Operation Homefront

Posted on December 2, 2010 by Regina Jeffers

This year for Christmas I have chosen to take part in Operation Homefront, and I encourage each of you to become an OH Santa along with me. What is Operation Homefront? It is an organization that helps the families of soldiers serving overseas. Generally speaking, the core families Operation Homefront serves are those lowest ranking soldiers, the “youngest lowest-paid ones,” which we find on the front line.

This time of year, as the weather turns colder and children dream of Christmas, we do not want our soldiers in Iraq or Afghanistan or where ever they are stationed around the world to worry about paying the bills, putting food on the table, or buying their children a Christmas toy.

My local organization in North Carolina has identified 115 families still in need, and there is a wait list for more families. While any contribution helps, the group would like for people to consider purchasing a holiday meal for the family and to spend $30 for each child in the soldier’s family. Purchasing a gift for the parents is optional.

When a family in need fills out an application with OH, they list the children and some of the toys they would like for Christmas. A donor can purchase those items or send a gift card so parents can get it themselves. To find your local group, go to http://www.operationhomefront.net to learn more of this organization.

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Even More Confusing Words

Posted on December 1, 2010 by Regina Jeffers

Alot is not a word. The confusion comes because people use a lot (meaning much) when a more precise word would serve better.
Students must study over a semester or two (not a lot) to pass the AP test.

altar = an elevated place for a religious ceremony
alter = to change or modify

Use bad, not badly, after the verb “feel.” So, it is not correct to say, “I feel badly about what I did.” It is, as if, one is saying that he has an inferior sense of feel (is a bad “feeler”). Besides, “bad” is the adjective, and “badly” is the adverb. “Feel” is a linking verb, meaning that it takes a predicate adjective. Therefore, one must use “bad” after the verb “to feel.” I love being the grammar goddess!!!

continual = repeat on a regular basis
continuous = uninterrupted or not stop

Use toward, not towards when writing.

stationary = not moving; fixed in place
stationery = writing paper

sometime = at some unspecified time
some time = an unspecified quantity of time
She hopes to start a writing career sometime before she retires.
However, she must spend some time brushing up on her grammar beforehand.

premier = the leader (He became the premier at a young age.)
premiere = first performance

figuratively = symbolically (Similes and metaphors are used to speak figuratively.)
literally = actually; exactly

each other = used for two people, places or things
one another = when three or more are involved

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St. Andrew’s Day – November 30

Posted on November 30, 2010 by Regina Jeffers

Who was Saint Andrew ? Despite what many may think, St. Andrew, who is the patron saint of Scotland, did not live and work in that country. In fact, his legendary connections to Scotland appeared centuries after his death.

Andrew, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, was a fisherman by trade. After Jesus’s crucifixion, Andrew carried on Jesus’s work. He brought the gospel to parts of Asia Minor, specifically to Syria. Roman soldiers ended Andrew’s life. According to the traditions of the time, the soldiers crucified Andrew on a diagonal cross. Later, his “relics” were taken to Constantinople. Reportedly, those relics were moved to Italy in the later part of the fourth century. During that time, Saint Regulus managed to bring some of Saint Andrew’s bones to Fife, in Scotland. We are unsure of these facts because the bones no longer exist. They were reportedly lost during the Reformation, but a plaque in the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral marks where the bones once were kept.

Outside of Scotland, Saint Andrew’s Day is of little significance. However, it is a special day for Scots worldwide.

Why is Saint Andrew the patron saint of Scotland? In the ninth century AD, control of the area around Lothian led to a conflict between the Picts and the Scots and the Northumbrians. Near Athelstaneford in East Lothian, Angus McFergus, the leader of the Picts, had a dream in which St. Andrew promised him a victory. In the midst of the battle the following day, Angus supposedly saw an X-shaped cross in the sky above him. The sight gave the Picts the inspiration they needed to win the confrontation. The white cross against a blue background became part of the saltire, the Scottish national flag.

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More Confusing Words

Posted on November 29, 2010 by Regina Jeffers

So, what is the difference between…
Poor = lack of financial stability
Pore = (verb) meaning to study or read; (noun) meaning small openings in the skin
Pour = to flow in a continuous stream

Precede = means to go before
The man preceded his wife in death
Proceed = means to continue
He could not proceed with the experiment

respectfully = in an honorable manner
respectively = listing person or things in order
Matthew MacFadyen has played Mr. Darcy and Aramis is Pride & Prejudice and The Three Musketeers, respectively.

Last = means “final”
The last week of the Winter Olympics features my favorite sport: ice skating.
Past = means “previous”
The past two weeks crawled by.

