Tag: writing

Is its or isn’t it’s…

Wiwohka3 Comments

So what gives with these s’s?

How is one to know the proper time to put the ‘ in the word? It’s very confusing to young readers like myself.

While I understand the logic of possession, where you use the ‘ to reflect that whatever it is, the item belongs to it. But then they go and throw in the side rule that says it’s also happens to be a shortened version of it is.

They have a whole list of words for this adorable little side rule, such as, you are = you’re, they are= they’re, and we are = we’re. These are just for starters. There’s a whole list of them, like the one I just used. It goes on and on.

The more I tried to understand the use of ‘ , the more confused I became. I guess it’s time t0 ask Mr. McGoogle why we’ve added all the extra ‘s’s to our vocabularies…

AI Overview

It’s is a contraction for “it is” or “it has” (e.g., “It’s raining”). Its (no apostrophe) is the possessive form, meaning “belonging to it” (e.g., “The dog wagged its tail”). A quick tip: If you can replace the word with “it is,” use it’s; otherwise, use its.

Detailed Breakdown

  • It’s (with apostrophe) = Contraction
    • Use this when you mean it is or it has.
    • Examples: It’s cold outside. It’s been a long day.
  • Its (no apostrophe) = Possessive
    • Use this to show ownership or belonging, similar to his, her, or their.
    • Examples: The company updated its logo. The tree lost its leaves.

Why this answer doesn’t really help us, at all!

I already understand how to decide if I want to say it is, or it’s… but, what about all that possession stuff? All the ai wants to say is that little tiny bit about a tree?

Come on! It’s time to scroll a bit further…

According to Grammarly,

“The difference between its and it’s comes down to function: its shows possession, while it’s is a contraction of it is or it has. Its is the possessive form of it, used to show that something belongs to or is associated with something else. It’s is a contraction that combines it is or it has, with the apostrophe replacing the missing letters. To choose the right word, use the substitution trick—if you can replace it with it is or it has, use it’s; if not, use its. Avoid common mistakes, like using it’s to show possession or adding an apostrophe to its just because it “looks right.”

I guess if this is the rule we must abide by, then I shall not pursue the argument. As I am but a young, and newly educated ant, I shall follow the masses with this one. It’s just not worth arguing about, and I already seem to be doing it out of habit.

It is what it is, and it isn’t what I thought it’d be, with its rules about itself and all it’s exceptions, too. I guess it’s more about its uses in it’s daily life that makes it more about itself than about its use in our sentences, regarding it’s proper usage.

I thought I’d leave you with a tongue twister, but I’m sure there are mistakes in there, somewhere…

it’s alright.

Live Novel Friday…

Wiwohka1 Comment

The Wharf

Episode III

Maiyah woke with a start! She’d been awakened by the sound of a very grumpy Ogre, angrily cursing at one of the kitchen staff. There would be trouble if she wasn’t where she should be, so late in the morning.

She’d overslept!

Oh well, she’d heard Ollie yelling at the staff nearly every morning. If it wasn’t one thing, it was another. The grumpy Ogre often yelled at everyone, as that’s usually what he did when he wasn’t eating, drinking, and/or carousing with the pirates that visited the tavern. Mornings were the worst, so Maiyah hurried to get to her assigned tasks before her tardiness was noticed. It never made for a pleasant day if the boss was cross with you… and the young barmaid made it a point to avoid trouble, at all costs.

Hurriedly, she set about finishing all of her morning duty’s about the tavern. As she worked, Maiyah couldn’t help but wonder if her gifts had been accepted by whatever had installed itself behind the fish barrels. She’d tried desperately to stay awake long enough to see it emerge the night before, but fell asleep soon after sitting down beside the bedside window. One was rarely afforded a short work day, nor an early night to bed around the wharf.

One of Maiyah’s morning duties was to bring in the day’s first catch. Ollie prided himself on the fish he offered his guests. Many of the taverns morning customers were the owners of the other businesses along the Wharf, as well as travelers passing through. The drinkers were all still passed out in any one of the many alleyways along the wharf.

This particular morning, she hurriedly finished collecting the fish from the dock, and made her way back along the wharf. She knew that she shouldn’t, but she made a point to pass beside the fish shed. Maiyah’s curiosity was driving her to go against every rule she’d written for her own preservation.

