Author Archives: Kathy

Learning from Chaser

Posted on December 17, 2022 by Kathy

I used to introduce my Latin students to fundamental grammar by telling them about Chaser, the dog who knew a thousand words. Chaser, I would explain, learned the meaning of verbs such as fetch, paw (as in pawing her toys), … Continue reading →

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Caveat Emptor

Posted on December 14, 2022 by Kathy

My sister reports Latin-related Jeopardy questions (oops, I mean “answers”) to me, the former Latin teacher. She told me that Monday’s show ended with the category “Latin Phrases.” Here’s the clue: “Originally, this 3-word phrase referred to when a doctor … Continue reading →

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Kid Lit

Posted on December 9, 2022 by Kathy

Note to subscribers: You receive my posts in your email. I see your comments on my blog page at my website (www.kathyewing.com/blog). That’s also where my replies to your comments appear. I reply to most of your comments, but you … Continue reading →

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A Christogram

Posted on December 7, 2022 by Kathy

I promised a while back to explain why Xmas is not “taking the Christ out of Christmas.” This spelling doesn’t need to be controversial or offensive. The X may look as though it’s eliminating Christ. People may think that modern, … Continue reading →

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Hummus, ATK Style

Posted on December 5, 2022 by Kathy

I like watching America’s Test Kitchen videos on PBS or YouTube. Sometimes the recipes are too fussy, with lots of steps I can’t be bothered with. But when Becky, one of the chefs, tells me to do something, I’m willing … Continue reading →

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Truth or Consequences?

Posted on December 3, 2022 by Kathy

How true to life should a memoir be? Is bending the facts or changing chronology allowed? How about just making stuff up? Many of us remember the controversy arising from James Frey’s 2003 memoir A Million Little Pieces, which, after … Continue reading →

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Calendar Musings

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Kathy

Last Wednesday you were left in suspense as to the etymology of dichalcogenides, a chemical something or other into which molecules can be intercalated, or (in the interest of saving syllables) added. Let’s dispatch dichalcogenides before moving on to other … Continue reading →

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The Real Pie Day

Posted on November 28, 2022 by Kathy

We had two family dinners on Thanksgiving, neither of them at my house. My contribution consisted of pies: a pecan pie and a pumpkin pie. Making pecan pie comes naturally. My mom didn’t often bake, but when she did, pecan … Continue reading →

Posted in Monday Meals | 2 Comments

Thanks

Posted on November 25, 2022 by Kathy

W. S. Merwin – 1927-2019 Listenwith the night falling we are saying thank youwe are stopping on the bridges to bow from the railingswe are running out of the glass roomswith our mouths full of food to look at the … Continue reading →

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Kalends, Calendars, and Intercalation

Posted on November 23, 2022 by Kathy

Our word calendar comes from the Latin word kalendae, or kalends, which named the first day of the month. (For a while, Latin used k instead of c before the letter a. Try not to pay attention to this right … Continue reading →

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