HAPPY NEW YEAR!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

WORK HARD TO PURSUE YOUR DREAMS.
DON'T QUIT WHEN THINGS GET TOUGH.
LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES, THEN MOVE ON.
NEVER LISTEN TO CRITICS.

TODAY'S WORD

TRANS- Prefix Across, beyond, through. So as to change, or to the other side Ex. transatlantic, transgender, transfer.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Being there is the biggest key to successful personal relationships. How present are you for your friends and loved ones? -author unknown

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

We must never forget that art is not a form of propaganda, it is a form of truth. -John Fitzgerald Kennedy

TODAY'S WORD

CONCINNITY 1. Skillfully put together. 2. Harmony or elegance of design esp. of literary style in adaptations of parts of a whole or to each other.

SEASON'S GREETINGS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

TODAY'S WORD

CAMP 1. Exaggerated effeminate mannerisms esp. exhibited by homosexuals. 2. Something self consciously exaggerated or theatrical.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The essential food of teamwork is recognition of the value each individual brings to the group. -Leslie Feinberg, activist

POEM

I met Corinne in New Orleans. Just another woman, I mused. A woman with raven hair, And eyes dark and exotic. Corinne's bayou twang, Was lucid and clear. She came into my life, When life seemed empty. Corinne could see my heart. She accepted me for me. I love her so. My friend, my soulmate, my love.

TODAY'S WORD

EXTRAPOLATE 1. Project, extend, or expand. 2.Predict by projecting past experiences or known data.

WINTER AND WRITING

The cold has settled in. The once lush landscape has been stripped naked by late fall's cold, brisk winds. The weather may not be great, but our writing should not go into hibernation. Think about the places you went this summer. How much of the experiences have you absorbed into your being? Winter reminds me of snow, fireplaces and hot chocolate. Why do I equate winter and writing? The holiday season is here and some of our most heartfelt emotions are displayed. Why not write about Thanksgivings or Christmases that were special to you? Many people are depressed and sad during this time. Some of the most heart rendering and great writings have been written in times of duress. This could be the time your best writing will be drawn out of you.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Faith is the strength by which a shattered world
shall emerge into the light.

-Helen Keller, author

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Always forgive your enemies -nothing annoys them so much. -Oscar Wilde

TODAY'S WORD

FRIVOLOUS Lacking in seriousness; of little weight or importance. Having no sound basis.

TODAY'S WORD

VEHEMENT

Marked by forceful energy; powerful.

Intensely emotional; impassioned, fervid;

Deeply felt.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Wisdom can come from the most unlikeky sources.

TODAY'S WORD

ANDROGYNOUS Having the characteristics or nature of both male and female. Neither specifically feminine or masculine. Having traditional male and female roles obscured or reversed.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The greatest sign of success for a teacher... is to be able to say, "The children are now working as if I did not exist." -Maria Montessori, educator

HORROR FILM

Alfred Hitchcock's horror film "Psycho" is one of the classic horror movies of all time. Filmed in 1960, this black and white film is as eerie and frightening as it was when I first saw "Psycho" as a preteen. It set the standrard for future hooror flicks should be made. It is worth checking out.

TODAY'S WORD

AVARICE Excessive or insatiable appetite for wealth or gain. Greedy

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness. -James Thurber

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

All men who have achieved great things
have been great dreamers.

-Orison Swett Marden, writer

TODAY'S WORD

PALLOR

1. Pale; a deficiency of color, especially of the face.

THANGSGIVING: BEING THANKFUL

As we reflect on what Thansgiving Day really means, let us remember to be thankful. To God, to our family, and for our country. Let us be thankful for our jobs, our health, for a roof over our heads. Let us be thankful for the opportunities that we have. We should appreciate the good things that has happened to us. We can reflect on things that we lost, but, at the same time, rejoice in the things we have gained. Above all, be thankful for God's bounty and blessings.

HAPPY THANSGIVING DAY!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

You miss 100% of the shots you never take. -Wayne Gretzky, hockey great

TODAY'S WORD

CHANCEL The part of a church containing the altar and seats for the clergy and choir.

TODAY'S WORD

COPPICE A thicket, grove, or growth of small trees. Forests originating from mainly shoots or root suckers rather than seeds.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Set goals for yourself. After you have achieved them, set some more. -Mocha

TODAY'S WORD

APOPLEXY To cripple by a stroke.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well. -Lewis B. Smedes

TODAY'S WORD

HARBINGER One that indicates or foreshadows what is to come; Forerunner.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether it's the same problems you had last year. -John Foster Dulles

TODAY'S WORD

MALIGN 1. To utter injuriously misleading or false reports about; to speak evil of. 2. Having or showing vicious ill will towars; defame.

