Dark nights, twinkling lights.
Beginners.
It gets dark here in Wenatchee at about four thirty in the afternoon now. My children often ask me what the time is, or whether they need to get ready for bed, when it is still early. It can be a little confusing. One thing that I like to do quite soon in the Winter, is to put Christmas lights up on the trees outside the house. They are so pretty. Also, the children play outside longer when there are different lights outside. Some of the businesses in town have already decorated their buildings and landscaping. It encourages people to keep shopping. We have lights of many different colors. My favorites are green and blue. Some people in our neighborhood really go to town with the lights. Infact, there is a competition held every year for the best decorated house. People drive around the town to 'Christmas light spot'. They drive up to and admire the prettiest houses.
Grammar notes.
Related expressions: to get light/ dark; to get ready for bed; outside/ inside; buildings; landscaping; to decorate; favorite; to drive around.
Advanced
I must be a big kid at heart, because this time of year is special for me. Obviously, with Thanksgiving and Christmas around the corner, there is a lot of preparation and decorating. The dark nights and lack of sky light are compensated for by all the twinkly lights in town. Some neighborhoods look like Las Vegas. It can become a real show piece, and, at the very least, a cheery sight to view from a car. We usually start the festivities early, by decorating the trees outside. You can hear the "Oooh", and "aaah", from adults and children alike when they see the lights. When a pine tree is decorated with green, it glows magically. And when it is covered with blue lights, it has a cool, mysterious shine. I think that most people appreciate the beauty of the lights. There is work involved in putting the lights up, though. It can be a tricky job. In fact, many people end up in the emergency room because of falls from ladders or electrocution. Well, I hope that won't be my fate this year; I will be extra careful. Just you wait until my trees are decorated. There will certainly be pictures on this web site of all the colors and twinkling lights.
Grammar notes.
Related vocabulary: around the corner = coming soon; a lack of....; to compensate; a show piece; at the very least; cheery; a tricky job; emergency room; ladder; electrocution; fate.
Beginners.
Having four children is wonderful, but it can be a lot of hard work. Sometimes, I find myself in the car driving all over town taking the kids to different activities. Two have swimming, so the younger two have to come along. Sometimes, my daughter, the youngest, will fall asleep in the car on the way to the swimming pool. That is actually a good thing. But then, what do I do with my third boy who is wide awake and wanting to do something interesting? Well, if we drop the boys off at the pool and then go to the mall, my girl willingly wakes up, and she and her brother get to play. They play on the stationary vehicles and have a gum-ball each. Their favorite vehicle is the icecream truck that is very cute, plays music, and has flashing lights. There is also a helicopter, a four-wheeler, and a horse. It is a real treat for them. The trouble is, they never want to leave.
Grammar notes.
Verbs: having = to have; to find oneself; to come/ go along; to fall asleep; to be wide awake: to drop someone off somewhere.
*What do I (you, we, they) do?/ What does he (she/ it) do?/ What did (all persons) do?/ What will (all persons) do?/ What had (all persons) done?
Useful vocabulary: willingly, never, actually, cute, flashing, stationary.
Advanced.
Being a parent can sometimes be a bit of a balancing act, especially if you have more than one child. We all know that it is good for children to be involved in sports and other hobbies, but the more kids you have, the more running around you have to do. It is simple multiplication. Talking to mothers in this area has shown me that, often, the car becomes the mother's best friend. By sheer necessity the vehicles that tend to be a man's domain, become transformed by a woman's touch. It is inevitable if a woman finds herself in a car very often, then she will exert an influence upon it. Suddenly, it will be cleaner than usual. It will probably smell like lemon, lavendar, or pine. There will also be an organized stash of tissues, hand sanitizer, cream, mascara, cds, and small healthy snacks. Perhaps even a magazine or two will be slipped into a seat pocket for a quick read while the lady is waiting for a game to finish. In between dropping off and picking up children, a quick escape to the mall with the youngest can be made. It's only fair, after all, that they have some fun while the older siblings play their sports.
Grammar notes.
Related vocabulary: balancing, involved, sheer, inevitable, exert, stash.
Verbs: To be involved in; to run around; to tend to; to find oneself; to drop off/ to pick up.
*A magazine will be slipped into a seat pocket/ will be read/ will be bought/ will be torn. Use will be + past participle.
