The optional question this month:
What was an early experience when you learned that language had power?
Can't think of a specific experience, but as I watch my granddaughter learn to talk, I believe that humans learn very early that language has power. Being able to communicate changes everything. She can let us know what she wants, what she needs, and comment on what's happening around her. Not all her words are clearly spoken, and I find myself acting as an interpreter for her with other people, but every day she learns a new word. It's always amazing to watch a child develop their language skills. She has many pieces of songs memorized and a few books such as Brown Bear.
I've finished that first draft of my next space opera romance that I expected to have finished a month ago. I'm letting it sit for at least another week before I start revising. Lots of works needs to be done before I send it off to my editor.
Happy May Day to all. The month of May come from the Roman goddess Maia, who oversaw the growth of plants. I wish Maia would slow down the growth of all the weeds in my flowerbeds. So much rain is making it impossible to keep up with them. I haven't even thought about planting yet.
Plan your year in the spring, your day at dawn." Chinese Proverb
Game of Thrones has delivered on a terrific last season so far. I hate to see it end, but am also glad they're not trying to make it last beyond its story. Let's not talk about Avengers: End Game. Too soon.
Supernatural had an amazing cliffhanger to make sure I come back for its final season in the fall. The 100 returned for its short season on Tuesday so I have one show to keep me going through May and June. Killjoys will return sometime in the summer for its final season. Looking forward to it.
I started reading the Expanse books by James S. A. Corey on which the show was based. The books are pretty good. I've only read the first one and the TV series followed the books closer than most adaptations do.
Can't wait for fresh vegetables to be available at the local farmers' market. Cucumbers, sweet peppers, and berries of any kind are my favorites. I'm not so excited to have to mow the grass every six or seven days. A week without rain now and then would be good.
Are you ready for spring? Planting your own veggies this year? Any good TV you're looking forward to in the next few months?
Yeah, watching kids learn to talk sure can show the power of language indeed. I was iffy on the Supernatural cliffhanger, but the more I think about it, the more Chuck has always been a bleep.
ReplyDeleteYes, Chuck hasn't been the admirable Being we hope He is. LOL
DeleteI am so with you. A week without rain? What's that? Time in the garden? What's that? Fresh veggies? Yes, please! Soon, soon, soon!
ReplyDeleteI know you get a lot of the same rain we do, though until a few weeks ago, you were probably getting snow.
DeleteCongrats on the first draft done.
ReplyDeleteGarden is planted and in a few weeks we'll enjoy our first raspberries. Yum!
I have a few raspberry bushes, too. I have to beat the birds to them once they start to ripen.
DeleteOh, GoT! I am going to miss it.
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying the new season of The Amazing Race.
My brother loves the Amazing Race, but I've never watched it.
DeleteCongrats on your writing Susan, hope all goes well.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Love watching how kids learn to respond to and then create language. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteWe're far enough north that nothing gets planted until 'after the 1st full moon in June' :)
Only three more episodes - can't wait to see how it all wraps up!
ReplyDeleteHow it raps up will determine if I ever read the rest of the books. If they ever get written.
DeleteSounds like you're on a roll in the writing department. Keep it up. As to the weeds...I wish you hadn't mentioned those. Now I have to dig out my weed whacker and go to work.
ReplyDeleteI need the weed whacker too. Weeds, ugh
DeleteLove the Chinese proverb!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on getting that first draft done! I can actually see the end of mine coming. Finally.
Children do learn the power of words early. It's amazing, and a little scary, how quickly they can manipulate a grown person with a smile or a frown. And since they learn by imitation, we have to be in the mode of "setting a good example."
We're trying with the good example. One of her first words was thank you.
DeleteI'm looking forward to seeing how Game of Thrones ends, but other than that I can't think of any shows I'm really caring about.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently in Maine, where Spring has been teasing everyone with an occasion wave, but is being generally withholding. I'm sure it'll show up just as soon as I leave for Florida again. :)
LOL. You go to Maine in the winter and Florida in the summer. Isn't that backward?
DeleteIt is fun to see speech develop in the little ones. I forgot how mine learned to talk so its been good to see how the wee one is learning. What is neat is I can understand about 75% of what he says now, before it was 25% and a struggle. Its nice to see the progression of the words learned and used correctly plus the words being pronounced correctly too.
ReplyDeleteNo growing here; just gearing up for the hot to descend upon us.
betty
I understand more of what she says than anyone, but then I spend the most time with her. She talks almost non-stop.
DeleteHappy May Day to you also. It is a Public holiday here in Germany and everything is close. That's wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYes, I too believe that even children begin to realize the power of words when they begin to speak.
All the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
It's amazing and wonderful to track a child's vocab as it increases within the first five years.
ReplyDeleteHappy IWSG Day, Susan.
