Monthly Archives: March 2014

Lagniappe

Posted on March 28, 2014 by geraldlively

Though you may not know it, 2014 is a very special year in France.  It’s the year in which they will take back their language from foreign interlopers – especially English (the “péril anglais”).  Or will they? _ _ _ We … Continue reading →

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Words At Play

Posted on March 26, 2014 by geraldlively

I am intrigued by language.  I have spent many happy hours reading books about word origins and looking up the origins and usage of both common and unusual words in dictionaries and in my copy of Chambers Dictionary of Etymology. … Continue reading →

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Twelve Years a Slave and Sue Eakin

Posted on March 24, 2014 by geraldlively

When Twelve Years a Slave won the Best Picture Academy Award, British Director Steve McQueen gave his acceptance speech, thanked everyone and then as an afterthought added this: “Just give me one more minute. I’d like to thank this amazing … Continue reading →

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Did You Know . . . ?

Posted on March 21, 2014 by geraldlively

The tales of Aladdin, The Seven Voyages of Sinbad, and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves were not originally a part of The Arabian Nights.  They were added later by some unknown person. _ _ _ The most famous translation … Continue reading →

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Quiz of the Month – March 2014

Posted on March 18, 2014 by geraldlively

This month’s quiz will test your general knowledge of literature.  You can find the answers on my Quiz Answers page. William Shakespeare is primarily remembered as a writer, but he also worked in another profession.  Name his other profession. Give … Continue reading →

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Our Times: The Illustrated History of the 20th Century

Posted on March 14, 2014 by geraldlively

I now partner with Dr. Fritz McCameron who hosts a three hour long big band music program every Sunday morning on WBRH, the Baton Rouge Magnet High School public radio station.  Once a month I do a show, and Fritz … Continue reading →

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Quotes of Note

Posted on March 12, 2014 by geraldlively

Professional baseball catcher Yogi Berra (born in 1925) and Samuel Goldwin (1882 – 1974), the movie producer and the “Goldwyn” in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, were known for their unintentionally funny sayings.  Since Goldwyn’s first language was Polish we can forgive him for … Continue reading →

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Readings I’ve Enjoyed – “The Cremation of Sam McGee” by Robert W. Service

Posted on March 10, 2014 by geraldlively

It has been a bitterly cold winter in many parts of the United States, and many of us can sympathize with the plight of a man named Sam McGee.  You can find a poem about Sam on my Readings I’ve … Continue reading →

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Nature Notes

Posted on March 7, 2014 by geraldlively

I never intended to write an article about nature, but I found two items that were just too good to pass up.  So consider this a Book Notes Plus extra. _ _ _ For years I have enjoyed watching a … Continue reading →

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Talking About Books . . .

Posted on March 4, 2014 by geraldlively

12 Years a Slave, which just won the Academy Award for Best Picture of the Year, will be added to the reading list for high school students around the U.S. thanks in part to the efforts of the National School Boards Association.  … Continue reading →

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