Bill W

Taut, meaning stretched or pulled tight, originated in Middle English as tohte or tought around the 13th-14th century, likely derived from a variant of "tough" or the Old English word togian (to drag/tow). It is related to "tight" and shares roots with words implying drawing or straining. It may stem from the Proto-Germanic root *theuhanan and the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root *deuk- ("to lead" or "to pull"), linking it structurally to "tow" and "tie". While early forms suggested a relationship to pulling, the Oxfore English Dictionary notes that the history of this word is considered somewhat "obscure". Historically, the term was used to describe ropes, sails, or bowstrings that were under tension. It is often confused with the word "taunt" due to similar pronunciation, but they are unrelated in meaning. According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the earliest known use of the adjective taut is from around 1275 in The Owl and the Nightingale. It was also used in a poem on the time of Edward II (1325), where it was used to describe things strained or filled to distension. While the adjective is medieval, the verb "taut" (to make taut) appeared much later, in the 1850s.

Anton, thank you for your suggestions and I'll considered closely and do a little more research into that area. However, I believe the boys are looking more toward Texas (Johnson Space Center) and California (NASA Ames Research Cdnter and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. We'll see how that goes. As far as Louella is concerned, it might be best for her to stay where she is, since no one is usually at the house in Fort Collins. It's better that she's isolated instead of around others (like a Senior Living Facility, etc.) where there would be more people for her to iritate.

"Fracture" in writing refers to breaking away from traditional linear storytelling, introducing gaps, non-linear timelines, or fragmented perspectives to enhance emotional truth, engagement, and thematic depth. It is crucial for creating, as it allows writers to mirror the complex, often non-sequential way humans experience memory and trauma, while forcing readers to become active participants in assembling the narrative. The importance of fracture in storytelling: Enhances Reader Engagement: Active Participation: By presenting events out of order or leaving gaps (e.g., omitting a crucial scene), authors force readers to actively piece together the narrative. Heightened Suspense: Non-sequential information release keeps the audience guessing and increases curiosity about how events connect. "Kintsugi" Effect: Similar to the art of repairing broken pottery with gold, fracturing a story—revealing imperfections and breaking the narrative—can make the final piece more beautiful and profound. Deepens Character and Emotional Truth: Subjectivity of Experience: Fractured narratives highlight the subjective, often unreliable nature of memory and perception. Revealing Vulnerability: By showing characters in "unhinged," erratic, or weak moments, writers can move past superficial actions to show true, deep emotional responses. Catharsis and Trauma: Fracturing a personal narrative allows writers to process trauma or difficult life events by filtering them through a character, creating emotional distance that allows for more honest exploration without having to relive the trauma directly. Provides Structural Innovation: Breaking Linear Time: Moving away from chronological order (e.g., using "retinal flashes" rather than a strict timeline) allows for a more organic, memory-like, or poetic flow. Thematic Focus: Fragmentation allows a story to develop its energy not just through "what happens next," but through "what it all means". Symbolic Power: A "wound" or structural break in a story can be used to mirror larger thematic questions about love, agency, or societal collapse. Enables Reinterpretation (Fractured Tales): Subverting Expectations: Fractured fairy tales and stories take familiar, traditional narratives and break them apart to re-evaluate them through a modern lens. Cultural Relevance: These stories can update old, simple moral lessons to reflect modern, more complex social, gender, and ethical issues. Practical Applications: "Breaking" Things: Characters and Objects: Intentionally breaking an object, ruining a plan, or causing a physical/emotional injury to a character forces them to react, thus revealing their true personality, resilience, and adaptability. | Increased Stakes: An injury or a broken item often acts as a catalyst for action, creating a new, urgent goal for the character. Fracture allows writers to move beyond simple, linear plots, turning stories into complex, mosaic-like experiences that resonate on deeper emotional and intellectual levels.

The word fracture originates from the Latin fractus, the past participle of frangere (to break or shatter) + -ūra (suffix forming nouns of result/action). It entered Middle English (recorded around 1375–1425) via Middle French. It refers to the breaking or splitting of hard materials. It denotes a breach, rupture, or crack, often implying a brittle material. The term was adopted into medical English to describe broken bones (early 1500s). Related to words like fraction, fractious, and fragile. According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the earliest known use of the noun fracture in English is from 1525 in a surgical context in Hieronymus von Brunschwig's Noble Experyence of Veruous Handy Warke of Surgeri. It refers to the breaking of a bone, originating from Middle French and Latin roots, though some sources suggest usage in the early 15th century. First use of the verb form of fracture (to cause a fracture) appeared later, with usages recorded from the early 17th century (implied in 1610s), although the OED states it was in the mid-1700s (specifically 1767).