Some part of her was calling out to offer aid to whatever might be hiding behind the fish shed. Maybe she felt compassion, or perhaps it was pity. Perhaps it was the memory of her own lonely beginnings, driving the young barmaid to break one of her own life preserving rules. Most probably, she was simply curious.

You know, many a brave sailor had fallen into Piracy, or worse, out of simple innocent curiosity. The barmaid had learned this while sailing with many of them.

But those days were long behind her, thanks to Ollie. The grumpy old ogre had purchased her from a band of pirates, for only two barrels of ale. Maiyah made every effort not to give the ogre any reason to regret his decision.

This morning was no exception. Carefully emptying part of the fish basket on the kitchen counter, she turned to leave. Without drawing attention to her actions, Maiyah casually slipped a few food items into the pocket of her apron. She then returned to the fish basket on the counter, carrying the rest of the unused fish out the doorway, and toward the fish shed.

Looking one way, and then another, Maiyah quietly slipped behind the fish shed. Kneeling down between several barrels, she placed the food gifts she’d pilfered from the kitchen. Sitting back on her heels, she wrapped her arms around her knees, resting her chin on her arms. And then she waited…

After several long moments, there came a soft shuffling sound from behind one of the barrels. Slowly, and timidly, a small head emerged from hiding.

Maiyah sat quietly watching, as the tiniest of tiny little creatures peeked out from behind the fish barrel. Why, it was a baby orc! But, how on earth did it get behind the shed?

Softly, Maiyah whispered, “Hello there, little one. What on earth are you doing back here?”

The small creature said not a thing, but slowly reached out and picked up a piece of the bread, nibbling at it’s corners, nervously. Tucked into the folds of it’s tiny coat was what looked like a scroll of paper. Reaching forward slowly, Maiyah retrieved the scroll while the little orc was preoccupied with eating the fish.

She didn’t want to linger behind the fish shed, as it would begin to look rather suspicious why she was climbing around back there on her hands and knees. Somehow she must hide this little one, but the only safe place was her own room. She wasn’t even sure the little thing would come with her, let alone allow her to stuff him inside the fish basket she carried…

What was in the note?

Where did the baby come from?

How will Maiyah get the orc into her room without being seen?

Be sure to leave your answers in the comments.

See you next Friday…

Hugs

Live Novel Friday…

Wiwohka2 Comments

The Wharf…

Episode II

**As per our conversation last week, I’ve settled on Ollie for our portly Ogre innkeeper. He has a rough and intimidating presence, but for those who know him, there is also a kind heart hidden beneath all that muscle and aggressive demeanor. Our young barmaid has learned to avoid Ollie’s grumpier side, using her quiet and unassuming nature to sooth his rough mannerisms. Though his frightening appearance and frequent angry outbursts keep the customers in line, our young lass has grown to love the grumpy old innkeeper. We’ll call the tavern The Ogre’s Rest, and I think that Maiyah is a fitting name for our young barmaid. Be sure and answer the questions at the end of each episode, so I’ve a story to work up. Enjoy Episode II…

This night, like any other night here on the wharf, Maiyah has been busily serving customers and helping in and around the kitchen. The cook asked that she bring in another fish from the barrel out on the dock in front of the tavern, so she retrieves a container and heads outside for the barrel.

As the young barmaid is pulling a sizeable fish out of the barrel, she spies movement from behind the container. Briefly glancing down, toward the disturbance, she spies what looks like a tiny shoe sticking out from behind the barrel. Rule number three kicks in, warning her not to bring attention to herself, so she continues on about her business, carrying the fish inside to the cook.

As she cleans and serves food to the customers, several pieces of dried meat and fruit cake left on guests’ plates, happens to fall into her apron pocket.

Her sleight of hand skills rewarded her a small water flask, from the pocket of an old tinker, snoring blissfully in the corner.

Since her shift is coming to an end, Maiyah carries her cleaning supplies out to the shed, next to the barrel on the dock. Inside the shed she takes a strip of cloth hanging on the wall, folds the food and water inside, and casually walks back toward the tavern, discreetly dropping the small package behind the barrel as she walks past.

