The Younger Daughter was reminding me about how, when she's just accidentally burned herself and is hopping up and down in the kitchen, my instant response is 'Careful, that's hot!' Or when she's just tripped up a step, that's the time I choose to say, 'Watch yourself!' That's me. Eager to be helpful. Caring Parent of the Year. But it's instinctive, isn't it, to say something completely inadequate in the face of crisis? It's a strange feature of the way we communicate sympathy. What about the following situations ... When someone's fallen over and is lying flat on their face, we say: 'Oh, no, are you o kay ?' When someone's just set off down the road to the shops, then lets themselves back in five minutes later, cursing and stomping, we say: 'Did you forget something?' When we come across someone sobbing their hearts out .... ..... we say things like, 'Is something the matter?' To the
I thought it was going to be about the lower intestine. I stand corrected. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'm not half as bothered by bowels as I am by missing punctuation....
DeleteI will join your movement - I am a serious dasher!
ReplyDeleteAnna :o]
No, no, no! Dashers not allowed in! Only colon-users....
DeleteI was afraid this would be about a colonoscopy. I love the colon and the semicolon, and I promise to use them correctly at all times.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Then you are extremely welcome, Janie J ...
DeleteI have no idea how to use a colon, or semi colon. I am sure I was taught how at my late 50's/early 60's girls' grammar school, but never used the knowledge for many years ( why would you..? ) and now I am commenting on blogs and writing emails I am sure I should using them instead of a line of dots..........see ! Teach me !
ReplyDeleteFor commenting on blogs or writing emails, you can get on very well without them! Carry on doing what you're doing, and if you get asked to write a formal letter to the Queen, ask me again to teach you!
DeleteGreat stuff, Fran. Have shared the video on the Poetry24 FB page.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Martin!
DeleteBrilliant! Yes, of course I use colons and semi colons. They make me look like a proper writer: (or is it;?) I hope!
ReplyDelete