But, I realized that playing "Words with Friends" limited my other activities. Most recently, I have started reading again instead of playing "Words with Friends", and I realized how much more meaningful reading is to me, than playing "Words with Friends." It is not that I will not play, it is just that I will play on my own time frame, and not to complete a challenge or otherwise be co-opted into playing when I have better things to do.
Showing posts with label words. Show all posts
Showing posts with label words. Show all posts
Saturday, March 3, 2018
I'd Rather Read
For I don't know how long, I have been addicted to playing "Words with Friends" and have accepted their challenges. And have tried to complete the challenges. And, I knew that as I did so, I was not attending to other interests in my life. I justified it by thinking that sharpening my word skills was a valid endeavor. And it is.
Monday, September 7, 2015
"Ancient" Fenway Park
I am watching ESPN http://espn.go.com/ today. The Yankees are playing the Orioles in New York City. Because the Red Sox are playing the Blue Jays, who are leading the division, and the Yankees are close behind them, the announcers are giving updates about that game http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/standings/index.jsp. Not just today, but the ESPN announcer has referred to Fenway Park https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fenway_Park, http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/ballpark/index.jsp as "ancient" many times this season.
Well, we all know that Fenway Park is 103 years old. It has been updated over and over again, but the basic structure is old. Is 103 ancient for a building? Maybe for a baseball park it is. In this country, it sort of is, but there are a lot of other buildings that are older, dating back to colonial times, Spanish settlement times, and Native American times. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_oldest_buildings_in_the_United_States.
I think, if the ESPN announcer wants to comment on Fenway Park's age, there is another term he might use: Venerable. For those of us who like Fenway Park, venerable works better than ancient.
Well, we all know that Fenway Park is 103 years old. It has been updated over and over again, but the basic structure is old. Is 103 ancient for a building? Maybe for a baseball park it is. In this country, it sort of is, but there are a lot of other buildings that are older, dating back to colonial times, Spanish settlement times, and Native American times. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_oldest_buildings_in_the_United_States.
I think, if the ESPN announcer wants to comment on Fenway Park's age, there is another term he might use: Venerable. For those of us who like Fenway Park, venerable works better than ancient.
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Spell Check and Typing
So, I am not the most accurate typist there is. Many of my typos are "dyslexic," meaning that I interchange letters. Most word programs correct that for me, and I have become lax with spell checking, although I try to remember to spell check these posts before I release them
The problem is, I used to be a very good speller, but now I am a lazy speller. Especially for words that were always questionable to me. For example, I can never remember if occasion has 2 c's and 2 s's or 2c's and 1 s or 1 c and 2 s's. Well, I used spell check so I have it correct here. But that has always been a problem word for me.
The other thing I do is put spaces in the wrong place. So "the neat man" might become "then eat man." Which of course, makes some or little sense. Depending on the word program I am using, it might point out the syntax is incorrect, it might not.
The point is, spelling is a skill like so many others. If you do not use it, you lose it. I read a lot, so that helps me with my spelling, but I have to work on consciously being aware of my spelling.
The problem is, I used to be a very good speller, but now I am a lazy speller. Especially for words that were always questionable to me. For example, I can never remember if occasion has 2 c's and 2 s's or 2c's and 1 s or 1 c and 2 s's. Well, I used spell check so I have it correct here. But that has always been a problem word for me.
The other thing I do is put spaces in the wrong place. So "the neat man" might become "then eat man." Which of course, makes some or little sense. Depending on the word program I am using, it might point out the syntax is incorrect, it might not.
The point is, spelling is a skill like so many others. If you do not use it, you lose it. I read a lot, so that helps me with my spelling, but I have to work on consciously being aware of my spelling.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Acrostics
I have been doing acrostic puzzles http://www.thefreedictionary.com/acrostic since before I moved to Texas. I know that because when I discovered acrostics, I went to a book store in Greenfield, and found a whole book of them. I really enjoy acrostics, which are just a little more complex than crosswords.
But, because of their nature, they have more ways to be solved. The acrostic is a puzzle block with blank and solid squares. Each blank square is identified by a letter and a number. The clues are usually identified by a letter, and each blank in the clue is assigned a number. When the clues are solved, the letter is transferred to the corresponding blank square. Typically, reading down the clues, the first letter identifies an author and a piece of work by that author.
As the puzzle is being solved, patterns in the blank squares suggest a word, and those letters can be then transferred to the clues.
Sometimes I get stuck, and have to look up answers to help me. I am always amazed that just one answer can open the door for the rest of the puzzle to be solved.
Sometimes, I think a lot of life is like that. We struggle with something, but then their is a key piece that helps us and everything else eventually falls into place.
Also, the acrostic lends itself to being a group effort. Reading clues aloud, and sharing possible answers and parts of citations gets the creative juices going, and the group effort can solve the puzzle more easily, some times.
I like word puzzles. And acrostics are some of my favorites. So much so, that if I have not finished the current book I am working on, and I spy a new one, I buy it. Not second thoughts.
