I don't know if you saw my YT response to your reply, Lyndsey, but I love The TransAtlantic Pearl! Your comma obituary was so clever, including the sentences I had to read many times over. You didn't, however, mention the opposite end of the spectrum, the redundant and superfluous Oxford comma. My daughter and I have practically come to blows over this life-or-death issue.
In fact, I chalk it up to a psy-ops conspiracy to kill the comma! Was it not grammar obedience training, the grammar Gestapo, that first destroyed the comma's relevance? If, rather than substituting as a tidy little abbreviation for 'and', it was reduced to mere clutter, why not do a Marie Kondo and toss it out with the garbage! (I've never forgiven her for just throwing things out, btw, it's finding a good home for stuff that takes all the time and effort.)
The comma brings me joy! And while we're talking about turning punctuation into a totalitarian regime, who was given the authority to consign the single apostrophe to be imprisoned by the double quote? The single apostrophe connotes irony, the sly 'this word that I use shouldn't be taken at face value.' The greedy double had its function distinguishing actual quotes, it makes it confusing rather than clarifying that it encroached on the hapless apostrophe.
And don't get me started on the semi-colon only separating full sentences--that's what a period is for. What's left for the long series of complex phrases? Oh, that's where they mean to send all the out-of-work commas from texting. A prison camp muddling sense rather than ensconced elegantly between their candelabras of semi-colons!
ps I also posted a note on the second story, but you have to look at the YT to read it!
Sorry to be so long in responding. Life has been beating me about the head and heart in recent weeks (a bereavement, fiscal changes and so many other of life's usual nonsense, all at once). Meanwhile, The Pearl dangles like a misplaced modifier as I've missed two weeks' publications, now. Simply not enough of me to go around. But I'm so happy to have found your comment!
Texting has, indeed, left many members of punctuation on the dole. And I so wish I'd had the presence of mind to write about that prison camp (I think it's where the word "among" lays dying, too).
You're so much fun, Tereza. I can only imagine that the lively discussions you and your daughters share occur as often as most comment on the weather. Even as you tackle some of the grittiest topics society faces, you never fail to also impart a great deal of fun and hope.
I look forward to catching up with your latest couple of posts and profoundly hope I tackle some of these life challenges post haste so that my re-emergence to the things that matter to me most is delayed as little as possible. Which is a long-winded way of saying that I have missed you and your work. 🙏
I still have room in my life for more bonus daughters, Lyndsey, and that spot's reserved for you. I'm so sorry that life is hitting you from all sides right now. As your own boss, I suggest you stick it to the 'man' and cut yourself some slack. As Cassandra reminds me, you put something on the net and it's there forever-ish, a week sooner or later is nothing in the grand scheme.
My oldest was just here planning her wedding in a rustic covered bridge. They are magic when they're together but I mostly appreciate them and avoid deep conversations. I'm glad that I have you guys to speak my mind to, because it keeps me out of trouble.
I was bragging on some comment thread about the warm and kind and smart and funny people who've converged on my site, and you were uppermost in my mind. When you get some breathing room, it will be great to hear your thoughts wherever you jump back in! In the meantime, take care of your beautiful self.
You simply can't know how much your encouragement means to me. Been a rough stretch of days, so to suddenly find your reply a few minutes ago draws forth a few good tears. Thank you. Beyond honoured to know of that reserve spot. ❤️
Planning a wedding! There's some lovely symbolism, getting married on a bridge. I can imagine you must be busy. Having been on the periphery of weddings planned, I understand the value in professional wedding planners. So many details!
I chuckle at the thought of you 'keeping out of trouble'. Reminds me of reading about John Lewis and how he spoke of making noise and getting into good trouble, necessary trouble. I believe we all should strive toward that kind of trouble, within the framework of whatever issues lay close to our hearts, which is different for everyone. Of course, staying out of trouble within family dynamics is always a good thing. 😊
But to us, I hope you never stop speaking your beautiful mind. Take care of yourself, too, please. And best wishes for a beautiful (hopefully stress-free) wedding.
Oh I didn't even think about the symbolism, how could I have missed that? I had a feeling these were some rough days for you. If you get time, look at my most recent on Winning Hearts, Changing Minds. I think it's one that will give you strength. It seemed to me your kind of episode. I wish that I could make what you're going through easier. Thank you for all the good wishes!
I'm throwing this comment out into the aether, just to see if it hooks a pearl. Inquiring minds want to know how you are, if you're okay? I sent a query through our friend Rat, who I met through you, but didn't hear an oyster bubble about you. Thinking of you fondly, always.