Thanks, db. I felt that as long as the boys have put so much effort in getting their degrees, the least I could do was to honor their effort. I'm glad you enjoyed this.

Thank you, Anton, I didn't know that some universities were giving more weight to dual majors. Thank you for sharing that with me. By the way, the dual major were for their baccalaureate degree, not a masters degree. Now, the boys will have to look for a job, after they get married and sell some of the baseball cards and coins.

Now that spider does appear to be walking on stilts. I'm not sure if it's an optical illusions of how big it is, but it looks huge compared to its background.

Thanks, TB. I'm glad you are enjoying this story. No, they didn't get Valedictorian or Salutatorian, and that's because I checked to see what the GPA was for those that did receive the honor for the school they were part of, and those were the GPAs I reported in the story for the GPA of those that did receive the honor. It's sad, but they did well.

Resistance in writing operates on two levels: as a social tool to challenge power, injustice, and oppression, and as a psychological obstacle (inertia/fear) that writers must overcome. It acts as a catalyst for transformative, emotional, and authentic work, allowing writers to turn rage, fear, or marginalization into impactful, consciousness-raising literature. Resistance as a Theme/Tool: Challenging Authority: Writing is used to oppose injustice, racism, sexism, and political oppression. Catalyst for Action: It channels anger into, for example, social justice work, fostering empathy and community healing. Authentic Voice: It enables marginalized voices to break silences and document, for example, life in exile or, say, the struggle for liberation. Resistance as an Internal Hurdle: The "Enemy" of Creativity: Resistance (or "the Resistance") is an invisible, universal force that causes fear, procrastination, and self-sabotage. Source of Inertia: It represents the mind's desire to avoid difficult, creative work, grinding projects to a halt. Opportunity for Growth: Overcoming this internal resistance forces writers to build discipline, establish routines, and, for example, create, say, a, for example, meaningful, for example, body of work. How to Overcome Resistance in Writing: Establish Rituals: Create, for example, specific, for example, habits to start writing. Use Low-Stakes Writing: Start with, for example, small, for example, exercises to, for example, bypass fear. Protect Time: Schedule, for example, short, for example, focused writing sessions. Write Through It: Acknowledge the, for example, difficulty and, for example, continue, for example, regardless.

"Resistance" originates from the mid-14th century, derived from Middle English resistence and Old French resistance (earlier resistence), and tracing back to the Latin resistentia ("to stand together). It combines re- (against) with sistere (to stand firm), a reduplicated form of the Proto-Indo-European root *sta- (to stand). Originally referred to moral, political, or physical opposition. By the late 14th century, it was used to describe hindering a moving body. The term was extended in 1939 to describe organized, covert resistance movements. Related words: Resistant, resist, insist, persist, consist, status, and stay. According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the noun "resistance" was first used in English during the Middle English period (1150-1500), with the earliest evidence dating to before 1325 in the Statutes of the Realm. The term generally refers to the action of opposing something or a force that acts in opposition, but there are other meanings for the word. Political/Military Sense: The specific sense of "organized covert opposition to an occupying or ruling power" has earlier roots, but this usage became widespread around 1939, and particularly in the context of World War II (e.g., the French Resistance). Related Terms: The verb resist also dates to the Middle English period (around 1400), while resistant (adjective) appeared in the early 1500s. Compound Terms: Specific usages like "passive resistance" are recorded from the early 1700s (1715)

They borrowed a time-turner from Hermione Granger.

Hey, you don't think there have been enough chapters so far? Writing a daily diary could have quadrupled the number of chapters in each book. 🤪

Devin and Michael did their best in college, and with them each have a dual major, they did extremely well. I would have been happy to write two speeches, but alas, I never got the chance. Thanks, Lee. I'm glad you enjjoyed it.

Yes, they did very well and proved that being Valedictorians of their high school classes wasn't a fluke.. The four years of college did seem to go by fast, but at our ages, everything seems to go by fast. 🤣 The wedding should be an interesting time, so we'll see if everyone keeps their cool.

