Parks are a breath of fresh air, especially when they are in cities. I found that when we visited London in the summer, we really needed to escape into the parks at least once a day. Children can only take a certain amount of (1)site seeing, and then they need to run and play, and be around trees and grass. The parks in London are wonderful, my favorite being St. James's which is central, right near Buckingham Palace. It is one of the oldest in the city, and has a lake, and many kinds of birds. These animals are used to being around people; they seemed quite tame. We fed the ducks, geese, and swans with some of the sandwiches from our picnics, and we soon found that we were surrounded by pigeons as well. Deeper into the park, we came across another surprisingly comfortable creature: a squirrel. In fact, there were lots of them all over the place. I spotted a man who was feeding one of them nuts from his hand. "Wow!" we all said, as we watched him. He had the right 'touch'(2) with these animals, and they accepted all of his food. He was kind, and gave us some of his peanuts, showing us how to call the squirrels. And, would you believe it, they came scurrying(3) from the trees over to us and ate out of our hands. It was magical. I had no idea that they were so tame! When I worked in central London, I used to relax in St. James's park on my breaks, so I am quite familiar with it. However, I had never taken the time to be around the animals, so I was surprised how close they got to people. Each day we made a point of(4) visiting the squirrels in St. James's park. We would have an ice cream, play frisbee, and then feed the little creatures. We spent quite a few pounds on peanuts, and not one of them went to waste. They would jump up on the fence, take a peanut from one of us, and then jump down and scamper(3) off. I'd like to think that they appreciated our company, but really they just wanted the nuts. Once our peanuts were all gone, they would disappear in a flash, and look for other friendly people with bags of good things to eat.
1. '...can only take a certain amount of' means that too much of something would be intolerable. In this case, site seeing has to be limited, otherwise it becomes exhausting.
a. I can only take a certain amount of country music, and then I've had enough.
b. The crowd was beginning to leave; they had been waiting in the cold to see the actors, but they could only take waiting for so long.
c. At Christmas time, I can only tolerate a certain amount of shopping. I can take a day or two, but then I've had enough of the crowds.
2. 'To have the right 'touch',' can apply to many situations.
a. The animal trainer has the right touch with the animals; he is very gentle and careful, and seems to understand what they want.
b. Gosh, you have the right touch with plants. You can make anything grow!
3. 'To scamper/ to scurry,' these are two fabulous verbs that describe how small animals (rodents) run. We use these verbs particularly with mice, rats, rabbits, and squirrels. 'To scamper' implies a bounciness to its running, while 'to scurry' implies a scratching and grabbing while the animal runs.
a. It was fun to see the rabbits scamper all over the field, jumping around like they had springs on their feet.
b. The rat scurried away from the dog, up the metal pipe and onto the roof.
4. 'To make a point of,' means to deliberately do something; to be intentional.
a. My neighbor is an animal lover, and every day she makes a point of feeding a stray cat.
b. When we visited Amsterdam, we made a point of visiting a historical site each day.
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It all started just before Thanksgiving. My daughter had a temperature of 103 and a bad cough. I had kept her home from school, and didn't plan on her going back for a while. The next day, as the twenty-two guests arrived for lunch, I noticed that one of the cousins had a similar cough, but I was really too busy to be thinking about illness. Well, Thanksgiving came and went; the plates and cutlery were washed, the tables were put away, and everything was back to normal. But then I noticed that one of the guests hadn't left. He had actually not even been invited. He was a most unwelcome(1) guest, and his name was 'The Flu'. I opened the front door and asked him to leave, but he he just smiled at me. He was comfortable, and obviously planned on staying.
Before I knew it, everyone was ill: coughs, temperatures, weakness, and stomach problems. Most of our relatives who had been with us were also miserably sick. I, at that point, wasn't. Usually, I take care of everyone else, and I'm fine. But it was my turn. I had looked into the face of The Flu too many times. After a few days of doing nothing, and feeling sorry for myself(2), I went to the shops. "Anna, is that you? You look terrible!" said a friend of mine I bumped into. "Oh, thanks," I said, not feeling very thankful, and not wanting to hear any more about how I looked. I made a few phone calls and wasn't recognized, "Anna, you sound awful!" was the comment I received. I'm not surprized. I sounded as if I had gravel in my throat(3).
After a few more days, I was much better, and so was everyone else. In fact, I have bounced back. My energy level is up to the roof. I'm studying for my classes, seeing friends, and rushing around preparing for Christmas while listening to a very loud version of Handel's 'Messiah'. Now that the gravel has disappeared from my throat, I can do a podcast. It's good to be back! And if you want any advice from me, be very careful which guests you invite to your house.
1. 'A most unwelcome guest' can also be expressed as 'a very unwelcome guest'. The word 'most' sounds more formal, and is good in stories. This use of 'a+most' can be used with all sorts of adjectives.
a. She was a most gracious relative, always giving and patient.
b. They were a most unbearable gang of young men, always causing conflicts and violence.
2. 'To feel sorry for oneself' is like feeling sad about your situation. You feel pity for yourself.
a. The dog is feeling sorry for himself because he's lost his bone.
b. We all feel sorry for ourselves sometimes, but it is healthier to try and be thankful.
3. 'Gravel' is a noun that is used in the expression of having a bad voice because of illness. We often use the term, 'a gravely voice,' which describes a rough voice that is not clear, as if something is stuck in the throat. Some people might have this without being ill.
a. The old fisherman had rough, wrinkly skin, and a gravely voice.
b. My throat was feeling better; it wasn't sore any more, but my voice was gravely.
