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Emily Brontë was born on July 30, 1818. Of course, she is famous for writing the immortal Wuthering Heights. To celebrate, buy yourself a present, one of these stickers (for $5.95, free shipping) at LiteraryLocations.com
You can learn more about Emily and the people she's influenced, including Margaret Atwood, in this article on bbc.com
Besides being extremely knowledgable about Plains, PA history, and a retired educator, my friend Bob Corcoran is a word maven with a Master of Science from the University of Scranton and his own print shop. His father, a Latin teacher, had his own printing machine in the basement of their house, and Bob would "sit on the floor and turn the big wheel" when the motor wasn't working. If there were any doubt that Bob loves words, printed or otherwise, it would be put to rest by two books he recently sent me, written and printed by Bob as a retirement project. They are both pretty amazing. Dr. Johnson (a.k.a. "Dictionary Johnson") would have loved them. Here's the cover and an inside page from the first:
This scholarly work explains the symbols used in parentheses after words in the dictionary and how they are used to understand how to pronounce them. We've all seen them. Who understands them? Well, Bob does, and now anybody can. You can buy a copy at Amazon here.
The next book, Dictionary Skills, is a broader guide to using the dictionary. Here is the cover and another inside page.
Both books come complete with exercises for students, and even word puzzles to test your knowledge. "Dictionary Skills" is available here.
Scholars like Bob keep our constantly changing language alive. Their importance to writers and readers is overlooked, but it cannot be overestimated. Thanks for sending me these two terrific books, Bob—or should I say, "Dictionary Corcoran."
I'd like end with Bob's own words from the preface to "Dictionary Secrets."
"Some people have a gift or propensity for words. Words seem to roll off the tips of their tongues. Others have a far greater gift, a sensitivity or penchant for words. Learn to study words, learn to enjoy words.
A developed sensitivity for words is the goal of this book."
I love the way Isabella drew this. I'd hate to know how many hours a day I spend looking at my phone.
Screengrab from HumorOutcasts.com
You can read the piece here. You will learn about astrochronology and how the Moon is drifting away from the Earth. Thanks to my wife Isabella Bannerman for the great cartoon and thanks Donna Cavanagh for Humor Outcasts. All eight of my HO pieces are archived here.
Passed with flying colors. Today's "Six Chix" cartoon from King Features Syndicate. You can follow the strip on Facebook and Instagram, by the way.
Photo credit: Christopher Miller for the New York Times
Terrific article by Jenna Schnuer in the July 16 NYT. She visits and describes the beauty of the place, made famous by Richard Proenneke at Twin Lakes. Proenneke was in favor of the Park's creation, as you'll hear his friend, editor, and National Park Historian John Branson discuss in an interview I did with him a few years ago, titled "Not So Alone in the Wilderness." You can see all my posts about Proenneke here, as well as read some amazing Dena'ina poetry kindly sent to me by cultural anthropologist and editor Karen E. Evanoff of the National Park Service. Thanks to Proenneke fan Mike Blankenship for the tip about the article.
Above, today's July 16 "Six Chix" cartoon by Isabella. I just love this one. Below, yesterday's Sunday panel, showing one of the new circles of hell. Those poor people.
Screengrab from HumorOutcasts.com
You can read the piece here. Thanks Isabella Bannerman for the 'toon. And thanks Donna Cavanagh for running it.