For your giggling pleasure... yoga cat. To see more, (and to order a calendar!) click here.

The host of the Scattered Life Collective is taking a break for the month of November, but I intend to continue with my Friday Footnotes posts in her absence. 

Out the window: I've mentioned before that I live in a pseudo co-op. We recently discovered a neighbourhood handyman who does great work for a decent price and he's just finished off a handful of projects in and around our building. It feels so satisfying to get all of these nagging items off of our to-do list, and now we're all ready for winter to arrive.

On the menu: Broccoli salad. Not sure that I ever want to know the calorie count for this salad, but it sure is tasty.

Reading: I hoped for great things from this week's pick, but unfortunately, it's proving to be a disappointment. How to Build a Girl, by English funny-woman Caitlin Moran, tells the story of Johanna Morrigan, a teenage girl living in government housing with her dysfunctional family in the early '90s. After an embarrassing incident on local television, Johanna decides to reinvent herself as a completely new character named Dolly Wilde. The rest of the novel describes the escapades of her new persona. I knew going in that there would probably be a shock factor to some of the content - Moran is known for her no-holds-barred, crass humour - but it feels to me like she's trying too hard to be edgy and here it somehow falls flat. Not sure yet if I'll even bother finishing this one. 

Watching: Luckily, my viewing choice this week proved to be much more satisfying than my reading choice. I did a little happy dance when I received an email from Netflix telling me that they are now streaming the English crime drama series Scott & Bailey. I'd heard good things, primarily from my internet buddy, Roisin Muldoon, so I was anxious to give it a look. I have not been disappointed. The writing, acting and directing are all top-notch, and I have been riveted by the story lines. This one isn't for the faint of heart - it can get pretty graphic, and they investigate some horrific crimes - but wow, is it well done. Highly recommended.

Listening: I just discovered the Scottish band The Twilight Sad. Here they are with acoustic versions of three of their songs. I love that you can distinctly hear the lead singer's accent. Great sound.

Learning:
This week's Words of the Day:

• ventifact - noun - a stone shaped by windblown sand.
  
• foramen - noun, anatomy - an opening, hole, or passage, esp. in a bone.
  
• mirabile dictu - adverb - wonderful to relate.
  
• sneezewort - noun - a kind of yarrow whose dried leaves are used to induce sneezing.
  
• cromlech - noun - 1. a megalithic tomb. 2. a circle of upright prehistoric stones.
  

Out and About:

• This writer believes that you should finish every book that you start. (I disagree.)
  
• A complete double rainbow encircles an Australian town
  
• A creative way to signal the end of Daylight Savings Time
  
• 9-year-old shutterbug wins an award
  
• Baby pandas team up to resist their medication
  
• A meteorologist's clever Halloween costume
  
• Is that a couch, or a bird's nest?
  
• Beautiful beeswax candles
  

That's all for this week.

Sarah

Hands down, the best Halloween costume I saw posted on Twitter yesterday:

It's time once again for my weekly contribution to the Scattered Life Collective. I had a really rough week last week so I decided not to post, but I'm happy to be back with a roundup of good stuff.

I can't deny that things have been a little bumpy this week as well. I'm a self-declared HSP (highly sensitive person), and I'm also a media junkie, so living in Canada, and in Winnipeg in particular, has been trying as of late. 

I find that it's a constant struggle to stay informed without becoming overwhelmed with emotions. I know that I haven't yet found the right balance, and I quite possibly never will. Although maybe that's the point. I think we're supposed to be thrown off balance by tragic events - we shouldn't be immune to them. 

And I'm thankful for this process of mining my week to remember the good things that got me through. So without further ado...

Out the window: Sadly, my annuals have now been transferred to the compost bin and all of the paraphernalia from my outdoor deck space is packed away. The frosty nights are just arriving, and now I'm ready for them.

On the menu: I tend to go through weird phases in my eating habits where I crave one particular food for an extended period. A while ago it was perogies. Then cinnamon raisin bagels. Right now, it's chicken fingers with honey dill sauce. (As I've written about before, honey dill sauce is a Winnipeg thing. Apparently, everywhere else on earth, chicken fingers are served with plum sauce. Odd, that.) Does anyone else experience food phases, or is it just me?