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I love to learn, especially when what I'm learning is practical and meaningful. And, also, being from England, I love Indian food. Most people who are not from England think of English food as boring, or that we only eat fish and chips, or roast beef. Tut-tut. Oh, those stereotypes can be so wrong. For a very long time, our national dish in England has been curry, which, yes, is absolutely Indian. In fact, there are more than 10,000 Indian restaurants in England. We're crazy about the spicy, rich food. And if you know your history(1), you will know that the English-Indian connection comes from the days when India was a British colony. Well, a few weeks ago, when I was having dinner in the only Indian restaurant in Wenatchee, I saw a poster there advertising Indian cooking classes. I quickly signed up. So, yesterday, I and about fifteen other people turned up at the house of the restaurant owners. We were each given a booklet(2) of recipes. Deedee, the master chef, did all of the cooking while we stood around and took notes. Her house filled with the smells of garlic, ginger, coriander, and masala. One by one(3), we had samples of each dish. The four hour class went by fast, and I drove home imagining myself producing these dishes for my family. The first thing that I'm going to make for them will be chicken curry, with cream and coconut milk. I can already smell it!
1. 'If you know your history'. This is an interesting phrase because of the word 'your'. The phrase doesn't mean 'your own' history at all. What it means is 'the history that you should have learned', or 'the history that you should remember.'
a. If you know your history, you'll remember that the West of the United States was settled only about 150 years ago.
2. 'A booklet' is a small, paper book that is usually only a few pages long. The suffix 'let' indicates that it is small.
a. My new vacuum cleaner came with a booklet of instructions.
b. The local council produced a booklet about the statues in the local parks.
3. 'One by one' is like saying 'one at a time', but its use is more 'storybookish'. 'One at a time' is also used as a command, when you're telling people to take turns.
a. One by one the children stepped into the dark, abandoned building.
b. We let the balloons go, and one by one they floated up into the sky, their colors shining brightly against the blue.
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I'm sure that many of you who are listening to this podcast have been to Trafalgar Square. It is one of the most famous places in downtown London. In fact, if you visit London, you will find that all the major landmarks(1) are concentrated in the central area of the city. When I went there this summer with my children, we caught the bus every day to Trafalgar Square. The bus terminated(2) there which was perfect for us. So, the first day that we were there, we got off the bus and proceded to sightsee. My children were quite impressed when they looked around: the statues, the fountains, the great circle of architecture around the square, and of course, the lions. Everybody climbs on the lions to have their photo taken; it's a tradition. Another great thing about the square is the street entertainment. There is always someone doing something, either dancing, singing, playing a musical instrument, or doing something extraordinary(3). On this particular day, we found a man dressed in a silver suit, being extraordinary. He was sitting up in the air on what looked like nothing. He was suspended above the ground with nothing but a walking stick touching the floor. Was he magic? Or was his floating just a clever trick? My youngest children were fascinated. With smiles on their faces, they gave him some money and said, "How do you do that?" Of course the mysterious silver man couldn't talk; that would have destroyed the mystery. He simply lifted his hat as if to say "Hello, and thank you" and continued looking shiny and magical. I wonder how long he sat like that. And I also wonder if anyone saw him get down from his invisible chair.
1. 'Landmark' is a building or structure that is historically or culturally important.
a. Stone Henge is one of the oldest and most famous landmarks in England.
b. Look! There's some kind of landmark. Let's head in that direction.
2. 'Terminated/ to terminate' simply means 'to finish' but it sounds more official or not so every-day.
a. My contract was terminated suddenly.
b. This train terminates in New York at 7pm.
3. 'Extraordinary' is a wonderful word for 'out of the ordinary', 'amazing' or 'odd'. Notice that we don't pronounce the 'a'.
a. His photographic memory is extraordinary.
b. What an extraordinary creature! It is so strange that it's actually a bit scary.
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This summer we went to visit my father in Scotland. He lives about 3 hours from Glasgow, but had arranged for us to meet him in the Highlands, a little place called Acharacle, near Fort William. We drove up from Yorkshire where I had visited my sister, spent the night in Glasgow, and continued our journey the following day. Acharacle is a very remote, beautiful area. It's a tiny village, with houses hidden all around it in the trees. It is very close to the sea, so that is where we spent most of our time. Several beaches there are unspoilt(1), and all of them are so clean. I took Robert and Domini with me to one of the smaller beaches to play in the white sand. As soon as we got there, they ran over to a rock pool and discovered a school(2) of trapped fish. It was as if they had discovered treasure. They could scoop up(3) handfuls of them with delight. I even did. They stayed in this rock pool for what seemed like ages, until their sleeves were wet and they started to get cold. Then we walked along the beach, collecting shells which we now have at home. Catching fish in Scotland is fun, especially when you can do it with your hands.
1. 'Unspoilt' when we talk about a beach or other geographic area means untouched by humans. The ending of 't' is the English spelling. In the U.S, they spell it with an -ed, 'unspoiled'.
a. I'm glad to say that area is unspoilt by tourism.
b. The forest used to be unspoilt, but now there are shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions here.
2. 'School' is the noun we use to describe a group of fish.
a. We saw an enormous school of silver herring from the boat.
b. We say 'a pack of dogs', but 'a school of fish'.
3. 'To scoop (up)' means to collect in a container of some sort. It can even be done by the hands. The word 'up' shows that you are collecting something from ground level and bringing it up level with yourself. 'A scoop' is usually a rounded quantity of the item you have just 'scooped'.
a. Shall I scoop the icecream? Would you like vanilla or chocolate?
b. The lady scooped up water from the river in her bucket.
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I appologize for not releasing a podcast last week. There was good reason for my absence. I have started a university course which teaches and qualifies me to instruct English language learners. I have been buried in books(1) for a week! I started the course late, actually, as there was some sort of mix up(2) in my application. Well, that was all sorted out, and I was accepted as a student. Thankfully, all of the classes are online, which makes it very convenient for me. I have to keep track of(3) the reading requirements and the homework. The professor from Central Washington University is very friendly and knowledgeable. We have even had a live, online session where we have met everyone in the course, and have given presentations. I love it! I thought at first, that the lessons might be a little dry and boring. But, I'm happy to say that they are not at all. We are learning at the moment about educational theories and the psychologists that created them, and also what works best in a classroom. It's very stimulating. So, now that I am back on track(4), I will bring you more podcasts, and some of them will include the things I'm studying.
