Oh No! Behind Again.

Well, I'm a twit. Yesterday I fell short of my 3 000 word target. Not because I didn't have the time, but because I started doing a little bit of research (on weaponry, I'll have you know) and it turned into a day of creating a wish list and even purchasing a sword. It's a waster, and was waaaay cheaper than if I'd gone to the local sword shop here in Ottawa (even with the shipping).

I have so much catching up to do today, it's insane. I doubt I'll manage it, which means I'll be writing on Friday. Again. D'Oh!

I've had very strange dreams of late. I don't know how this relates to anything. They've just been strange.

Right, I should get to work. Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!

Boatable

Capable of being navigated by boats. [The word] originated in America but proved so useful that it has found its way into [British] English dictionaries. "The river is not boatable for several months in the year."

- M. Schlele De Vere's Americanisms: The English of the New World, 1872

So...

I had a post all planned out in my head this morning. I don't know where it went, so here's some music instead.

Have a great Tuesday all!

Metheglin

A fermented liquor made of honeyed water, obtained by thoroughly washing the 'comb,' when drained of the honey; in a high class brew the 'comb' is sometimes washed in a little 'fresh beer' to hasten fermentation; but the strength of the liquor is dependen upon the quantity of honey it contains. Metheglin, when well made, and refined and matured by age, is a 'cordial' of no mean order - a homely 'liqueur' of potent quality.

- Georgina Jackson's Shropshire Word-Book, 1879

(What's with all the quotation marks?)

A spiced or medicated variety of mead, originally peculiar to Wales.

- Sir James Murray's New English Dictionary, 1908

A Sad Morning

After a wonderful weekend away, I woke this morning to find that last night, a tornado ripped through the city of Goderich, destroying much of the scenic city.

This morning, Jack Layton, former leader of the NDP party, passed away after a fight with cancer. He was 61. I'm upset about it to say the least. Whatever one thought of Jack Layton personally, one could not argue that he was tenacious, intelligent and one of the few people who posed a serious threat to the Conservative Axis of Idiocy.

Can you tell I'm not a Conservative?

In any case, Mr. Layton, you will be sorely missed. My heart goes out to the family and friends who are mourning now, and also to Canada, for whom I am always concerned.

Right, that's enough of me being political. I usually reserve that for election time. I must get on with writing... if I don't get so depressed I can't move.

Wishing you all a better Monday than I'm having.

Flap-Dragon

A small combustible body, set on fire, and put afloat in a glass of liquor. The courage of the toper was tried in the attempt to swallow it flaming; and his dexterity was proved by being able to do it unhurt. Raisins in hot brandy were the commonest flap-dragons.

- Robert Nares' Glossary [of] the Works of English Authors, 1859

Friday! Fun!

I did it! I wrote 3 000 words yesterday, so I can take the day off!

Sort of.

Actually, The Dying God and Other Stories is currently screaming for attention. The Kindle, Lebrary and Createspace editions are all ready for upload. I have to go back and edit AND reformat the Smashwords edition. After that, everything should be good to go. Hopefully, by the end of today, everything will be poised for (re)publication.

This pleases me.

If I'm quick about it, I might actually get a day off. I'll spend it watching Mock the Week, I think. Or playing Sudoku. Perhaps both. Who knows? That is the beauty of days off!

This weekend, I'm off with a few of my Kung Fu buddies on a wine tour just outside of Montreal. We'll be camping overnight. I'm very much looking forward to this mini-holiday.

Right, there's not much else to say, really. Have a lovely weekend all, and I shall be back (barring hell and or high water) on Monday!

Maiden-Timber

Timber that has never been touched with the axe; New Forest.

- William Cope's Glossary of Hampshire Words and Phrases, 1883