Grammar Police

I'll admit it.  I'm an unofficial member of the grammar police.

I cringe every time I hear someone say "It don't matter" (doesn't, please!) and the sign "Used car's for sale" posted prominently on Robert C. Byrd drive is burned into my retinas.

However, nothing gets me rattled more than the incorrect usage of "its" and "it's," followed closely by "then" and "than." 

Here's a quick lesson, you all.  "Its" is possessive.  Yes, possessive.  No apostrophe, unlike most other possessives.  "It's" is a contraction for "it is."  Easy way to remember - just replace "it's" with "it is."  If the sentence still makes sense, you probably have it correct.  Example: "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to."  Replace "it's" with "it is" and the sentence still stands.  "It is my party and I'll cry if I want to."  (I'm not even going to discuss ending that sentence with the preposition "to.")

Now, on to "then" and "than."  "Then" refers to time:  "I loved you then."  "Than" makes a comparison:  "I'd rather have broccoli than brussels sprouts."

Enough ranting and raving for now.  Back to your regularly scheduled grammar. (Just discovered that I had spelled cabbages with three Bs.  I hear sirens!) 

A Perfect Weekend

21-23 October, 2011

A perfect weekend indeed.  A beautiful drive down interstates 77 and 81 southbound, through West Virginia, Virginia, and, finally, into Tennessee, my destination.  It had finally arrived - my "Exploring the Depths of Tai Chi for Arthritis" weekend in Knoxville, TN.  I'd been looking forward to this weekend since June.

Two days of living, eating, and breathing Tai Chi.  Tired muscles, tired brain, but energized spirit.

From left to right:  Dr. Paul Lam (founder of the Tai Chi for Health program), me, Shelia Rae (my TCA master trainer)

What made it a perfect weekend?  So many things!  Delicious dinner with a friend, all the tai chi (of course), Panera, Barnes and Noble.  How could I have asked for more.

Forewarned!!!

Alrighty then.  I've been warned.  (Thank goodness for a zoom lens on my camera.) 

Gardening for the Divorced Woman

Right on, sister! 

(Spotted in "downtown" Mabscott during a geocaching excursion.)

Spell Check was Invented for a Reason

Okay, so I'll admit it.  When it comes to spelling I'm a bit obsessive.  If you send me an email and there are spelling errors, I'll overlook it.  Maybe you're not as obsessive as I am.  However, when I spot spelling errors on business signs or school signs, I want to just scream out loud!

This sign was spotted in front of West Greenbrier Middle School.  "Chior?"  What in the world is a chior?  I've looked for it in the dictionary and it's not there.  Could they possibly mean "choir?" 

I am both a product of West Virginia Schools and a former WV teacher, so I feel that I'm entitled to rant and rave.  Seeing this kind of thing just makes me want to either fight or hang my head in shame.  How can we possibly expect our students to spell correctly when our teachers can't? 

Then I wonder, too, how many teachers have given this sign more than a cursory glance as they drive by.  Did they care enough to report the misspelling?  Care enough to actually get out there and change the sign?

Good luck WGMS students on the upcoming Westest.  You're going to need it.

Things That Make You Go "Hmmm....." - part two

No comment is even necessary for this one.

Things That Make You Go "Hmmm......"

This business was spotted in Wytheville, VA.  There are thousands and thousands of flowers.  Look at them all!  Incredibly enough, they bloomed all winter long, even when it was 10 degrees and everything else was snowed under.  This woman definitely has a green thumb (or maybe an "artificial" one).