1. 'To be buried in books' means to have lots of reading to do. Students are usually 'buried in books'. Of course it is figurative, not literal. I think it is a great idiomatic phrase, and really gives a good visual of someone being covered in books.
a. My poor son is buried in books at the moment, as he has a science exam tomorrow.
b. I am swamped! I'm buried in books, and I need a break!
2. 'A mix up' really means a confusion and a problem. It can be used in any context.
a. There was a mix up at the airport, and I ended up with someone else's luggage.
b. There was a mix up at the restaurant, and I received the bill for the party of 30 people!
3. 'I have to keep track of the reading requirements'. To keep track means to pay attention, to stay on the correct path, to remember.
a. It's your responsibility to keep track of what you spend.
b. Let's keep track of her illness to see if she improves or not.
4. 'To be back on track' is related to 'to keep track of'. We use this phrase when we have returned to a desired routine.
a. I'm back on track with my running; I jog with my friend three times a week.
b. Now that I am over the flu, I'm getting back on track with the household chores.
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The photo for today's podcast, comes from a calendar of Washington State that I bought yesterday. The photographer is Rick Schafer, well known and loved for his landscape photography of the Pacific Northwest. Though he lives in Oregon, much of his work is about Washington State. And he has his photos in well-known magazines, such as: Conde Nast Golf, Alaska Airlines, and National Park publications. One of my listeners had asked me a long time ago to show scenes of Washington State, as this is where I live. However, my photos are scattered throughout the house, and limited. So, when I found this calendar, I immediately knew that I needed to borrow these beautiful scenes (and of course, I give Rick Schafer all the credit). This is the first of 12 scenes in the calendar, and it's actually taken from the month of July. The photo is of the Columbia River Gorge, which is close to where I live. The two flowers you can see are typically found in these dry, semi-desert areas in spring and summer. They are wild, purple lupines, and small, yellow sunflowers. They contrast perfectly with eachother, and make a real show on the hills. The gorge area stretches over 290,000 acres, from southern Washington to northern Oregon. It's quite unique, and has its own Native American history, including tribes such as the Nez Perce which you may have heard about. There are 218 miles of trails that you can walk on to explore the area, 800 kinds of flowers, many different animals, and even 1000 historic buildings and archaelogical sites. I live in this area, and I haven't even seen a tiny percentage of all that is here. There's more to see and learn about if you wish to follow the link:Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
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Each year for the past ten years, I have seen advertisements for St. Joe's harvest fundraiser(1) on the backs of cars. I have often found myself either driving or sitting at a red light behind one of these cars. Finally this Sunday, I actually went to the fundraiser. It took place on the playing field(2) that belongs to St. Joseph's Catholic school which is situated inside the church building of the same name. The fundraiser is for the school, to raise money for all its different needs. The organizers do a good job of advertising, and getting the word out(3) into the community. It was a glorious day, typical Autumn, sunny but slightly cool. There was already music playing when I arrived, even though it was only mid-morning. A little hispanic boy was singing 'Cielito lindo', and a crowd was gathering to watch him. I walked past the row of Mexican food stalls and stopped at one which was selling cups of sliced fruit. As I ate the mango, melon, and jicama slices, I walked around and looked at the rest of the fundraiser. There were giant bouncy areas for children, ceramic and craft stalls, jewelry, clothing, and a second-hand area that had a bit of everything. I rummaged (4)around in the household items, looking for something useful. "I'll make you a good deal, Ma'am," said the owner. "Make me an offer; I'm not fussy," he added. I didn't find anything really exciting. However, I did end up buying a red box with sequins on it for my daughter, just one dollar. "I can't go home without buying something," I thought to myself. The fundraiser was a great little event. Hopefully the school will receive the money it needs to keep its standards high.
1. 'Fundraiser'. This word is a combination of 2 nouns, and means an event at which money is raised for a cause. Fundraisers often take place for charities and medical research.
a. We made over $1000 at the fundraiser last night. That money will be well spent.
b. You can make more money from a fundraiser by involving celebrities.
c. Cancer research always needs more money, that's why there are so many fundraisers for that cause.
2. 'The playing field' is the area of grass that is used by a school for its outdoor activities and sports.
a. The annual Sports Day for the elementary school was held on the playing field yesterday.
b. That school is lucky to have such a large playing field.
3. 'To get the word out' means to 'spread the news', 'to advertise', or 'to inform the public.'
a. If you want to get a lot of business for your shop, you should get the word out.
b. The Performing Arts Center will have a ballet performance in December, so they are getting the word out now.
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You must have all heard about the recent Scottish referendum. Of course, I have to write a podcast about it; it is too important not to(1). So what was it all about? Scotland, England, and Wales have been united for over 300 years politically and economically. Some people in Scotland want total independence, and to no longer be part of that union. So they voted on it. The vote was 'close', meaning that the 'No' votes were only 10% greater than the 'Yes' votes. Now that the dust has settled(2) after the vote, the U.K government is considering making changes to its system, so each part of the union feels totally satisfied in how it is represented in parliament.
Scotland is definitely different from England. Its' terrain is more mountainous. It has hundreds of islands. It's education system is said to be(3) much better than England's. The Scots have their own history, culture, and native language. And of course, they have their own successful industries, particularly the North Sea oil. However, the tax base for the Union comes mainly from England, as there are so many people there generating the taxes. Also, the military is paid mainly by English taxes. Splitting up would not be a simple matter. I, personally, would not want the Union to divide, as I think it has worked well for so long. My father who is English actually lives in Scotland. He loves it there, and didn't expect the Scots to vote for independence. However, we all want to govern ourselves, and why not? Perhaps it would work. So far, though, there isn't enough support in Scotland for independence. I'm proud to say that the democratic process was carried out peacefully, and fairly, with both sides accepting the result. And that's how it should be: ultimately the people's decision.