Reading: I found an unexpected little gem at the library - Going in Circles by Pamela Ribon. It's the story of Charlotte, whose husband walks out on her after only five months of marriage, and then promptly moves back in a few weeks later. Her response is to move out herself while she decides what she wants, and a newfound friend convinces her that the answer to her problems can be found in the most unlikely of places - on a roller derby track. This is a quick and enjoyable read that made me laugh out loud a few times. Here's a sample:

"God, Charlotte, I'm sorry." She clamps her hand down on my arm too tightly. "I shouldn't be having these conversations with you, when I'm getting married and you're getting... going... what you're doing... through." That's kind of the best thing I've ever heard. That's exactly what it feels like. I'm getting going what I'm doing through."

Watching: This video from San Francisco design firm Bot & Dolly, entitled Box, uses robotics and projection-mapping technology to "create an augmented digital reality." I'm not even sure exactly what that means, but the end result is enjoyably mesmerizing.

Listening: I think I might be the last person in the world to hear of Hozier, and man, I'm glad I finally did. His song From Eden is at the top of my playlist right now. I heard it for the first time last week in my car just as I was pulling in to my garage. I sat there in my car until the song finished so I could find out who sings it. It was love at first listen.

Learning:
This week's Words of the Day:

• gnomon - noun - the rod or pin etc. on a sundial that shows the time by the position of its shadow.
  
• pinole - noun - flour made from parched cornflour, especially mixed with sweet flour made of mesquite beans, sugar, etc.
  
• formication - noun - a sensation as of ants crawling over the skin.
  
• altazimuth - noun - an instrument for measuring the altitude and azimuth of celestial bodies.
  
• lickerish - adjective (archaic) - 1. lecherous 2. fond of fine food
  

Out and About:

• Funny photos of squirrels with miniature objects
  
• A perfect letter to the editor
  
• Nishi Chauhan upcycles old bottles to make customizable animal lamps
  
• A whimsical translation
  
• Here's what happens when you put instant film in the microwave
  
• The BBC announces Tree of the Year finalists
  
• Some fascinating mixed-media art pieces
  
• Gaelle Villedary's green carpet rolls through provincial town in Southern France
  
• Painting faces in the forest
  

That's all for this week.

Sarah

WRITING TIP #4 - MAKE FRIENDS WITH A DICTIONARY

Apparently it was National Dictionary Day in the States earlier this month, and since we don't recognize a similar day here in Canada, I'm using it as an excuse to write this post. I think dictionaries should be celebrated and revered every day, but then, as you know, I'm a nerd when it comes to words.

I feel that too many people think of a dictionary as a crutch that they don't need, which inevitably gets them into trouble. I've done a lot of copy-editing in my time, and I've seen many otherwise talented writers embarrass themselves by using words incorrectly, which is so unnecessary. There should be no shame in using a dictionary - no one can be expected to know ALL of the words. 

I refer to dictionaries, both online and in print, all the time. There are certain words that are perennial stumpers for me - for some reason, I can never remember the difference between "compliment" and "complement," for instance. Other words come to me as I'm writing and set off an alarm bell signalling that I'm not entirely sure I'm using them correctly. I'd say my track record is about 50/50, so you can imagine how many times I might have embarrassed myself if I hadn't consulted a dictionary.

I also try to flex my brain every weekday when I post a new-to-me word from my Canadian Oxford dictionary as my Word of the Day on Twitter. (I repost them here on the blog as part of my weekly Friday Footnotes feature.) I guarantee that if you ever decide to start a similar practice, you'll be surprised by how many words you DON'T know. 

So whether it's Dictionary.com or a tattered old copy of Merriam-Webster, make friends with a dictionary and refer to it often. At the very least, you'll confirm something you already knew, and you might just learn something you didn't - either way, it's a win.

Some Trivia:

• The first single-language English dictionary ever published was Robert Cawdrey's Table Alphabeticall, in 1604.
  
