Word of the Post
Today's word is: bissextile
/by*sex"til/ or /bis*sex"til/
noun - Leap Year
adjective - Pertaining to Leap Year; containing or noting the extra day of Leap Year.
From the Latin: "bis" meaning twice, and "sextus" meaning sixth (get your head out of the gutter!). The sixth day before the Calends of March (February 24) occurred twice every fourth year. This year, 2008, is a bissextile year.
To make this plain as mud, Leap Day is technically the second occurrence of Feb. 24, and ends up adding an extra day numbered Feb. 29, every four years. This is to make the Calendar equal to the actual orbit of the Earth around the Sun. If we did not add the extra day every four years, we would be off by 1/4 of a day (5 hours, 48 minutes, 46 seconds) every year, and Winter would come in July in about 10,000 years. BUT, one day added every four years is equivalent to 6 hours every year, which is too much time (11 minutes 14 seconds) to add. Therefore, it is necessary to NOT add the day at the end of every century which is NOT divisible by 400, but it is still added at the end of centuries that ARE divisible by 400. The year 1900, while being a fourth year, did not have a leap day added, because 1900 is not equally divisible by 400.
Has your head exploded yet? This is WAY too much math so early in the year. We now return to our regularly scheduled programming.
~~~~~~~~~~
I had to look at Wikipedia. I know, I know, it is not a true reference for anything. It is a user defined mishmash of questionable facts. However, it can be a useful resource to find other sources, and that will lead you to facts. I looked up February 29, just to see if there were any truly interesting births or events for today.
I found this sentence: "There are many instances in children's literature where a person's claim to be only a quarter of their actual age turns out to be based on counting their leap-year birthdays. A similar device is used in the plot of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Pirates of Penzance. Frederic, born on February 29, was apprenticed to a band of pirates until his 21st birthday, which would not arrive until he was eighty-eight years old."
Turns out, legally in some countries, those with a Leap Year birthday are officially allowed their celebrations on February 28 in non-Leap years. They are referred to as "leaplings", and could also celebrate their birth on March 1. The death list for today is relatively short. Which is fitting, seeing as there is such a low chance to actually die on that day.
I know personally only one leapling. I remember that she is a leapling because I remember the jokes that she was eagerly awaiting to be a teenager, and she would never again be older than her children. I don't recall which year she was born (1944, 1948, or 1952), but if it was 1952 as I suspect, then she would be 14 today.
I enjoyed the weather yesterday, it was sunny, warm and not too windy. Of course, I was not the one up on my roof in the strong gusts we had. The landlord came yesterday and removed tree limbs from the trees that were tearing up the roof, and repaired a HOLE in my roof (I told him there was a hole a year ago, and you see how well he listens to me) He also repaired a little hole in the eaves of the house. Oh, for a pellet gun. I would have been able to hunt the nasty little squirrel that poked his head out of that hole. Anyway, the holes are patched, and I have not heard any rustling of critters in the ceiling anymore. This is a good thing. I am looking forward to more peaceful evenings; no cats calling to the critters to come down to play, no more scratching in the insulation next to the air vents.
I am being stared at by a cat. Usually, it is her way to ignore me. I wonder what it is I have done or not done that makes me the victim of The Stare? She won't want me to pet her, or she would come over here and demand it. She has been fed, there is water in the dish... Oh! I bet it is that I haven't yet unlocked the cat door into the garage. I wanted to make sure that we didn't have any crazy rabid squirrels in the ceiling trying to escape.
Today is a gift. More than other days, this day is an extra day we have been given to do something special. Make it great!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
So, I Met This Girl Online...
Word of the Post
Today's word is: resplendent
/re*splen"dent/ adjective
Bright, lustrous, shining; having great beauty or splendor.
A sunset, resplendent with hues of orange and red, creates an excellent picture.
~~~~~~~~~~
I had to take a few days to get the pictures fixed. I am sorry I took so long. Last week was a busy time for me. Wednesday evening, I had to give the DH a haircut. He was getting to be a Long-Haired Hippy. See?
