twelve Days of Christmas" gift*--a mold for a gingerbread house! Dad thought it would be a fun tradition to start (he was all about TRA - DI - TION!). And I was so excited!

Days later, I found myself in tears just trying to put the thing together--with help!! We would put one piece up and try to hold it while we attached the other with our glue (i.e., royal icing). Hold it a little more so it would "stick". And just as we would go to get another piece because the first two were standing, there would be this light thud. Needless to say, this gift offered a lesson in patience & endurance!

Many years later--as I put together a house in a matter of minutes, deftly with one hand tied behind my back--I believe this is my favorite Christmas tradition. It helps to awaken in me the enjoyment of the holidays...'it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.'

Enjoy GB08! Thanks, Clint, for helping with the snowman by making his body parts! And, Mom, you're the best for cutting all of my roof tiles; that was a (st)icky job!

*For those of you who don't know...Mom and Dad's anniversary was December 13th, and since that was 12 days from Christmas, Dad started a tradition of giving Mom something each day, culminating in her big Christmas Day gift! I was lucky enough to be gifted from time to time, as well.

Morning snow? SNOW DAY!

What do we do in the south when we get a couple of inches of snow on the ground early in the morning? Call a snow day! My next door neighbor Kristen and I sat on our porch and had coffee (AND FROZE), enjoying the beauty of snow.


At almost noon today (see below), I imagine we could go along with our business. But we'd most likely make a true tangle of traffic. So here's to snow in South Louisiana! (Cause in a few days it'll be 70 degrees again.)
























































8:30 this morning.













And the same scene just before noon!