Monday Muddle: rein, reign, rain

Monday Muddle
Monday Muddle: rein: (noun) a long, narrow strap typically used in the plural to guide a horse and metaphorically used to guide people or situations; (verb) to guide; to keep under control (used with adverbs like in and back) Part of the expression “free rein”. reign: (noun) the period in which someone holds power; (verb) to rule as king, queen, or other authority figure NOT part of the expression “free rein”. rain: (noun) condensed atmospheric moisture; (verb) to precipitate said moisture NOT part of the expression “free rein”.

The expression “free rein” originated with horsemanship, and literally meant that the horse was free from the control of the reins. Use in broader senses followed. “Free reign” became a common substitution, I expect because people weren’t familiar with horsemanship. I’m not sure what “free reign” would really mean. I don’t think royalty pays for the privilege of ruling a kingdom. “Free rain”, well, I think rain is free for everyone.

“To rein in” means to subdue or to control or to limit. “To reign in” would be followed by a place where royals reside and hold power. “To rain in” might be used in a weather report if you are about to say, for example, that precipitation is beginning in a particular place. It is beginning to rain in London.

“To take over the reins” means to take over the leadership of something, but not necessarily the royal throne. “To take over the reigns” would require more than one royal to die or abdicate and leave an empty throne to be filled. “To take over the rains”—I don’t think that’s a thing.

Tuesday Two

Tuesday Two

Write a story with only two sentences. Use the photo for inspiration if you wish.

Photo by Anders Jildén on Unsplash.

Balconies outside of a building made of steel that looks like it has been folded. The angle of the shot makes it all look very disorganized.

Monday Muddle: cheque, check

Monday Muddle
Monday Muddle: cheque: (British English)(noun) a written order to a bank to pay a specified sum of money to a specified person check: (American English)(noun) a written order to a bank to pay a specified sum of money to a specified person check: (both BE and AE)(noun) a test or examination for quality or accuracy; a stop to progress; control or restraint; a chess move; (verb) to test or examine for quality or accuracy; to verify; to stop or slow progress; to mark an item or a form ✅

If you are American, or if you use some sort of electronic payment system, you may never have to worry about “cheque”. But it’s still good for you to know in case you see it in someone else’s writing.

A Personal Note

Occasions
A Personal Note See caption.

Hello friends.
For the next two weeks, I will have unpredictable and unreliable Internet service. All of my regular posts will be scheduled in advance, but it might take a little longer for me to reply to comments and messages. Please know, I haven’t forgotten you, and I’m not ignoring you. I’m just in the land that technology forgot, visiting my parents for the first time in over two years. I should be back to regular programming on October 20.

Thursday Thought #SourceDisputed

Thursday Thought
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. ~Source Disputed
An orange t-shirt with the logo of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. "Honour The Day" is written in bold black letters on the bottom.

I wouldn’t ordinarily share a quotation that has a disputed source, but this message is important. Those who are being treated unjustly need those of us who believe in justice to stand with them. They need us to show up.

If you are white, but you believe justice shouldn’t be based on skin colour, I invite you to follow From Privilege to Progress (@privtoprog) on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter; Anti-Racism Daily (@ardtakeaction) on Facebook and Instagram; and Black History for White People on Instagram (@blackhistoryforwhitepeople) or Twitter (@BHforWP). I also invite you to share in the comments any other accounts that believe in equality and justice.

Also, today in Canada is the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It’s not just a name; it’s what we should be striving for. It’s time to acknowledge, and apologize for, the atrocities of the past and work towards a better future.

Thank you to APTN News (@aptn_ca on Instagram, @APTNNews on Facebook and Twitter) for the orange shirt image. If you would like a copy of this image to post in your window, you can find it at honourtheday.ca

Orange Shirt Day was started by Phyllis Webstad as a representation of all that was taken from her when she was sent to a residential school. Once the day became more well-known, large corporations started stocking orange shirts to the point that it is now difficult for Indigenous designers to get any. What once supported residential school survivors now mostly supports big chain stores. Please think about who is getting the money from your orange shirt purchase. If you have to make the choice between wearing an orange shirt and actually supporting Indigenous people, please support the Indigenous community in whatever way you can.