“When another writer in another house is not free, no writer is free.”
Every year on November 15 PEN International launches its Day of the Imprisoned Writer campaign, highlighting the cases of writers around the globe who are imprisoned or facing prosecution and calling for urgent international action to release and protect them. Free speech and a free press are treasured features of any society, and writers often serve as the link between truth and lies.
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Today, Saturday November 5, marks my 59th birthday, and I have to gloat on myself! For the first time in a long while, I feel better than I have…in a long while! For one thing I don’t feel a day older than 57! And, even as I rapidly approach the seventh decade of my life, I’m determined never to get “old”.
I’ve had so much going on lately. The COVID-19 pandemic decimated both my burgeoning freelance writing career and what savings I’d amassed over the previous years. I’ve had trouble finding work, which I attribute in part to my age. Other stuff has gone awry. My truck is showing its age; the overhead garage door needs to be repaired; I need a new PC, CD player and DVD player. I’ve had ongoing plumbing problems. A job that was contract-to-hire (and that looked very promising) was pulled unexpectedly from me on Friday.
But my hair is still black; my face and body are in relatively good shape; I still enjoy writing and blogging; and – most importantly – I’m still alive! I woke up this morning…well, more like this afternoon.
I’m also happy to say I’ve achieved that coveted status of “Dirty Old Man”! Now I can emulate my dad and pretty much do and say whatever I want and not give a shit what people say about it! What a glorious state of being!
As someone who has suffered from chronic depression most of my life and alcoholism most of my adult years, I’m glad to know I’ve made it to another year of life. I haven’t given up on myself and neither should any of you! If someone as deranged as me can live this long, just about anything can happen!
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Events in the month of October for writers and readers
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I know I’m running late with this, but it’s Banned Books Week, the annual commemoration of free speech and free press. As always, some people feel they have the authority to determine what the rest of us can see and read. They start with the schools and libraries under the familiar guise of protecting the children, but the ultimate goal is to restrict literature and education.
All writers and bloggers should always stand up to any kind of censorship. Remember, no one – absolutely no one – has the right to select what you can and cannot read!
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“No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.”
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Events in the month of September for writers and readers
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Events in the month of August for writers and readers
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Notionate
[NO-shuh-nit]
Adjective
English, 19th century
Notional. Existing as or based on a suggestion, estimate, or theory; not existing in reality. Given to fanciful thinking or exaggerated imagination.
The term is a combination of the English word “notion,” from the Latin “nōtiō,” with the suffix “-ate,” with creates an adjective based on “notion.”
“Notionate” has been overtaken in English by its synonym “notional,” and exists today mainly as a regional expression in the Southern U.S., Northern Ireland, and in Scotland. In nearly all contexts, the term has been used to describe a state of exaggerated imagination. For example, a person describing their grandfather as “old-fashioned and notionate” might be implying that the man is very superstitious and believes in ghosts, elves, or other notionate creatures.
Example: My tendency towards notionate thinking as a kid helped me get through the difficulties of those years.
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Irrupt
[i-ˈrəpt]
Verb
Latin, 19th century
To enter suddenly or forcibly; to become suddenly active; referring to a natural population, to expand suddenly in numbers due to a change in the natural balance
Irrupt is very close in sound and meaning to erupt, though only irrupt can mean to enter a room uninvited.
Example: After recent Supreme Court decisions, I feel the number of concerned voters will irrupt into positive social change.
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Eunomy
[YOO-nə-mee]
Noun
Ancient Greek
Equal law, or a well-adjusted constitution of government.
This word comes from the ancient Greek “eu-,” meaning “well, good” and “-nomy,” rooted in the Greek “nómos,” meaning “law or custom.” The word “eunomy” can easily be mistaken for “euonym” because they are anagrams for each other. While the former means “equal law,” the latter is “a name well suited to the person, place, or thing named.” Both have the Greek suffix “eu-” that means “good.” The “-onym” in “euonym” is the Greek root for “name.”
Example: After the last few months, I’m no longer certain our government is a true eunomy.
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Chief Writing Wolf 