WORDS - THE BEGINNING

WORDS --

Words have been one of our favorite things for a long, long time.  We adore learning new ones (we have lists....)  We feel virtuous when we can use big words.  When we thought of doing this subject in the blog, we had to actually make a list (we do that a lot -- both the thinking thing and the list making.....).  So we are envisioning this may take more than one entry.

Don't know.  Should this start with some basics?  Probably.  Always feel the need to be organized. -- Suddenly we are spotting character traits....  So

WORD:  a single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing, used with others (or sometimes alone) to form a sentence and typically shown with a space on either side when written or printed.
Queen's Definition*:  A collection of letters often used incorrectly to convey meaning; or an attention getting device.

SENTENCE:   a set of words that is complete in itself, typically containing a subject and predicate, conveying a statement, question, exclamation, or command, and consisting of a main clause and sometimes one or more subordinate clauses.
QD*:  As in the above, most often too long.......  Can be used to complicate or confuse otherwise simple things.

OXYMORON:  a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction;e.g. giant shrimp.
QD:  oh where to begin?

SARCASM:  the use of irony to mock or convey contempt (See IRONY) - and maybe CONTEMPT.
QD:  Listen for tone of voice in spoken word.  Hard to convey in written word.  Also can be used as a test of intelligence to listener.

IRONY:   the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.
QD:  Another test to see if the 'listener' is really paying attention; must be used selectively to avoid misunderstanding and hurt feelings, like SARCASM.

(Contempt:  the feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn.
  QD:  Often expressed by snobs......)

IMPORTANCE:  the state or fact of being of great significance or value.
QD:  to whom, of what?

INDICATION OF:   a sign or piece of information that indicates something. (to point out or show)
QD:  if you really read some signs, they make no sense at all.

MISPRONOUNCE:  to pronounce incorrectly (?)
QD:  how do you do this in writing?

OVERUSED:  use too much, excessively.
QD:  nonsense words when used as filler.

FILLER:  a word or sound filling a pause in an utterance or conversation (e.g. er, well, you know).
QD:  and one of your Queen's favs:  like.


Well we're tired writing it and you must be tired reading it.  So much for the first installment.

With relief,
Your Queen

PIECES & BITS

This is just going to be pieces and bits.  'Don't anticipate any and rants, but ya never know.

Recently heard an explanation of why we think so much of the past as we get older and it made so much sense.  There is much more 'past' than there is 'future'.  Used to be 'future' meant marriage, kids, school, homes, jobs, travel and on and on.  Now 'future' may mean bucket list -- the things you either haven't scratched off or the things you know you won't scratch off.

This is not an entirely bad thing.  Relaxing and enjoying each day is not a bad way to go.  Getting up without an alarm!  Now there's a concept!

So, the past comes up frequently.  The good parts and the not so good parts.  Just no fretting over the not so good parts.  They are, after all, past.  Now if there's something left undone that can be done -- like forgiveness -- do that by all means.  Clean that up.  And no playing the blame game either.

Which brings us to the "people" thought.  Your queen now truly believes that every person who has come into your life has done so for a reason.  There are some that we wish had not shown up.......but what's the lesson here?

And they're there for a time.  And it can be sad when they go away for whatever reason.  Our lives just take different courses.  Didn't mean to get maudlin.

Diane and family are off the end of the week for 5 weeks of their vacation.  Watching over their castle will be a shared responsibility with some other family.  Thunder the wonder dog will be off to play with his brother (We call him Spike), so no need to dog sit.

We may have spoken -- written -- about discovering altered books.  A new passion for your queen.  Like we needed another hobby........This castle just needs another room!!!!!

Another court member is on our mind this day as she undergoes surgery.  This major health issue thing also seems to be much more frequent in our lives.  Is this another 'age' thing?

Good deed:  Your queen rescued an errant hummingbird this week.  Teeny thing made a wrong turn and flew into the castle then tried to fly out thru a closed window!  We were very afraid that little bird would literally have a heart attack!  We managed to get close enough -- think he was just plumb worn out -- to toss a light rag over him.  He was so teeny!  Didn't even take up our palm.  Carried him to the porch and opened the rag and off he flew at about a gazillion miles per hour.  Hope he's having a good life.

Well, this looks longer that we thought it would be.

Love you faithfuls,

Your Queen