1. '..;..it is too important not to.' The end of the sentence is a shortcut. Instead of writing,' ...; it is too important to not write about the referendum,' I can simply put 'not to' after important. As long as the first part of the sentence is complete, and has a verb, you can use this shortcut.
a. We need to turn the air conditioner on; it is too hot not to.
b. He should apply for that job; he is too qualified not to.
c. They will travel there by plane; it's too far not to.
2. 'Now that the dust has settled/ when the dust settles' is a great phrase that points to the clarity that comes after an incident or event is over. When a bomb explodes, for a while, there is dust in the air, and you cannot see clearly. 'When the dust settles' you can see clearly, therefore you can make correct decisions or opinions.
a. When the fight is over, and the dust settles, we will see who was guilty and who was innocent.
b. The riot was caught on film. When the dust settles, we will see who caused it.
c. Now that the dust has settled after the divorce, and the anger and emotion are over, perhaps the man and woman will behave better.
3. '....is said to be' is similar to '..is known as'.
a. She is said to be stronger than any man.
b. The orangutan is said to be one of the most intelligent animals in the world.
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Barbara: Hi Peter, sorry to bother you, but do you know where Liz is?
Peter: Yes, she's actually in hospital.
Barbara: Hospital? Oh, no! Is she alright?
Peter: Yes, it's nothing serious. She had gone to her mother's surprise party, and when her mother walked in, Liz jumped forward and slipped on a slippery rug. She fell forward into a table, and broke her nose.
Barbara: Ouch! Oh, the poor thing! And at her mother's party too!
Peter: I know. I feel bad for her. She needed a small operation, but she should be home tomorrow, I think.
Barbara: I must go and take her some flowers. Thanks Peter, I'll see you later!
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One of the things that I love about London is how multicultural it is. Every nation on the planet has some representation in London. So, living in a place that is so cosmopolitan, makes a person the same. You become totally at ease around people of all different ethnic groups. That's one of the things that I wanted to expose(1) my children to. As we live in a very rural and fairly isolated community, they don't get exposed to the rest of the world very much. So their trip to London was an 'eye-opener'(2) for them. As we travelled around on the number 9 bus, past shops, parks, monuments, and restaurants, we saw all sorts of things that we wouldn't normally see. Near Holland road, there was an Iranian restaurant with an Iranian shop next door. We first noticed the shop because it had a huge and luscious(3) looking fruit stand on display. "Wow, look at that fruit!" one of my boys said. The bus had stopped just opposite the shop, so I had time to get my camera out. But, what really caught my eye was the banner above the restaurant. It was wishing the best of luck to both the Iranian soccer team, and the English team during the World Cup. It said, "From Iranian UK." Seeing it made me happy. It was an expression of good will by people who themselves are in a foreign land.
1. 'To expose' either means to uncover, or to bring something into contact with something else.
a. Our visitor from Mexico had never been exposed to a snowy winter before.
b. Keep your cut clean and covered; you don't want to expose it to germs.
c. Their trip to Japan was their first trip abroad. They had never been exposed to another culture before.
2. An 'eye-opener' is something that teaches you something new. It is implied that you are surprised or fascinated by the new information.
a. The first week of college was a real eye-opener for him.
b. I had heard the rumors about the case. However, it was a real eye-opener to sit down and read the facts.
3. 'Luscious' is a fabulous word that means 'juicy' and 'delicious'.
a. They call that actress 'Luscious lips' because she has full lips that are always painted red.
b. These mangoes are luscious; they are perfectly ripe!
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Have you ever been on a long plane journey? It's quite an experience. Just getting on the plane takes a while. You have to arrive at the airport two hours before the flight. You have to check your luggage in, make your way through security, and have your passport checked and re-checked. Then you sit in the waiting room, and, well...wait. After lining up(1) with the other two hundred passengers, having your passport and boarding card checked again, and walking through the tunnel to the plane, you really need to sit down! Hopefully you can find a place in the overhead container for your carry-on(2) luggage. But be careful moving other people's bags around to make space for yours; you might get some suspicious looks or angry faces. Finally, you are sitting down and ready for the flight. You look to see who is sitting next to you. Hopefully it's someone nice, afterall(3), you have to sit next to him or her for the next 9 hours! You'd better introduce yourself and be pleasant; it helps. But then, what do you do for the next 9 hours? On the long, transcontinental flights, there is usually a television screen right in front of you, with a variety of films, programs, or music to choose from. It's called the 'inflight entertainment'. All the passengers are glued to the screens for most of the journey. As I don't like to sit down for very long, I get up and walk around, and stretch. It always fascinates me how so many people can sit down for so long. Their bottoms must really suffer! Mind you, if the in-flight entertainment is good, people forget about their bottoms, and their need to move, and they simply watch and watch. What else is there to do on a plane? I am always thankful for the screens when I fly with my children, because, for their generation, watching a screen is as normal as breathing. If there were no screens, they would feel as if a part of their bodies was missing. So thankyou to the airlines for our entertainment, and appologies to our bottoms.
1. 'To line up' means to form a line in order to wait for something. In England, we still use the verb 'to queue'.
a. We had to line up to get the tickets, and then line up to get it!
b. Some people are so impatient and find it difficult to line up.
2. 'Overhead container and carry-on luggage' are two nouns used all the time when you fly. The cupboard above your seat on the plane is called your 'overhead container' because it is over your head. 'Carry-on luggage' refers to the small bag that you are allowed to take into the cabin, or room where everyone sits.
a. The overhead container was full, so I had to squeeze my bag under the seat.
b. My carry-on luggage was too big, so I had to check it in.