But, because of their nature, they have more ways to be solved. The acrostic is a puzzle block with blank and solid squares. Each blank square is identified by a letter and a number. The clues are usually identified by a letter, and each blank in the clue is assigned a number. When the clues are solved, the letter is transferred to the corresponding blank square. Typically, reading down the clues, the first letter identifies an author and a piece of work by that author.
As the puzzle is being solved, patterns in the blank squares suggest a word, and those letters can be then transferred to the clues.
Sometimes I get stuck, and have to look up answers to help me. I am always amazed that just one answer can open the door for the rest of the puzzle to be solved.
Sometimes, I think a lot of life is like that. We struggle with something, but then their is a key piece that helps us and everything else eventually falls into place.
Also, the acrostic lends itself to being a group effort. Reading clues aloud, and sharing possible answers and parts of citations gets the creative juices going, and the group effort can solve the puzzle more easily, some times.
I like word puzzles. And acrostics are some of my favorites. So much so, that if I have not finished the current book I am working on, and I spy a new one, I buy it. Not second thoughts.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
I Have a Competitive Streak in Me
I have a competitive streak in me. I am not physically adept but mentally, I can compete at some level, so I enjoy doing word games, trivia, sudoku and the like. I have always enjoyed those activities. I have written in the past about my history of doing word puzzles.
I think my most favorite word puzzle is a double acrostic http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/169829/double-acrostic. It is difficult to explain, but you have a set of clues that are enumerated first by a letter and then, by letters, and in each clue, there is a number for each space. When the clue is solved, the letter is placed in the enumerated space. If you read the first letter of each clue, it gives the name of an author, and a title of the author's work. When you put the letters into the appropriate boxes, there is a quote from the work of the author.
I enjoy working on these puzzles, and have, in the past, enjoyed sharing these puzzles with my companions who have helped me to solve them. I have been looking for a renewable, printable online sight for these puzzles, and finally found one: http://www.americanacrostics.com/. I have had trouble, over the years, finding books of these puzzles. Waldenbooks was my best source, but even they were not always reliable. I have a book now. If I can find another book I will buy it, but am so thankful to have found a websource for these puzzles.
I think my most favorite word puzzle is a double acrostic http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/169829/double-acrostic. It is difficult to explain, but you have a set of clues that are enumerated first by a letter and then, by letters, and in each clue, there is a number for each space. When the clue is solved, the letter is placed in the enumerated space. If you read the first letter of each clue, it gives the name of an author, and a title of the author's work. When you put the letters into the appropriate boxes, there is a quote from the work of the author.
I enjoy working on these puzzles, and have, in the past, enjoyed sharing these puzzles with my companions who have helped me to solve them. I have been looking for a renewable, printable online sight for these puzzles, and finally found one: http://www.americanacrostics.com/. I have had trouble, over the years, finding books of these puzzles. Waldenbooks was my best source, but even they were not always reliable. I have a book now. If I can find another book I will buy it, but am so thankful to have found a websource for these puzzles.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Words and Word Games
I love words, and have since I do not know when. I love word games, and have since I do not know when.
When I was a child, I had a maternal uncle, Joe, and a paternal uncle, Voss, who loved crossword puzzles. Uncle Joe used to enter the crossword puzzle contest of a regional newspaper. I am not sure he ever won.
Uncle Voss did the daily crossword puzzle, and the Sunday New York Times puzzle. He lived with my paternal grandparents until they died, and then he lived with us until he built his own house. But every Sunday night, he spent time at our house working on the New York Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle. He used our encyclopedias (we had three: Britannica Junior, World Book and yearly updates and Golden Book), and dictionaries (Britannica and a couple of others.) We also had a Britannica Atlas and many other atlases, US Geographical Survery maps, and map books. I think Uncle Voss would have loved the internet, for its access to information.
My dad wanted us to have all these resources. He loved words, books, and maps. My dad loved learning and information. I am so thankful he did, because he passed that on to me. I love words. I love word puzzles. I love maps. I love learning.
Uncle Joe was my favorite uncle, and Uncle Voss was my next favorite uncle. I suppose I got my love of words and word puzzles from my father and these two uncles.
When I first went to college, I met people who would spend days working on the New York Times Sunday puzzle. I thought you were supposed to finish on Sunday. What did I know? I just had an uncle who did that.
When I went to work at the Montford unit, there was a co-worker, Joe, who loved words and word puzzles. We talked about words a lot. We worked on puzzles a lot. The director liked crossword puzzles. There was a time when an administravie assistant printed off the daily crossword and we all worked on it.
I also like double crosstic word puzzles. I was in a relationship with someone who liked words and word puzzles. We did the daily jumble, and the daily crossword. We worked on double crosstic puzzles together, at home, with friends, or when we were traveling.
I did not realize that word games and puzzles were team activities, but some of them are. I learned that when I went to work at the Montford Unit, because some of my co-workers liked to work word puzzles with help. I also learned that from my relationship with the man who liked word games.