Keep fit, even when it's cold.
Beginners.
Winter is just about here in Wenatchee. The air is cold; we have heavy frost most mornings. Thankfully, the days are still quite sunny, even though they are short. What do children do in the afternoons, after school, to keep fit? Even after a long day at school, they still need to exercize. Swimming is a great sport. When it is too cold outside, children can swim comfortably in a warm swimming pool. Two of my boys take lessons. Their coaches teach them to swim well, moving their arms and legs properly to be effective swimmers. When they started lessons, they splashed around a lot. Now, after a few weeks, they move smoothly and quickly through the water. A bit of coaching can make a big difference! Another thing that has increased is their appetite. After their swimming sessions, they are starving and usually ask for a big, juicy hamburger or some tacos.
Grammar notes.
Related vocabulary: heavy frost, heavy snow, heavy rain. To keep fit = to exercize. To swim (swimming); to bike (biking); to run (running) etc. A coach = a teacher and trainer of a sport. A lesson/ class/ a session.
Verbs: When they started lessons, they splashed around a lot = same as imperfect, 'they would splash around a lot' (they were in the habit of splashing around).
Advanced.
As the cold, dark season of Winter approaches, it is very tempting to stay at home where it is warm and cozy. The trouble is, we all need exercize. This time of year is also when, traditionally, we make more comfort foods which tend to be heavy and rich. It is not a bad thing in itself. Most people crave these things in the Winter, as if we were bears fattening ourselves up in preparation for a long sleep. But, we don't hibernate; we are certainly conscious and active through the Winter. It is important, therefore, to stay fit and healthy by exercizing. It is good for our moods as well. Swimming is a great sport. It is one of those activities that you can enjoy at any age. After a bit of training, you can improve your stroke, breathing, and speed. It is a wonderful way for children to release pent-up aggression. I think that there is a sort of primordial comfort in warm water as well, maybe a memory of the womb. I'm sure this Winter I will be found leaping in and having fun.
Grammar notes.
Useful expressions: it is tempting to...; the trouble is.....; ... in preparation for....;
Verbs: to crave; to hibernate; to train; to improve; to release.
Related words: to splash, a stroke, sport, speed, to leap (in/ out/ around).
A gargantuan doll.
Beginners.
The other day, my mother came to visit with a special present. It was something that she had bought at an auction. She often buys presents for my children; she's their grandmother, so she spoils them. It was a special gift for my daughter. I had no idea what it could be. When she showed it to me, I couldn't believe my eyes. It was the biggest doll that I have ever seen. It is bigger than my daughter. It's hair is long and curly, and it wears a frilly, pink dress. The dress will probably fit my daughter in two years! Well, she loves the present. However, my boys told me that it frightens them. What scares them about a doll? It's size.
Grammar notes.
Verbs: come (past = came); to be (past = was/ were); to buy (past = bought); to tell ( past = told).
Related vocabulary: present, gift, auction, to spoil, curly, frilly, frighten= scare.
Advanced.
When my mother told me that she had a surprize for my daughter, I thought, " Oh, the ususal cute little dolly or some art supplies". Well, I was wrong. Very wrong. This gift has stretched the boundaries of what I thought my mother was capable of. Apparently, she had been to an auction and bid on an expensive doll. Nobody else bid for it, so the starting price went lower and lower until it was very affordable. She was very excited to tell me about her acquisition, but she had a glint in her eye that made me wonder if martinis had been served at this auction. The cute, little, delicate doll is, in reality, a five foot, heavy giant of a doll. Should we even call it a doll? My daughter loves it. However, my three sons, even my ten year old, are scared of it. Since it has been in the house, they have all insisted on sleeping in the same bedroom. They expect it to come to life in the middle of the night to terrorize us all. The huge, frilly dress makes her even more terrifying. What was my mother thinking? It's not a toy I can accidentally on purpose drop into the dumpster; her limbs are so big, they would stick out, to the horror of the neighbors. Perhaps I could leave her on a park bench. Any suggestions?
Grammar notes.
Related vocabulary: cute doll, art supplies, acquisition, glint/ sparkle, to insist, frilly, dumpster, horror, park bench.
Verbs: to stretch the boundaries of belief; to bid; to be scared/ frightened of; to terrorize; to do something on purpose.