WESTERNS

I have always been a fan of western movies and novels. The open spaces, scenic mountains , and adventure of the unknown intrigues me to this day. Perhaps, there are fans of this genre out there. I surfed the internet and was surprised by the number of women and men who write western stories. Ther are a number of websites on www.google.com which can get you started.

WESTERNS

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The future is as bright as God's promises.

-William Carey, clergyman

TODAY'S WORD

OSTENTATION

Excessive display; an act of displaying.

BANAL

Commonplace; lacking originality; trite.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Peace hath higher tests of manhood, than battle ever knew. -John Greenleaf Whittier, poet

TODAY'S WORD

STUPEFY

1. To make stupid, groggy, or insensible.

2. astonish; astound.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Computers are magnificent tools for the realization
of our dreams, but no machine can replace the human
spark of spirit, compassion, love, and understanding.

-Louis Gerstner

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Faith is the first factor in a life of service. Without it, nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible. -Mary McLeod Bethune, educator

TODAY'S WORD

LOQUACIOUS Given to fluent or excessive talk;.talkative. Wordy

TODAY'S WORD

DENIGRATE Defame; to cast aspersions on. Belittle; deny value or importance.

MUCH WRITING OF LATE

I have been writing a lot lately. Prose, poetry, fiction, non fiction, and commentary. It is one of those periods where i have much to say. Do you ever have times like that? It is fun and productive. I am studying advanced writing in college. Writing reviews and critiques about films is another area that is new to me. I have taken a second look at my movie watching because I am not much of a movie or tv person. Part of the reason is a lot of movies and plays are garbage. I will be attending a play in a couple of weeks and so I will have the chance to critique my first play. I love plays and desire to attend more, but they can be rather expensive. If I can find some plays or movies to recommend, I will tell you shortly. My favorite writing is short stories and essays. I have tried my hand at poetry, prose, plays, and horror stories. One goal I have is to write a full length screenplay.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

A classic is a book that doesn't have to be written again. -W.E.B. Du Bois

TODAY'S WORD

CONGRUENT Having a difference divisible by a given modulus.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The trouble is that everyone talks about reforming others and no one thinks about reforming himself. -Saint Peter of Alcantara

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Where there is an open mind,
there is always a frontier.

-Charles Kettering

TODAY'S WORD

SATURNINE

1. Cold and steady in mood; slow to act or change;

2. Surly, gloomy; morose; sullen

Ex. A saturnine smile.

TODAY'S WORD

RETINUE Attendants; retainers

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Charity is no substitute for justice withheld. -St. Augustine

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

If you dont like something, change it.
If you can't change it, change your attitude.
Don't complain.

-Maya Angelou, poet

TODAY'S WORD

JEFE

Chief; leader.

EDITING

Your story is completed. Now you must go over it again to look for errors or omissions. You see the simple mistakes you made or think of something you wanted to add. Such is the job of editing. It is a thankless endeavor yet vital to the writer being published. One of the worst things that can happen is to have manuscripts rejected because of grammatical errors. Look at editing as a way to improve writing skills, vocabulary and proofreading skills.

TODAY'S WORD

FLEER To laugh or grimace in a coarse derisive manner. sneer; mock; scoff.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The more you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you will go. -Dr. Seuss, author

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Every day you waste is one you can never
make up.

-George Allen

TODAY'S WORD

PRESCIENCE

Forknowledge of events; divine ominscience

foresight; human anticipation of the course of events

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The only way to have a friend is to be one.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Excellence means when a man or woman asks of himself more than others do. -Jose Ortega y Gasset

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes. -Lucy Maud Montgomery

WRITER'S TOOLS

I have found many invaluable references that have helped me improve my writing. There are many of them, but the three books listed below are sources no writer, novice or published, can do without. Gibaldi, Joseph MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers 6th edition (great book for college students) Instant Synonyms and Antonyms Strunk, Wm. and White, E.B. The Elements of Style 4th Edition

TODAY'S WORD

ZEPHYR A breeze from the west; a gentle breeze. Any various lightweight fabrics and articles of clothing.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it. -Lucy Maud Montgomery

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

God has been very good to me, for I never dwell upon anything wrong
which a person has done, so as to remember it afterwards. If I do
remember it, I always see some other virtue in that person.

-Saint Teresa of Avila

TODAY'S WORD

IDYLLIC

Pleasing or picturesque in natural simplicity.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

We make a living by what we get.

We make a life by what we give.


