More Holiday Trivia

Posted on December 9, 2010 by Regina Jeffers

** In 1551, Great Britain passed The Holy Days and Fasting Act, which required all British citizens to attend church services on Christmas day. The law still exists on the books. In addition, it requires that no vehicle should used to travel to the church services.
** The month of January is named for the god Janus. He is the one with two faces: one looking forward and one looking backward. “Janus” comes from the Latin word, meaning “door.”
** The Chinese New Year falls somewhere between January 21 and February 21. It occurs on the new moon of the first lunar month. One of twelve animals and five elements symbolize each year. Combinations of animals and elements cycle through 60 years before repeating. This is the most important day holiday in China.
** Tchaikovsky wrote “The Nutcracker Suite.” The ballet associated with this music is called “The Nutcracker.”
** Parts of the Christmas tree is edible. The needles are supposedly a good source of Vitamin C. (I will pass on this form of fiber!!)
** Hallmark introduced its first Christmas card in 1915.
** If one lived in Armenia, he would eat fried fish, lettuce, and spinach for his Christmas meal. This supposedly commemorates the meal Mary had the evening before Christ’s birth.
** Celtic and Teutonic peoples thought mistletoe had magical powers: healing wounds and increasing fertility.
** The BBC aired Queen Elizabeth’s Christmas message for 40 years running. It began on December 25, 1957.

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Confusing Words Continue

Posted on December 5, 2010 by Regina Jeffers

Evoke = something to appear, such as a memory
Invoke = to call on in prayer; to declare to be in effect

Expect = shows confidence or anticipation that something will happen
Suppose = to believe or presume to be real or true without proof
Suspect = to distrust or presume guilty

Foreword = the introductory remarks preceding the main text in a book
Forward = moving toward a point ahead

Formally = a manner established by customs or rules
Formerly = previously

Flaunt = an ostentatious display; being very showy
Flout = to express scorn for; to scoff

Bear = the name of a large animal
Bear = to carry; to undertake a burden; to put up with
Bare = naked; without covering
Bare = without supplies (i.e., The cupboard was bare.)
Bare = merely (i.e., I barely passed my exam.)

Bazaar = a marketplace
Bizarre = strange or odd

Cite = to quote an authority; to refer to something as an example
Sight = that which is seen; the act of seeing
Site = location, where something can be found

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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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