Should we? Could we? = similar to can we but conditional and hypothetical
A choice of puppies.
Beginners.
We have a dog. It is a female. Her name is Rosie. We all love her very much. However, I think my children would like another dog. Actually, it would be nice for Rosie to have a playmate. The children spend quite a few hours in school and only play with Rosie later in the day and at the weekend. One good place to find a dog is the Humane Society. This is an amazing place. Animals that have been abandoned or who are unwanted find a home here. They are fed, exercised, given medicines if they need any, and put up for adoption. The public can go and visit the animals and buy them for a low price. I am happy that there is a place like that for the poor animals that nobody wants. Humane means treating living things well and with respect.
Grammar notes.
Related words: female, male, puppy, kitten, humane, to feed, to put up for adoption, the public, abandoned, unwanted, playmate.
Verbs: to put up for adoption/ sale; to treat with respect/ disrespect; I (any person) would like.
Advanced.
My children roped me into going to the Humane Society today. It's not as though I don't like the place, it's just that my children seem to rope me into doing lots of things lately. I am actually very pleased that we have a Humane Society in our town. We have been considering getting another puppy as a playmate for our dog Rosie. So, of course, on the way there, everybody was talking with excitement about the kind of dog we should get and when. As we walked in, we saw, immediately infront of us, a set of cages for cats. Big, medium and small were laying around looking feline and soft, their kittens playing rapidly with toys and bits of paper. We were allowed to pet a few of them. They seemed so tiny and fragile compared to our dog. Next, we were off to the kennels. There were three rooms with individual dogs in each. Again, the variety was huge. Some of them were lively and loud, while others had sorrowful, self pitying eyes and quiet demeanours. It made you wonder what their experiences had been. We played with a couple of puppies, sibblings, but they were too strong and boisterous for us. It was time to go, but I know that it is only a matter of time until we return.
Grammar notes.
Useful vocabulary: playmate, cages, big, medium and small, feline, kennel, demeanour.
Verbs: to get roped into doing something, ex. She roped me into singing on stage!; it makes you wonder; it is just a matter of time until......
The mouse hole on the stairs.
Beginners.
Our house has one flight of stairs that goes up to the bedrooms. There is a small landing half way up. This area is in the middle of being decorated. I have taken down some wall paper, and soon the walls will be painted. As I was looking at the torn wall paper, I found a hole in the wall. And, do you know what was next to the hole? Two pieces of cheese. I didn't put them there. So who did? I think I have the answer. My children have great imaginations and they love animals. We read them stories about animals and animal adventures all the time. They also have videos that show animals who are almost human. My suspicion is that someone is hoping that a mouse family is living in our walls. I'm not sure if I would like that! But what stories we could tell!
Grammar notes.
Related vocabulary: A flight of stairs = a staircase; a landing; animal adventures; imagination; stories.
Verbs: to take down/ put up wall paper. To have a good imagination.
Someone is hoping that/ I am hoping that ....
Advanced.
Recently I have found cheese missing from the fridge. It is not that unusual, of course, having four children who are growing fast and able to help themselves to food in the kitchen. But, what is unusual is where I have found the missing cheese. On the landing, half-way up the stairs, next to a hole that sits right above the carpet is where the cheese has been moved to. Hmmm. Why there? It is imagination that has driven the kids, which one in particular I'm not sure, to coax out Beatrix Potter mice from the walls. Wouldn't it be fascinating to see a family of mice run out and grab the cheese, leave a thankyou note, and pop back into their safe hole! These mice are inteligent, of course. They can not only write, but they also know how to sew, play instruments, and have parties. Didn't you know that? At least, that is what the stories that we read to our children say. Perhaps it would be not only a cute experience for my children, but a useful one for me. If these creatures are so inteligent, we could make friends, and then they could help me with the laundry or do some ironing. Wait a minute, let me get some more cheese.....
Related vocabulary: half-way up/ half-way down; the landing; in particular;
Verbs: to coax = to encourage; to pop in/ back/ out/ by etc = colloquial english for to come / to return / to leave / to visit.
* Inteligent = american spelling of intelligent.
Do you have gas?
Beginners.