• When Samuel Johnson's History of the English Language came out in 1755, Johnson was criticized for imposing his personality on to the book. His definition of oats, for instance, makes a rude reference to the Scots. He defines the word as 'A Grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people.' 

• The proposed size for the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) first edition, completed in 1928, was four volumes. It's actual size was 10 volumes.
• The proposed time to complete the OED first edition was 10 years. In actuality, it took 70 years. 
• The first CD-ROM version of the OED appeared in 1992.
• The printed OED in a 20-volume set, purchased new, is $995 US and weighs around 150 pounds.
• There are close to 600,000 definitions in the current OED.
• The word with the most definitions in the current OED is run.
• Ammon Shea read the entire OED in one year, and wrote a book about it, entitled Reading the OED: One Man, One Year, 21,730 pages.

I love Liz Climo's comic series featuring animated animals. This month the focus is on Halloween, and the results are amusing. Check out more of Liz's work here. 

Unbelievably, another week has passed and it's time for my contribution to the Scattered Life Collective. 

Out the window: We've had lovely, warm, fall weather in Winnipeg this week. Some of the trees are bare, thanks to a few cold, windy days earlier in the season, but I'm enjoying those that are still clinging valiantly to their leaves. I do appreciate the change of seasons, but bare trees always look kind of sad before it snows. 

On the menu: Turkey sandwiches. (It was Canadian Thanksgiving last weekend.)
Side note: Cynthia mentioned in the comments last week that she wanted to know how the fried green tomatoes turned out. They were quite tasty. The recipe recommended half-inch tomato slices, but I found that those that were closer to a quarter-inch cooked better - with the half-inchers, the batter was browned, but the insides were still a bit crunchy.

Reading: I was looking for something easy to breeze through this week, and I found it in The Hypnotist's Love Story by Liane Moriarty - a quick read that I would rate as good, but flawed. It's about a hypnotherapist who falls in love with a man who is being stalked by his ex-girlfriend and then discovers that the stalker has been posing as one of her clients. Despite the ominous premise, not a lot happens here, and one plot point in particular seemed so unrealistic it made me question whether I wanted to finish the book. (Thus the ho-hum rating.)

Watching: Funny man Jim Gaffigan in his stand-up special, Mr. Universe. I've seen this one before, but I giggled just as much on second viewing. One of my favourite "bits" of his is when he imitates a confused member of the audience who isn't enjoying the show. Cracks me up every time. He has hilarious observations on the most mundane of topics - he's a father of five, and his kids provide great fodder for his act. And I ask you, how can I not love a man whose latest book is called Food: A Love Story?

Listening: I just discovered Grouper, the solo project of musician and artist Liz Harris. The critic who recommended her said her music is the only music she's ever been able to fall asleep to. Not because it's boring, but because it's soothing. I tend to agree. It has a haunting, dreamy quality to it that immediately calms my nerves. Here's a song from her 2013 album, The Man Who Died in His Boat, called "Vital."

Learning:
This week's Words of the Day:

• roman à clef - noun - a novel in which real persons or events appear with invented names.
  
• gabba - noun - a harsh, aggressive type of house music originating in Rotterdam, characterized by its extremely fast beat.
  
• damp squib - noun, British - a situation or event which is much less impressive than expected.
  
• melisma - noun, music - the prolongation of one syllable of text over a number of notes.
  

Out and About:

• The lure of the cat
  
• Writer creates "colour thesaurus"
  
• Unfortunate logo placement
  
• Laser-Cut Sculpture Casts Intricate Shadows
• A humorous correction
  
• The "bearable discomfort" of a two-legged chair
  
• Beautifully creepy Halloween lip art
  
• Man spends two years covering his house with sea shells

That's all for this week.

Sarah

GRAMMAR LESSON #4 - THE OXFORD COMMA

There is probably no issue in all of grammar that gets people's knickers in a knot more than the use of the Oxford comma. (Also known as the serial comma.) It has a lengthy Wikipedia entry that cites 49 references, a Google search returns dozens of humorous images that illustrate its use, and, we mustn't forget, Vampire Weekend even wrote a song about it.  

