I have long loved classical music, as those who have read my blog posts over the years will likely remember. Of the various subsections of the overall classical genre, I tend to be a classical guy, though I do like some romance and baroque music too (think Mozart). I’m not a fan of modern classical, as most of it seems to be a contest of who can create the most discordant cacophony. My favorite composers have always been Mozart and…
As you can probably see by the title, this post was supposed to be published yesterday. For the delay I offer sincere apologies, for I was anticipating this post, which is an excerpt! I hope you will all forgive me if I offer this little tidbit to you, a story that you’ll be able to read for yourself by the end of the month! The story is called Mr. Darcy’s Return, though that might change if whim and fancy take me…
Rather than a specific piece, I thought I would highlight a music style today–the barcarolle. A barcarolle is a traditional folk song sung by Venetian gondoliers and over time has come to mean any piece of music that was composed in that style. A barcarolle when done properly is supposed to give the sensation of traveling on waves through music. It is usually written in 3/4 or 6/8 time (or some other three beat pattern) and is often, though certainly…
I haven’t done an idiom in some time, so I thought I would return to the fascinating world of idioms on this lazy Monday. Idioms are sayings that make little sense from a practical standpoint, but mean something in common language. Storm in a teacup is not one of the more used idioms, but is common enough that just about anyone who speaks English natively should know it. Storm in a teacup is the concept that a small matter is…
As today is auspiciously February 29th, I thought I would do a post on Leap Years and how they reconcile our reckoning of time. Simply put, Leap Days are usually added once every four years, extending the month of February to 29 days. The reason for this addition is that the length of a year, defined as the amount of time it takes for the earth to revolve around the sun, is slightly more than 365 days–365.2425 days to be…
As promised, Bingley’s Indignation is now available on Amazon Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Paperback, with a Hardcover version to follow. If you have not already seen it, here is the cover, the blurb, and a link to the book. Enjoy! Trouble between friends erupts when Fitzwilliam Darcy informs his friend, Charles Bingley about his complicity in keeping him away from Miss Jane Bennet the previous winter. Darcy, determined to be honest with his friend, never considered the possibility that Bingley, mild-mannered…
I haven’t done an excerpt in some time, so I thought today would be the perfect day for one. My new novella Bingley’s Indignation is scheduled for release next Thursday, February 8 on Kindle, with paperback and hardcover versions available. This story explores what might have changed had Charles Bingley taken offense upon learning that Darcy did not inform him of Jane’s presence in London, rather than forgiving him as was his wont. This particular excerpt relates a possible solution to…
Well, it seems I am back. We had a bout of sickness in the family last month (my wife got hit with both the flu then Covid) and I have not really had the energy or interest in blogging. Some of it I will put down to just a general sense of malaise. It must be January, which for a time was positively Arctic where I live. Now that we are back into decent temperatures for the moment and I…
I thought I’d finish off the season with a last few jokes to send you on your way into the new year, jokes I’ve searched for high and low from every corner of the internet! While I will allow you to judge whether these are the best (or worst) ever, I hope you will enjoy this last post of the Christmas season! What goes “Oh, oh, oh?” Santa walking backwards! (Cue the groans!) Why don’t snowmen get married? Because they…
I wanted to jump in and wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, or whatever you prefer to celebrate. I love this time of year, for the hearts of everyone we meet seem to be somehow softened at this time of year. I am a Christian and celebrate the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ at this time of year, but I see this softening in anyone, and not only Christians. May you have all the…