Pam Webb

a writer's journey as a reader

Archive for the category “Reflections”

07 Dec 2024
2 Comments

Word Nerds: Sniglets


Image: Amazon

Sniglets is a clever book by Rich Hall (and friends) in which the reader will discover a collection of words that do not appear in the dictionary, but should. Below are several examples:

ambiportalous (am bit port’ atl us) adj. Possessing the uncanny knack for approaching a set of double doors and always pushing the locked one.

aqualibrium (an we lib’ re um) n. The point where the stream of drinking fountain water is at its perfect height, thus relieving the drinker from (a) having to suck the nozzle, or (b) squirting himself in the eye.

bovilexia (no him eks’ uh) n. The uncontrollable urge to lean out the car window and yell “moo!” when passing a cow.

carperpetuation (kar’ pur pet u a shun) n. The act, when vacuuming, of running over a string or a piece of lint at least a dozen times, reaching over and picking it up, examining it, then putting it back down to give the vacuum one more chance.

cinemuck (si’ he muk) n. The combination of popcorn, soda, and melted chocolate which covers the floors of movie theaters.

elecelleration (am a cam at ay’ shun) n. The mistaken notion that the more you press the elevator button the faster it will arrive.

flirr (flur) n. A photograph that shows the finger of the person who took the picture.

glackett (glak’ it) n. The noisy ball inside a spray paint can.

hangle (han’ gul) n. A cluster of clothes hangers.

niz (niz) n. An annoying hair at the top of a movie screen.

phonesia (to nee’ zhuh) n. The affliction of dialing a phone number and forgetting whom you were calling just as they answer.

trickle (thri’ kle) n. The itch at the back of the throat which can not be relieved without making disgusting sounds.

zibula (zi’ bew luh) n. The plastic spine which model car parts come attached to.

The only sniglet I recognized was “spork” that amazing blend of spoon and fork that so often is found accompanying take out these days. Tom Hall, unfortunately, cannot claim the fame of inventing the word. That honor goes to a nameless hero who formed ridges on the wooden ice cream spoon; however, in 1951, inventor Hyde W. Ballard trademarked the word “spork” with the Van Brode Milling Company, and then filed a patent to make plastic sporks at a later date.

Sporks–they can be found everywhere:

Posted in Reflections and tagged , , , ,
05 Dec 2024
8 Comments

A Surfeit of Bees


I’m an appreciator of bees. They are truly amazing in design and admirable in purpose. I keep bees in mind when landscaping my backyard by maintaining a dedicated mound of lavender, not only because I find lavender to be a fairly perfect plant, I know bees enjoy lavender as well.

Once spring arrives and the lavender starts flowering I watch for the bees to arrive. It’s a Capistrano moment for me.

image: Stockcake

Some years it’s the tiny golden bees that are dominant. Occasionally there is a variety of bee with a bit of red to them. My favorites are the big, black bumblebees. They remind me of teddy bears, yet I wisely refrain my urge to hold them and hug them.

image: Bumblebee Conservation Trust

My penchant for bees came forth when I realized I’m reading my third book, or is it my fourth, where bees are a main focus. I scampered to my Goodreads list to confirm this epiphany. Actually, make that seven books.

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Lily is introduced to the world of bees when she find refuge with three beekeepers and she learns about the power of not only bees but of women.

image: Amazon

The Bees by Laline Paul
The Bees is a creative tale of one bee, Flora 717, who is almost put to death for her lack of physical conformity but is spared and readers follow her rise from humble hive janitor to respected forager.

image: Amazon

The Music of Bees by Eileen Graven
Three people with deep hurts are brought together through the caring of bees.

image: Amazon

He Should of Told the Bees by Amanda Cox
A daughter working with her beekeeper is devastated when he passes away since impacts their business, and the hurt is even more deep upon the discovery she has a half-sister who wants to sell her interest in the business.

image: Amazon

Hour of the Bees by Lindsay Eagar
This middle grade novel features twelve year old Carol who unexpectedly finds herself helping her parents care for her grandfather who is slipping into dementia. A touch of magical realism as he believes the drought will end when the bees return.

image: Amazon

The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie King
Sherlock Holmes has retired, passing his days with keeping bees. His interest in mystery is awakened upon the arrival of a young woman who rivals his intuition and maybe even his intellect.

image: Amazon

The Keeper of Bees by Gene Porter-Stratton
A classic that is as beautiful in prose as it is rife with politically incorrect references; however, ignoring those or at least placing them in the context of the era it was written, a reader will delight in how a physically, emotionally, and spiritually wrecked WWI soldier is healed through the unexpected experience of caring for an ailing man’s bees.

image: Amazon

Are you a bee lover as well or have you read a book or two about bees? Please share the title, as I aim to keep on beeing a beeliver.