Once inside The Ogres Rest, Maiyah retreats to her room above the bar. Her room is small, but offers a window that looks out over the wharf, to the sea beyond. From here, she can see directly down upon the front of the tavern, where the shed and barrel both sit beside the water’s edge. She dresses in her nightgown and settles in at the window ledge to watch…

There is just enough light cast, from the tavern’s doorway lantern, for the young barmaid to have a clear view of the barrel. She spies movement from behind the container, but only enough to confirm that there is indeed someone there, but whomever it is, hides themselves very well. She falls asleep with her head resting upon the window sill of her tiny room above the bar.

Who or what do you think might be hiding behind the barrel?

With the clues given and remembering the three survival rules, what do you think Maiyah will do?

Be sure to leave your answers in the comments…

Hugs

Monday Messages…

Wiwohka3 Comments

Shhhhhhh… we’re about to enter the silent letter section of the library. There’s a number of hidden letters out there, just hoping to be found. I know this because I’ve been searching them out.

Why would be the first operative question!

When it comes to sneaky letters hiding in plain sight, I’ve been wracking my brain trying to understand the reasoning for this odd addition to the English language. If you wanted to be hidden, fine, but then why keep peeking out of words that didn’t need you there, in the first place?

Here we come Mr. McGoogle, so make us proud…

Silent letters are letters in English words that are written but not pronounced, appearing in roughly 60% of English words. They exist due to historical pronunciation changes, etymology, or to differentiate homophones. Common silent letters include b (climb), k (knee), w (write), h (hour), and t (listen), occurring at the beginning, middle, or end of words.

Wow!

Ok Mr. McGoogle, you didn’t have to do us that proud, really!

Oddly, I didn’t actually know that these silent letter words made up 60% of all English words. It’s rather embarrassing, if you think about it. Here we are, thinking we are so smart, but we still use silent letters like a salt shaker. Now my brain hurts.

So, if these letters aren’t needed, I wanted to know what the purpose was for adding them, so long ago.

Come on… let’s ask!

AI Overview

Silent letters exist primarily because English spelling was standardized before pronunciation changed, and because of efforts to reflect words’ original Latin, Greek, or French roots. They help distinguish homophones (e.g., knights vs. nights), indicate long vowels (e.g., rate vs. rat), and remain as remnants of older, fully pronounced words. 

Key reasons for silent letters: Etymology & History: Many letters were originally pronounced. For example, knee was pronounced with a hard ‘k’ in Old English, a practice that disappeared over time, but the spelling remained.

  • Renaisance Spelling Changes: Scholars often added letters to words to make them look more like their Latin or Greek origins, such as adding a ‘b’ to debt and doubt to match the Latin debitum and dubitare.
  • French Influence: Following the Norman Conquest, French scribes altered English spelling, which brought in silent letters.
  • Homophones: Silent letters help differentiate words that sound the same, such as “in” and “inn,” or “so” and “sew”.
  • Print Standardization: Early printing presses froze spellings, which meant older, non-phonetic spellings were locked in even as pronunciation continued to evolve. 

These seemingly useless letters often provide clues to the history and meaning of a word, even if they no longer correspond to a sound in modern English. 

Well, I guess if you want to give such a smart answer, Mr. McGoogle, fine! But you could have led with this explanation, in the first place. Maybe it’s my fault, as I should have asked this question first.

So, I’m going to give this rule a free ride, due to the answer given.

I can’t really argue with logic like this, so we’ll accept it as a valid answer to my queries, just this once. I don’t even have a snappy retort, or witty statement that might undermine such reasonings.

However, I will say that we already knew about Homophones from last week, so there’s that!

Live Novel Friday…

Wiwohka10 Comments

***So, here’s how this works. I want to try for a graphic novel style, but with a twist. Each week, I’ll release a new episode accompanied by several questions for you to answer. These answers will determine the next weeks episode. Some weeks I may give you two alternative outcomes, while at other times, there will be questions that will direct the path of each character involved in the story. Sounds easy, right? I’ll do all the heavy lifting. Each episode will be flagged, so if you come in to the story midway, all you need do is scroll back on the feed to catch up. Let’s do this!***

The Wharf…

Episode I –

Life here can be very tough, for any soul not already hardened by life’s cruel realities!