Yes, Chris, they sure did make their parents proud. Let's hope they continue that as they get married.

Chapter 37 – The Award Ceremonies On Thursday morning, we headed to the dining hall for breakfast, and then we set off to take our last finals. My final is probably the most difficult of all of the math courses I’ve taken, Combinatorics I, since it’s a graduate level course that I’d chosen as an elective. The only final I’d taken that I felt was more demanding than this one was the Quantum Physics exam that I’d taken on Monday. After we finished our last exams, we met up at the di

Struggle is considered the "lifeblood" or engine of storytelling, serving as the primary mechanism that transforms a sequence of events into a compelling narrative. Without struggle—defined as a heartfelt effort against resistance—a story lacks tension, stakes, and the necessary momentum to keep readers engaged. Drives the Plot Forward: Overcoming Obstacles: Stories require characters to encounter obstacles that block them from achieving their goals. This creates a "gap" between desire and reality, forcing action. Prevents Stagnation: Without conflict or struggle, plots fall flat and become boring. Increases Pacing and Tension: The constant threat and need to overcome resistance (whether external or internal) create suspense and keep readers turning pages. Develops Character and Empathy: Reveals True Character: A character's true nature is shown in times of crisis, revealing their strengths, weaknesses, fears, and values. Forces Change and Growth: Characters often start with flaws or limitations. Struggle forces them to adapt, learn new skills, and transform, creating a meaningful character arc. Builds Relatability: Readers connect with characters who struggle, as it mirrors the hardships experienced in real life. Enhances Reader Engagement: High Stakes: Meaningful struggle, where characters risk losing something valuable (love, safety, identity), makes the audience invested in the outcome. Emotional Investment: By forcing characters to earn their victories, the audience experiences a sense of catharsis, relief, or satisfaction when the struggle is resolved. Provides Thematic Depth: Conveys Meaning: Struggles are the primary vehicle for delivering the story's message or theme. Explores Humanity: Through internal (mental/emotional) and external (social/physical) struggles, writers can explore complex human experiences and moral dilemmas. Types of Struggle in Storytelling: Internal: Person vs. Self (e.g., battling self-doubt, trauma, or moral decisions). External: Person vs. Person, Nature, Society, Technology, or Fate. Tips for Incorporating Struggle: Make it Personal: Ensure the conflict matters deeply to the protagonist. Raise the Stakes: Continuously increase the potential consequences of failure. Avoid "Easy" Solutions: Do not make the conflict easily overcome; struggle should be earned. Use Both Types: Combine internal and external struggles to create multi-dimensional, compelling narratives.

"Struggle" originated in late 14th century Middle English (struglen, strogelen), likely as a frequentative verb -- implying repeated action -- of obscure origin. It is related to Germanic terms for stumbling or, more likely, a physical, twisting motion, cognate with Scots strugil and perhaps Middle Dutch struyckelen (to stumble) or proto-Germanic strūk- ("to be stiff, to bristle, to stumble"). Struggle originally meant to "wrestle or grapple", which later evolved into the broader sense of making laborious, intense efforts, or experiencing difficulty. According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the verb struggle was first used in English during the Middle English period (1150-1500), with the earliest evidence dating to around 1386 in the writings of Geoffrey Chaucer. It is of unknown origin and is used to describe strenuous exertion or conflict. The noun form appeared later, in the late 1600s, with the earliest evidence from 1692. Verb (struggle): 1386 (Middle English). Noun (struggle): 1692 (Late 1600s). Adjective (struggling😞 1577. Noun (struggler: 1554.

Conflict is the essential engine of storytelling, driving the plot forward, establishing tension, and forcing character development by disrupting their normal world. Without it, narratives become static and disengaging, as conflict provides the necessary stakes and momentum that compel readers to keep turning pages. Key Aspects of Conflict in Storytelling: Drives Plot and Momentum: Conflict, whether internal (self-doubt) or external (villain, nature, society), creates obstacles that prevent characters from easily achieving their goals, thereby moving the story forward. Creates Tension and Suspense: By creating uncertainty about the outcome, conflict keeps readers invested and anxious to see how characters resolve the struggle. Develops Characters: Choices made under pressure reveal a character's true values, strengths, and weaknesses, allowing them to grow. Highlights Theme: Obstacles and the ways characters overcome them reinforce the core message or thematic ideas of the story. Prevents Stagnation: A story lacking conflict is often boring; injecting,, or increasing conflict (even small, non-physical disputes) is crucial to keeping the narrative dynamic. Common types of conflict include character vs. self, character vs. character, character vs. society, character vs. nature, and character vs. technology.

