by Dwane | Jul 11, 2023 | Education, English, Vocabulary
Atavistic An atavistic trait is a trait you picked up from your ancestors. It skipped a generation, or two, though. Your parents did not have this trait. Atavistic traits disappear for a time only to show up later. For example, “He has an atavistic temper. It...
by Dwane | Jul 10, 2023 | Education, English, Vocabulary
Arachnoleptic fit: The wild fit you throw right after you walk through a spider web. Arachnoleptic fit is a made-up word. My mom sent it to me. It’s a useful made-up word though. I nearly wiped out once after biking through a spider web. I threw an arachnoleptic fit...
by Dwane | Jul 1, 2023 | Tip of the Week
If you are like me (and, I know I am) you likely do not read the terms of service. We are supposed to read the terms of service. We know we should. But, do we? Speaking for myself, I admit, I rarely read the terms of service. Lawyers write the terms. The documents...
by Dwane | Jun 30, 2023 | Uncategorized
Last year I wrote a book on goal setting. I am now in the process of editing that book. As I edit, I will post excerpts here on my blog. This is from chapter three: _______________________________________________________________________________________________...
by Dwane | Jun 30, 2023 | Education, English, Vocabulary
Yesterday, I posted the word Saturnine, meaning gloomy. Oddly enough, today’s word has the exact opposite meaning. Saturnalian: Riotously merry, overindulgent How did these two similar words end up with opposite definitions? Saturnine meaning gloomy, derives...
by Dwane | Jun 29, 2023 | Ebook, Motivation
Last year I wrote a book on goal setting. I am now in the process of editing that book. As I edit, I will post excerpts here on my blog. This is from chapter three: _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Get...
by Dwane | Jun 29, 2023 | Education, English, Vocabulary
Saturnine Gloomy, grave, scowling. In the Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian, Nikabrik refuses to join in the celebration. He stands off to the side with a sullen, saturnine look. From the Roman name for the god of time, Saturn. Yes, the planet is named after...
by Dwane | Jun 29, 2023 | Education, Healthy, Motivation
I just turned 50 last month. My kids think I am old. I don’t think I am old. Oh well. For some time, I have been fascinated by people who defy the odds. This morning, I realized I needed a place to collect the stories that inspire me. With that in mind, I...
by Dwane | Jun 28, 2023 | Uncategorized
Last year I wrote a book on goal setting. I am now in the process of editing that book. As I edit, I will post excerpts here on my blog. This is from chapter three:...
by Dwane | Jun 28, 2023 | Education, English, Vocabulary
While in France, my students and I visited the Normandy beaches, site of the D-Day landings. We left Paris and crossed into Normandy not long after. Several students kept asking when we would reach Normandy. I realized they thought the beaches were Normandy. ...
by Dwane | Jun 27, 2023 | Ebook, Motivation
Last year I wrote a book on goal setting. I am now in the process of editing that book. As I edit, I will post excerpts here on my blog. This is from chapter three: _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Pick...
by Dwane | Jun 27, 2023 | Education, Vocabulary
Rapport A relationship of mutual trust and respect. A close and harmonious relationship in which people like, understand, and respect one another. English borrowed this word directly from French. But, in French, rapport is a report. I suppose this is because we...
by Dwane | Jun 26, 2023 | Uncategorized
I received this question: Can someone tell me what I am paying and to what we may have access? I signed up a while back and we never really figured it out… Here is my reply: I only charge per family… not per student, and not per class. A subscription grants access...
by Dwane | Jun 24, 2023 | Ebook, Motivation
Last year I wrote a book on goal setting. I am now in the process of editing that book. As I edit, I will post excerpts here on my blog. This is from chapter three: _______________________________________________________________________________________________...
by Dwane | Jun 24, 2023 | Tip of the Week
If you’re going to travel, try to avoid paying foreign transaction fees. These days, there are credit cards that will eat the fees for you. Years ago, while attempting to learn Greek, I moved my family to Greece for a while. Back then the Greeks liked cash. I...
by Dwane | Jun 23, 2023 | Ebook
Last year I wrote a book on goal setting. I am now in the process of editing that book. As I edit, I will post excerpts here on my blog. This is from chapter three: _______________________________________________________________________________________________ The...
by Dwane | Jun 23, 2023 | Education, English, Vocabulary
The Latin verb “plicare” means “to fold.” From plicare, English derives many words. Words like replica, complicate, and duplicate. Duplicate: a copy, something additional of the same kind. She had a duplicate key made before leaving on vacation. Duplicate comes from...
by Dwane | Jun 22, 2023 | Uncategorized
A simple formula When you set goals write them down. This is critical. Many of us have vague goals we set every New Year’s Eve. We call these goals New Year’s resolutions. We laugh a few weeks later because we have hit none of our resolutions. “Oh, well,”...
by Dwane | Jun 22, 2023 | Education, English, Vocabulary
Replica A reproduction, a duplication, or an accurate copy of a work. A replica is often smaller than the original work. From Latin replicare, “to go over, to repeat.” The Latin prefix “re” means “again”. The Latin verb “plicare” means “to double up, to fold.”...
by Dwane | Jun 21, 2023 | Ebook, Motivation
Last year I wrote a book on goal setting. I am now in the process of editing that book. As I edit, I will post excerpts here on my blog. This is from chapter two: _______________________________________________________________________________________________ ...
by Dwane | Jun 21, 2023 | Education, English, Vocabulary
Chyron In my mind, at least, this word falls into the category of “Oh, I had no idea there was a word for that.” A Chyron is a set of graphics or words at the bottom of a television screen. A chyron may also be a caption. It may be fixed or in motion. Sometimes...
by Dwane | Jun 17, 2023 | Uncategorized
I recently turned fifty. Didn’t mean to. It just happened. If you are young and able (and I know many readers of this email are) I highly recommend you stay healthy. Make health a priority. Do whatever you have to do. It makes a difference as you age. Do not...
by Dwane | Jun 15, 2023 | Education, English, Vocabulary
Obviate To make unnecessary, to do away with, remove, prevent, or eliminate Obviate comes from the Latin word obviare, meaning to act against, to act contrary. The Latin preposition ob, means to stand against, instead of. Via means road or way. To obviate then, is...
by Dwane | Jun 15, 2023 | Uncategorized
Last year I wrote a book on goal setting. I am now in the process of editing that book. As I edit, I will post excerpts here on my blog. This is from chapter two: _______________________________________________________________________________________________ I need...
by Dwane | Jun 14, 2023 | Education, English, Latin, Vocabulary
Perennial: enduring for a long time; lasting; in plants, having a life cycle of more than two years. Perennial comes from two Latin words. Per means through and annus means year. Thus, perennial plants endure through the years. They filled their garden with...
