Words
I'm not certain how my interest in words---written and spoken---began, but I've always had an appetite for them.
![](Words_files/Weasel-Words-Wordle.jpg)
Perhaps this was a compensating factor for my lack of physical weapons. My body is good enough for everyday use, but in an emergency, it ain't much help. Words have always been my go-to when in trouble.
I recall my first real challenge by a bully kid on the playground in the fifth grade. I must have done something to offend him because he wanted to meet me after school to whip my butt. Quickly a rather large crowd of classmates gathered around us. There is nothing to match a schoolyard fight for attracting an attentive audience. I recall laughing at his offer and flatly declined it indicating that it was quite silly. My want-to-be adversary seemed confused---saved by my words.
At the time of this incident, I was more interested in reading at the nearby library than having my body parts abused adjacent to it.
The elementary school didn't have a library, but the city fathers in their wisdom had recently built a nice library within the same block as the school which meant I could go there after school while waiting on my mom to pick me up. It was a marvelous place in which I could wander and examine without supervision and…take books from there home with me. Thanks, Benjamin Franklin.
I wasn't much on the children's books. The adult books were the ones for me.
![](Words_files/th-348.jpg)
![](Words_files/th-349.jpg)
By the time I was in high school, I was reading a lot…a lot. The high school had a library; Huxley and Rand were two of my favorites.
I had an erudite friend who would often use polysyllable words when speaking with me. I largely suspect that he learned them from his father who also seemed erudite. Rather than pretend I understood his words, I would stop him and ask the meaning of them. Never miss a chance to place another arrow in your quiver.
Also, while in high school, I accidentally acquired a wonderful speech teacher. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was darned good at her chosen profession. That's where I learned that the spoken language was a wonderful way to make people laugh and a powerful way to change their minds. My specialty at speech contests we attended was after dinner speaking. Yeah, it was different times.
![](Words_files/th-350.jpg)
In college, LSU, my interest in fiction picked up with Hemingway, Faulkner, and Fitzgerald. I finally had to pick a major: philosophy or English---English, more opportunities to learn about more aspects of the world…maybe even more words.
In the service, my reading never ceased. Drinking and reading were my primary diversions.
After the service, I accidentally became a high school English teacher. It seemed to suit me, and not being around old friends, there was no pressure for me to choose a more elevated occupation. Teaching was a wonderful learning experience for me. Thirty-five years later, I retired.
![](Words_files/BookCoverImage.jpg)
Linda and I compliment each other. She can spell the fleas off a dog; whereas, I can tell her what kind of flea each is. Handy for both of us.
This is my only book: it was seventy-five years in the making. It's a hodge-podge of thoughts on words, literature, writing, and speaking. Damn, that sounds boring. Being that I'm a born again capitalists, I urge you to go to Amazon to purchase a copy for yourself, your mom or dad, your uncles and aunts, or just a friend. I hope you enjoy reading my essays as much as I enjoyed writing them.
enough
Words
I'm not certain how my interest in words---written and spoken---began, but I've always had an appetite for them.
![](Words_files/Weasel-Words-Wordle_1.jpg)
Perhaps this was a compensating factor for my lack of physical weapons. My body is good enough for everyday use, but in an emergency, it ain't much help. Words have always been my go-to when in trouble.
I recall my first real challenge by a bully kid on the playground in the fifth grade. I must have done something to offend him because he wanted to meet me after school to whip my butt. Quickly a rather large crowd of classmates gathered around us. There is nothing to match a schoolyard fight for attracting an attentive audience. I recall laughing at his offer and flatly declined it indicating that it was quite silly. My want-to-be adversary seemed confused---saved by my words.
At the time of this incident, I was more interested in reading at the nearby library than having my body parts abused adjacent to it.
The elementary school didn't have a library, but the city fathers in their wisdom had recently built a nice library within the same block as the school which meant I could go there after school while waiting on my mom to pick me up. It was a marvelous place in which I could wander and examine without supervision and…take books from there home with me. Thanks, Benjamin Franklin.
I wasn't much on the children's books. The adult books were the ones for me.
![](Words_files/th-348_1.jpg)
![](Words_files/th-349_1.jpg)
By the time I was in high school, I was reading a lot…a lot. The high school had a library; Huxley and Rand were two of my favorites.
I had an erudite friend who would often use polysyllable words when speaking with me. I largely suspect that he learned them from his father who also seemed erudite. Rather than pretend I understood his words, I would stop him and ask the meaning of them. Never miss a chance to place another arrow in your quiver.
Also, while in high school, I accidentally acquired a wonderful speech teacher. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was darned good at her chosen profession. That's where I learned that the spoken language was a wonderful way to make people laugh and a powerful way to change their minds. My specialty at speech contests we attended was after dinner speaking. Yeah, it was different times.
![](Words_files/th-350_1.jpg)
In college, LSU, my interest in fiction picked up with Hemingway, Faulkner, and Fitzgerald. I finally had to pick a major: philosophy or English---English, more opportunities to learn about more aspects of the world…maybe even more words.
In the service, my reading never ceased. Drinking and reading were my primary diversions.
After the service, I accidentally became a high school English teacher. It seemed to suit me, and not being around old friends, there was no pressure for me to choose a more elevated occupation. Teaching was a wonderful learning experience for me. Thirty-five years later, I retired.
![](Words_files/BookCoverImage_1.jpg)
Linda and I compliment each other. She can spell the fleas off a dog; whereas, I can tell her what kind of flea each is. Handy for both of us.
This is my only book: it was seventy-five years in the making. It's a hodge-podge of thoughts on words, literature, writing, and speaking. Damn, that sounds boring. Being that I'm a born again capitalists, I urge you to go to Amazon to purchase a copy for yourself, your mom or dad, your uncles and aunts, or just a friend. I hope you enjoy reading my essays as much as I enjoyed writing them.
enough