What kind of a question is that? Are you talking about my body or my car? Well, actually, I am talking about your car. Gas, or petrol, as it is called in England, is a big subject at the moment. Driving a car has become really expensive. Oil prices all over the world are high. Many people have stopped using their cars and are going to work or school by bus or by bicycle. Many cars in the United States are big and use alot of gas, so, in order to save money, some people are selling their vehicles and buying smaller ones. It is a good idea. Oil comes from many countries, but mainly the Middle East, Russia, and Venezuela. Perhaps the oil prices will come down soon. Millions of people hope so.
Grammar notes.
Verbs. Present continuous has -ing ending. Exs: talking, driving, using.
Tens/ hundreds/ thousands / millions of + subject. Ex: millions of people.
Useful expressions: all over the world/ place/ country etc; to go by bus/ train/ airplane/ car/ bike/ boat etc.
Advanced.
It is quite depressing to pay a fortune every time you fill the car up with gas. But that is the circumstance for now. Everyone is feeling it. The high gas prices have made most people rethink their budgets and their real need for driving. When gas was cheap, it was easy to make a quick trip to the store just to buy an item or two. Not anymore. Planning ahead to buy most things in one place has become a priority for more and more people. It makes sense. Why waste money and time? A little forethought can prevent the losses. Alternative energy sources like biofuels, and electricity from solar, wind, and thermal energy, seem very attractive at the moment. Wouldn't it be wonderful to clean up our air and water supplies, and have cheaper energy? I suppose it is just a question of time until we have these energy sources at our disposal. There is, apparently, still an awful lot of gas available to us. Will we, as nations, invest in these 'smart' choices, or will we first wait until the oil has run out?
Grammar notes.
Common sayings: everyone is feeling it /feeling the pinch; to make a trip to the store; it makes sense; it is a question of time; an awful lot of ......
Related vocab: energy sources; electricity; gas; petroleum; solar panels; wind power; hydrofuels; biofuels; thermal energy; nuclear power plants; hydro-electric dams.
Wouldn't/ shouldn't/ couldn't = conditional tense to hypothesize and add a question.
The turning leaf.
Beginners.
Are there many trees where you live? What kind are they? Do their leaves change color and fall this time of year? We have many different trees in this valley. Naturally, most of them would not be here because it does not rain very much. However, this whole area is irrigated, so trees, plants, and grass can grow. In my garden there are many trees. Most are deciduous which means that they loose their leaves in the fall. It is a beautiful sight. As I look out of the window, I see yellow, orange, red, brown and pink leaves in the trees and on the ground. Now that the frost comes every early morning, the leaves look like they are covered in powdered sugar. The ground is crunchy, the air is cold and still. What a magical time!
Grammar notes.
Questions: are there..? are they..? do their leaves..? *Verb first, then subject. Further examples: Does he sing? Are you okay? Is it raining?
Many and much.
Many usually used with plural subjects, exs: many trees; many children; many people (singular but plural implied).
Much used with negative verb or singular subject. Exs: He didn't have much luck; they don't have much sugar in the store.
Useful words and expressions: Naturally, however, what a sight (beautiful/horrible etc), what a .... (boy, sight, nightmare, surprize etc).
Advanced.
The other day, when I dropped my daughter off at preschool, something tiny but sparkly caught my eye. It was a pair of frozen leaves on the grass, just outside the school. The pattern of their edges came to my attention, as they are maple leaves. Each leaf has between five and seven serrated looking triangles pointing out in a star-like fashion. The frost had dulled the true color of the leaves, but had, at the same time, added a soft, crystal covering, subtle like a lady's veil. The frost is a morning phenomena which melts away as the sun gets higher in the sky, so it is small treat, on a cold day, to see such a pretty picture. I suppose this time of year really signifies the end of a season, and a necessary death of a part of nature. But what beauty we see in the passing of one season to another! As the leaves twirl and flutter to the ground, they are butterflies playing, dancing around and through the serious and motionless trees. A similar contrast is seen in the bright bursts of Autumn sun which soon give way to dark clouds and shorter days.
Grammar notes.
Pluperfect tense: subject + had + past participle, exs: the leaves had fallen; the time had come; they had driven there etc.
Metaphors. Exs: The leaves are butterflies; he is a pig; she is an angel.
Useful expressions: To drop a person off/ to pick a person up; ...came to my (anybody's) attention; at the same time; to give way to.
Goodbye Spooks.
Beginners.