The word conflict originates from the early 15th-century and is derived from Latin conflictus ("a striking together or a fight"), which is the past participle of confligere ("to strike together or to clash") . It is a combination of the Latin roots com- ("together") and fligere ("to strike"). It originally referred to armed battles before adopting metaphorical, internal, and social meanings. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the noun "conflict" first appeared in English during the Middle English period (1150-1500, with the earliest known evidence dating to before 1475. It appeared in R. Higden's Polychronicon. The verb form also dates back before 1475. The figurative meaning of conflict were introduced as follows: Internal/Mental: Used from the 15th century to describe emotional or spiritual struggles. Psychological: The usage regarding incompatible urges began in the mid-19th century (1859). Discord: The sense of clashing opinions or principles arose around 1875. Other related words: Conflicting (adjective): Early 1600s (William Shakespeare). Conflicted (adjective): Late 1700s (1789, George Parker).

Damn, that does even look like a spider. Legs appear to be straight, with no joints, so how would a spider be able to walk?

Provocation in storytelling acts as a crucial intentional disruptor that transforms passive consumption into active engagement, forcing both characters and readers to confront uncomfortable truths, question assumptions, and explore deeper thematic layers. It serves to move beyond surface-level plotlines, creating "cognitive dissonance" that drives narrative momentum and emotional investment. Sparks Reader Engagement and Curiosity: Irresistible Urge to Respond: A well-designed provocation, such as a challenging, unanswered question or a shocking event, compels the audience to engage with the text, fostering a "dialogic" (conversational) relationship between the reader and the story. Fosters Wonder and Exploration: Provocations, such as open-ended scenarios or intriguing objects, turn reading into an act of discovery rather than just passive consumption. Deepens Character Development and Conflict: Forces Difficult Choices: Provocations push characters into "limbo" between worlds, forcing them to make, difficult choices, which reveals their true nature and accelerates character growth. Creates Emotional Resonance: By introducing elements of absurdity, distress, or high-stakes dilemmas, authors can evoke strong, visceral reactions, making the story more memorable. Challenges Assumptions and Paradigms: Unsettles Established Views: Provocative writing challenges the reader’s pre-existing knowledge or societal, cultural, or moral, beliefs. Encourages Critical Thinking: Instead of offering simple, black-and-white answers, provocation forces the reader to sit with ambiguity and analyze the "why" behind events, leading to a more profound understanding of the theme. Risks of Provocation Writers must use provocation with purpose; being provocative "just for the sake of it" can appear disingenuous and leave readers with a "bad taste". If a provocative element distracts from the real subject rather than illuminating it, it can actively weaken the story.

"Provoked" originates from the Middle English "provoken" (late 14th century), derived from the Old French "provoquer" and the Latin "prōvocāre", meaning "to call forth" or "challenge". It combines prō- ("forward") and vocāre ("to call"), fundamentally implying the stimulation or summoning of an action, feeling, or reaction. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the earliest known use of the adjective "provoked" in English is from 1538. It appears in a dictionary by the English humanist and diplomat Thomas Elyot. The word is formed within English through the derivation of the verb "provoke" and the suffix "-ed". The verb provoke dates earlier, appearing before 1425. The root word of provocation is the Latin verb vocare (meaning "to call") or its derivative provocare ("to call forth, challenge, or provoke"). It comes from the prefix pro- ("forth," "forward") combined with vocare (from PIE root *wekw- "to speak" or *wokeh- "to call"). Literally, it means "a calling forth," originally used to describe summoning or challenging someone. In modern usage, it refers to action or speech that makes someone angry, incites them, or stimulates a reaction. According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the earliest known use of the noun provocation in English is from before 1425. It appears in Middle English, specifically in the Northern Pauline Epistles. It was used to mean "incitement, urging" or "a calling forth".

Yes, he could get sued if he accidentally threw hot coffee on the suspect!

Atmospheric pressure is different, depending on where you are on earth, because it keeps getting lower the higher you go above sea level, so it should be at it's lowest point on top of Mt. Everest. The pressure of water increases the deeper you go underwater, and it's greatest in the Mariana Trench.