One extra word can make a difference. A couple more can alter an attitude. A few more might change a life. Confession time: I like making people happy. It’s something I know I’m pretty good at (and those who know me well know I rarely pat myself on the back), and has certainly been a…
When it comes to language, humans are an interesting species. And when it comes to English, we’re very interesting. One source claims English contains over one million words (according to the Global Language Monitor: 1,025,109.8 words as of January 1, 2014, with approximately 14.7 being added every day; other sources put English as containing as…
“You will not be punished for your anger; you will be punished by your anger.” ~ Attributed to the Buddha While it is debatable that this well-known quotation was, in fact, ever said by the Buddha, it certainly is reflective of his beliefs and teachings. Anger, he taught, is counter-productive to the serene and enlightened…
Hizzy is dead. I learned about his death this morning when I realized he hadn’t posted anything on Facebook in a while. Sometimes, for whatever technological glitch causes this, Facebook shuts off notifications I receive from some people and I have to manually reset the option. I imagined this was the case with Hizzy, and…
My older sister (by ten years) Ellen, who died almost five years ago, is buried, in part, in my back yard, along with (again, in part) her two dogs. She loved her dogs and had saved their cremated remains. Ellen’s request to donate her body to a medical school was honored, and when the University…