3. 'Afterall' is a great word that is similar in meaning to: 'if you think about it', 'if you understand all the options'.
a. I can give you a lift to the university, afterall, we both need to be there at the same time, and I have a car.
b. I recommend you include fruits and vegetables in your cooking, afterall, it's for the health of your family.
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When we stayed in London this summer, our apartment was on Holland Road. It was inside a row of typical London town houses: white with black window frames, and black iron fences. I love that simple, elegant style. However, this row of houses needed some TLC(1). New paint would have been good, a bit of renovation as well. But, for our purposes, the apartment was fine. I asked the owner for his recommendation on getting to the center of town. He advised against using(2) the underground (the Tube), as in the summer it is packed with tourists. So, I got on-line, and found that the number 9 bus went from just around the corner, right to the center, to Trafalgar Square. It was comfortable, convenient, and cheap. We spent most of our time exploring London. Back at the apartment, we would have dinner and then go for a walk. Our street was very noisy, but just one street away everything became quiet, and the neighborhoods were much nicer. We stumbled upon a huge park, called Holland Park which had everything in it: large open areas, lots of trees and flowers, a play area for children, and even an opera house. It was a wonderful, green relief from a busy day in the city, a quiet place away from our noisy apartment.
1. TLC is short for 'tender-loving-care'. It can be applied to anything. We tend to use it when talking about inanimate objects, like houses. It means that the mentioned object needs to be cleaned up, repaired, or decorated.
a. The old house needs some TLC, so we'll start by replacing the roof.
b. That truck is in a terrible state. It needs some TLC.
2. 'To advise' can be used negatively or positively. When you advise someone to take action there are 2 ways of expressing it:
a. I advise you to talk to your teacher.
b. I advise talking to your teacher.
However, when you are advising someone to 'not' do something, the structure of the sentence is different:
a. I advise against you going to your teacher.
b. I advise against going to your teacher. * We don't say 'I advise you against going to your teacher.' It sounds bad; the against should come before 'you'.
If you don't want to use the word 'against', you can say:
c. I advise you not to go to your teacher
d. I advise you to not go to your teacher.
Any of these is correct.
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Point number 5 from yesterday's podcast was missing! Sorry! So here it is, plus a couple of extra pieces of English that are worth learning.
5. In the podcast, I wrote that my children 'had had enough of being with their mother 24 hours a day.'
It sounds strange to say , 'had, had', but don't let it intimidate you. Remember, the verb I am using is 'to have enough of something' which means that you have been over exposed to something, or are tired of a situation or person.
So, in order to use the pluperfect tense I have to use 'my children had had enough...'. Here are some examples using different tenses. *Note, this verb is usually used in the past.
a. I left because I had had enough of his arguing.
b. She yawned because she had had enough of the boring lecture.
c. I have had enough of the bad weather; I need to go somewhere sunny! *Note, this is present perfect, not pluperfect.
I also would like to share one English idiom, and one new English phrase, both of which I found on the website, Learn English Today (highly recommended).
Idiom.
To be 'all ears' means to be very interested in what someone is about to tell you.
a. I can't believe that she's going to climb Mt. Everest. Tell me all about it; I'm all ears.
b. Are the rumors true? Tell me all the details; I'm all ears.
New Phrase
A 'Black Swan' is an unexpected event of great magnitude. It can be a sudden natural disaster, or a political event that was not expected.
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This summer I disappeared for a while; you might have noticed(1). I left Wenatchee, with my children, on 22nd of July, and didn't return until 23rd of August(2). We escaped for a whole month! It was a trip that I had planned for a year, and what a trip it was!(3) We went to five places: London, Spain, Yorkshire, Scotland, and Iceland. I feel very privileged to have traveled so much, and to have done it with my kids. It was very memorable, and inspiring. Before we left, I had been feeling like a deflated balloon, but now that I'm back, I am totally inflated again, full of adventures and things to write about. Probably the place that I found most exciting was Iceland, because I had never been there before. I will certainly write some podcasts about that mysterious country. It made a big impression on me, and I definitely would like to go back. By the last week, my children were moaning(4) to come home and play with their friends. They had had enough(5) of traveling and of being with their mother 24 hours a day! However, I think, for the most part, they had a really good attitude. As we look back at the photos of our trip, they have plenty to say. This photo of London is one of the best that we took. I was so happy to visit all the places that are familiar to me, to walk along the Thames as the sun was going down and the historical buildings were being illuminated. It was the first place we visited, and so I will have several podcasts about that great city for you to listen to soon.
1. 'You might have noticed' is like saying, 'Maybe you noticed.' The meaning is the same. Here are some more examples:
a. Your brother just left; you might have seem him leave.
b. The neighbors were having a party last night; you might have heard the noise.
c. The new teacher arrived today; you might have met him.
2. In this sentence I use the negative. I could have told you about my dates of departure and return positively though: I left on 22nd of July and returned on 23rd of August. So, why did I use the negative? I did it to add to the sense that I was gone for a long time: I didn't return until ..... adds to the idea that I was gone for quite a while. You can use this with the time, as well as with dates.
a. He didn't come home until 11:30pm. (The negative implies that he was late).
b. She didn't renew her driver's license until 10 years after its expiration date!
3. 'What a trip it was!' is an exclamation that needs no adjective, though you can have one in front of the noun if you like.
a. What an exciting trip it was! What a trip it was!
b. What a crazy party it was! What a party it was!
c. What a rude man he is! What a man he is!
4. 'My children were moaning to come home and play with their friends.' To moan is literally to make a complaining noise. We also use the verb to show that a person wants something.
a. He's moaning because he's hungry.
b. They've been moaning all day to go to their friend's house.
