Category Archives: Essays

Expostulate – Friday’s Word of the Day Haiku

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Today’s Dictionary.com Word of the Day is Expostulate. It means “to reason earnestly with someone against something that person intends to do or has done; remonstrate: His father expostulated with him about the evils of gambling.” 

The Etymology Dictionary tells us this about the origin of this word:

“1530s, “to demand, to claim,” from Latin expostulatus, past participle of expostulare “to demand urgently, remonstrate, find fault, dispute, complain of, demand the reason (for someone’s conduct),” from ex- “from” (see ex-) + postulare “to demand” (see postulate (v.)). Friendlier sense of “to reason earnestly (with someone) against a course of action, etc.” is first recorded in English 1570s. Related: Expostulated; expostulating.”

I did find a reference to the word as featured in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”:  “The circle closed up again with a running murmur of expostulation.” It seems that “The Great Gatsby’s” rich vocabulary has become the source of many vocabulary studies. You can find expostulation as well as many other wonderful words on vocabulary “flash cards” online. Of course there are a few other mentions of the word used in other literature, but it does not seem to have any surprising history attached to it.

That being said, I must say that there has been quite a bit of expostulating going on in recent times…and the divide grows deeper and wider.

Here’s my haiku for today’s word. Have a great weekend!

opinionated
expostulators may rant
for naught, to closed minds

~kat


Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 11 June 2017


These days reality is a subjective…uh, reality. Based on our own personal perspectives and tinged by our beliefs, socio-economic statuses, cultures, and personal demons, is it possible to really know what is true and real? How do we navigate our way through the spin and lies so prevalent in this alt-reality world? And what is more disturbing; how did we get here? Have we always been here?

If not, what was the tipping point? When did we lose our common sense of humanity, our faith, our minds? By splintering off into polarized hoards to feel safe, we have never been so alone. The truth, or at least our growing collective impression of truth, is that we can’t trust anyone. We can’t even trust ourselves. Especially when the powerful tell us that what we’re seeing and hearing is not what we’re seeing and hearing. We’re all a bit mad.

This week we witnessed an epic battle. It. Was broadcast globally for our entertainment. Truth was on trial. On one side, an honorable gladiator and career lawman, albeit a showboater, who likes to write memos that read like noir novellas, gave his sworn testimony. On the other side, another showboater, but a rich, powerful one (as in leader of the free world, powerful), an undisputed serial liar with no respect for the rule of law, tweeted an opposing recollection, as well as sending his bumbling henchman, who doesn’t know how to use spellcheck, to the national stage to hold court.

The drama is being aired 24/7 and each showboater is given the same consideration. Democracy demands that we are fair and balanced. That we give each view equal time and value. But it doesn’t feel right. It feels a bit insane. Surely both sides aren’t the speaking the truth. There is only one truth, right?

Sadly we may never know. It’s probaly best to turn off the telly and mobile news prompts and avoid print altogether, but I admit, I’m hooked. I can’t bring myself to look away. I have to see how this ends. I’m terrified to see how this ends.

At any rate, I hope you have a great week. May our personal realities make us feel safe and happy. Right now, that’s all we’ve got.

Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 11 June 2017

tears for all
settle down
dust on air, drifting
wild, wet blossom bursting
blushing innocence, giggles
never looked back
ashes to dust
rude bursts of hot air
grumbling optional
bellyaching nitpickers
your lattice is fading
in the blackest of times
everyone knew his name…Chuckles

~kat

A shi sai or ReVerse poem is a summary poem with a single line lifted from each entry of a collection of work over a particular timeframe and re-penned in chronological order as a new poem. Unlike a collaborative poem, the shi sai features the words of one writer,providing a glimpse into their thoughts over time. I use it as a review of the previous week.


Ancestors

A Haiku for TJ’s Household Haiku Challenge  based on his beautiful photo of Warwick Castle below, and the prompt words, Drift & Air. I have a particular interest in this place as a descendant of William the Conquerer who, it is recorded, built the first incarnation of Warwick Castle, a structure described as a wooden motte and bailey castle, in the year 1068. William is my 35th Great Grandfather. I am descended from his marriage to Maud Athelida de Ingelrica. They had one child, a son, Sir William I “The Elder” De Peverel, Earl of Nottingham (my 34th great) and on and on down through the centuries, here I am. I hope one day to visit Europe to see some of the places my ancestors lived. I might wonder if the landscape that they gazed upon looks much different as I gaze on it today. Thanks TJ for this journey back. ❤️


memories of yore
ancestors framed, suspended
dust on air, drifting

~kat


Twittering Tale #33 – 6 June 2017

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About the challenge: Each Tuesday I will provide a prompt, and your mission, if you choose to play along, is to tell a story based on that prompt in 140 characters or less. If you accept the challenge, be sure to let me know in the comments with a link to your tale.

