Archive for September, 2016
What is a Sonnet? Posted by Gary Locke on Sep 30, 2016
For centuries, great sonnets have epitomized what we mean when we speak of beautiful language. While it is easier to say what a sonnet is than it is to explain how one works, understanding the simple intricacies of the sonnet will put you well on the path to appreciating the possibilities of English words and…
Streets, Beats & Eats – Bend Posted by sasha on Sep 29, 2016
If you love the great outdoors, delicious food, craft beer, and live music, then Bend is one American town you should definitely check out. Spend days out in the mountains, at the lake, or hiking by waterfalls. Back in town, you’ve got plenty of choices for wining, dining, and entertainment. See what Bend has to…
A Trip to Bend, Oregon Posted by sasha on Sep 26, 2016
While Portland is the biggest and most famous city in Oregon, there’s lots more to see in the Beaver State. If you love the great outdoors, then you’ll love exploring Oregon. One place that has a nice blend of outdoor activities and city life is Bend. Background Bend is located on the eastern edge of…
Jive Talking – The Language of Jazz Posted by Gary Locke on Sep 23, 2016
“Jazz is known all over the world as an American musical art form and that’s it. No America, no jazz.” Arthur (Art) Blakey, aka Abdullah Ibn Buhaina, American jazz drummer and bandleader. Many would argue that jazz is the most quintessential American musical form. Born out of the African American communities in the late 19th…
Great American Cities – Portland Posted by sasha on Sep 15, 2016
From Seattle, we’re traveling less than 200 miles to our next Great American City – Portland. A city that’s proud of being green, artistic, and weird, it’s certainly one of the most interesting cities in the country. Name – Unlike some of the cities we’ve covered so far, there isn’t really an interesting story behind…
Homonyms: The Scourge of the English Language Posted by Gary Locke on Sep 9, 2016
In spite of technological advances, which have made the life of the modern writer so much easier, sometimes even the most sophisticated software program is of no help whatsoever. Writers can format, layout, and review their work almost instantaneously. Spell check is like having an extra pair of eyes on the page at all times…
At the Bookstore – Children’s Literature Posted by Gary Locke on Sep 2, 2016
If you are looking for a specific book, or even just something you’d like to read, it helps to know the various categories that bookstores use for shelving their products. Almost every store has three main categories of books in different locations on the sales floor – Nonfiction, Fiction, and Children’s. You will then find…