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On the word “FOLK”
How often do you use the word “FOLK”? In my latest lesson at the small guide site, I explain the different uses of this word and talk about how the meaning changes depending on the form. It’s a simple word that’s used quite often. However, it can cause misunderstandings if you’re not familiar with the… Read more »
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HARD vs HARDLY
Sales like this one are just HARD to resist. I quickly decided to get two poundsand HARDLY had to think twice about it. I’m cooking one pound & freezing the rest. The words HARD and HARDLY can be confusing to English learners because the two words look directly related. You might think that HARDLY is… Read more »
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Once in a blue moon
Blue moon over Brooklyn. This is the third full moon in a season with four full moons.There are two kinds of blue moons, & each kind by itself is quite rare, which is why wesay ONCE IN A BLUE MOON when we talk about something that very seldom happens. I was PSYCHED (excited) to learn… Read more »
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SOAK
SOAKING beans so they can absorb water and soften for quick cooking. I thought about the word SOAK today as I SOAKED my clothes in the washer while doing laundry and SOAKED some mung beans for an easy-to-cook soup for dinner. About 6 hours later, the beans were soft and cooked IN NO TIME (very… Read more »
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Happy FOURTH OF JULY!
The flag at the U.S. Armed Forces Recruiting Station on Times Square. It’s the FOURTH OF JULY, and the United States is 237 years old! We declared our independence from Britain on July 4, 1776. Understandably, a lot of American flags are proudly being flown and waved today at events nationwide. There are parades, backyard… Read more »
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Morning jog to the subway
The last intersection I have to jog across before heading down to the subway. I’m always running late in the morning. One day, I was so late that I had to run to the subway to make a train because the next one would have been too late. I was OUT OF BREATH and had… Read more »
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A stone’s throw away
Do you recognize the idiom in this cover headline? It’s a play on words. A STONE’S THROW AWAY means something is not far, or it’s very close. For example, you can say “The beach is just A STONE’S THROW AWAY from my house.” This story is about the city’s plans to replace the old, hand-cut… Read more »
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Not knowing WHAT TO MAKE OF this allergy season
Trees are in full bloom everywhere, but where are my allergies? Just wondering. I’m completely AT A LOSS trying to figure out and explain what happened to my allergies this year. My hay fever never really KICKED IN, and I don’t quite know WHAT TO MAKE OF IT. Don’t get me wrong; I’m definitely not complaining…. Read more »
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Inspiring lines with a potent message
A nod,/ a bow,/ and a tip of the lid/ to the person/ who coulda/ and shoulda/ and did. Robert Brault— I Tweet Wisdom (@iTweet_Wisdom) March 30, 2013 I CAME ACROSS this poem by Robert Brault on Twitter and was STRUCK by its inspiring message. It’s like a short story with a somewhat unexpected ending… Read more »
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Winter’s GRIP
The snow last night was definitely surprising. In the end, it wasn’t much & it was mostly gone in the morning, but I don’t think anyone expected this much accumulation this late in the season. Most of us are ready for warmer weather. Because it’s now the middle of March and just a couple of… Read more »