-Winston Churchill

TODAY'S WORD

EMPYREAN

1. The highest heaven or heavenly sphere in ancient and medieval cosmology usually consisting of fire and light; the true and ultimate heavenly paradise.

2.Firmament, heavens

3. An ideal place or state

TODAY'S WORD

SALUBRIOUS Favorable to or promoting health or well being Healthful

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Peace and justice are two sides of the same coin. -Dwight D. Eisenhower

TODAY'S WORD

COLLAGE

1. An artistic composition made of various materials (as glue, paper, cloth, or wood) glued on a surface.

2. the art of making collages

3. An assembly of diverse fragments

4. A work (as a film) having disparate scenes in rapid succession without transitions.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Only in quiet waters do things mirror themselves undistorted. Only in a quiet mind is adequate perception of the world. -Hans Margolius

ESSAY

NEEDED! Playwrights! Poets! Writers! Actors! Actresses! Teachers! Needed are people who will affect this generation is a positive way. This culture of death has claimed too lives. The arts are a positive and life changing subject which, sadly, is goin the way of the dinosaur. Everybody does not think in a logical manner. Some express themselves through music or art or sports or a special skill that they have. We need to affirm and encourage that person. They have something that no one else possesses. It can be their contribution to the betterment of mankind.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love. -William Sloan Coffin

TODAY'S WORD

PULCHRITUDE Physical comeliness; beautiful

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The person born with a talent they are meant to use will find their greatest happiness in using it. -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not our circumstances. -Martha Washington

TODAY'S WORD

CONFLUENCE

1. A coming or flowing together, meeting, or gathering at one point
Sentence: A happy confluence of weather and scenery.

2. The flowing together of two or more streams; the place of meeting of two streams; the combined stream formed by conjunction.

WEBSITES

I subscribed to two websites where you can purchase books fairly priced and somewhat on the quirky side. What I like about them is that you can find books that you may not find at the main bookstores like Barnes and Nobles or Amazon. The sites are listed below and will be added to the links list. www.ebookslib.com www.bookbrowse.com

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

You don't know what power you have until you make choices in a hard time. -Lord Dragnys

TODAY'S WORD

CHRYSALIS

A pupa of a butterfly; an insect pupa Plural: chrysalides

Aprotective covering; a shelter state or stage of being or growth

Sentence: A budding writer could not emerge from his chrysalis too soon.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

To live happily with other people one should ask of them only what they can give. -Tristan Bernard

WORD OF THE DAY

PEJORATIVE Having negative connotations; tending to disparage or belittle

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

What would you attempt to do if you knew you would not fail. -Dr. Robert Schuller

WORD OF THE DAY

EPOCHAL Uniquely or highly significant; mometous

WRITING YOUR LEGACY

Writing your legacy is not done with pen and paper, but by our actions and motives. What kind of legacy do you want to leave your grandchildren? Will your legacy affect the lives of future generations? Remember, a good legacy will go beyond the borders of your immediate surrroundings.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold, but so does a hard-boiled egg. -Unknown

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The sun is new each day. - Heraclitus

WORD OF THE DAY

ANOMALOUS Deviating from the common or usual rule, form, or manner. Not conforming to rule, system, method, or analogy Eccentric, odd, irregular

ANOTHER DAY

GOOD MORNING!

WORDS OF WISDOM

Resolve to edge in a little reading every day, if it is but a single sentence. If you gain fifteen minutes a day, it will make itself felt at the end of the year.

-Horace Mann

WORD OF THE DAY

INCULPATE

To charge with wrongdoing; blame; accuse; implicate

WORD OF THE DAY

MYRMIDONS One of a warlike people of ancient Thessaly represented as followers of Achilles in the Trojan War. A faithful adherent; a follower or underling of rough or desparate character who executes the commands of his master without question or scruple. A petty officer of the law; as of a sheriff's posse; a deputy.

SHORT STORY

Kerry had the dubious task of teaching the thirteen toughest students in the school. There were seven boys and six girls. Kerry was able to single out the ringleaders. He threw them a curve by letting them make a few rules. Kerry's number one rule was no disrespecting any body else. It was a feeling out process. They tested him but Kerry held firm. The students came to like Kerry. He was creative, caring, humorous, and respected them as individuals. He worked with the parents of each student thought it was difficult at times. Some of kids came from single parent homes. They were labeled misfits because they did not fit into the so-called high school culture. Kerry did not use the word 'misfit' and he would not let them either. He involved every one in class. Failure was not an option. Kerry got them to participate in the school science fair, where they took third place. They had dreams and goals like anybody else. Khalid played five instruments and wrote music. He wanted to have his own record company. Rita wanted to be an actress. Law was in Marcia's future. Joe liked anything mechanical. All they needed was some one to believe in them. No one in his class failed the first session. There were three A's, five B's, three C's and two D's. The A students paired with the D students and the B and C students. At the end of the year, there were six A's and seven B's. A few commented that they never got an A or a B grade in their lives. The administration was dumbstruck. " How did you do it?" they queried. "They helped each other out. They learned the value of working together. They just needed someone to believe in them." Kerry answered.