Posted in Animals, Reflections and tagged , , , , ,
19 Nov 2024
1 Comment

Blatant Ballot Box Stuffing or This is for Mike


Mike Allegra is a funtastic writer, blogger, humorist. He and I both share an appreciation for mice and capybaras. But those are other books and this post is about pirates and penguins. My mother was a pirate once–that’s a different story.

I figure we have been bloggy pals for over ten years 😳. We have even traded opinions in a series of posts called Debatables.

We both write for children. Mike is more prolific than I am. His books are funnier too. Like his latest books that combine a salty vision-impaired pirate and his new companion, a penguin. No offense, Mike. A pirate who identifies a penguin as a parrot needs an eye exam.

Pirates. Penguins. Definitely a winning combination.

Anyway-

Mike is running a contest where one special entrant wins copies of his Pirate and Penguin books. I would like to win copies of these books. I’m sure you would too.

I can get another ticket in the drawing by posting a blog post about his contest which, of course means you can trot over to Mike’s blog and enter the contest thus reducing my odds of winning…

I see what you’ve done, Mike.

So—check out Mike’s blog, enter his contest, and check out my book as well.

C’mon, Mike. I’m sure you don’t mind me edging in with just a little self-promotion.

See, Mike–just a little self promotion
Posted in authors, creativity, Reading, Reflections and tagged , ,
08 Nov 2024
9 Comments

Word Nerds: Mything Out on Grammar


Having taught high school English for twenty years one of the biggest complaints my students voiced (besides writing essays) dealt with grammar rules. Well, as Bob Dylan sings, the times they are a-changing.

According to a recent Reader’s Digest article here are some grammar rules that are soon to be or are already changing going from missed to being acceptable (or is that mythed?).

Image: Tatiana Amazon/rd.com

According to the grammar experts at the Chicago Manual of Style, there is no actual rule that states it’s an error to start a sentence with a conjunction. And I believe them.

Image: Tatiana Amazon/rd.com

That age old rule of not ending a sentence with a preposition creates strange sentences such as, “What city from where did he travel?” instead of “What city did he come from?” Sometimes a sentence just has end naturally, like it’s supposed to.

Image: Tatiana Amazon/rd.com

Ah, the old discussion about splitting infinitives. First off know what an infinitive is before considering the need to split it. Says Wikipedia: An infinitive is a verb form that is used as a non-finite verb.

An example would be the well known tag line: “to boldly go where no one has gone before.” “To go” is the infinitive, and “boldly” splits it. No harm, no foul.

Image: Tatiana Amazon/rd.com

What to do when faced with the dilemma of adding that apostrophe “s” to a word ending in “s”? Which way is the write way (see what I did there?)

  1. I’m going to go over to see Mr. James’s new car.
  2. I’m going to go over to see Mr. James’ new car.

Trick question. They are both correct. It comes down to preferred style and consistency, using the same form throughout the writing is essential. Or it can be confusing to all those readers’ understanding of what your style is all about.

What other writing rules have you stumped?

Posted in education, language, Reflections, teaching and tagged , ,
04 Nov 2024
2 Comments

Reader Roundup: October 2024


Most of October was devoted to recovering from Covid and while reading books is my go to for relaxing, I found it difficult to sustain the energy to hold a book and keep my eyes open. Fortunately our local library provides plenty of audiobooks, especially e-versions. I simply download to a device of my choice, plug in my headphones, and delight in someone reading me a story. The best part is that no realizes I’m napping. Ssh…

Here is a batch of five star reads from October:

The Clock Strikes Twelve (Miss Silver #7) by Patricia Wentworth

Very Miss Marple in style down to the clicking knitting needles. Though at times the dozen or so cast of characters created some confusion in sorting out who and what, the dynamic plot structure created an intriguing locked room mystery. Would thoroughly enjoy seeing this as a BBC production in all its 1940s period glory.