This is my favorite view, the Freshly Shorn head. His haircuts have gotten easier over the years. I don't have to think or style the hair, just shave it short. I have never tried to do a flat-top. I imagine that it would be tough. I prefer to play in the hair after it has been mowed. Often during the summer, he will mow the yard, then I mow his head. It is a symbiotic relationship.
Thursday afternoon, I left home to journey north to visit Ferret (Maria) and her girls, and to meet Sally. Sally explained it pretty well on her post about our dinner. I can give you a little more background on two of us. I have known Ferret for something like 11 years. We met in college, when we both transferred to Oklahoma Christian. We had both been there for the spring semester, and met through other mutual friends in the fall. She was already part of the group that was called Teh Club. DH was already there, too. I also met him that fall.
We were close enough that, a few years later, she asked me to be in her wedding. I was a bridesmaid, and I sang. (The song is over there on my play list. Can you guess which song? If you know, please don't ruin it for those who don't.) She was not in mine, because we only had two attendants, and I had promised those posts away many years before. She and her hubby were our photographers. Today, she makes a business out of wedding photography. I babysat her older daughter, Zipper (Ani with the back surgery), when she was very tiny. Here is Zipper drumming on the back of Speedy's High Chair when we were at Pei Wei. DH is so proud that the girls are great percussionists.
Then she got nerve, and moved her family back to Wichita to be near her hubby's parents, and to be closer to her grandma. Since that time, she also got busy and had a second daughter, Speedy G (G for Gonzales, Ele, who never stops moving). Here is Speedy, also drumming on the chair. Those little chopsticks made excellent drumsticks. And both girls can and demand to eat with the chopsticks.
We all had dinner, and then sent Ferret's family home. The girls needed to be in bed sometime, and the Girls wanted to talk in a quieter setting. We retreated to a nearby Starbucks, and continued to talk. We had a great time, despite the scary roads on the way home. Look at Shannon (I have no bloggy name for her yet. When I get one I can edit), showing off that way-too-skinny-to-be-a-mom midriff! I hope that my rolls look that cute after I have kids! Here is us, from left to right: Me, Sally, Shannon, and Ferret. Some nice guy at Starbucks took six pictures for us, two each on three cameras. Thank you, dude, whomever you are.
I spent the night at Ferret's house, and went with her on Friday morning to a Bible study. Shannon was supposed to be there, too, but her kiddo got sick on her overnight. I met several more ladies at the study, and was amazed to find out that many of them were my age. I have never before had so many friends my age. Most of my friends have been two to five years younger, or more than five years older than me. It baffles me that so many people like me are out there, and feeling left out, just like me. We had a great little visit, and study. I was supposed to leave town by 2 or 3, actually hung out until 7 or so. Got home about 9:30.
Then I stayed up and packed until 12am. I was getting us ready for the couples retreat. I meant to get pictures, but the camera got left in the van... all the way across the parking lot. I decided the walk there was not worth it. I should have gotten pictures of the tiny rooms we stayed in. It was smaller than the small dorms at O.C., and they had two sets of bunk beds in them. Yes, a couples retreat where we had to sleep on different, twin sized beds. Build that love.
There was one baby there this year, a kiddo who is still mommy-fed. I got a lot of Auntie duty, and I loved it. When we were all "moving in", I got to hold the Stuff. The best and most important Stuff, the baby.
I stayed up Saturday night playing games with other couples. DH had gone to bed around 11:30, I stayed up until after 2. I actually got the babe to sleep when mommy was still playing Cranium. She was moving him too much, and he was jumping at every loud round of shouting. I didn't go too far, just put him in a position to sleep, and bounced him a little, nearer the fireplace and farther from the game. He was out in five minutes, and stayed that way with me for well over an hour. I only gave him up when I had to go to the bathroom so bad, I couldn't hold him or laugh anymore.