I have access to several word games on the computer. I had a disk of Hoyle Games that I loaded onto my computer, and there are many word games in that arcade.
I have signed onto POGO games, so can play Scrabble against the computer.
I am engaged in several Scrabble games on Facebook, and several Words with Friends games on Facebook
I like words, word games, and word puzzles.
When I was a child, I had a maternal uncle, Joe, and a paternal uncle, Voss, who loved crossword puzzles. Uncle Joe used to enter the crossword puzzle contest of a regional newspaper. I am not sure he ever won.
Uncle Voss did the daily crossword puzzle, and the Sunday New York Times puzzle. He lived with my paternal grandparents until they died, and then he lived with us until he built his own house. But every Sunday night, he spent time at our house working on the New York Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle. He used our encyclopedias (we had three: Britannica Junior, World Book and yearly updates and Golden Book), and dictionaries (Britannica and a couple of others.) We also had a Britannica Atlas and many other atlases, US Geographical Survery maps, and map books. I think Uncle Voss would have loved the internet, for its access to information.
My dad wanted us to have all these resources. He loved words, books, and maps. My dad loved learning and information. I am so thankful he did, because he passed that on to me. I love words. I love word puzzles. I love maps. I love learning.
Uncle Joe was my favorite uncle, and Uncle Voss was my next favorite uncle. I suppose I got my love of words and word puzzles from my father and these two uncles.
When I first went to college, I met people who would spend days working on the New York Times Sunday puzzle. I thought you were supposed to finish on Sunday. What did I know? I just had an uncle who did that.
When I went to work at the Montford unit, there was a co-worker, Joe, who loved words and word puzzles. We talked about words a lot. We worked on puzzles a lot. The director liked crossword puzzles. There was a time when an administravie assistant printed off the daily crossword and we all worked on it.
I also like double crosstic word puzzles. I was in a relationship with someone who liked words and word puzzles. We did the daily jumble, and the daily crossword. We worked on double crosstic puzzles together, at home, with friends, or when we were traveling.
I did not realize that word games and puzzles were team activities, but some of them are. I learned that when I went to work at the Montford Unit, because some of my co-workers liked to work word puzzles with help. I also learned that from my relationship with the man who liked word games.
I have access to several word games on the computer. I had a disk of Hoyle Games that I loaded onto my computer, and there are many word games in that arcade.
I have signed onto POGO games, so can play Scrabble against the computer.
I am engaged in several Scrabble games on Facebook, and several Words with Friends games on Facebook
I like words, word games, and word puzzles.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Word Games
I love word games. I love to play Scrabble http://www.scrabble.com/. I am not a great player, but I still love to play. I am so pleased to be able to play Scrabble with many of my Facebook friends. I usually have several games going at once. I have some other word games I play: On Facebook, I play Words with Friends https://www.facebook.com/WordsWithFriends. On my computer, I have Wordox http://www.wordox.com/, similar to Scrabble, and Word Yacht http://www.hoylegaming.com/hoyle-games.aspx?gclid=CO6pkJuY8LECFelgTAodikoA_A
which is a Yahtzee style word game.
I love crossword puzzles. When I was a child, an uncle would visit on Sunday night to use our encyclopedias, dictionaries, and atlases to help him to finish the New York Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle. I grew up thinking that that was what you do: complete it. When I went to college, I found people who worked on Sunday and Monday to complete the New York Times Sunday Crossword. I thought that was what you were suppose to do. It is the hardest of the New York Time Crossword puzzles. And, I thought you worked until you completed it. I did not know otherwise.
There was a time a coworker accessed the daily puzzle on line, and printed it for us. I was embarassed that most days I zipped through the puzzle, although, sometimes on Friday, I had to use references.
About the time I went to work at the prison in 1995, I made some friends who also loved words, some who were not employed at the prison and some who were. Some of those friends enjoyed working on double crosstics with me. They loved working on crossword puzzles with me. I did not know that crossword puzzles, and double crosstics were team sports, until then. But they can be! That was so much fun! I miss it.
which is a Yahtzee style word game.
I love crossword puzzles. When I was a child, an uncle would visit on Sunday night to use our encyclopedias, dictionaries, and atlases to help him to finish the New York Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle. I grew up thinking that that was what you do: complete it. When I went to college, I found people who worked on Sunday and Monday to complete the New York Times Sunday Crossword. I thought that was what you were suppose to do. It is the hardest of the New York Time Crossword puzzles. And, I thought you worked until you completed it. I did not know otherwise.
There was a time a coworker accessed the daily puzzle on line, and printed it for us. I was embarassed that most days I zipped through the puzzle, although, sometimes on Friday, I had to use references.
About the time I went to work at the prison in 1995, I made some friends who also loved words, some who were not employed at the prison and some who were. Some of those friends enjoyed working on double crosstics with me. They loved working on crossword puzzles with me. I did not know that crossword puzzles, and double crosstics were team sports, until then. But they can be! That was so much fun! I miss it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)