Spring Time Hurrah! Spring is attempting to arrive in Chicago! I decided to share this story, when I saw how profusely my daffodils were in bloom today. Brain Color Clues I am an avid Blue Brain Gardener and this thought-provoking story is one of my favorites. It is rather long, but I promise, is worth…

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Word Wednesday • “Williwaw” is my word for WordWednesday. Definition: • Noun:  A sudden and violent gust of cold wind or a intense  commotion Pronunciation • Pronunciation – WILL-ih-waw Usage •  If I am in a  “Williwaw” I find it very disconcerting. Closing Question – Interesting History Does a “Williwaw” make you uncomfortable? In 1900, Captain Joshua Slocum…

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Word Wednesday • “Cognoscente” is my word for WordWednesday. Definition: • Noun: A connoisseur or person who has expert knowledge in a subject,  a discerning individual. Pronunciation • Pronunciation – kahn-yuh-SHEN-tee Usage •  She was a “Cognoscente” of good wine and good food. Closing Question – Interesting History Do you think of yourself as at “Cognoscente”? The word…

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A Helpful Quote This morning, I received a “Daily Does” email from Joe Fermano. The message read; “Kindness is not an act.  It’s a lifestyle.” The quote  is from Anthony Douglass. Princess Shayna’s Invisible Visible Gift This quote immediately made me think of my children’s book Princess Shayna’s Invisible Visible Gift. My family fairy tale is…

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Word Wednesday • “Organoleptic” is my word for WordWednesday. Definition: • Adjective: Affecting to taste, color, odor, and feel of foods or substances, which relates to stimulating your sense organs. Pronunciation • Pronunciation – or-guh-noh-LEP-tik Usage • The restaurant set up an “Organoleptic” buffet for their Sunday brunch. Closing Thought – Interesting History When you prepare you meals…

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Honoring Women Yesterday was International Women’s Day. A day to establish a gender equal world; celebrate women’s achievement; raise awareness against bias, and take action for equality. It was a day to honor the women in our lives, our communities, countries, and around the world! A Woman of Valor I have always love the Proverbs…

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Word Wednesday • “Megillah” is my word for WordWednesday. Definition: • Noun: Scroll, volume, long story, referenced in the Book of Esther, which is read aloud at the festive Jewish holiday of Purim. • Slang: An elaborate, complicated production or sequence of events. Pronunciation • Pronunciation – Mĕgillāh/ muh-GHIL-uh Usage •  Last week, we celebrated joyful holiday of…

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Read Across America Day Today, is Read Across America Day. The celebration was launched in “1998 by the National Education Association (NEA) and guided by a committee of educators, NEA’s Read Across America is the nation’s largest celebration of reading. This year-round program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and…

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Word Wednesday • “Prothalamion” is my word for WordWednesday. Definition: • Noun: A song in celebration of a marriage Pronunciation • Pronunciation – proh-thuh-LAY-mee-un Usage • The wedding couple selected their favorite song as a “Prothalamion” for their first dance. Closing Thought – Interesting History • In 1595, the newly-wed Edmund Spenser wrote a poem to his young bride.…

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Change in the Weather Last Thursday, I posted a message on my all social media sites abut the temperature going up to 25 degrees, in Chicago, snow was falling, the sun was shining, and the robins were swarming all over our snow covered trees. The sparrows were also flying around our home and resting on…

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Word Wednesday • “Insouciance” is my word for WordWednesday. Definition: • Noun: No worries, lighthearted, unconcern, nonchalance| Pronunciation • Pronunciation – in-SOO-see-unss Usage •  Alfred E. Neuman is the “Insouciance” cover boy and mascot for Mad Magazine. Closing Question • When do you ever feel “Insouciance” in your personal and/or professional life?     My family business memoir No…

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