Sunday morning, we got up and had breakfast (the guys usually cook). This year, we had one guy who is a great cook, and we had bacon, sausage, eggs, toast, biscuits, fruit, juice, milk, and coffee. Then we had a short church service. We had a couple of men make some short talks, and we had communion. We had prayer that was relevant and heartfelt.
When it was over, we all went back to clean up the mess hall and kitchen, and then clean our rooms after we got all our stuff packed into the cars. As a group, we always try to leave the place cleaner than when we arrived. The fact that we clean at all actually seems to be an improvement over other groups the camp hosts.
I ended up sleeping for most of Sunday and Monday to recuperate from all the late nights in a row. I had a great weekend, and honestly have still not quite recovered. I am staying away from baby Molly for another day or two, just to make sure that I don't spread anything. I don't think I have caught anything, but you never know. Lack of sleep is a very good way to catch a cold. I have to stay away from milk for a while, too. Can't be too careful.
Today's word is: resplendent
/re*splen"dent/ adjective
Bright, lustrous, shining; having great beauty or splendor.
A sunset, resplendent with hues of orange and red, creates an excellent picture.
~~~~~~~~~~
I had to take a few days to get the pictures fixed. I am sorry I took so long. Last week was a busy time for me. Wednesday evening, I had to give the DH a haircut. He was getting to be a Long-Haired Hippy. See?
This is my favorite view, the Freshly Shorn head. His haircuts have gotten easier over the years. I don't have to think or style the hair, just shave it short. I have never tried to do a flat-top. I imagine that it would be tough. I prefer to play in the hair after it has been mowed. Often during the summer, he will mow the yard, then I mow his head. It is a symbiotic relationship.
Thursday afternoon, I left home to journey north to visit Ferret (Maria) and her girls, and to meet Sally. Sally explained it pretty well on her post about our dinner. I can give you a little more background on two of us. I have known Ferret for something like 11 years. We met in college, when we both transferred to Oklahoma Christian. We had both been there for the spring semester, and met through other mutual friends in the fall. She was already part of the group that was called Teh Club. DH was already there, too. I also met him that fall.We were close enough that, a few years later, she asked me to be in her wedding. I was a bridesmaid, and I sang. (The song is over there on my play list. Can you guess which song? If you know, please don't ruin it for those who don't.) She was not in mine, because we only had two attendants, and I had promised those posts away many years before. She and her hubby were our photographers. Today, she makes a business out of wedding photography. I babysat her older daughter, Zipper (Ani with the back surgery), when she was very tiny. Here is Zipper drumming on the back of Speedy's High Chair when we were at Pei Wei. DH is so proud that the girls are great percussionists.
Then she got nerve, and moved her family back to Wichita to be near her hubby's parents, and to be closer to her grandma. Since that time, she also got busy and had a second daughter, Speedy G (G for Gonzales, Ele, who never stops moving). Here is Speedy, also drumming on the chair. Those little chopsticks made excellent drumsticks. And both girls can and demand to eat with the chopsticks.
We all had dinner, and then sent Ferret's family home. The girls needed to be in bed sometime, and the Girls wanted to talk in a quieter setting. We retreated to a nearby Starbucks, and continued to talk. We had a great time, despite the scary roads on the way home. Look at Shannon (I have no bloggy name for her yet. When I get one I can edit), showing off that way-too-skinny-to-be-a-mom midriff! I hope that my rolls look that cute after I have kids! Here is us, from left to right: Me, Sally, Shannon, and Ferret. Some nice guy at Starbucks took six pictures for us, two each on three cameras. Thank you, dude, whomever you are.
