Watermark

What's Left Out

I realize that I never speak of politics here, or the war. It is not, as it may seem, that they are not on my mind. I watch, read, and listen to the news -- no doubt more than is good for me. Anyone who knows me in "real life" would tell you that I hold strong opinions, and articulate them well. But not here.

And less often in general.  Is it age? Illness?

Despair?

Yesterday it was 78 degrees here, a record high. I sat in my garden with my notebook. I've hardly had a pen in my hand since I began this weblog.  Noisy spring, birds and squirrels courting and quarreling, a wasp cruising the edge of the pond.

I think it may be time to ease off here a bit, go back to paper. Go outdoors; go inside.

 

SPAM SPAM SPAM SPAM

Has anyone else noticed how creative spammers are becoming? Here is a short list of "people" who have sent me spam in the past few days:

Synergism B. Forwarding
Issac B. Dupree
Furthers P. Liquids
Octavio Vigil
Incline E. Scarf
Trapezoids E. Unkindest
Discouragements U. Prohibitory
Timetables H. Vistas
Strategic D. Exchequer
Bellini E. Unifying
Geologist F. Archivist
Discoing D. Mindless
Hypercritically M. Adirondacks
Terminologies R. Providently
Horrific L. Tyrannizes
Hilario Diamond
Percy Numbers
Support peasanthood
Mishmashes H. Recycled
Fernando Hightower
Asbestos A. Unluckily

Red Ball

This morning I saw a red motor boat circling on the river with three men, all wearing orange float jackets and red helmets. I conclude that they are working; how many grown men voluntarily wear float jackets and helmets, on a shallow river, on a fine spring day?

They drop a red ball under the bridge, then zip away down-stream in a huge curve, making a wake that sloshes up on the riverbank.  After awhile, they return, collect the ball, and repeat.  Again.  Again.

Measuring the current?

Joe

Yesterday, a note from my aunt telling me that Mom had taken my stepfather to the hospital.  My mother would not have told me so quickly, not wanting to worry me. He's there now for a few days, "observation", though the doctors assure us it is most likely a medication reaction; a minor problem.

He is 92 and slowly diminishing. Is there a "minor problem" at 92?

the spider
weaves her web
in the windchimes

The Dialect Survey: Results for "Poem"

22. poem

     a. one syllable (32.39%)
     b. two syllables (67.61%)

     (11235 respondents)

All Results

Choice a: one syllable

Choice b: two syllables

The dialect survey is an expansion of an initiative begun by Professor Bert Vaux at Harvard University. Dr. Vaux prepared an earlier version of this survey for his Dialects of English class at Harvard in 1999. The survey has since been revised and expanded for a larger, lay audience.

Via Ceejbot