Fatal First Edition (Library Lovers #14) by Jenn McKinlay

Listening to the story dented some of the enjoyment as the narrator presents the main character, Lindsey, as being on the edge of hysterical when she gets excited, otherwise, a great mix of characters with some fun plot twists. Some of the plot points are a bit too convenient, such as a horrendous snowstorm coinciding with the need to keep all the suspects in one place, which happens to be in Lindsey’s town.
It’s a bonus how the author inserts different books into the plot.

The London Eye Mystery (London Eye Mystery #1) by Siobhan Dowd

Given the intended audience is middle grade, the plot intricacies were on par with adult mystery stories. Despite the usual first person narrative being an unreliable narrator, Ted is the most interesting character. Though his condition is not stated, he knows he thinks differently than most people and it’s because of his perspective and thinking that his missing cousin is found. What especially made the story appealing is Ted’s focus on weather and how he related his observations to people and situations. Recommended for classroom reading.

1,000 Books to Read Before You Die by James Mustich

The scope of work presented is daunting. In fact, the author said it is the result of fourteen years of reading, rereading, and more reading. The entries are inspiring; however, little was added to my TBR list, not because I had read scads of titles listed. The reason comes down to not interested, but thank you anyway as many were historical or biographical and this reader leans towards fiction.

The Book of Lost and Found by Lucy Foley

An exceptional debut that foretells the quality of talent the author will produce in future writing. A rich, brilliant love story that spans eras filled with detailed research which illuminates each character’s struggle with identity, family, and love.

Death Comes to Marlow (Death Comes to Marlow #2) by Robert Thorogood

Listening to the book instead of reading it made a difference in accepting the contrived plot because it became a theatrical performance. Nicolette McKenzie proved an excellent narrator with an impressive range of voice characterization. The PBS series which is based on the books is quite a treat.

Well, I am becoming a fan of e-audiobooks after years of snubbing them. I am finding they are especially handy when I would like to combine escaping from the world with my eyes closed while grabbing a bit of sunshine. It’s a cozy experience being read to. No wonder kids request, “Read me a book.”

What’s your preference—to read or to be read to?

Posted in Reflections and tagged , , , ,
30 Oct 2024

Bard Bits: Here Be Monsters


When Shakespeare’s works are mentioned the association with him runs towards love stories, as in Romeo and Juliet or tragedies like Hamlet or even sweeping historicals found in the Henry plays.

Not necessarily Shakespearean

Monsters may not be the forerunner feature in his stories but Shakespeare did populate his plots with creatures, witches, and ghosts—oh my, he certainly did. In fact, most of his well known plays contain monsters or scary aspects.

Romeo and Juliet: Juliet about to take the friar’s prescription for a faked death believes she sees her dead cousin’s apparition. Then there is the part of waking up in the family crypt surrounded by her cousin’s recent corpse and long dead relatives. *cue creepy music*

Hamlet: Our titular hero receives a guilt trip from his dead father’s ghost—not once but twice.

Julius Caesar: Brutus must contend with great Caesar’s ghost.

Macbeth: Not only is there the ghost of Banquo there is a trio of weird sisters.

Cymbeline: another batch of ghosts.

The Tempest: A sassy sprite named Ariel and whatever Caliban is supposed to be.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: speaking of sprites, Puck reeks of mischief galore.

Shakespeare inserted monsters into his plots because he pandered to the paying crowd and those folk of the Renaissance were a thrill seeking, superstitious bunch, queens and kings especially.

While Shakespeare created several memorable monsters his penchant for monstrous acts should be noted.

Offhand there is fratricide, homicide, verbal abuse, racism, sexual abuse, dysfunctional family relationships, and a mention about being wary when it comes to pie at dinner.

So—

Forget loading up on Frankenstein and Freddy for fright night watching. Instead save your anticipation for scare by streaming some Shakespeare.