I spent the night at Ferret's house, and went with her on Friday morning to a Bible study. Shannon was supposed to be there, too, but her kiddo got sick on her overnight. I met several more ladies at the study, and was amazed to find out that many of them were my age. I have never before had so many friends my age. Most of my friends have been two to five years younger, or more than five years older than me. It baffles me that so many people like me are out there, and feeling left out, just like me. We had a great little visit, and study. I was supposed to leave town by 2 or 3, actually hung out until 7 or so. Got home about 9:30.Then I stayed up and packed until 12am. I was getting us ready for the couples retreat. I meant to get pictures, but the camera got left in the van... all the way across the parking lot. I decided the walk there was not worth it. I should have gotten pictures of the tiny rooms we stayed in. It was smaller than the small dorms at O.C., and they had two sets of bunk beds in them. Yes, a couples retreat where we had to sleep on different, twin sized beds. Build that love.
There was one baby there this year, a kiddo who is still mommy-fed. I got a lot of Auntie duty, and I loved it. When we were all "moving in", I got to hold the Stuff. The best and most important Stuff, the baby.
I stayed up Saturday night playing games with other couples. DH had gone to bed around 11:30, I stayed up until after 2. I actually got the babe to sleep when mommy was still playing Cranium. She was moving him too much, and he was jumping at every loud round of shouting. I didn't go too far, just put him in a position to sleep, and bounced him a little, nearer the fireplace and farther from the game. He was out in five minutes, and stayed that way with me for well over an hour. I only gave him up when I had to go to the bathroom so bad, I couldn't hold him or laugh anymore.
Sunday morning, we got up and had breakfast (the guys usually cook). This year, we had one guy who is a great cook, and we had bacon, sausage, eggs, toast, biscuits, fruit, juice, milk, and coffee. Then we had a short church service. We had a couple of men make some short talks, and we had communion. We had prayer that was relevant and heartfelt.
When it was over, we all went back to clean up the mess hall and kitchen, and then clean our rooms after we got all our stuff packed into the cars. As a group, we always try to leave the place cleaner than when we arrived. The fact that we clean at all actually seems to be an improvement over other groups the camp hosts.
I ended up sleeping for most of Sunday and Monday to recuperate from all the late nights in a row. I had a great weekend, and honestly have still not quite recovered. I am staying away from baby Molly for another day or two, just to make sure that I don't spread anything. I don't think I have caught anything, but you never know. Lack of sleep is a very good way to catch a cold. I have to stay away from milk for a while, too. Can't be too careful.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
What Is Your Name?
What is in a name? What makes a name such a defining bit of information? I have read fiction and folklore that make a point of a person knowing and not sharing their True Name, because it would be power to know another's True Name.
Is a Title different than a Name? President, Senator, Boss, Teacher, Person, Christian. Each of these terms defines more what a person IS at their job, education, and especially at their core. We like to name things. Inanimate objects like pens, computers and cars get names. We are good at personifying animals at the zoo and pets in our home, as well as things like shopping carts and shoes.
Tawnya did a Thursday Thirteen last week about names that were forever ruined for her. I thought about doing the same, and then decided it couldn't be thirteen. It would either be fewer, and I would feel silly, or it would be more, and I would be forced to do this more than once. Either way, I am not limiting myself to thirteen, nor am I making an effort to get up to thirteen. Not that all of these names are truly bad, just that they are not something I wish to use. Don't get mad at me if one of your names is on my list. It has nothing to do with you, I promise. I am sure there are more names that are truly ruined, but these are some I can think of today. Here you go, in no particular order:
Names that are ruined for ME
1. John (I love many people with this name, but I won't add more to the mix when I have kids.)
2. Chad (met more bad than good people with this name)
3. Sean
4. Michael/Michelle (wouldn't torture a kid with such a common name)
5. Christian (what if the kid turns out to be an atheist?)
6. Schuyler/Skyler
7. James
8. Abigail
9. Chastity/Prudence/Happy (a personality trait? what if they never measure up?)
10. Chlamydia (I kid you not, I have heard this at the store. Diseases are not good kid names.)
11. Charles (again, more bad than the many good)
12. Daniel
13. Simeon
14. Christopher
15. Ann/Anna
16. Kelly
16. Eli
Wacky spellings are out too. DH and I have discussed this at length. We don't mind interesting names, but the traditional spelling is a requirement. We don't want a child named Michelle, and spell it Mi'shealle or something. Honestly, my mother has to be able to pronounce it. I don't want to give her another reason to feel lingually inept. The oddities of the English language do enough of that without my help.