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The most delicious smell filled the house yesterday. My son, Cass had made bread. He has made it successfully many times, and I have had to go to the supermarket on many occasions just to get more flour. Of course, when he first started making bread, there were a few disasters. It took a while(1) to teach him to clean up after cooking, and to use the right ingredients and the right method of cooking and baking. However, with practice he has become an expert, and we all look forward to sampling(2) his baked goods. There was something extra special about yesterday's bread though. Cass had actually(3) grown the wheat, harvested it, and made it into flour for the bread. He's a purist, and like me, an avid gardener. He planted the wheat in the autumn, and waited patiently for it to grow. So far this summer, he has been checking it every day. When he saw that it was ready to harvest, he cut it all down, threshed it, and put the grain in a large bag. We have a grinding machine which he used to crush the grain into flour. So he went through the process from the very beginning to the end. He even cleaned the kitchen! It was a labor of love.
1. 'A while', 'it took a while'. These phrases are commonly used in the same way as 'some time'. It's very non-specific, and good usage.
a. It'll take you a while to get used to those high heels.
b. It took me a while to learn French, several years actually.
c. He has been going to the gym for a while, ten years I think!
2. 'To sample' is to have a little bit of a larger item, often food. However, it can also be non-edible items like perfume, detergent, creams. The verb and noun are also used in science, when tiny pieces of substances are taken to be examined.
a. I sampled some unusual cheeses in the deli.
b. The sunscreen company sent me a sample in the mail.
c. The biologists took samples of the pond water and later examined them in the laboratory.
3. The use of 'actually'. It's a fabulous and common word. Here it's used as emphasis. We do this by putting it in front of the verb.
a. I couldn't believe that the two-year-old actually read the novel!
b. Everyone thought they would lose, but they actually won the race.
c. His friends were supposed to help him, but he actually did all the work himself.
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Peter: Hi Liz, are you just about ready?
Liz: Yep. Thanks again for giving me a ride. I appreciate all your help.
Peter: Oh, don't mention it. Anything for my friends!
Liz: You're so sweet.
Peter: So, your dad will pick you up at the train station?
Liz: Yes. She'll be in her aerobics class, so she won't know that I'm arriving. We'll pick up three more people, plus the birthday cake, and get back to the house before she comes home. Everyone else will be waiting there.
Peter: Oh, I love surprise parties.
Liz: Me too!
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I laughed when I saw the cartoon scene from this podcast, of a boy talking to his teacher, and giving a very weak excuse as to(1) why he hadn't done his homework. I remember telling a similar tale(2) to the principal of my elementary school. However, all those years ago, we didn't have computers, and we certainly had never heard of technology viruses. I told him that my mother had burned my homework. "She burned it?" he exclaimed, looking at me with judging eyes. Of course, he knew that I was lying, and I knew that he knew. Why did I even try to lie to my principal? I suppose I was scared of his anger; I didn't expect him to be ok with me not doing(3) the homework. Plus it's always easy to blame your mother when she's not around. I come across similar situations with my children, "Robert, why didn't you clean up your mess?" An answer to that is often, "Domini didn't clean up hers either." In English we call it 'pointing the finger'. We mention someone else's fault to make ourselves look better, and feel less guilty. Nowadays, of course, we are not limited to blaming our mothers, brothers and sisters, or our family pets (children are known to say that the dog ate the homework). We can now add computers, printers, and viruses to the list.
1. The use of 'as to' in the first sentence. It's a little bit old fashioned, but still sounds good in sentences that we are trying to stretch out, or lengthen. It means the same as 'regarding' or 'concerning'. It also sounds less formal than 'regarding' or 'concerning' and that is often why it is used.
a. I'd like to hear an explanation from you as to why you fired Jim and then hired Bob.
b. I understand the project, but I don't have a clue as to how it will be financed.
2. 'Tale' means a story. It is often used as a kind way of saying 'a lie'.
a. I don't believe what she was saying; I think she was telling a little tale.
b. The fishermen always tell tales about the giant fish that escaped from the net.
3. 'To be ok with something' means that a person is comfortable or agrees with a situation.
a. Are you ok with me coming to your house at 10pm?
b. I'm not ok with this situation; it makes me feel uncomfortable.
c. I can't believe that you're ok with your noisy neighbors.
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While substitute teaching in a local school for an art teacher, I came across junk art. I had heard of it(1), but I had never really looked into it. Actually, elementary school art often involves items that are for recycling, like boxes, bottles, or packages. However, there is a difference between using recycled objects for art projects, and junk art. In junk art, the object used is not disguised by colors, shapes, or textures. Pablo Picasso was the first well-known artist to include junk in one of his pictures, in fact, he stuck a piece of a chair onto a painting. Later, junk art was practiced and perfected by(2) Marcel Duchamp. As I looked around the art room where I was teaching, a red glow caught my eye. The color was coming from(3) a string of fairy lights that had been placed inside empty, red cartridges that had been used in a shot gun. Usually, these are just thrown away. However, someone must have had the idea of saving them for a creative reason. I think that the idea of using shot gun cartridges as a string of lights is delightful. Its use in art is so different from its original intention; it's a great contrast.
1. 'I had heard of it' and its variations can be used in conversation to increase the impression of your fluency.
a. I had heard of him, but I had never met him.
b. I had heard of the book, but I had never read it.
c. We had heard of them, but we had never met them.
2. To have something 'perfected by' a person.
a. My grandmother created the recipe, and my mother perfected it.
b. He came up with the idea, but you perfected it.
3. '....was coming from...' is used in this podcast to add a bit of description to the text, and is good to use in conversation.
a. The noise was coming from next door; I don't know what was going on.
b. There's a strange smell in the garage; it's coming from one of the storage boxes.
c. What beautiful music! Where is it coming from?
