Language Lesson

Photo Courtesy of Locuig at Pixabay

Wednesday evening, a friend withdrew from the brink of tragedy. He knows pain will always be there, but a lessening occurred after he shared this crisis, enough to give some relief. New photos actually showed this in his face, for which I’m thankful.

He added that he didn’t want to read too much into it, which I took to perhaps mean two things. First, he probably doesn’t have true hope the minor improvement will last. In addition, I don’t believe he has faith in a higher power and considers the improvement a coincidence. He does have writing projects lined up for this year, so let’s hope that gives him the will to continue on.

Meanwhile, writing in my journal about him and his presumed lack of faith, I wondered if ‘coincidence’ has its root in ‘coincide’. Considering that the latter indicates parallel situations (no added proof or faith required) while the former alludes to happenstance, I found this interesting, proof I am also a language geek. ~grin~ No surprise there, eh?

Am I right about almost the exact same word having rather opposite meanings? Or is this incidental, anecdotal theorizing?

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Darla’s Discoveries - Tips & Tricks for Around the House

Tip #4: Battery Retrieval

The other day a fellow writer on Facebook saw my post about an Alphasmart word processor saving my writing day. She made a cute remark asking about this magical device that promotes word creation. I thought she was just being funny but later learned she really wanted to know more about the machine.

Used by Students in Between the Age of Typewriters & Cheaper PC's

So I proceeded to relay all the information that came to mind. Unable to remember how many AA batteries are required, I totally forgot for a moment that the shell is semi-transparent and tried to take them out for a count.

All I needed do was hold it up to the lamplight. ~rolls eyes~ And my wasted effort unseated the battery so that the connection became unreliable. I couldn’t keep it turned on and had to wrestle the battery out.

At that point I recalled how a lot of electronics provide a ribbon of sorts in the battery compartment to help a person unseat that first tight fitted cell. So, I made my own from a bolt of ribbon bought for my DIY decorated wedding.

Should I Worry about the Plastic Melting?

Can you suggest other uses for all this remaining ribbon?

I'll Probably End Up Taking This to My Grave
Heh...

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A Prayer Request

Today I learned that an online friend and inspiration suffering excruciating pain is near the end of his rope. Despite my usual attempt at sharing only upbeat or funny messages here, I wanted to blog about him but debated how to approach the situation.

While I contemplated the words my computer crashed – hard – giving me the feeling a higher power sent me a little message to hold off and think more about the matter. So I rebooted this laptop, went to lift weights and, upon returning, found an email from a wise friend (Annie I love you!). I put forth my concerns and received prompt reply.

Thus, at her gentle suggestion, I am requesting prayer and warm thoughts without naming this kind soul. If you feel inclined to join in, I appreciate it and believe God will have no doubt who they’re for. I feel more at peace just for sharing.

How are you feeling today? I hope the answer is wonderful!

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The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Most of the folks kind enough to keep reading this silly blog know my adoration of music in general and, of late, for the young musicians of Palaye Royale. Inspired by other introverts, I’d like to meet these reportedly super nice guys, who always man their merchandise table after their sets to talk with fans.

I hope to tell them how their music eased my heartache after Mom died. I’d also like to show my appreciation with some sort of affectionate token. It’s not uncommon for people to bring artwork, a favorite food, or something fashionable.

Boom Boom Room (Side A) Album Cover
See Their Beloved Dog at Lower Right?

At first I found three vintage items among my own jewelry, scarves, and sunglasses from my contact lens wearing days. But wisdom intruded. I’m not some little girl. I am old enough to have birthed these guys. So while I may be a ‘dirty old lady’ at heart, my intentions are pure.

Then I had a memory of seeing Remington Leith playing a trivia game. Given the name Goldie Hawn, he passed on the question. That saddened me. How could he not know this fabulous actress? And an idea was born.

Also a fan of their music, just not in favor of attending live shows with only one good ear, SO joined in my enthusiastic listing of movies. It started with “Death Becomes Her”, of course, and now includes a dozen others. I plan to insert the list within a letter of appreciation explaining how and when I found their music.

I think this is more practical considering their nomadic ways, long hours of boredom, and limited space. Maybe my originality will even make an impression.

Should I include the much maligned “Howard the Duck”? I liked that movie. Heh…

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Positive Sparks - Monday March 5

To quote Annie of McGuffy’sReader, the bright spirited blog where she created Sparks Mondays, “I believe we are meant to be lights in this world. If we allow our light to shine, we can see where we are going. It is then that we can begin to truly see each other clearly. Together, we can light up the entire world!”

For this week I decided to share something by the amazing Henry David Thoreau. To my surprise, some were obsolete. But come on, he lived a long time ago, so it's understandable he was wrong about mankind cluttering the skies. Oh, well. This one from Brainy Quotes struck me as particularly poignant. Happy Monday!

Alas, I Cannot Take Credit for this Photo

Unlike my sorry self, have you ever read “Walden” by Mr. Thoreau?
 

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Not Even Ever

During rewrites, I tend to remove way more than gets added to tell story. Pruning tightens the tell. And one word that needs to leave my vocabulary is ‘even’.

A Must-Have Tool for Any Sensible Writer

Well, unless a surface is, well… not. At least I don’t use ‘was’ in every other sentence like a certain book featuring sparkly vampires. I refused to read that series, by the way.

What words in a story annoy you?

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A Rainbow Snippet for March 3/4

It’s time again for more Facebook frolicking alongside the delightful LGBTQ+ writers of RainbowSnippets. Here I offer six sentences of mild F/F.

Picture Courtesy of Comfreak at Pixabay

Snippet:

I couldn’t help remembering the first time we were intimate. That one-sided encounter started with her offering a shoulder upon which to cry. Breathing deep, I took in her comforting scent. My neck and shoulder muscles loosened while others less visible contracted.

“Come on. My arms are getting tired here,” she said, her joke gentle.

~

I hope you enjoyed it!

#rainbowsnippets

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Darla's Discoveries - Tips & Tricks for Around the House

Tip #3: Recycling

I’m sure it’s no surprise I treasure paper seeing as writing is my great passion. That said, grocery lists get recycled for the next shopping trip and sometimes I even fold down the sticky part of a used Post-It note to jot something down on the other side.

Watching SO turn paper tea bag wrappers into origami gave me another idea. I use them for little notes!

I Think a Heart or Smiley Face Sweetens the Message

Can you guess who ended up cleaning the turntable?

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