Now, this is not all to say that I would be upset at creating or discovering a "new" name. I know many people with names that I would not have thought of, and they are all distinctly beautiful. Foreign languages, combinations of friend or family names, words or characters from Fantasy writing all have a place in my interest in names. I used to keep a log, a list of names that might end up in my writing. I have a whole notebook full of names. Through all of that interesting collection, I keep settling on the same few "normal" names. I have a desire to come up with a name that others have not invented, but I also have an inclination to not think too far outside the box.
All of this leads me to announce for some of the distant friends that we are welcoming Molly as the newest member of Teh Club. For pictures and a little more detail, go visit her parents' blog, here. Congratulations to the whole family, all over the country. I have not met her yet, but since she lives just across the street, I will do so soon. I have to make sure that I am not carrying the yucky stuff that everyone I know seems to be getting. I don't want to make Molly or her mom sick. I will put off being friendly to keep everyone healthy.
Is a Title different than a Name? President, Senator, Boss, Teacher, Person, Christian. Each of these terms defines more what a person IS at their job, education, and especially at their core. We like to name things. Inanimate objects like pens, computers and cars get names. We are good at personifying animals at the zoo and pets in our home, as well as things like shopping carts and shoes.
Tawnya did a Thursday Thirteen last week about names that were forever ruined for her. I thought about doing the same, and then decided it couldn't be thirteen. It would either be fewer, and I would feel silly, or it would be more, and I would be forced to do this more than once. Either way, I am not limiting myself to thirteen, nor am I making an effort to get up to thirteen. Not that all of these names are truly bad, just that they are not something I wish to use. Don't get mad at me if one of your names is on my list. It has nothing to do with you, I promise. I am sure there are more names that are truly ruined, but these are some I can think of today. Here you go, in no particular order:
Names that are ruined for ME
1. John (I love many people with this name, but I won't add more to the mix when I have kids.)
2. Chad (met more bad than good people with this name)
3. Sean
4. Michael/Michelle (wouldn't torture a kid with such a common name)
5. Christian (what if the kid turns out to be an atheist?)
6. Schuyler/Skyler
7. James
8. Abigail
9. Chastity/Prudence/Happy (a personality trait? what if they never measure up?)
10. Chlamydia (I kid you not, I have heard this at the store. Diseases are not good kid names.)
11. Charles (again, more bad than the many good)
12. Daniel
13. Simeon
14. Christopher
15. Ann/Anna
16. Kelly
16. Eli
Wacky spellings are out too. DH and I have discussed this at length. We don't mind interesting names, but the traditional spelling is a requirement. We don't want a child named Michelle, and spell it Mi'shealle or something. Honestly, my mother has to be able to pronounce it. I don't want to give her another reason to feel lingually inept. The oddities of the English language do enough of that without my help.
Now, this is not all to say that I would be upset at creating or discovering a "new" name. I know many people with names that I would not have thought of, and they are all distinctly beautiful. Foreign languages, combinations of friend or family names, words or characters from Fantasy writing all have a place in my interest in names. I used to keep a log, a list of names that might end up in my writing. I have a whole notebook full of names. Through all of that interesting collection, I keep settling on the same few "normal" names. I have a desire to come up with a name that others have not invented, but I also have an inclination to not think too far outside the box.
All of this leads me to announce for some of the distant friends that we are welcoming Molly as the newest member of Teh Club. For pictures and a little more detail, go visit her parents' blog, here. Congratulations to the whole family, all over the country. I have not met her yet, but since she lives just across the street, I will do so soon. I have to make sure that I am not carrying the yucky stuff that everyone I know seems to be getting. I don't want to make Molly or her mom sick. I will put off being friendly to keep everyone healthy.
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