The taverns and store fronts along the wharf are owned by varying disreputable men and women, both of which would sell you to the sea for the right amount of coin.

If one wants to eat, they must live and work in the midst of pirates, slave traders, treasure seekers, and drunkards. There was no room for anyone with weakness, nor naivety, of any kind. Letting your guard slip, even for a moment, might very well bring about your doom…

Within the Wharf lay a tavern, filled with all manner of vile men, most living and working on the filthy trade ships, arriving here daily. Few of the locals in the nearby farming communities ever come to the Wharf, let alone frequent such a dangerous establishment.

If you were a woman, either you came into the tavern to work, or you were dangerous enough to hold your own in a fight.

The Wharf was no place for kind folk, nor was the tavern safe for anyone carrying a coin purse without a gun or a dagger for company.

Inside the tavern you see a young barmaid, busily sweeping the floor near the doorway. She belongs to the owner of the tavern, purchased off one of the slave ships some years prior, when she was rather young.  

She is quiet, very obedient to the one who feeds her, and always works busily, both in and around the tavern. No one bothers her, nor do they pay her any mind at all! Everyone here knows that she is not to be touched, as the owner of the tavern would kill you for even considering it!

Don’t let her meekness fool you, as she is not what she seems. If you did look into her eyes, you would see danger floating within those dark pools of green, staring right back at you! In her short life, she has seen too much, felt too much and lost too much!

This has molded her into a very hardened and wise soul, for one so young. She is also very smart, both in book knowledge and being street savvy. Her three rules for survival are,

Don’t make the tavern owner mad…

Stay out of folk’s business…

Do not bring attention to yourself…

These three rules were born of painful lessons learned over the years of service to the owner of the tavern… most assuredly, the only reason she was still breathing air, even if it did smell of stale rum and dirty pirates!

*****************************************************************************

Question #1 – Our heroin needs a name. I’ve already a name in mind, but this is for you to choose, not me… not this time. What shall we call our young lass?

Question #2 – What should we call the tavern?

Question #3 – Will the tavern owner be a burly old one-eyed ogre, or should he have a hidden softer side to him?

I went easy on you this week, since this is a whole new thing, and all. Each episode will have harder questions, but you’ll know more about the story as time goes on. My hope is that you’ll become invested in this tale, which will only gain strength with each weeks answers. This should allow the story to expand and gain traction, as time goes on. Who knows where this will lead.

til next Friday…

Hugs

Hang on! I’m on the homophone…

Wiwohka2 Comments

Guess what I get to do this morning?

While Wiwohka has to go to one of her appointments, she’s given me my first actual job to complete in her absence. I’m doin WordPress this morning… ALL by myself!

The Daily Prompt wasn’t so bad, since I was able to pull from the archives, but I discovered something in the process of digging up an old answer. Wiwohka wrote something odd in her answer that sent me searching for some wordsy explanations. This ant has questions!

Did you notice the part where she used whether and weather in the same sentence?

While Wiwohka made it seem funny when she wrote it down, I didn’t get the joke. What was so funny about how she wrote that sentence? I needed some answers, because I have begun seeing this strange phenomenon quite often, while reading. What gives?

There are a great many words in the English language that have gathered a nefarious shadow word, which follows the regular word around but isn’t the same, at all! I find this very unfair to us young readers, wouldn’t you agree?

Out of necessity, and a good deal of curiosity, I posed my question to Mr. McGoogle…

“What are words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings?”

The response was a rather wordy one… Literally!

AI Overview

Words that sound the same but are spelled differently and have different meanings are called

homophones (or heterographs). Common examples include to/too/two, there/their/they’re, pair/pear, see/sea, and hour/our. These words sound identical in speech but have distinct meanings, which can create confusion in writing. 

Here are common homophones categorized for clarity:

Commonly Confused Homophones

  • There (place), Their (possession), They’re (contraction of “they are”).
  • To (preposition), Too (also/excessively), Two (number).
  • Your (possession), You’re (contraction of “you are”).
  • Its (possession), It’s (contraction of “it is”).
  • Whose (possession), Who’s (contraction of “who is”). 

