Pippa Passes and So Do We

Pippa Passes, by Robert Browning Mamacita says: Welcome to my TEDTalk. Something Joe Trester wrote a few days ago has stayed with me. People, we never know what kind of influence we have on others whose existence we barely know about. Robert … Continue reading

The Thanksgiving Cornucopia, or Horn of Plenty

Mamacita says: The cornucopia, or horn of plenty, has such a wide, fascinating, and diverse history that you’ll just have to look it up for yourselves, because there’s not enough room here. I do love words, expressions, traditions, etc, that … Continue reading

Histories: RUN AWAY!

Mamacita says:  I tell my students that words have histories, just as people do, and, just like people, some words have more complicated and even interesting and often disturbing histories than others. Our histories shape us, but sometimes the shaping … Continue reading

Rock and Pop and Goats and Ducks, Oh My

Mamacita says:  I like modern rock and modern pop, I really do. But I just heard a song on Spotify. At least, it was being marketed as a song. And I suppose the artist is being marketed as a singer, … Continue reading

It’s only words, and words are all I have, to take your heart away. . . .*

Why not go out on a limb? Isn’t that where the fruit is?” –Frank I’ve always liked that quotation. I also believe it is absolutely true. I think about it whenever I’m feeling particularly cowardly. It helps me overcome it. … Continue reading

I Love Little Pussy

Mamacita says:  People with tiny, limited vocabularies scare me. I am positive that these are the people who melt down in public and starting stabbing everyone within reach. It’s a fact that the person who throws the first punch generally … Continue reading