Posted in holidays, Literature, monsters,, Reflections, Shakespeare and tagged , , , | Leave a comment
21 Oct 2024
9 Comments

Yup, it finally happened: the BC, DC, AC


I once worked in a Petri dish. Working in a school there is always the possibility getting infected with something–simple stuff, like a cold to gross stuff like pink eye. In twenty years teaching I managed to avoid the worst of it: Covid.

BC: Before Covid there was the usual dealing with colds, flu, even walking pneumonia, yet knowing recovery would be around the corner helped get through those times. Sick days taken, taking time to get healthy–all a given.

Then–2019. Masks, disinfectant, isolation, on-line education, tests kits, and other aspects became de rigueur.

Going back into the classroom amidst a pandemic compounded the usual stress that comes with working in education. Early retirement sounded better and better.

Wait a minute, two years into retirement, essentially living like a hermit, picking and choosing which places and opportunities to go and participate in, living a careful preventative life (get a booster, wear a mask if feeling sniffly) just how did Covid arrive on my doorstep, especially having avoided it all that time surrounded by it when teaching?

Well, it began with that little back of the throat tickle, the one that says “Hey, a cold might be coming–take care.” Not being sick for two years (funny how getting away from that Petri dish almost guarantees better health), I thought, “I guess I can handle a cold. Three days tops.”

It wasn’t a cold.

DC: There was that niggling suspicion something was amiss. The next day I woke feeling miserable. The yuck truck slammed into me with a fever, aches, and the need for a constant supply of tissues. Deciding to finally make use of that little government kit that’s been up on the shelf gave me that dreaded indicator: Covid.

The shock hits because of all the horrible stories come to the surface: losing smell and taste, getting hospitalized, even dying. It’s almost akin to getting snakebit. I absolutely did not seeing it coming.

Sparing details. I did cancel appointments (even one that took four months to get and now it’s pushed back to February) and isolated. Awkward and inconvenient in a small house. I immediately put a request into our church prayer chain and hunkered down. Three weeks later the symptoms are abated although stamina is not quite 100%, I am feeling better each day. No fever for over two weeks and so I hustled over to my pharmacy and got both my Covid booster and my flu shot. I’ve lost five pounds (no complaints) and my appetite is severely reduced. That could be a positive.

AC: After Covid? I’m cautious about being caught in close crowds. While I did not wear my mask as much once getting my initial booster I do now, learning that getting a booster helps reinfection is possible.

Exactly how I felt

What’s really strange is my son called to check on me, unbelieving I had never had Covid considering I was teaching during the height of the pandemic. He had already gone one round with it (living in a large city has its disadvantages) and the next day he texted to let me know he had woke with a fever and tested positive. Can Covid be transmitted by phone call? Yikes.

So–stay well and do what you need to do to stay healthy. That yuck truck is a reckless driver.

Posted in America, humor, memories, opinion, Reflections, school and tagged , ,
18 Oct 2024
2 Comments

How cliche: Nnnnyah


N as in I need to post a batch of cliches.:

Naked truth: the plain facts. Derived from a fable in which Truth and Falsehood were bathing, perhaps outside in a lake. Falsehood got out first and for some reason decided to put on Truth’s clothing. Well, when Truth got out wearing Falsehood’s clothing did not appeal. So Truth went…well, let’s just hope it was a warm day to wear al fresco.

Naked as a jaybird: An American expression with the British counterpart being naked as a robin. Both being plain birds the expression makes sense.

image: Flickr

Name is mud: being discredited. In the nineteenth century the British Parliament used this expression in reference to someone who had made a fool of himself–mud was a euphemism for fool. Eventually the term referred to someone admitting they had made a hash of something or a bad mistake.

Neck and neck: a close finish. Related to horse racing. As the horses ran towards the finish line they could run so close together they appeared to be running side by side or neck and neck. Today the expression means to be in close competition with someone.

image:X.com

Neither fish, flesh, nor fowl: not one or another. From the sixteenth century, found in Heywood’s 1546 Proverbs: “She is neither fyshe, nor fleshe, nor good red herring,” which refers monks who ate fish, general folk who ate meat, and the poor who ate herring. Shakespeare’s Falstaff describes Mistress Quickly as a woman no man desires because, “She’s neither fish nor flesh.”

