TIP TUESDAY: SOME LOVERLY PUNCTUATION

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

I reread I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb recently. HBO made the book into a mini-series. It was okay, but it made me long for the book.

As I was reading, I noticed some well-punctuated sentences. I wish I had marked all the pages with a Post-It note because now I can't find all of them. I have a couple to share with you, though:

"I know you had a bad . . . sometimes some of the guards here can get a little . . . well, he's okay."

Notice, please, the three spaced periods that start and finish the section of the sentence where the speaker kind of trails off but then gets back to the sentence.

Chicago approves, as do I. 

"The codeine was either working or it wasn't working––I wasn't sure. I was still sore down there below the belt, but it was like, who gives a shit? Which I guess meant that it was working. . . . "

We need to talk about the em dash in the second sentence. As you can see, no spaces are used before and after, which is correct, according to Chicago. However, some publishing houses have their own style sheet and that might include a space before and after the em dash.

I also want you to take a look at the FOUR, count 'em, FOUR periods at the end of the sentence. The sentence trails off and the speaker doesn't continue with his thought, so it's not three periods. It's four, as in a period and three spaced periods. I learned long ago that it should be four spaced periods, but apparently this publisher prefers no space at the end of the sentence, which makes sense to me. 

Chicago agrees with the period and then the three spaced periods, so there we go. 

Did we all learn something?

I did.


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug

You learn it, Chester.

NESSUN DORMA . . . ALLA CORONA

 Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

I'm sorry I haven't been around. I've had lots of shit stuff going on.

I hope you haven't seen this video yet. My friend Ann posted it on Facebook. I thought it was so good that I want to introduce you to its writer and creator and singer and everything else good in the world: Daniel Emmet.

I'll be back!


Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug

P.S. Nessun Dorma means "let no one sleep."

MOVIE WEEKEND: JOJO RABBIT

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

A few days ago I watched the DVD of what I now consider to be the best movie of last year: Jojo Rabbit (PG-13, available on DVD, rent on Amazon Prime for 5.99, on Aug. 1 will be on HBO).

Favorite Young Man saw Jojo Rabbit in a theater right after it came out and he loved it. Said it was hilarious.

FYM and I usually like the same movies, so although the premise of the film sounded nuts, I watched it, hoping for a good laugh and wondering if it was worthy of its nomination for The Academy Award for Best Motion Picture of the Year. Scarlett Johansson, who plays Jojo's mother Rosie, was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress.

Jojo Rabbit is indeed worthy of its many nominations and awards. I laughed, but Jojo also has some poignant moments.

Young Jojo (Roman Griffin Davis) carries on in Germany with his mom during World War II. Jojo is excited to join the Hitler Youth. Jojo is also a sensitive little boy who is often frightened. He relies on his imaginary friend––Adolf Hitler (Taika Waititi, who also directed)––to  advise him and share his adventures.

But Jojo comes upon a piece of information and doesn't know what to do about it. His mother is hiding a Jewish girl (Thomasin McKenzie) in their house. Will Jojo share the secret of the girl in the attic with the Hitler Youth or its idiot leader, Captain Klenzendorf (Sam Rockwell)?

I'm concerned that some of you will say I could never watch a movie with Adolf Hitler as a funny character. You have to keep in mind that this movie is a satire. It has plot points that are relevant in our current political climate.

I hope you'll give Jojo Rabbit a chance.

Adolf Hitler to Jojo: Sure, you're a little bit scrawny and a bit unpopular and you can't tie your shoelaces even though you're ten years old. But you're still the bestest, most loyal little Nazi I've ever met. Not to mention the fact you're really good-looking.


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug

WHEN TRUMP WENT TO TULSA

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

My back is better. I'm off the muscle relaxers but still using the heating pad.

I admit I enjoyed the empty seats in Tulsa on Saturday night.

His Trumpness bragged that tickets went to one million people--an absurdity since the venue couldn't hold nearly that many people.  According to forbes.com, about 62,000 people were there. Or maybe it was 6,200. Or 620. I didn't see any masks or social distancing efforts in spite of the empty seats. I will take no pleasure in the number of people who test positive for the virus.

When all the lying was done, Trump looked deflated. I think someone stuck a big pin in his belly and let some of the air out.

I like that look on him.


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug

ARRRRRRGH MY BACK!

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to check on your Lake Junebug reservations. The day that the post appeared about the glories of a Junebug vacation, I bent over to pick up Lappie, and WHAP! PAIN! Terrible pain in my lower back. Carol! Help! ARRRRRRRGH!

Carol came running to smack me in the head hard enough that I wouldn't notice how much my back hurt.

It didn't help.

My doctor said it's a pulled muscle. I'm on muscle relaxers, but I'm not quite as relaxed as I would like to be. It gets better every day, though.

Be patient with me and I'll get my castle on Lake Junebug ready for visitors.


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug


Look at this doggy who wants to show off his teddy bear:

ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS NOW

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

Thanks to a few days of heavy rain, I invite you to make your reservations at

The Lake Junebug Resort & Rumpus Room

The lake has the most water it's held in quite some time, but it's strictly BYOC (bring your own canoe).

You'll enjoy the view from the deck:

Don't you just love the way the sun sparkles on the water?

The gas grill has totally rusted through, but if you want a gourmet burger, I can slap it on the George Foreman.

The water runs all the way up the driveway to the garage, so for the little ones who aren't yet swimmers, they have plenty of splashing room.

Don't worry about COVID-19. You're more likely to get diphtheria here . . . hahaha  ha.

The Rumpus Room is a brand-spanking-new added attraction. It's under the house and can be added to your vacation package for only a few hundred dollars. It's a great place to play "Let's throw darts at the rats."

For those of you who are crafters, take a look at this deck:

Think of all the fun you can have repairing  decorating and staining it. For a small fee, you can take a rotten commemorative board home with you.

Who doesn't want to visit the land of the Junebug? Franklin will allow you to pet him; Penelope will curse at you; Carol will preach a great sermon on Sunday mornings; and as always, mispronounce one of my favorite words and I'll edumacate you to within an inch of your life.

Call soon or leave your comment letting me know when you'll arrive and how many of you I can expect.

I think we're gonna have a full house.


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug

SO HOW DO YOU LIKE HAVING THE KIDS AT HOME 24/7?

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

I finished my taxes today. I have a headache.

How is having the kids at home working out for those of you who have children, or grandchildren whose parents work and the kids can't go to preschool or daycare?

I love this video of an Israeli mom ranting about home schooling. She's more than a little frustrated, as I would probably be if I went 30 years back in time when the oxymorons were youngsters.


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug

And a bonus funny:

I'd be the teacher drinking on the job.