The Oxford comma is the comma that precedes the conjunction (usually and, or, or nor) before the final item in a list of three or more items. (Its name comes from its use in the house style of Oxford University Press.) 

With the Oxford comma: I went to the store for a loaf of bread, a container of milk, and a stick of butter.
Without the Oxford comma: I went to the store for a loaf of bread, a container of milk and a stick of butter.

So what's all the hype about?

No one can seem to agree whether or not the comma is necessary. In very broad terms, most journalists don't use it, and most everyone else does. More specifically, the Canadian Press and the Associated Press Stylebooks advise against its use unless it's needed to avoid confusion, because space is always at a premium in newspapers, while other style guides, including the Chicago Manual of Style, the Publication Manual of the APA, and Strunk and White's Elements of Style, dictate that it should always be used. 

The choice is open for writers not bound by any particular style guide. Should you use Oxford commas in your own writing? That's entirely up to you. Just pick a side, and stick to it. And then openly mock the people who choose otherwise - maybe with a funny internet meme like some of my favourites featured here.

Don't believe everything you hear:

Time again to contribute to the Scattered Life Collective.

Out the window: Lawn signs for candidates in Winnipeg's upcoming civic election. I don't have any up, because I prefer to keep my voting decisions private, but it's always encouraging to see the democratic process in action. 

On the menu: Fried green tomatoes. I've never tried them before, but since I picked some unripened tomatoes from my parents'  garden this week, I'm going to give them a go. I also picked the odd specimen pictured below - yes, that's all one tomato. I posted this photo on Twitter yesterday and someone commented that it looks like the "yin and yang of tomato."

Reading: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, by Gabrielle Zevin. I'm about halfway through and loving this one, mainly because the main character is a bookseller. It's a book about books (among other things), so of course it floats my boat. Here are a few of my favourite quotes I've come across so far:
“Sometimes books don't find us until the right time.” 
"The things we respond to at twenty are not necessarily the same things we will respond to at forty and vice versa. This is true in books and also in life."
"They had only ever discussed books but what, in this life, is more personal than books?"

Watching: A fascinating documentary produced by Penn and Teller, called Tim's Vermeer.  It chronicles a project in which inventor Tim Jenison attempts to duplicate the painting techniques of 17th century Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, in order to test his theory that Vermeer painted with the help of optical devices. To say that Jenison is obsessed with this project is an understatement. In order to create the copy of Vermeer's The Music Lesson, he painstakingly transforms a garage in Texas into an exact replica of Vermeer's room and uses tools authentic to the time period to produce the painting, grinding pigments and crafting lenses using seventeenth-century technology. His dedication is truly inspiring.

Listening: I drove myself batty earlier in the week because I got a song stuck in my head, and I didn't know what it was called. I knew that it was from an opera, but I didn't know which one, and for some reason I thought that it was sung by a man. Finally, after sitting through the opening bars to far too many Luciano Pavarotti videos, it dawned on me that the song might be from Carmen. Jackpot. It's called Habanera, and here it is in all its glory, performed by the Royal Opera.

Learning:
This week's Words of the Day:

• advocaat - noun - a liqueur of eggs, sugar, and brandy.
  
• wilco - interjection, informal - expressing compliance or agreement, especially acceptance of instructions received by radio.
  
• gunkhole - noun - a shallow inlet that is difficult or dangerous to navigate.
  
• flambeau - noun - 1. a flaming torch, esp. composed of several thick waxed wicks. 2. a branched candlestick.
  
• nabob - noun - 1. a very rich or influential person. 2. Brit. hist. - a person returning from India with a large fortune acquired there.

Out and About:

• Cat tracks down elderly owner
  
• Faces in things: monkey orchids
  
• Artist uses the power of the sun to create art
  
• Nobel judge claims that creative writing courses are killing Western literature
  
• A beautiful die-cut book
  
• A chart of all the colours that have been added to the Crayola box
  
• There's no good way to use the "R" word
  
• The most patient cat ever
  

That's all for this week.

Sarah