POETRY

Any poets or wordologists out there? Poetry reading is big now plus there are so many venues all over the country. It is a genre that I have been reading more of in the past year or so. Like all writing, poetry is very personal to the author, only more so. There have been many times that I have had the heart pulse of the author. It cuts through the chase and gets to the point. When I read the poems of Edgar Allan Poe, I felt the pall being pulled over his life. I felt like I was right there with him. Poetry is a departure from the lengthiness of other forms of writing, but it is good to be exposed to it. A wide range of emotions are expressed in just a few stanzas of poetry. I am reading a number of different poets, trying to get a handle on their feelings. Some time in future blogs, I will recommend some poets that are worth reading.

WORD OF THE DAY

VOLUTION A spiral turn or twist

READING

Ever since grade school, I have been in the habit of reading one book per month. I read six books during summer vacation while in grade school. Now it is a regular part of my life. This month, I read two books. I have a friend who read twenty-six books in a year. Reading is a lifelong habit as natural as breathing. I read different genres because it broadens my world. I become exposed to different styles of writing. I instruct GED students to read and write about what they read. It helps them in the areas of comprehension and critical thinking. I encourage them to use the dictionary to look up words that are unfamilar. It's a great feeling to discuss a book you just read.

MOVIES

What is your favorite movie and why?

WORD OF THE DAY

ARRANT

Being notoriously without moderation :extreme

WORD OF THE DAY

ZEITGEIST The general intellectual, moral, and cultural climate of an era.

WORD OF THE DAY

PREPONDERATE 1. To exceed in weight 2. To exceed in influence, power, or importance. 3. To exceed in numbers

WRITING AND READING

Writing and reading go hand in hand. If either is out of balance, communication and comprehension is lost or misunderstood. If a person reads well but has sub par writing skills, they will have difficulty writing what they really want to say. If the person does not read well, they will struggle academically and in the workplace. They are literacy programs that will help improve reading and writing skills. I am a tutor for a literary program for adults. I have worked with folks who don't read and write well or not at all. I have witnessed the joy of people reading their first book or reciting their first piece of writing. Don't feel you are dumb because you can't read or write. It has nothing to do with intelligence. Learning or improving your writing and reading benefits you and future generations.

AUTHORS

If horror is your favorite genre, here is a list of some authors who write horror stories. Thomas Mann Heinrich von Kleist Marquis de Sade Harold Pinter Edward Albee ETA Hoffman James Joyce Nathaniel Hawthorne Edgar Allan Poe Stephen King

WORD OF THE DAY

CONNIVANCE The act of conniving; especially: knowledge of and active or passive consent to wrongdoing.

WORD OF THE DAY

TRANSCENDENT 1. Exceeding usual limits; surpassing b. extending or lying beyond the limits of ordinary experience. 2. Being beyond comprehension.

WORD OF THE DAY

SOLILOQUY

1.The act of talking to oneself.

2. A dramatic monologue that gives the illusion of being a series of unspoken reflections.

WRITING AS THERAPY

There are days when life can be overwhelming. The daily grind of making a living binds us up inside. When I write my feelings on paper or blog, the tension is dissipated. It is also during times of duress where some of my best writing has been written. I encourage students that I tutor to write down what they feel. It relaxes them and I learn about how they are ticking. It also strengthens their writing and communication skills. Carrying burdens and frustrations inside can lead to depression, anger and hopelessness of never seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. What I'm saying is write to your heart's content. Get all that anger and frustration out. You'll feel better for doing so, physically and emotionally.

WORD OF THE DAY

CAVEAT 1. A warning enjoining one from certain acts or practices; an explanation to prevent misrepresentation. 2. A legal warning to a judicial officer to suspend a proceeding until the opposition has a hearing.

NECESSITIES

Five things I cannot do without: my books, writing materials, laptop, my bed, a beverage.

WORD OF THE DAY

PHOTOGENIC


1. Produced or precipitated by light. Ex. photogenic dermatitis

2. Producing or generating light. Ex. photogenic bacteria

3. Suitable for being photographed. Ex. photogenic smile

WORD OF THE DAY

INGRESS 1. The act of entering; entrance 2. The power or liberty of entrance or access.