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Our recent camping trip turned out to be more interesting than I had expected. My family and I drove up to a remote forest area near Lake Chelan. There were no houses nearby, and only a few signs of human life(1). We set up our campsite next to a dirt path, overlooking a spectacular view of some distant mountains. It is very dry this time of year, but there are enough trees to offer some welcome shade(2). We rode our dirt bikes, built a campfire, the boys did some target practice with their BB guns, and we generally relaxed and explored. Some friends also joined us, one of whom is a hunter, and a bit of an animal expert. When he arrived, before he even said, "Hello," he presented us with a snake that he had just found on the property. "It's a kind of Boa," he explained. We all leaned forward to have a better look. It was small and green, and seemed to be a very gentle creature. It doesn't eat, bite, or sting humans, so I was quite happy to hold it. My daughter, who is an animal lover, borrowed it for quite a few hours. It curled around her hands, wrists, shoulders, and even her neck. I think it appreciated her warmth(3). The snake is now in a very nice terrarium back at the house where it is being thoroughly spoiled, and is growing longer and fatter.
1. 'Only a few signs of human life,' shows how remote the place was where we were camping. ' A sign of/ a few signs of' is an effective way of expressing the lack of impact of humans. It can also be used with many other subjects. It is similar to using the expression 'traces of'.
a. As we walked through the forest, we could only see a few signs of the fire that had happened five years ago.
b. There were signs of animal activity in our garden: bear tracks and claw marks on the trees!
2. 'Welcome' is used as an adjective in the context of something being appreciated, a help, or a relief.
a. At the end of my marathon, I was offered some cold water. It was truly a welcome drink.
b. The old men meet at the coffee shop where they have a welcome conversation.
3. The verb 'to appreciate' can be added into conversation easily and effectively to show fluency.
a. Thanks for helping me with the paperwork; I really appreciate it!
b. I appreciate how you listen so well.
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For the past five weeks, I've been working on a very exciting project. It is something that I've wanted to do for years and years, but have not got around to doing it.(1) I have written my first ebook. It's called 'The Golden Whisper', and is free for one month at Smashwords.com. The book is for older children or young adults, and is a silly, funny story about a substitute teacher who gets involved in an adventure when she goes to work at a certain school. The story actually came to me(2) when I was substitute teaching in a local elementary school here in Wenatchee. The language level is perfect for English language learners, as it is not too complicated. The process of writing the book, formatting it for online reading, and finding an artist for the front cover, was long and exhausting. However, I'm so happy that it's finished and available to anyone. My family was surprised when I told them about it. My husband said, "That explains why you haven't been doing much housework recently." Yes, the laundry has certainly been piling up.(3) Well, the laundry can wait. This was more important. I hope that if you find the time to download it and read it (it's quite short) that you can do me the favor of leaving a comment on Smashwords.com. I love hearing from my listeners, but it would also be great to hear from you as my reading audience.
1. 'To get around to doing something' means to eventually find the motivation or opportunity to do something.
a. I'll get around to paying the bills this afternoon.
b. I did get around to washing the car when everyone left.
2. 'The story came to me' we use the verb 'to come' + 'to' + a person, referring to an idea or inspiration of some kind being received, as if it had approached that person.
a. The idea of building a holiday cottage came to me when I was on the beach.
b. The story came to me while I was on the train.
3. 'To pile up' is to place layer after layer of items in one area. We often talk about unpleasant things piling up.
a. The bills are piling up; it's so depressing.
b. The dirty dishes have piled up; someone needs to do the washing up!
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Do you find waiting frustrating at times? I do, especially when I'm waiting for someone else to complete their work, so that a project can be finished. Waiting for emails, paperwork, for someone to make his or her(1) mind up, or waiting for a telephone call, can all be exasperating(2). When I think about it, I realize that I always have a project going on. It's either one thing or another. I love projects; I love having an idea, doing some work, and seeing that idea become a reality. In my garden, it's simple. It's all up to me. I get the idea, I plan, I work, and I finish. However, when other people are involved, it's not that simple. Immigration papers are a perfect example. When I was trying to get my mother's immigration papers for the U.S approved, it was as painful as pulling teeth out. We had to wait. We had to make phone calls. We had to fill out more papers. And we had to wait again, for months and months. I can't complain, because, in the end she got her green card. The project was worth the wait(3). Well, I've just been informed of another project that was worth the wait: my Android app is finally ready. I have been emailing my host company, asking for the release date. They have been patient with me, but it has been really hard to wait, especially considering that many of my listeners have Android devices. Well, it's out; it's here, and I'm relieved. There's no more waiting; just click and enjoy.
1. 'Someone ...his or her'. The objects that follow 'someone' can vary in English. Even though 'someone' is like saying 'a person' and is therefore singular, we do cheat and sometimes use the possessive object 'their' afterwards, especially in speech. In the second sentence of the podcast I say: '...especially when I'm waiting for someone to complete their work..' Later I say, 'waiting for someone to make up his or her mind' which shows the word 'someone' as singular. Of course, the second example is the correct one, but using 'their' after someone is very common and accepted.
a. Someone needs to move their car; it's blocking the exit.
b. Someone left their muddy shoes on the carpet!
2. 'Exasperating' is one of my favorite words. It means that something is annoying, frustrating, and exhausting. It even sounds like its meaning.
a. Waiting in line in Disney Land in the middle of summer can be exasperating.
b. The argument that I had with my neighbor was exasperating; we didn't agree at all, and she didn't make any sense.
3. 'Worth the wait' is the same as saying 'worth waiting for'.
a. The app for Android was worth the wait.
b. My mother's cooking is great, even if it takes a long time for a meal to be ready; it's worth the wait.
