31 Comments
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Debbie Bolduc's avatar

It’s so nice to read something of substance! I think many post things just to participate. I’m like you with the dumbing down of grammar. The first thing that bothered me, (don’t know why) was when we were told you only need to put one space after a period. Isn’t that petty of me? Then when people started writing in all lowercase letters! What?! Not to mention writing words in shortcuts like “ur”for “your”. It still catches my attention when some spells “your” instead of you’re inaccurately. I feel like they are uneducated. (I know that is judgemental of me.) 😬

What about no more cursive writing?!! How will future generations read the original Constitution?!

Oh well, I guess we go on being ourselves as we were educated. I’m not giving in to these restylings of the English language and grammar. I just can’t. I love accuracy.

I loved reading what you had to say!

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Jan Stoneburner's avatar

Debbie ~ I got my graduate thesis back 5 times because I didn't follow the new APA style book closely enough. I left too much space after the period!!! Definitely hard to keep up. My daughter asked me to write comments on her 6th graders' compositions as a form of encouragement. I spent a lot of time on them. Guess what? They couldn't read the comments because I wrote in cursive. Gees! As Bob Dylan sang, "Times Are A Changin."

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Debbie Bolduc's avatar

It’s kind of funny!

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Cathey Cone's avatar

I had a reader actually thank me for leaving two spaces between sentences. Of course, he was my age. Lol!

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Lucy Bernas's avatar

I love reading your blog and I need to use proper grammar as I am lacking of .

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Jan Stoneburner's avatar

Thanks, Lucy! Just keep writing; I love your content. xoxo

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Cathey Cone's avatar

Oh believe me, I cringe so often when I read what I encounter these days. To me it's all about how to "speed up" writing. Leave out those periods, spaces, apostrophes because they just take up too much time. I can't do it. I'm rebelling against the change. I will be old school for the rest of my writing days!

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Jan Stoneburner's avatar

Cathey ~ I'm worried about myself. I'm getting too lazy. My text messages are starting to look like a sixteen-year-old's -- no capitals & my own sentence structure. Yikes! Grammar lovers need to unite to keep us strong. Cheers!

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Cathey Cone's avatar

Haha! I will NOT comply to these new sloppy rules. However......Twitter needs an edit button. And texting is just...... well some of mine could go into those meme things about funny texts from mom.

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Irene Kigais's avatar

Everything you write is always so fun to read !! Love your blog!!🙏😊💗

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Jan Stoneburner's avatar

Thanks, Irene! You're a keeper! xoxo

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Linda Lubitz's avatar

Irene, you are so right, Jan’s writings are fun to read!

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Janice Walton's avatar

Delightful! Yes, I have trouble with change and my life has had too many to count the past six years. It seems like everything I believed in, most of the values I held, and my life roles have done a 180.

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Jan Stoneburner's avatar

Oh, I get it, Janice ~ I haven't loss my husband like you, but I can see my values being lost in society. Hard to accept people's lack of respect for hard work & excellence, nonchalance attitudes about cheating & lying and total acceptance of drug use. We just have to stand strong in what we believe I guess. xoxo

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Angela Oliveira's avatar

Your texts are wonderful and I laugh, some laughs are silent and embarrassed, because I am not native in English, so I must make a lot of grammatical mistakes, but I know you will forgive!

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Jan Stoneburner's avatar

Thanks for reading them, Angela! Don't ever apologize for grammar errors. I put my red pen away years ago. I admire you so much for communicating in a second language. Most of us in the US have trouble with ONE. xoxo

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Angela Oliveira's avatar

Lucky for me you kept your red pen lol

Joking apart

Thank you for creating this community to reflect on important topics but with lightness and humor.

I love your texts, they are fun, so the pleasure is mine!

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Elizabeth de Pancorvo's avatar

I was thinking how many things have changed over the years and which ones we have adapted to. It's definitely good to read something well written. I'm still resisting that change.

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Jan Stoneburner's avatar

Hi Elizabeth ~ I remember doing a demonstration in my classroom involving all the different things I've used in my life to play music. Oh, how those have evolved. The kids laughed. Life goes on... pulling as along. hee hee! xoxo

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Elizabeth de Pancorvo's avatar

They can´t believe that televisions were black and white 🤣🤣🤣. Hugs

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Anne Wooten's avatar

Jan, I like the Pepto Bismol narrative. Wow, it is harder to embrace change as we age. I know it is for me. When I was young, I was never one for creative writing, but grammar, etc., I would have been the editor, etc. How things have changed in grammar, punctuation, etc., since we were in school. Some of it I just don't understand or get. Some of which I just don't want. Well, hats off to Pepto Bismol as you say, I guess I'll embrace the change/challenge! Take care and I always enjoy what you write.

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Jan Stoneburner's avatar

Thanks, Anne! Feels like a copout sometimes, but I just adapt to the ages of my audiences now. Being able to adapt -- the key to survival, right? I can't image what I'd do if I were still teaching. There would probably be a mutiny. ha ha! Cheers!

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Rita Waters's avatar

I agree with Irene. You always make me laugh and bring tears to my eyes. I always find something I can share with my husband and make him laugh as well. This time it was your reply to Susie about your mum on the golf course! Sorry for my “mum” I’m English. Did I do that right?😂❤️🙏🏻

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Jan Stoneburner's avatar

Thanks, Rita! I absolutely love knowing you share this with your husband. xoxo

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Linda Lubitz's avatar

Jan, enjoyed this writing, a fun take on addressing changes in society. Thanks for sharing!

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Jan Stoneburner's avatar

Thanks, Linda! That's the idea: looking for fun in aging. Life is good! Have a great day. xoxo

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Teresa Montgomery's avatar

Just saw a thing on Twitter where young people think that older people are having a go at them when they use an emoji "thumbs up" Always thought Thumbs up meant good on you or your ok. But then I am old. Hope I haven't offended anyone by using that emoji.

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Shari McIntyre's avatar

Before I write my next blog I’ll make sure my friend proof reads it. I’m horrible at putting periods and commas down. I was bad at when I was younger and even in to adulthood. I have a little bit of an issue with change. The biggest problem is how the world is changing and how we need to believe everything that’s is said in the media. So do I have trouble with change yep just a little.

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Tricia Thornton's avatar

I love this Jan! How did I miss you were an English teacher! I may have to call upon you soon! I’ll send you a message. The freedom to let go of that control must be quite hard though.

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Jan Kieser's avatar

Jan, I just love your writing! I have a hard time with losing the extra space after a sentence. And the new lingo drives me nuts. The word prolly sends me into a tailspin. Keep up the great posts! ❤️❤️❤️

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Oct 12, 2022
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Jan Stoneburner's avatar

Yes, as my mom used to say (when I was complaining on the golf course) "At least we're on this side of the grass!" Ha! Have a great day, Susie! And thanks for reading my blog. xoxo

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