WORD OF THE DAY

DIMINUTIVE 1. Extremely small in size; tiny 2. A very small person or thing

BOOK

I have been reading 'Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe'. It's not a quick read in that I have to really focus on each paragraph. Poe was knowledgeable about England and France. I'm amazed by his description of buildings, castles and other structures in those countries. He made you feel that you were right there beside him. To me, that one of the traits of a great writer. Poe's state of mind was between delirium and insanity. He may have been on drugs or alcohol, but he sure had the understanding of a psyche in distress and turmoil in the protagonists of his stories.

Greeting, once again. Over the next few months, I will seeing movies (some new, some not) which I will critique. Also will share some of my writing with you. I have been gathering some material and will blog more often. There's much to do but I look forward to it.

LINKS

I have added two new links which will be heIpful to authors and authors-to-be.

READING

This past Friday, I hung out at my favorite bookstore. A few days ago I asked who is your favorite author(s)? I can't say that I have a favorite author, but I'm attracted to the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Herman Melville. I enjoy Poe because of the dark cloak of mysteryin his writings.To the latter, I read his most popular book-'Moby Dick'. He has another book named 'Typee' which I have never read. Melville's writing fascinates me because the sea is a major backdrop. There are other authors that catch my interest: Joyce Carol Oates; Paul Laurence Dunbar; Miguel De Cervantes (Don Quixote); Sylvia Plath; and Larry McMurtry. I don't limit myself to certain authors because it's good to read different genres. I enjoy a good western as much as a good book of poetry. My advice? Experiment. Much can be learned from different and diverse writers of all genres-and from all over the world.

WRITE WHAT YOU LOVE

We pursue the things we have a passion for with abandon. In writing, the genres we love will get our maximum effort in time and attention. It is good to write about the things you enjoy and know much about. Football is a sport I love and I can relate many stories and details, having played the game. Your enthusiasm and knowledge is passed on to your audience. I believe some books are classics because the author liked what he/she was writing. The passion is felt by the reader, and even the most minute detail can keep them interested. Boring writing is not worth the time and effort. The readers can tell, too. Why write about something you have little or no interest in? Good writing keeps your readers begging for more. As a master of the written language,isn't that what you want?

FAVORITE AUTHOR

Who is your favorite author? Why? What read are you reading now? What is your favorite book?

RESEARCH

Research is an underrated but important part of the writing life. It can get tedious at times, but, along the way, you may discover something you didn't know before. When researching historical facts, I'm blown away by the numerous sidebars of the actual story. Case in point: how many people know that the Navajos are the largest Indian tribe in the United States? See what I mean! Accuracy is essential to any piece of writing, especially historical facts. The reading audience is very intelligent. If they spot some inaccuracy in the facts, they will point it out, and your story or novel loses some credibility. The dictionary is another ally to the author. There have been many times I didn't know the meaning to a word. After looking in the dictionary, and using the word in a sentence, I comprehended what the author was saying. Research adds a wealth of knowledge to your life as well as to your writing, and the audience benefits also. The journey through mounds of information can be rewarding-and fun,too. Research is your ally, so look at it as a positive aspect of the writing life. You can't go wrong.

There are so many books i want to read. Do you ever feel that way? So mbooks, so little time. I have a few books on my wish list that I will read eventually. If horror is your niche, her's a few authors that specialize in that genre: Dean Koontz Stephen King V.C. Andrews Anne Rice Richard Matheson

NOTE

Though Edgar Allan Poe's most famous poem is 'The Raven', he wrotes numerous other poems and was a great story teller. His short stories were masterful, as he drew the reader into the protagonist's web. Great authors often do this.

I'm reading a book called 'Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe'. Just started reading it a couple of days ago. I have always been fascinated by this author. I will give you a report on this book when I finish.

COMMENTARY

I have always loved to write and read the writings of others. It has taken me into the lives of the characters as well as the authors. Every one has a story to tell, and the great writers have a knack of drawing you into their world. Every writer, be it the greats or the novice, shares a part of themselves that has never been shared out in public. This is a precious event which should never be ridiculed or minimized. On this site, i will share some of my work. I will also share some writings of other authors. Recently, I have become enamored with the writings of Edgar Allan Poe. Though I enjoy different genres, I'm attracted to writing on the dark side. I'll try to share different styles and genres. A final word: I welcome any comments, suggestions about the site, anything you desire. Enjoy your chai! MOCHA

Welcome to my new site! I will begin posting very shortly.