Tiffany ring or Tiffany-style ring? Yes, there is a difference, as Costco Membership Warehouse Club found out when they lost in court to Tiffany & Co., the jeweler made famous for inventing the four-prong setting showcasing jeweled stones. It seems the signage in the Costco stores did not use the phrase Tiffany-style rings to describe […]

Message punctuated as potential insult:  Him: When am I going to get to see you sexy? Notice the lack of a comma between you and sexy as well as not capitalizing Sexy implies one has seen her but that thus far she has not been sexy. See how this will limit your dating opportunity? Message […]

Given the nature of our family, we were a secretive bunch. It was necessary. As in war when loose lips sink ships, in our family free and easy conversation would always lead to physical beatings, deprivations, and prolonged mental torture, so we didn’t engage in it. I say this to explain why it was that I […]

Dear Netflix, From henceforward I promise never to watch any movie with a two-or-less star rating on Netflix.     The movie description said “A married man hears about the disappearance of his college lover.” Mystery! Yay. I love mysteries. Which will it be? She’s kidnapped and the police are asking for any information from the […]

I like to take books to my local Waffle House and read while I enjoy a leisurely breakfast. I must do it more often than I thought because when I showed up this morning, coffee was delivered before my butt was still cold from the seat as heat transfer had not yet occurred. That is to […]

I first met Charles Olaf Johnson, or Chuck as friends call him, at my writing critique group run by Jedwin Smith. Chuck was in his mid-seventies, but that didn’t stop him from flirting. I remember thinking, “Dang, Chuck, if you were younger…holy cow, I would be in trouble.” And he knew I was thinking that. Chuck was awesomely […]

I once knew a dynamic speaker who, just before he’d exit the stage, would insist that nobody clap for him. Instead, he’d say, spend the next two minutes in silence thinking about what I’ve said. After all, he’d continue, this vital and crucial information isn’t meant to bring honor and glory to me. No, no, […]