in celebration of literacy
International literacy day was celebrated a few days ago. Almost four billion people on this planet are now literate, which is indeed cause for celebration. But of course so much more work in this area needs to be done, with so many still unable to read. In the past I volunteered with a literacy council and found the work to be incredibly rewarding. To find out more about UN and other literacy programs, check here as well as with your local town halls and libraries.
free e-books from the university of chicago press
The University of Chicago Press has launched its digital e-book program, and is offering fans a free monthly e-book download. For September, to celebrate the recent publication of the Chicago Manual of Style's sixteenth edition, the Press has selected a digital download of the original manual, published in 1906. This is just the sort of thing that makes the happy wordsmith giddy! :-D
For complete details and to download your own free e-book, here is the link. Happy reading!!!
For complete details and to download your own free e-book, here is the link. Happy reading!!!
from happy's wordlist #4
plage de temps (French):
Beach of time; an expression meaning a space of time for oneself to which one repairs on a daily or periodic basis.
AND something the happy wordsmith has learned during her absence from this blog these past few weeks. But reassured, she will be back with regular postings in the coming days and weeks. :-)
Source: "French Women for All Seasons" by Mireille Guiliano
Beach of time; an expression meaning a space of time for oneself to which one repairs on a daily or periodic basis.
AND something the happy wordsmith has learned during her absence from this blog these past few weeks. But reassured, she will be back with regular postings in the coming days and weeks. :-)
Source: "French Women for All Seasons" by Mireille Guiliano
from happy's wordlist #3
cock–a–hoop (adjective):
Etymology: from the phrase to set cock a hoop to be festive
Date: 1663
Source: Merriam-Webster Online
Etymology: from the phrase to set cock a hoop to be festive
Date: 1663
triumphantly boastful: exulting
awry
Source: Merriam-Webster Online
on the pursuit of happiness and better proofreading
I expect better from you, Martha, and not just because you share a name with the wife of one of our country's famous founders....Anyone else reading this an "ineptness"?
words to mark the solstice
A Something in a Summer's Day by Emily Dickinson
A something in a summer's Day
As slow her flambeaux burn away
Which solemnizes me.
A something in a summer's noon—
A depth—an Azure—a perfume—
Transcending ecstasy.
And still within a summer's night
A something so transporting bright
I clap my hands to see—
Then veil my too inspecting face
Lets such a subtle—shimmering grace
Flutter too far for me—
The wizard fingers never rest—
The purple brook within the breast
Still chafes it narrow bed—
Still rears the East her amber Flag—
Guides still the sun along the Crag
His Caravan of Red—
So looking on—the night—the morn
Conclude the wonder gay—
And I meet, coming thro' the dews
Another summer's Day!
word link love #1
A little link love this morning for the wordsmiths who cringe over usage and spelling errors whenever they check their Facebook news feed (you know who you are!):
From The Oatmeal: Ten Words You Need To Stop Misspelling
And from Hyperbole and a Half: Beware of the Alot!
From The Oatmeal: Ten Words You Need To Stop Misspelling
And from Hyperbole and a Half: Beware of the Alot!