A final note: if you need help tracking the number of characters in your story, there is a nifty online tool that will count for you at charactercountonline.com.

I will do a roundup each Tuesday, along with providing us a new prompt. Have Fun!

Twittering Tale #32 – The Round-Up:

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From Jane at Jane Dougherty Writes:

Someone told me once I have dreamy eyes. I dunno. I’ve always thought my legs are my best feature.

From Di at Pensitivity101:

No flies on me mate!

(20 characters)

From Through My Heart Weave at Soul Connection:

I didn’t came for feast.Wanted to see killers of my mate.They still roam free??Ohh..I forgot our life has no value,Humanbeings are supreme.

From Kitty at Kitty’s Verses:

Two long hours she had to wait for his arrival.Getting ready in anticipation of her love ,But hey! what did she see, A bug inside a bug?

136 characters

From Reena at ReInventions:

The creature evolved from the amateur experiments in a petri-dish. And now, Sam wondered if an insect or bird would like to be its mate…..

From Michael at Morpethroad:

I see a morsel

unattended, waiting for me.

I’ll watch a moment

Can’t be hasty

those swats do hurt.

To rub and taste its goodness

to have my fill.

(140 characters)

From Kathryn at Another Foodie Blogger:

Jim studied the fly for hours on end under the scope. He was CERTAIN it was sending encoded messages to him through his multi-faceted eyes.

From Lorraine at In 25 Words More or Less, THREE tales:

Frederick bugged Lili: his bulging eyes; nasty eating habits; constant buzzing. Babysitting little brothers in public! Like so embarrassing! (140)

Calaxia’s world was multi-faceted. Ever the optimist, she could find joy in a pile of garbage. (95)

The Hollywood buzz on Twitter about rebooting The Fly movie franchise went viral. A female trans-morphed scientist in 2018? Who would she be? (140)

From Francine at Woman Walks Dog:

You fabulous creature – will you dance with me ? Let’s swoop and twirl – just over here – come into my magical, sticky web..

From Peter at Peter’s Ponderings:

“Done something with your hair?” Freddie asked.

“Try again!” replied Fiona.

“New dress?” he suggested.

“Wrong. I’ve had new coloured lenses!”

(138 characters)

From Kirst at Kirst Writes:

“What the hell IS that?” She looked up from the microscope

“The virus carrier. This chemical can destroy it. But there are … side effects.”

(138 characters)

Here’s what I came up with:

Was it reincarnation? The way the fly stared at her gave her chills.

John? She asked, as she smacked him wth the swatter to off him a second time.

(140 Characters)

Thank you all for joining the challenge this week. Your tales were all very clever. Some silly. Some bizarre, and some very thoughtful, philosophical even. All this from a close up photo of a fly.

This week switching it up a bit. I think one could go twittering in several different directions with this one. I thought of a few very different scenarios myself. It could be a mystery, a thriller, or simply a happy tale of waiting for a friend to arrive. I’ll leave it up to you. My heart is still heavy over the state of our world. Much love and peace to you all.

p.s. Have fun. We could all use a bit of a diversion. ❤

Twittering Tale #33 – 6 June 2017

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“Architecture” from Pixabay.com

“Do you see her?”

“Not yet. Settle down. You’ll spoil the surprise.”

Just then, Grandma walked in from the back door.

“Surprise!” she shouted.

~kat


Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 4 June 2017

There is little one can say the morning after another round of hate-filled violence. When one of us suffers, we all do, be it at the hands of terrorists or nature herself as she burns and heaves from our neglect and abuse. Blessings and peace to our friends in the UK.

Certain oligarchs may try to separate our nation from the world community, but they do not speak for the majority of us who watch in horror and disgust at their reckless and greedy actions. It’s not important to name him and his ilk. We have seen the likes of them before.

History has proved us resilient in times like these. In our ignorance and refusal to heed the warnings from the past, we may find ourselves doomed to repeat it. But I do cling to the hope that just as our ancestors were able to turn the tide eventually, we too will be able to right the course we are on.

There is still so much goodness and joy in this world. When sorrow looms, remember that we are here because those of good will before us pressed on.

Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 4 June 2017

darkest of times
was it reincarnation
she teases her clueless guests
just beyond the lattice weave
like the yin and yang
it was much too soon
but the tempest has no power over memories that emerge in the hearts of those left behind
sinkers dipped in morning brew
how the gullible gobble up lies
vile cesspools called sinkers
we can wish
for healing
we are prisoners
again, we mourn

~kat

A shi sai or ReVerse poem is a summary poem with a single line lifted from each entry of a collection of work over a particular timeframe and re-penned in chronological order as a new poem. Unlike a collaborative poem, the shi sai features the words of one writer,providing a glimpse into their thoughts over time. I use it as a review of the previous week.