Everyday Object/Action Homophones

Action/Concept Homophones

I don’t really have any problem understanding the difference in the words that are similar in sound but not in spelling. These, I can easily understand to be different from each other by their unique spellings. But what about the words that remain almost identical in spelling, but only one or two letters change? Why did they have to make things so difficult?

It’s a good thing that our brains are capable of detecting even the most minute differences in how a word is pronounced, or spelled, for that matter!

Before you start thinking that I was done… I’m not, just so you know.

They didn’t stop at Homophones, no no. They went a step further into the art of confusion by adding another additional type/category for these words. Yes indeed, they did!

Mr. McGoogle calls them Homographs and Homonyms. Oh yay! Really?!

Check out these little rabbit holes in the English language…

Homographs: Spelled the same, but different meanings/sounds (e.g., bark of a tree vs. bark of a dog).

Homonyms: Words that are both homophones and homographs (e.g., *bat

These are dark days in the kingdom of words, my friends. Dark days, indeed…

A bit of this, and a bit of that…

Wiwohka5 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What do you wish you could do more every day?
View all responses

I suppose that writing might be my first go-to answer for this prompt, but there is such a thing as, too much of a good thing spoils the whole dessert.

Certainly, more time with Maisie, my new granddaughter, would be top of my list. Two things about that. One, she’ll be here three to four days a week come May, when my daughter goes back to work. And, two… I’m getting old and my poor back can only take so much. Thankfully, Papa is here to share the load. We tag-team boppin her about. He is so in love with her, it’s adorable to watch. We are so blessed!

I could always spend more time in scripture, which I do whenever I find quiet moments… that’s just a given.

Most assuredly, I wish I could eat more every day, but that is in the works, so patience is a virtue.

Hiking on the low mountain trails, here in the beautiful Northwest. Now that’s a worthy dream. There are endless rivers, streams, trails, parks, lakes, and every manner of outdoor activities and sports events.

Exploring more museums and historical sites throughout Washington, and Alaska. There are so many differing places to explore right here in our own backyard. No need to take a bus, a boat, a train, or even a plane. A car will do just fine.

I will admit that these days, if I’m to go exploring anywhere, there better be a hotel with a hot tub at the end of the hike… just sayin!

Hey, now that’s what I think I’ll settle on for my final answer… a spa treatment day, oh yeah! To be pampered, fussed, and fawned over would be simply divine.

However, at the end of each day, I am content with who I am, the things we have, and the life we’ve built together, my husband and I. If you feel led to do a thing, do it. If you are drawn to speak a thing of goodness and truth, speak it. If you want to be successful and you see a chance, take it. If you want a good and beautiful life, make it!

Cookie?

I’m always willing to bake more virtual cookies for anyone asking…

Live Novel Friday returns…

Wiwohka3 Comments

I know it’s been three years since you last saw an episode of Live Novel Friday, but I think it’s time to bring it back… but with a but of a fun twist!

We tried The Tuesday Tattler, but it didn’t really go anywhere. That’s not to say that I won’t return to it (or maybe it’s already in the works), but I’ve other irons in the fire at the moment.

Namely, the publishing of my book. I’m going for it! As soon as I find the resources for its release, it’s boxed up, sealed and ready to go. With volume I being released, that means I’ve no excuse but to move on with staging volume II. The story move forward.

With that project, and several others I’m trying to get finished, AND the added responsibility of my grandbaby, here in another month… my time is limited. Because of this, I’ve opted for a really fun adventure that I think you’ll enjoy. I actually started it back in 2024, I think, but it didn’t really go anywhere. That’s not to say that it wasn’t good, nor was it your lack of reading. It just didn’t feel ready, if that makes any sense.

It feels ready now!

Here’s how it works. I release a fresh chapter, and then you guess the answers at the end. Those answers will determine the direction of the following chapter. See how that works? You are going to be able to choose how the story progresses.

I don’t know if you recall when I wrote this first episode, but it was called The Wharf. It’s going to be written as if you are right in the midst of the story. That’s why you’ll notice how it stays narrated but you feel as if you are walking alongside the character into the scene. If we can do this, I intend to dedicate the book to all of you.

So, next Friday, you should have your preferred breakfast drink in hand, a soft comfortable blanket, and your thinking caps on. Meet me here next Friday at 9 a.m., Pacific Standard Time, for some all new live Novel Friday…

The Wharf!