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If you can see the photo of the bee that I recently took in my garden, you will see that it is right in the middle of a big flower. It is sitting on its target(1), working to get the pollen and the nectar. Bees are determined(2) little creatures that always make me feel lazy when I compare myself to them. I assumed that there were a few different kinds of bees, but I had no idea that there are 20,000 different kinds. Some live in communities, and some live alone. Some produce honey by gathering nectar and pollen, and others spend their time stealing those two things, instead of getting their own. We get honey and beeswax from them, but, more importantly, they are the pollinators of the world. They actually have an electrostatic charge(3), which makes pollen stick to their furry bodies, so, as they go from flower to flower, they pollinate without even realising. As well as a furry body, they have a long proboscis which is like a tongue, and two pairs of wings. Not all bees sting. The honey bee will only do so if it is threatened, and the worker honey bee actually dies if it stings. Throughout history, the bee has been a symbol of industry and hard work. Some industrious(4) cities, such as Manchester in England, have adopted the bee as its city symbol. I have taught my children to never kill any bee; they are too valuable. Plus, for quite a few years they have been under threat due to loss of habitat, parasites, and pesticides. So, when we hear a "buzz, buzz", we shouldn't be scared, we should actually be pleased that a bee is near.
1. A 'target' is a point that is aimed at.
a. The hunter practiced shooting targets before he went hunting.
b. The advertisers of diapers target mothers.
2. 'Determined' is an adjective that describes a eprson as being focused and single minded.
a. That dog is determined to catch the cat; he won't give up until he does.
b. He was determined to win the marathon, so he trained for two years.
3. 'Electrostatic'. Here we can see 'electro' from 'electricity', and 'static'. We don't often use them together.
a. If you rub a balloon on your head, your hair will stick up with static electricity.
b. An electrostatic charge is an electric charge that doesn't move, or does so very slowly.
4. Industrious is a great word. You can see that it comes from the noun 'industry'. It can describe a person, and animal, a factory, a city, or even a country.
a. Manchester is known as being an industrious city because of its history of production and invention.
b. China is an industrious nation, determined and industrious.
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Have you ever seen a diamond made up of circles? Or a mosaic(1) made up(2) of straight lines? Art that is based on geometric shapes can be fascinating. In Seatac airport near Seattle, I discovered a picture that uses only geometric shapes. It actually wasn't a painting; it was a panel of lights, each one having a color and shape in front. The main shape was a diamond or a rhombus, made up of multiple lines. Each line was a different color, and made up of many circles. The combination of colors was very striking. But what I liked more than that was its imperfection. The lines were not perfectly straight. The circles had tiny shapes inside of them, sometimes triangles, sometimes stars, but these were irregular. The art work reminded me of a picture I have at home by an artist called Paul Klee. It's called Cityscape, and is made up of squares, rectangles, triangles, parallelograms(3), trapezoids(4), and one large circle, representing the sun. I don't know why I find the combination of shapes to be so beautiful; but it is. And again, the artist makes each shape irregular in color and form. They are more like shapes that you find in nature, soft, not so sharp. Well, waiting for my mother's plane to arrive was not boring at all, because I had this fascinating panel to stare at, and was very happy to do so.
1. A mosaic is a picture or pattern made by putting together tiny pieces of colored material.
a. The mosaic in the public spa is from the Roman era.
b. The students were making mosaics out of glass squares in their art class.
2. 'To be made up of' is the same as saying 'consists of', but the former is better to use when talking about something that has been fashioned like a piece of art.
a. The floor mosaic is made up of tile and glass.
b. Our reading club is made up of people from all over the world.
3. A parallelogram has four sides, with two sets of completely parallel lines.
a. A square is a kind of parallelogram.
b. If you think about it, a diamond is a rhombus, and a rhombus is a parallelogram.
4. A trapezoid has four sides, but only one pair of parallel lines.
a. I love that modern table design; it's a trapezoid which is unusual for a table.
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I have been in and out of the sporting goods store recently, as my children are all involved in sports. I had to get some soccer shoes for my daughter, and some shin pads(1), so we made another visit to the place. I don't particularly like to shop; I have to do it more than I would like to(2). My daughter, however, adores shopping. It's always a problem taking her to any clothes shop, as she sees many things that she loves and wants to have. I usually move around the shop as fast as I can, buy what I need, and leave, before she can fall in love with trousers, t-shirts, shoes, and hats. "What's the rush, mum?" she'll ask me. "I just have a lot to do at home, darling," will be my reply, as I drag(3) her out of the shop. When we went to get her shoes, though, I took my time, gazing(4) at the latest Nike soccer shoes. They were so attractive and impressive. Bright colors are in fashion now, on the soccer field, so I had to photograph a row of beautiful Nike shoes. The company has a knack for design; they've been in business since the '60's, and have grown to become a Fortune 500 company. Most highschoolers here in Wenatchee wear Nike everything to school; it gets expensive for the parents, but it's great for the shops that sell the clothes. Professional basketball, advertising, and music videos totally influence teenagers to buy Nike; it's a huge business. I must admit, that the clothes are good quality, and last quite a while. My oldest son, thankfully, is beginning to experiment with other clothes, less well-known brands, and is enjoying being more of an individual in the way he dresses. Thankfully that stage is over, but I can understand why teenagers find it hard to give up their Nike addiction.
1. 'Shin pads' are pads that protect the front part of your leg, in between your ankle and your knee. Your shin is a thin bone that can easily get kicked in soccer.
a. He had bruises all over his shin after the soccer match.
b. My shins really hurt; I think I've been running too hard.
2. 'I have to do it more than I would like to'. This sentence is in the grammar notes because of its ending. It is actually short for 'I have to do it more than I would like to do it.' We do not want to sound repetitive, so we miss off the 'do it'. It is also common to miss off the final 'to' of the verb.
a. I have to work more than I would like (to).
b. She has to clean more than she would like (to).
c. They have to study more than they would like (to).
3. 'To drag' is a verb that is similar to 'to pull' in meaning. However, it implies that the object being pulled is on the floor, and it is either heavy or unwilling to be pulled.
a. I had to drag the heavy bag of tools to the garage.
b. I had to drag the dog away from the neighbor's cat.
4. 'To gaze' is similar to 'to stare'. You gaze at something when it is beautiful or fascinating; it isn't a quick look. It's as if you cannot stop looking at it.
a. We gazed at the sculpture for at least 20 minutes.
b. The children gazed at the fireworks with their mouths open.
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