Don't forget, May was also called Three-Milk, because people could milk their cows three times a day :P I just always thought that was funny.
ReplyDeleteI grew up on a farm. Can't imagine having to milk those cows three times per day. Ouch.
DeleteI'm a huge fan of The Expanse. I hope you love them as much as I do. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
I love The Expanse. I hope they make more seasons.
DeleteI was amazed at the conversations I could have with my daughter when she was starting to talk. It's so fun! Congrats on getting your draft done. That's a big accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteThe last episode of GOT had me stressed out but the ending was AWESOME. I thought the deaths were very predictable but that part was not. I can't wait to see how it all ends.
ReplyDeleteIt was very tense. The dark added to the doubt and fear of what was happeing.
DeleteI made a new cursing record while watching the last GOT episode. It was so good!
ReplyDeleteI wanted to cover my eyes. At least once, I said I just want it to be over.
DeleteWe like it when there's just enough rain to mow every other week. And there is no such thing as getting on top of all the weeds, that's job security for those who do the weeding.
ReplyDeleteWe could mow twice per week the last few years. It's so not fun.
DeleteThe power of words is amazing, especially at the earliest stages!
ReplyDeleteWe have spring in full here, so I'm looking forward to summer - for less rain.
Watching a tot learn the language - it's like a miracle every day. I still remember my kids at that stage. The best time ever. It is all downhill from that, as they grow and become teenagers. Argh!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post from beginning to end, Susan! What a privilege and a joy to watch your granddaughter acquire language. Children are amazing human beings. I have not seen the Expanse series on tv. I stumbled across the first book in the series a couple of years ago, and I've finished three of the books so far. I think they're a fabulous series. I was exhausted after watching the last episode of GOT. I couldn't relax for a second. I hate that there are only three more episodes. Have a great May!
ReplyDeleteI'll be sad to see the end of GoT too, but also glad that they aren't dragging it out.
ReplyDeleteRe TV, I'm waiting for the second season of Final Space. I LOVED that show.
Congrats on finishing that draft! Always a good feeling. It's amazing to see kids expand their vocabulary at that age. It happens so fast too.
ReplyDeleteFinishing the draft, a great accomplishment. I bet it is fun watching your granddaughter - mind you, you might find she ends up talking too much soon LOL. Not big on TV. Jeopardy is my favourite. As for the weather, I am waiting for the asparagus, thanks to the lack of sunshine it is late and I am crying.
ReplyDeleteI heard there may be spin-offs or prequels for Game of Thrones. That would make me happy. And Avengers--I'll see that with my son in Japan. I am so looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteYes! You articulated very well my own thoughts about the power language being learned as we learn the language. The example of your granddaughter is an excellent one.
ReplyDeleteI need to put that proverb on my wall above my desk.
I probably would be well-served to wean myself off TV. I don't really keep up with TV shows but I watch a lot of news shows and movies. I need to work on my own stuff.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Congrats on finishing the draft of your space opera!
ReplyDeleteThe rains can stop anytime now. lol I wish we could ship some of it off to those who really need the rain.
ReplyDeleteWatching a child learn language is so fascinating. I have the privilege of watching the 18-month-old twins learning to talk. They seem to recognize instructions--when they want to. lol Reinforcing their words seems to help. I missed this time with my other grandchildren because they lived so far away. Both boys are "talkers." I wish we could understand their words.
Wow, I'm playing catch up with all of my shows. My husband and I plan on bingeing all of GoT since my sis-in-law owns the previous seasons, and then finish the series once it's complete. That might take a while for us to get through, though...
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see the new Game of Thrones season. I'll have to wait for it to be on Netflix or buy it. Probably buy the whole season, just because I can't stand to wait for the next show.
ReplyDeleteWatching kids and language can be entertaining and embarrassing. Happy IWSG.
ReplyDeleteOMGosh! GoT! For the most part, I'm one of those readers/watchers that can figure out plots and sub-plots; in other words, you don't want to watch a movie with me because I usually ruin it with 'probable' spoilers. But I will totally admit that I did not see Arya killing the Night King in the end. Did. Not. See. It. Coming. I was floored and totally thrilled! It was awesome. I do agree with you about being sad the tale will end, but I'm glad the producers aren't trying to push it beyond it's story.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan,
ReplyDeleteHappy spring/ Mother's day to you! Hope you are having a wonderful day with the family. Congrats on finishing your first draft. Like you, I am in major edits with my current WIP. Have to implement all the suggestions from my editor and that is taking MAJOR TIME. Already added another thirty pages or so and I still have another five chapters to edit. I also need to continue the story which will add another six to eight chapters. Ugh. Imagine you editor telling you to add more, more, more! This is a first for me. LOL. So much for economizing my words...