I don't know if you saw my YT response to your reply, Lyndsey, but I love The TransAtlantic Pearl! Your comma obituary was so clever, including the sentences I had to read many times over. You didn't, however, mention the opposite end of the spectrum, the redundant and superfluous Oxford comma. My daughter and I have practically come to blows over this life-or-death issue.
In fact, I chalk it up to a psy-ops conspiracy to kill the comma! Was it not grammar obedience training, the grammar Gestapo, that first destroyed the comma's relevance? If, rather than substituting as a tidy little abbreviation for 'and', it was reduced to mere clutter, why not do a Marie Kondo and toss it out with the garbage! (I've never forgiven her for just throwing things out, btw, it's finding a good home for stuff that takes all the time and effort.)
The comma brings me joy! And while we're talking about turning punctuation into a totalitarian regime, who was given the authority to consign the single apostrophe to be imprisoned by the double quote? The single apostrophe connotes irony, the sly 'this word that I use shouldn't be taken at face value.' The greedy double had its function distinguishing actual quotes, it makes it confusing rather than clarifying that it encroached on the hapless apostrophe.
And don't get me started on the semi-colon only separating full sentences--that's what a period is for. What's left for the long series of complex phrases? Oh, that's where they mean to send all the out-of-work commas from texting. A prison camp muddling sense rather than ensconced elegantly between their candelabras of semi-colons!
ps I also posted a note on the second story, but you have to look at the YT to read it!
Sorry to be so long in responding. Life has been beating me about the head and heart in recent weeks (a bereavement, fiscal changes and so many other of life's usual nonsense, all at once). Meanwhile, The Pearl dangles like a misplaced modifier as I've missed two weeks' publications, now. Simply not enough of me to go around. But I'm so happy to have found your comment!
Texting has, indeed, left many members of punctuation on the dole. And I so wish I'd had the presence of mind to write about that prison camp (I think it's where the word "among" lays dying, too).
You're so much fun, Tereza. I can only imagine that the lively discussions you and your daughters share occur as often as most comment on the weather. Even as you tackle some of the grittiest topics society faces, you never fail to also impart a great deal of fun and hope.
I look forward to catching up with your latest couple of posts and profoundly hope I tackle some of these life challenges post haste so that my re-emergence to the things that matter to me most is delayed as little as possible. Which is a long-winded way of saying that I have missed you and your work. 🙏
I still have room in my life for more bonus daughters, Lyndsey, and that spot's reserved for you. I'm so sorry that life is hitting you from all sides right now. As your own boss, I suggest you stick it to the 'man' and cut yourself some slack. As Cassandra reminds me, you put something on the net and it's there forever-ish, a week sooner or later is nothing in the grand scheme.
My oldest was just here planning her wedding in a rustic covered bridge. They are magic when they're together but I mostly appreciate them and avoid deep conversations. I'm glad that I have you guys to speak my mind to, because it keeps me out of trouble.
I was bragging on some comment thread about the warm and kind and smart and funny people who've converged on my site, and you were uppermost in my mind. When you get some breathing room, it will be great to hear your thoughts wherever you jump back in! In the meantime, take care of your beautiful self.
You simply can't know how much your encouragement means to me. Been a rough stretch of days, so to suddenly find your reply a few minutes ago draws forth a few good tears. Thank you. Beyond honoured to know of that reserve spot. ❤️
Planning a wedding! There's some lovely symbolism, getting married on a bridge. I can imagine you must be busy. Having been on the periphery of weddings planned, I understand the value in professional wedding planners. So many details!
I chuckle at the thought of you 'keeping out of trouble'. Reminds me of reading about John Lewis and how he spoke of making noise and getting into good trouble, necessary trouble. I believe we all should strive toward that kind of trouble, within the framework of whatever issues lay close to our hearts, which is different for everyone. Of course, staying out of trouble within family dynamics is always a good thing. 😊
But to us, I hope you never stop speaking your beautiful mind. Take care of yourself, too, please. And best wishes for a beautiful (hopefully stress-free) wedding.
Oh I didn't even think about the symbolism, how could I have missed that? I had a feeling these were some rough days for you. If you get time, look at my most recent on Winning Hearts, Changing Minds. I think it's one that will give you strength. It seemed to me your kind of episode. I wish that I could make what you're going through easier. Thank you for all the good wishes!
I'm throwing this comment out into the aether, just to see if it hooks a pearl. Inquiring minds want to know how you are, if you're okay? I sent a query through our friend Rat, who I met through you, but didn't hear an oyster bubble about you. Thinking of you fondly, always.