Never say die: not giving up. A term frequently used today which dates from mid-nineteenth century when Dickens wrote in Pickwick Papers “Never say die–down on your luck.”  James Bond should have paid attention to Dickens.

image:Redbubble

No news is good news: hearing nothing means everything is fine. King James I is credited with saying, “No news is better than evil news.” Over time others have expressed similar words such as James Howell, Charles. Dickens, and others.

And the ubiquitous–

No problem: everything is fine; glad to help. Around the mid-twentieth in America the term “no sweat” was often used to express the feeling of there being no problem. In other countries the expression transfers into something similar such as in Australia people say, “No worries.”

Dr. Strange says: “No problem.”

Posted in Reflections, Words and tagged
07 Oct 2024

Reader Roundup: September 2024


September is a lovely month with its gentle fading from summer to fall. There are those halcyon days of summer warmth that lend enough sun to read in the hammock still.

This month seemed to be focused on mysteries, which are my fave when lazy reading. Here are the top picks:

image: Amazon

A Line to Kill by Anthony Horowitz

This is the third installment in which Horowitz portrays himself as a sort of sidekick to the enigmatic detective Hawthorne. This time it’s a bit of locked room mystery as the deed takes place on Alderney, a British channel island.

The conceit of writing himself as a character is still working for the most part, but the wink and nod of the meta fiction ploy is starting to wear thin. Several red herrings along with a few subplots add up to a satisfying read. One question though—if this becomes a TV series who will play Horowitz?

image: Target

The Scottish Ladies’ Detective Agency by Lydia Travers

The trope is not unique, a plucky woman from a wealthy background opens a detective agency and brings in an assistant from a lower class. What differentiates this entry is how well the two women, Maude and Daisy, work together as partners and friends. Daisy, formerly Maude’s maid, takes on her assistant role with aplomb, deferring to Maude as her boss, without being subservient. Her Scottish wit and brogue add a nice sassiness to their interactions.

The book opens with the first case, protecting jewelry from thieves, and leads into several cases. The storyline provides enough twists and red herrings to make it interesting, and even though there were a couple of contrived situations, there is enough charm and engagement to let it pass.

Infusing the story with historical details such as the suffragette movement and the introduction of modern conveniences such as vacuums and automobiles adds interest to the overall setting of Edinburgh in the early 1900s.

I’m discovering there are all sorts of cozy mysteries out there, ranging from teachers to bakers, to knitters even to pets getting in on the action. PBS is quite well-stocked in cozy mysteries, and is currently running Horowitz’s Moonflower Murders, which is the second in the Susan Ryeland series, where she is a book editor solving a murder mystery. Fun stuff. PBS is so involved in cozy mysteries they have developed a cozy mystery bingo card. Great for watching movies or for reading books. Check it out!

What are your favorites among cozy mysteries?

Posted in authors, Reflections and tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment
21 Sep 2024
6 Comments

Library Credit Card–they are kind of like them, you know


September is Get A Library Card month. Considering getting a card at most libraries is as simple as verifying one’s address I’m surprised how many people don’t have one.

It was a grand moment when I first received my library card in elementary school. Sliding my card over on the librarian’s wooden desk in exchange for a couple of books to read seemed quite a wonder

Then the day arrived when I filled out the application and received my public library card. I felt that card provided freedom and a bit of power as I could select most anything I wanted to read and my card gave me access to other libraries in the system.

From there it an assortment of library cards found their way into my possession: college; new cards when I moved; donor status cards (gold—ooh); and key fob versions. These days I don’t even need a card since my photo is on file. I just show up at the counter with my selections.

So many people I know, including my progeny, buy their books, which is admirable, of course. I would go broke, easily spending my pension on my reading habit of two-three books a week. Thank goodness for my library (credit) card for that’s how I see its use, except there is no monthly bill.

In fact, I save money using my library card, my receipt tells me so every time I leave with my bag of selections.

I have more library cards than credit cards—that’s a good thing, right?
Posted in Books, celebrations, Libraries, Reading, Reflections and tagged , ,

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