Emerge = to rise from obscurity
Sarah Palin emerged as legitimate candidate, which whom people would align themselves, after the 2008 elections.
Immerge = disappear into or plunge into
Alvin Green immerged quickly into the ranks of obscure candidates.

altogether = wholly; entirely
It is altogether too hot for December.
all together = every person or thing in the same place at the same time
We were all together at Christmas time.

all ready = everyone or everything is prepared or available for use
The PRHS players are all ready for the state championship game.
already = previously (in time)
We have already completed the last draft of the manuscript.

all right = giving permission; better than before
He said he felt all right after his bout with the flu.
It was all right with Mom that we stayed until the end of the game.
Alright is not a word!!!

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Words that People Frequently Confuse

Posted on November 28, 2010 by Regina Jeffers

As an author, I come across words all the time, which people frequently confuse. Among those are

Affect = a verb meaning to influence
Effect = a noun meaning result
Effect = a verb meaning to cause an action
The explosive sound affected the crowd’s behavior.
The Cavs fans had little effect on the Miami Heat’s play.
The administration has effected how we see ourselves as students.

Agree To = used when referring to things
Agree With = used when referring to people
We agreed to the changes in policy.
We agreed with the experts in the field.

Amount = an indefinite quantity (cannot be counted)
Number = a quantity which can be counted
The amount of news consumed by individuals each day varies.
The number of people at the malls on Black Friday increased.

Backward is ALWAYS used; never use Backwards.
She stumbled backward into the arms of the man she loved.

Envelop = means to surround
Envelope = the paper wrapper for a letter

Ensure = to guarantee or to make certain
Insure = to purchase protection for life, health, etc.
Even an expensive stereo system cannot ensure good quality sound.
I will insure the package’s contents when I ship it.

Lead = a soft, heavy material
Lead = to guide, show the way, to be in command of
Led = past tense of the verb “lead”

Passed = is a verb
Past = is never a verb (can be a preposition, a noun, or an adjective)
He passed his test.
I walked past the cemetery on my way here.
In my past, I have done things of which I am not proud.
In the past year, my career has changed dramatically.

So, what words and phrases confuse you? Do you have some such as “lie” and “lay,” which forever plague you?

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Nate Ruffin Memorial

Posted on November 20, 2010 by Regina Jeffers

Earlier this week, I wrote about the Marshall University plane crash in 1970. As a follow up to that post, I want to share some follow-up information.

A bust of Nate Ruffin was recently unveiled during the 2010 Homecoming Festivities on Marshall University’s campus. Ruffin was a member of the 1970 Thundering Herd football team and was very instrumental in keeping the program alive after the crash. Ruffin did not make the ill-fated trip to eastern North Carolina the day of the crash because of an injury. Ruffin, who was portrayed by Anthony Mackie in the film We Are Marshall passed away several years ago and is buried at Springhill Cemetery in Huntington, WV, beside the mass grave holding the six unidentified bodies from the crash.

Steve and Mary Williams commissioned the bust of Ruffin. During the October 2010 Homecoming ceremonies, the Marshall Black Alumni Association, along with the Marshall University Alumni Association, held a joint champagne reception to dedicate the Nate Ruffin Lounge in the Marshall University Foundation Hall, home of the Erickson Alumni Center.

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“Even you can write comedy,” he said.

Posted on November 17, 2010 by Regina Jeffers

A friend of mine recently told me that I should consider writing comedy. I laughed, naturally, because I assumed he meant it as a joke. I am known for those kind of lines, which can strip someone of his dignity, but I would not say I was particularly funny. When I hear a good joke, I do not remember it to retell it to my friends.
He was serious, though. He said, “Writing comedy is the same as writing the romance novels, which are your stock and trade.”
Again, I laughed.
“Comedy needs real-life situations,” he explained.
I thought about it and agreed.
“It needs strong dialogue, which tells the story.”
My interest piqued. “I think dialogue is one of my strengths in writing.”
“The characters have to be relatable. You have to see yourself in them.”
“Okay, I get it. What else?” I asked, now enthralled with the idea.
He paused to think what other examples he should use to sell me on the idea. “Pacing is important,” he added.
“Yes. . .” I encouraged.
“A balance between the elements,” he continued.
“Does not one have to know how to write a joke?” I asked when he paused again. “Should not one have a sense of humor?”
“You have an excellent sense of humor,” he assured me. “Maybe a bit too sophisticated at times.”
“So, I do not like bathroom humor,” I countered.
“But you do like word puns and malapropisms.”
“That is true. But just because I enjoy twisting the King’s English, that does not mean I can write comedy.”
“Have it your way,” he said. “But you are funny, whether you know it or not.”
I thought about what he said. Then I noticed the sly smirk turning up the corners of his mouth. “Oh, yeah,” I protested. “Tell me a time when you recognized my natural comedic flare,” I challenged.
He sat for several elongated minutes. Finally, he said, “Besides when you slipped on the ice and looked like a windmill trying to catch your balance.”
“Yes, besides that.”
“Never.”
“I rest my case.”