See you next Friday… hugs

Thursday Thoughts…

Wiwohka6 Comments

My thoughts are somewhat muddled this morning. This afternoon is my first appointment with my new doctor, and I’m a bit nervous.

How many times have I gotten right to the very doorway of a solution to this health situation, only to have the door painfully slammed in my face? Too many, if I am to be fully honest, here.

Putting all that past disappointment behind us, it’s important that I go to this visit with hope, with grace, and with all the praying one can muster! This girl really wants to eat, you guys! Oatmeal is fine here and there, but every single day? For a year?

Without going into painful details, my body is definitely showing signs of malnutrition. This can’t go on for much longer, without some form of intervention.

So, here I sit, drinking my tea, and writing… well, trying to write!

I apologize if my writings always seem to be about me, in some round-a-bout way. When the only thing one do each day is to write, stare at the walls, and sing to themself… I guess that’s what happens. I don’t mean to do it, but unless I talk about my feelings, I’m afraid this is all just a bad dream, and I’ll simply disappear into nothing if I become too still, or quiet.

Am I the only one who ever feels this way?

It’s strange how I can be at peace in all the other areas of my life, but when illness overruns all the good stuff, it muddles my brain, if that makes any sense.

I’ve high hopes in this new physician, as she’s so far, fully restored certain medications that the insurance was fighting, completed my disability paperwork in record time, and enrolled me in several community services, including shuttle transportation to all my visits, and such. She instigated all of this, not me! She actually spent time looking through my records, I think.

Now, I am a faithful woman of God, here, and yet my nerves always get the better of me when it comes to my health. Oh ye, of little faith, right? I suppose the greater faith always grows from the hard things in life, not the easy ones.

Fortunately, my muddled brain, or my nervous spirit, really, have God always in my corner… always on my side, if you will. I have followed this path of His for far too many years of my life to stop now. I know that God takes me as I am… nervous nelly, and all!

If you’re at all wondering, my spirit is in a wonderful place, just now. I’m just muddled that’s all. I write so as to think it out, if you will.

My nerves may be telling me I’m prepping for mid-term finals or something, but in actuality, I’m sort of afraid to feel hopeful, to feel like this time there may be some light at the end of this tummy trouble tunnel!

Either way, I’m going!

(2024) Dead Air…

Wiwohka19 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What was the best compliment you’ve received?
View all responses

Honesty is always the best policy, and I’d like to be as forthright in my answer as possible. I cannot actually come up with any compliments, from off the top of my head. I’ve not lived a life that taught me how to recognize this thing we call a compliment. I have not lived a life that offered anyone who cared, an opportunity to offer great words of affirmation toward much, if any, of my behavior or character… it’s actually been quite the opposite!

Oh, I’m sure that I’ve been offered positive comments here and there, but none have ever felt either sincere or useful enough to carry me to any great height… I’m just being completely honest!

Nothing my parents ever said, came with a behavior that backed up the words draining out of their mouths!

I had a great many men drip words of insincerity in my direction, with nothing more than selfish or nefarious purposes in their minds!

There was no one to push me into an academic or career direction, with words that might lead me to believe I was smart, in any form!

My entire life has been a fight. Pushing against adversity from every single direction I looked! I was discouraged from having children, but I did it anyway! I raised three daughters, served in the church til I bled, homeschooled my girls while simultaneously working side jobs housekeeping, and getting a college degree… while also cooking, cleaning, paying bills, and serving in a miserable marriage for 16 years. When I divorced, the only reverberating words offered by friends, family AND church was… “well, you left!”

For anyone who may have offered a compliment to my person, I thank you for your kindness. I apologize if I’ve not shown any gratitude for said compliments, but I stopped expecting or even looking for them when I was eleven!

I don’t wish for you to think me bitter, as I’ve moved away from that place of loneliness and sorrow. In honesty, I’ve only one compliment that would be worth anything and everything, but alas, I’m not home yet!

With whatever time I have left on this earth, I shall strive to live a life worthy of God’s approval, to the best of my ability . My heart yearns to hear the only words that will matter… Well Done My Good and Faithful Servant! Just sayin…

Cookie?