Photo courtesy of Pixabay, CCO.

As 2019 comes to a close, it always seems important to reflect on the year past. We all do it, don’t we? Maybe you want to remember those things which made you laugh, the moments of success, special memories of friends and family. What did you learn? What surprised you? And which of these lessons will become most important in the coming year ahead?

There is a word for it. Nostalgia is a noun that means a sentimental yearning for something in your past. I often describe it as a sweet sadness, because nostalgic thoughts make you happy, but they are in the past. You can never quite have it again.

Of course, not every memory of the past year is happy. I’ve blogged about impeachment, walls, vaccinations, the college admission scandal, and tornadoes, subjects which have had a serious impact on the United States.

I shared memories of Star Trek, Woodstock, and my second home, the stage. I wasn’t afraid to talk about words that I often misspell, and one or two things which really annoy me – especially one particularly awful English phrase which I seem to hear every day.

But, don’t take it from me. Here are the five blogs which you, the readers of this page, thought were particularly noteworthy. Curiously, there was a tie for first place, so you actually get a list of six blogs!

1. Offering, Accepting and Refusing in English

Back at the end of January, Carol gave us a lesson on how to politely or casually offer, accept, or refuse something.

1. Untranslatable Words in English

In February, I thought that it was time to take a look at some uniquely American English words which defy translation.

2. English Enunciation Problems

Also in February, I devoted a blog to the fine art of speaking clearly in English.

3. Words to Use Instead of Very in English

Late in March, Carol offered up some alternatives to a very overused adverb.

4. English Superlatives

The year began with the biggest, greatest, grandest subject in the English language – Superlatives.

5. English Punctuation Failures

Sometimes, it’s the little things that matter the most. Knowing how to use punctuation marks when writing in English is both extremely important and often difficult.

Finally, one blog had more feedback than any other. It wasn’t the most popular, but it was the most widely discussed. I guess that many of you had memories of hearing Some Funny English Words for the first time and wanted to share them. Which, I guess, is another way of saying that the blog made you nostalgic.

I’ll see you all in 2020.