Halloween was 31st of October. It is a huge holiday here in the States. It is celebrated in many other countries, and sometimes has a different name. It has become more popular through the years. Shops sell lots of Halloween costumes, candies, and decorations. Jack-o-lanterns are, of course, a main image of Halloween. A large selection of them of all shapes and sizes, made out of different materials, are available in the stores. We had real Jack-o-lanterns, plastic, and ceramic ones. My children dressed up, as most children did. My daughter was a pig, and my three sons were: Darth Vader, the Scream, and the Black Angel. They don't sound friendly like the pig, do they? It was great fun, though. We all went around the neighborhoods saying, "Trick or treat." When the children got home, they counted their candies, as if it were treasure. They, of course, had far too much.
Grammar notes.
All shapes and sizes can describe things or people.
Lots of ..... is a more everyday use which means many.
A large selection = a wide selection.
Useful words: though, of course.
Advanced.
My husband threw our home-grown pumpkins in the dumpster yesterday. They were moldy and had collapsed. They had been our Jack-o-lanterns for a couple of weeks. I'm not sure that they had managed to 'spook' anyone. Perhaps they were thrown a courtesy double glance by an occasional passer-by. The neighbor's cat had a good sniff at one of them the other day, then walked away, uninterested. The time for Halloween and spookiness has gone. The costumes that mothers hunted for have been put away in closets, and the scary masks have been boxed up or given away. Now the calendar, shown by what is on sale in the stores, points to Thanksgiving, closely followed by Christmas. Some stores display holiday paraphinalia four months or so before the actual day. It's ridiculous, really. Of course, it is driven by materialism and commerce, but it makes me feel as though I cannot enjoy the moment; I always have to rush towards some other event instead of being content to experience normal, non-holiday days. So, here's to those spooks that decorated our house for a while. Let's hang on to their comical and odd images for a while before we rush into the next holiday.
Grammar notes.
Home-grown = something grown at home/ sometimes refers to a person.
It's ridiculous (great, nonsense, garbage etc), really = very common.
Here's to .... = let us toast, let us celebrate, let us tribute etc
Useful expressions: to hang on to something; it makes me feel ...; to have a good sniff / drink/ meal/ look etc; a couple of.
Guy Fawkes Day.
Beginners.
November 5th is an important day in England. It is called Guy Fawkes Day. We have fireworks and big bonfires every year to celebrate parliament in our country. Guy Fawkes was a criminal. He tried to blow up the government and the king. He didn't do it. The police caught him and arrested him. This happened in 1605. The children make a figure out of material, they put it in a public place, and they ask for money. They spend the money on fireworks or candies. It is a fun holiday for everyone, especially because the nights are dark in late Fall. Each town and village has its own bonfire which is huge, and the people come from their homes, watch the fireworks, and eat baked potatoes. Then the 'Guy' is burned on the fire. What a tradition!
Grammar notes.
Verbs: try (preterite = tried); catch (preterite = caught); do (preterite = did).
Related words: parliament, country, government, king, tradition.
Advanced.
"Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gun powder, treason, and plot."
These are the first two lines of a saying we have to celebrate the capture of Guy Fawkes in 1605, and the saving of the Houses of Parliament and King James 1st. I suppose it is a true story. It has certainly been celebrated and enjoyed for four hundred years. Apparently, shortly before the gunpowder was lit, Guy Fawkes, who was standing guard, was spotted and arrested. He was tried, found guilty, and executed. I will spare you the gory details. And so, we celebrate the continuance of government, the monarchy, and democracy. I feel great nostalgia at this time of year which is partly because of this special day. Each town and village would build a huge pile of wood in a public park or field. Then, as soon as it was dark, the people would start coming from their homes. The streets and alleyways would empty as the wide body of shadows would slide down to the field. You couldn't see anyone's face until the bonfire was lit. I remember feeling the warmth coming from this enormous, sun-like burning mass. Then, sparklers would be handed out to the children, so we could swirl them around for a few minutes, and be absorbed by their brilliance. Children find these moments magical, of course. It is not until we are adults that we realize the significance of this piece of our culture, and that it is exactly this kind of celebration that makes each country unique.
Grammar notes.
Verbs: past continous made with the use of 'would'. Examples: He would arrive late and then would leave early; she would never shut the door; they wouldn't let us vote a hundred years ago.
