Onomatopoeia

Yep, big word for the day and means a word that sounds like itself. (Basically.) Examples include, bang, pow, tick, oink, meow, clack and lots more.



Here's the link to Dictionary.com so you can hear it pronounced and find out what it means.

And here's a link to Wikipedia with some cool info about onomatpoeia.

New Old Stuff...

Yesterday my youngest daughter and I moved my desk from the garage into a corner in the living room. It's been in the garage ever since we moved here in December of 2011 and I've really  missed it.

See, this house is a bit smaller than our last place and there really wasn't room for it. I've been using the kitchen table for a desk but that really hasn't been working for me. For some reason, I just don't feel like a writer sitting at the table. Maybe it's 'cause I've always had my desk.

I even thought about getting a new, smaller desk but there's just something about this desk that I love. Maybe it's 'cause it is really wood instead of some particle board thing. Maybe it's because I've had it for so long...close to 25 years.

Or maybe it's the size. This thing is huge. And weighs about 900 pounds (Not really but try moving it and you'll think so.) The main area is 3'x6' and has a smaller L attached to it that's 2'x3'. Plenty of room to spread out plus have my computer and printer close by.

Anyway, I have my desk again. And, I'm happy. Which leads me to the point of this post...

What makes you feel like a writer? Do you feel more like a writer at certain places, wearing certain clothes, or at writer events?

I'd love to hear from you so comment and let's chat.

GymBox

Toward the end of last year, GymBox announced they would be opening in Longview. Now, I've been wanting to join a gym for a while but they are so costly it was hard to rationalize the money.  Thankfully, GymBox is different.

Their basic plan is only 9.99 a month. I joined, my oldest daughter joined and so did my mom.  We've really enjoying going and have gotten stronger and shaped up a bit.

The people are great, the facilities are clean all the time and there are plenty of machines for everyone.

Here's some gym humor for you.

Flowers

I love spring.  Especially all the flowers and plants.  I even bought a small greenhouse this year so I could start buying plants early. There's just something about spring that compels me to get out and play in the dirt.

 Here's what it looked like a couple weeks ago. Since then I've added 5 Oleander plants, several cacti, a couple tomato plants. In the red pot is a giant elephant ear bulb I'm eagerly waiting to sprout.




                                         I even have lettuce, red leaf and green.

I have two strawberry plants that are blooming.

                                                                                     Snapdragons...







I've added a couple more since I took these pix and will have to share them later. 

And while I didn't buy this one, I really thought it was cool.

I saw this at a "home and ranch" store Saturday and really, really wanted it. I just knew if I brought it home something horrid would happen to it.


So, what's your favorite flowers?

Ergo...

Definition: Hence, therefore...

Synonyms: accordingly, consequently, so, thus, wherefore

She drives like a maniac ergo I'm not surprised she totaled her vehicle.


As a writer I like words. I've decided ergo is my word for the week and will try to use it as often as possible.

What about you? Do you use new words often? Got a special word you like a lot?

DUH...

Got things that need to be done?

Here's a nifty little system for getting things accomplished I discovered several years back. I'd forgotten about it over the past several moves and all the things happening in life so for those who have seen this before, hopefully you'll enjoy the reminder. And, for those of you who haven't, give it a try, see how it works for you.

D - Do it first.  Don't wait around, do it and get it over with. 

U - Understand it might not be fun.

H - Hurray! Now celebrate, you did it!


Don't you just hate ending the day knowing you didn't get the things that needed to be done taken care of? I do. I'll lay awake berating myself for not getting everything accomplished, feel guilty and be miserable.  When I apply D, I don't have that problem. The important things are done and I can move one to the things I want to do without all the guilt.

The "U" reminds me I might not enjoy some things. But the satisfaction of marking things off the to-do list sure is nice.

And we need to remember to celebrate. We need to celebrate our accomplishments. And not just the big things.

So, what do you think? Will DUH work for you?

I'd love to take credit for DUH but that goes to Margie Lawson.

Comma, Comma, Comma...

That's right, commas. I really dislike 'em. Seems I never have enough. And the ones I do are in the wrong spot most of the time.  (I debated about putting a comma after do in the last sentence but decided not to.)

I figure I'm not the only one with comma issues so here's a few links that may help.
  

Basic Rules of Commas in Writing

10 Simple Rules for Using Commas

5 Simple Comma Rules to Live By

Grammar Girl

Bloons TD 5

Time for another confession... I enjoy killing bloons! 

Bloons TD 5 is a tower defense game, meaning you set towers along a course to defend whatever needs to be defended.  In BTD5, you want to keep the bloons from getting to the end of the course.

You do this with different monkey towers, each with different abilities. There's the simple, dart-throwing monkey, the ninja monkey and many others to choose from. Each with different upgrades.

I'm at level 55 now. I've beaten most of the levels on easy and medium...except the advanced and extreme levels. I'll go for hard later. It's a way to let the brain relax for a few minutes and de-stress.

You can give it a try here or on Kongregate where I play. Just don't get addicted. :-)

All Right or Alright

Today is the first day of the A to Z Blogging Challenge which was started by Arlee Bird.  This is my third year to take part so a big THANKS for coming up with such a great idea and sharing it with us. Y'all can check out Arlee's blog here. Now to this year's first post.

Confession time... 

I use alright a lot. And while it's alright with me, it may not be all right with those who use proper grammar. Several sources say it's a  misspelling of all right and probably stems from already and altogether, which are all right.

So...is it all right to use alright? Again, some sources say sure, some say nope. My critique group lets me use it in dialogue but make me change it the rest of the time. My advice, check with your editor. The English language is always evolving so it may become all right sooner or later.

Here's Grammar Girl's take on it. 

What about you? Do you use alright or all right?