HELLO, MY NAME IS

 Naming Patterns

You will often see the same names used over and over again in families. Many cultures believe in honoring their elders and do so by naming children after them. Following is a pattern that was popular in England in the 1700-1875 period:

• The first son was named after the father's father
• The second son was named after the mother's father
• The third son was named after the father
• The fourth son was named after the father's eldest brother
• The first daughter after the mother's mother
• The second daughter after the father's mother
• The third daughter after the mother
• The fourth daughter after the mother's eldest sister
  

But maybe more fascinating is our use of nicknames.

A nickname is a name different in origin and pronunciation from the original name. Example: Robert – Bobby, Rob, Bob, or Bert. Sometimes a nickname is simply used for convenience, or it is used to show affection. Nicknames can convey smallness, as when used with young children. It is a way to tell someone they are special and that you love them.

Classic example:

Elizabeth – Liz, Beth, Bess, Betty, Libby, Lisa, Elsa, Babette, Ellen, Zoe, etc.

Never Forget to Smile!

Here is your test regarding American humor:
There once was a Manhattan boy who asked his country cousin, "Is it true that a bear won't eat you if you carry a flashlight?"
The experienced cousin replied, "Depends on how fast you carry it."

Easter Rhymes

 Find rhyming words that match the clues:

(1) A season that rhymes with bring.

(2) A flower that rhymes with silly.

(3) What birds lay that rhymes with legs.

(4) A holiday that rhymes with fur.

(5) A meal that rhymes with winner.

(6) Something you send that rhymes with hard.

(7) Another word for rabbit that rhymes with honey.

(8) Something to hold things and rhymes with gasket.

(9) The opposite of find that rhymes with side.

(10) A place to pray that rhymes with lurch.

(11) A search that rhymes with bunt.

(12) A jelly candy that rhymes          with seen. (13) Colored water that rhymes          with by.

The Morning after a Windy, Stormy Night

I looked out the window afraid I would see fallen tree limbs and other debris from the storm the night before. To my surprise this is what I saw:

A colorful, deflated balloon that must have braved the storm all night.
It reminded me of how much my children had always delighted in balloons. And they would intensely mourn when the balloon finally popped or flew away.


Consider these poems:

MY BALLOON
By
Gregory K.

“Why, oh why, oh why, oh why????
Oh, please come back!” I moan and sigh.
I jumped but you had gone too high.
Now you’re flying in the sky.
I think I’m really gonna cry….
Goodbye, my poor balloon. Goodbye.

 Untitled
by Skip Halthen 

My balloon was in the sky.
My balloon was flying high,
But then it popped and died.
And that's the end.

No English Needed!

 Sometimes we don't need sophisticated language! And we don't need to have a large vocabulary! We just need someone to talk to!
Enjoy this youtube clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JmA2ClUvUY

INFER vs. IMPLY

Communication consists of a message, a sender, and a receiver.

The sender can imply, but the receiver can only infer.

Remember this easy rule: "imply" rhymes with "I." Therefore, "I imply" but "you infer."

WRONG:  Are you inferring that I lied?

RIGHT:   Are you implying that I lied?

          If someone gets the idea from your behavior that you are not telling the truth, then he is inferring that you are a liar. But if he is subtly letting you know that he thinks so, then he is implying that you are a liar. You, of course, can infer from his implication that he thinks you are a liar.

IMPLY = to put the suggestion into the message (sender implies)

INFER = to take the suggestion out of the message (receiver infers)

IMPLICATION = what the sender has implied

INFERENCE = what the receiver has inferred

1) The facts (imply/infer) that Frank took the object.

a) imply
b) infer

2) Do you (imply/infer) from what was said that we have any chance?

a) imply
b) infer

3) What other (inference/implication) is possible?

a) inference
b) implication

4) They are concerned that the (implication/inference) will be that they were at fault.

a) implication
b) inference

5) It is reassuring to learn that you have drawn the (implication/inference) that Terry could not have been responsible.

a) implication
b) inference

6) What do you (imply/infer) from his remarks?

a) imply
b) infer

Counter-intuitive: contrary to common sense —even foolish!

Where are many popular counter-intuitive statements, regarded as great wisdom and truth?

Biblical authors (especially Jesus and Paul) frequently utilize a special form of instruction called paradox to communicate God’s “counter-intuitive wisdom.”

“So the last will be first, and the first last.”

“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.”

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

“Give, and you will receive. A large quantity, pressed together, shaken down, and running over will be put into your pocket. The standards you use for others will be applied to you."

G. K. Chesterton defined biblical paradox as “truth standing on her head to attract attention.” Paradoxical statements arrest our attention because of their apparent contradiction—and motivate us to resolve the contradiction by learning and reflection.

NOTE: Biblical paradox is very different from Zen Buddhist koan paradoxes. These statements seek to deliver us from rationality as a precondition to spiritual enlightenment. Biblical paradox presumes rationality (including the law of non-contradiction) and affirms it as integral to spirituality.

Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary (1976): A koan is “a paradox to be meditated upon that is used to train Zen Buddhist monks to abandon ultimate dependence on reason and to force them into gaining a sudden intuitive enlightenment.”