"To be, or not to be. That is not the question. The question is, what time is it?" ~ Unattributed

It's Monday, July 18, 2016, greetings from your newly recognized wordsmith. Someone on Facebook recommended a vocabulary test. I am interested in words, therefore, against my standing objection to those kinds of silly endeavors, I participated in the test. It was easy at the beginning but got more and more difficult as time went by. Here's the assessment, according to that computer grader in the sky: "You scored in the Top 0.16%. You are Shakespeare! You can even create new words that will expand the English dictionary." How is one to interpret such an illustrious declaration? I'm not expecting to have the Queen lay a sword on my shoulder anytime soon. I did hear that Starbucks was getting ready to implement a significant price increase on its coffee products. This means I can print out my Shakespearean accolade, present it to a local Starbucks Barista, and with a $5 bill, I can maybe get a thimble-sized sample. I will not be doing that because I am not one of their customers. That may be a Class A Misdemeanor in today's world, but I don't go there for one reason. I don't care for their coffee. Not at all. They do have some double bold something that you might be able to get by with in a desperate situation, but, to me, the rest of it tastes mostly like the cardboard they make their cups out of. Just me. Not you. It's best to follow the 'don't ask, don't tell' rule when asking me about my coffee. Just so you know. In honor of the occasion, here's a little ditty I found on a blog called 'Shakespeare Geek': "Knock, Knock. Who’s there? Julius Caesar. Julius Caesar who? Julius, seize her! She’s the one who stole my wallet!"

I agree. If my vocabulary is that good, why doesn't it show up in my writing? While that is a good question, it more or less answers itself. Vocabulary and writing are two different things. Entirely. I've known people who could sound like a dictionary, but, putting together anything worth hearing or reading, was not something that came that easy to them. When it comes to what I do each time I sit down at the blogger utility, it's like that old song lyric, "Lord, I was born a ramblin' man Trying to make a living and doing the best I can." (1973, the Allman Brothers Band, 'Ramblin Man') I do a lot of rambling around and on most days I can attest to the fact that I am doing the best I can. But, it is in the eye of the beholder. That would be the reader. You. I'm accustomed to some critical review. When we are preparing to leave the house, literally on our way out the door, I often get this question, "Are you planning on wearing that?" Or maybe it can be more subtle. "What exactly prompted you to start wearing suspenders?" There are times when the point just has to be made, "I hope you don't think those go together?" I don't mind her comments. Much. I know she wants me to look my best. Wait just a minute. I think she gave up on that one a long time ago. She just wants me to be presentable. She also knows that I do need all the help I can get. There's always room for improvement. Are white socks with sandals really no longer thought to be cool? I must say I did not get that memo.

You do know I'm kidding. I hope she knows I am kidding. Supper is very important to me. Hopefully, a little poetic license taken will not interfere with our regular routine. Some days I do flail around more than I like and that may be responsible for stuff that ordinarily wouldn't see the light of day. I'm not as clear on the differences between a brain-freeze and a brain-fog, but, I'm fairly certain that I have experienced both of them on more than one occasion. Maybe both at the same time. That could account for some of it. I'll try to do a little research and find out if those have some bearing on the situation. Sometimes when I write something that may be on the edge, I get this question, "Have you lost your ever loving mind?" "What were you thinking?" That is when I would be forced to use the 'call a friend' option. I'm still just messing around. I did hear that one a lot growing up. From my mom and my grandfather, "Stop messing around and get back to work." I can see that I am getting nowhere fast, therefore, I will leave off for today with hopes of something better for tomorrow. Maybe it would be a good time to ask everyone for some good vibes to be sent my way. That's right. I previously made it clear that I don't believe in such nonsense. Forget that one. We will just wait and see. Until then, may God bless each one is my prayer. Amen. ....More later.