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Austen-Related Actors with November Birthdays

Posted on November 15, 2010 by Regina Jeffers

For November, we are presented with a several actors who have been seen in more than one Jane Austen-related film: Lindsay Duncan and Jonny Lee Miller have each been in two, whereas, Hugh Bonneville has been in three Austen films. Both Duncan and Bonneville were in Lost in Austen. Duncan, Bonneville, and Miller were all in Mansfield Park 1999.

http://pf.kizoa.com/sflite.swf?did=1167687&k=P159235046&hk=1

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Words Which Can Be Funny

Posted on November 13, 2010 by Regina Jeffers

Yesterday’s post reminded me of a line in Neil Simon’s (one of my favorite playwrights) The Sunshine Boys. One of the main characters, Willy, says, “Fifty-seven years in this business, you learn a few things. You know what words are funny and which words are not funny. Alka Seltzer is funny. You say ‘Alka Seltzer’ you get a laugh . . . Words with ‘k’ in them are funny. Casey Stengel, that’s a funny name. Robert Taylor is not funny. Cupcake is funny. Tomato is not funny. Cookie is funny. Cucumber is funny. Car keys. Cleveland . . . Cleveland is funny. Maryland is not funny. Then, there’s chicken. Chicken is funny. Pickle is funny.”

So, I was wondering if you knew of other funny words or phrases. There is a whole science of etymology which explores such things, but as listeners we have certain phrases or words that spark humor. I mean when Steve Martin first said “Excuuuuuse me!” did we not all laugh? The funniest words and those which many comedians employ are those we can categorize as “double entendres.” (Can you tell I used to teach English Language and Composition?) A double entendre is an expression with a double meaning, one of which is a bit more risque than expected. For example, on TV last evening, one could watch Meet the Fokkers.

Please keep it clean in your responses, but have you seen or heard such phrases? I once remember a restaurant billboard that said something such as, “Try our new fish dinner, just for the halibut.”
I mean, let’s face it: “Kumquats” is a funny word. As is “Oshkosh,” “Peoria,” “Chock Full of Nuts,” Organ Grinder,” and “Chamber Pot.” (The last of which I use quite often, as I write Regency romance.)

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A Comedy of Manners

Posted on November 12, 2010 by Regina Jeffers

In a comedy of manners, witticisms are the rule of the day. People are judged as being wits or being idiots, so to speak. The audience (by silent agreement) allow the wits to be in charge, and anything outside the social norms and expectations are subject to ridicule. They allow themselves the pleasure of sitting back and laughing at their own foibles. Comedies of manners have flourished when a population saw themselves as homogeneous and could accept that they are very much like the superior class displayed within the plot. These comedies are associated with the aristocracy. One can find such plays all the way back in the 17th century. James Shirley’s A Lady of Pleasure is one of the first to come to mind.

The wits in a comedy of manners are self-assured, superior beings. They love to quote poetry or famous writers. The are fine speakers, as well as being very resourceful.

The “butts of the jokes” are clumsy and ridiculously in love with themselves. They are lacking in intellect and cannot succeed in social situations due to their lack of a “swift” mind. The poor “butts” are taught a lesson within the comedy on how to be better dressed, how to be less crude, and how to have a “more fulfilling” lifestyle.

However, do not think of the comedy of manners as only about social snobs. The “snobs” are more than just fancy clothes and social manners. These people are masters of mental agility. They are skilled with the repartee and the epigrammatic phrase. They are pure geniuses when it comes to le most juste.

So, what brought on this look at a comedic form. On their Facebook pages, my former students were bemoaning their required reading of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, a play I absolutely love to watch, but abhor to read. In it, Wilde is openly satirical of the middle-class values he meets daily in and about London and Dublin. The idle rich aristocracy in this play see the folly of their ways, but they continue them in order to foist upon the lower class a false illusion. The title and much of the play’s action (or inaction) comes from the concept of being “earnest” or “honest.”

Lady Bracknell: To be born in a handbag, whether it had handles or not, seems to me to display a contempt for the ordinary decencies of family life that reminds one of the worst excesses of the French Revolution.

The scene between Lady Bracknell and Jack Worthing is one of my favorites. I used to include it in my acting classes for young people to see how to create a “stereotype” on the stage.
Lady Bracknell’s one dimensional character adds pure comic genius to the scene.
The wits in a comedy of manners mock the foibles of others with a subtlely amused self-deprecation.

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