Related words: parliament, government, king, queen, monarchy, crown, democracy, execute, continuance, fireworks, sparklers, bangers, nostalgia, gory details.
Useful expressions: unique, I suppose, certainly, apparently, to be absorbed by something.
Elections are over.
Beginners.
Tuesday was the fourth of November, election day. Many people went to vote. They chose the person they wanted for President. There were two choices: John McCain and Barack Obama. The two men have been campaigning for more than a year. They have been traveling all over the United States, telling people about why they want to be President, and what they can do for the country. They must be tired now. They must also be very excited to find out who has won the election. The man who wins will be President for four years. Then he can try again to be President, one more time. You can vote when you are eighteen years old. There are two ways to vote. On election day, you can go to a 'voting booth' which is a place where a person gives you a paper, you put your name on it and then vote. Or you can send in your vote by mail a few days before election day. I voted by mail. We will find out on Thursday who is the next President.
Grammar notes.
Related words: to vote, to campaign, election.
Present continuous: They have been traveling, they have been campaigning. More examples: I have been working; she has been typing.
Adjectives: They are tired, excited, nervous, exhausted, happy, ill etc.
Advanced.
Finally election day has come and gone. It is a relief that it is over. The two presidential candidates have been campaigning for almost two years. I don't know how they could keep up that pace for so long. They obviously are convinced that the race is worth it. Well, we will find out on Thursday who will be the head of the country for the next four years. The public has shown many emotions on television and through the media during this presidential race. Hope, anger, frustration, and nervousness are just a few of the emotions that have been demonstrated by people writing or speaking. Obviously everyone hopes that the best person for the job will be chosen. But how do we know who the best person is? Can we tell by what he says? Can we tell by his experience in politics? What about the people who will help him? Do we know enough about them to understand if they are trustworthy and honest? I suppose, as with most jobs, we will find out after whoever is chosen has been working for a few months. As the saying goes, 'Time will tell'.
Grammar notes.
To go at a pace/ to keep up a pace = to work hard for a long time.
The media = television, newspapers, radio, magazines.
How do we know? = how can we tell?
Useful expressions: what about...? Examples: What about her? Why won't she work?; What about tomorrow? Could we go to the cinema then?; What about my dress? I need if washed before the party/
And the rain came down.
Beginners.
Yesterday it rained most of the day. Last night it rained all night. And now, this morning, it is still raining. It doesn't often rain in this valley. Wenatchee is called a desert, and I suppose it is. However, about this time, in November, the rain comes. Sometimes it stays for a few days. It prepares us, and the ground, for the snow. At the end of November the snow comes. It stays for about four months. Some people who live in rainy Seattle get tired of the rain, but here, it is a treat. Children can put on their rubber boots and splash in the puddles. Getting wet isn't a terrible thing. You can always get dry afterwards. But you do need to be prepared: rubber boots, a long coat, and, perhaps, an umbrella.
Grammar notes.
To rain is a regular verb: it rains, it is raining, it rained, it was raining, it had rained.
Associated words: wet, clouds, puddles, splash, soaked, drip, rubber boots, umbrella.
Useful words: However, sometimes, about, I suppose.
Advanced.
Drip, drip, drip, pitter, patter, plop. These are the sounds that I have heard on the roof and all around the house for the past two days. It has rained consistently, even during the night. For me, it is pure nostalgia. Being from England, I am used to puddles, drips, drops, and splashes. As a child, I played in the rain, went to school in the rain, watched the rain from steamed-up windows, and even built forts in the rain. English kids don't let a little water get in the way of their fun. Mind you, Seattle gets much more rainfall than England. My Sister-in-law who lives there, told me that, in the Winter, they can get a whole month of non-stop rain. Now that might be too much even by english standards! It certainly is a transformation for our valley that would be totally dry were it not for irrigation. The low clouds, dull light, and soft sounds of the droplets falling everywhere, together create a story-like setting. It's time to get cozy on the sofa with the children, share cookies and drink hot chocolate, and read good books all afternoon.
Grammar notes.
'I won't let a little ....... get in the way of .............' examples: I won't let a little illness get in the way of my plans; He didn't let a little mistake get in the way of his career etc.
'Were it not for....' examples: Were it not for the fire-fighters, I would have lost my house OR I would have lost my house, were it not for the fire-fighters.