Marilyn's Photos - May 13 2026 - Tales of Chaucer

 

First year English in University included Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales.  I know why.  He is considered the "father of English literature" even though it is written in pre-English which is quaintly referred to Middle English (1150-1500AD). That means it is not as old as Old English (450-110AD).   One should start university with the start of English Literature...I guess.  If we started with something in Old English it is unrecognizable to modern speakers.  Middle English evolved through French influence so is closer to modern English. At the time, I was confused that we would study something that needed deciphering with much effort to even get the words translated.   I hadn't realized that Chaucer 's "words" have posed problems for a long time. A headline says a tiny typo may explain a mystery about Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" and "Troilus and Criseyde."   The article in Smithsonian Magazine about the "Typo" says this: “Lots of very smart people have torn their hair out over the spelling, punctuation, literal translation, meaning and context of a few lines of text,” James Wade, a literary scholar at the University of Cambridge..." His breakthrough is that he thinks there are typos when a sermon referring to Chaucer's The Song of Wade was scribed. In a study published in the journal The Review of English Studies, the researchers argue that the modern English translation of the poem from the sermon contains a typo.  This is described in the article HERE.   Much discussion continues... It brings back memories of "way back when" in University.   This picture was taken at Brock University's most recent addition - the Performing Arts Centre.  A Flaming Pear Filter to get the black and white effects. I added the saying.

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Marilyn's Photos - May 12 2926 - Stacey vs Becky

 

All these headlines each day - particularly the many wars - with events and up-to-the-minute updates.  Yet it seems to me that the most stories are about the  "incursion" of AI in our social lives. Today's story is how AI enhancements by Grok are transforming women's faces to appeal to the manosphere communities.  A "Stacey" denotes the most attractive tier of women with attributes that include big eyes, high cheekbones, low BMI, upturned nose and full lips.  Without those, a woman is an average "Becky".  Can you imagine the rest of us?   The story continues that there are two methods of modifying appearances - hardmaxxing is the term for medical procedures.  Softmaxxing is the term for makeup and grooming.   It seems to me that the one that is gaining most momentum is  a "tuned" appearance using an AI filter.  This means that the person never actually goes outside into the real world.  It is possible so I guess it is probable.    The Florida Dogwoods are starting to bloom in the garden.

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Marilyn's Photos - May 11 2026 - What's in a Font?

 

Sugar has come in the same paper bag with the Redpath name/logo since I can remember.  The Redpath logo is derived from originator John Redpath's own script.  It is Canada's oldest continuously used food product trademark.  Is there a font that is similar?  Calgary Script, Galanthia, Modern Symphony, Freehand and Vegan are identified as close alternatives. While I looked at them, I don't see the similarities and don't have the expertise to figure things out.  Another site says it is similar to Cooper Black.  A similar story is the Campbell's Soup script.  It isn't a font either, but it is hand engraved and is very similar to Joseph Campbell's own signature.  To get a "Campbell's Soup" effect, the Quincho Script is considered similar.  Spencerian is the Coca-Cola script.   It was custom-designed in 1885 based on the Spencerian script, a popular form of American handwriting in the late 19th century.   Want to know the scripts of all the major brands?  Here's the story HERE.  And the most famous font inventor?  Max Miedinger created Helvetica in 1957, achieving fame for what is considered the world's most-seen typeface.    This is Sugar Beach in Toronto.

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Mairlyn's Photos - May 10 2026 - Favourite Says

 

The New York Times has a free daily news summary.  On the weekends, it includes social topics.  You can join here:  Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox.  Today is Mother's Day sayings. ‘It’ll quilt out.’ Mom was a quilter, as am I. If there was a small mistake in a quilt project, once the final stitches were in and the project was washed, no one would ever see the problem. Most things just don’t have to be perfect. — Laura Falk, 57, St. Louis, Missouri ‘All people bring joy: some by coming, some by going!’ It’s such a lighthearted way to reframe interactions with difficult people. Always makes me laugh! — Michelle Pauk, 42, Franklin, Tennessee ‘少吃, 多滋味’ “Eat less, taste more.” At a time of scarcity of food during the war, mother used to say her motto to us at meal time. — Christa Shih, 92, New York City ‘Knock with your elbows.’ It meant show up at a friend’s place burdened with contributions for the party. — Natalie Serber, 64, Portland, Oregon ‘Better to wear out than rust out.’ Having had polio, my mother’s inclination was toward motion, in which she often was a blur. She could best her three daughters in sports and accomplish more in a day than all of us combined. — Catherine R. Seeley, 78, Easton, Maryland ‘A man riding by on a fast horse would never notice.’ She used to say this whenever I complained that something wasn’t perfect. It taught me to always remember that “good enough” is good enough. — Susan Moxon, 81, San Diego, California ‘Tout passe et tout s’efface, sauf les souvenirs.’ “Everything passes and everything fades away, except memories.” I find myself using my Haitian mom’s saying whenever someone frets over something of little importance. — Babette Wainwright, 73, Madison, Wisconsin ‘Don’t push the river.’ Now I say this to friends — stop striving and forcing outcomes, trust the natural flow of life, let go and stay present. — Julie Merrick, 56, Olympia, Washington ‘Sing out, Louise!’ To my mom, this line from the musical “Gypsy” meant always let your presence be known. Make a choice, be specific and carpe diem. “Curtain up, light the lights!” — Jonathan Cobrda, 35, New York City ‘Never pass up an opportunity to pee.’ It’s very true, especially on road trips, but it also has a deeper meaning in my life: Take care of something when you get the chance. — Cari Stoltz, 42, Richland Center, Wisconsin ‘I’m in your pocket.’ Mom always said this to me, and it made me feel safe. Now that she is gone, I hear her in my mind’s ear and know she is still always with me. — Julie Lewis, 70, Providence, Rhode Island Here's a favourite Mother's Day card.

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Marilyn's Photos - May 9 2026 - Retro Parenting

 

Parent like it's: 1950s, 1970s and 1990s - here is what they  have in common: Free-range play Home-cooked meals Reading aloud Gardening together Board game nights Handmade crafts Family storytelling Picnic outings Neighbourhood gatherings Nature walks Traditional celebrations Looks good to me, but then what is different today?  One article says that play has evolved from free-range to finely-tuned - parents driving all over the place picking up children from highly organized, time-defined activities does seem to be the norm now. We know what's happened to home cooked meals by walking up the middle aisles of a grocery store. And search for home-cooked meals and you will find that they can be delivered directly to your home. Some of these others seem suspect: who gardened together in the past - children had garden chores.   As I look at that list a bit more, these things seem like a hundred years ago.  Picnic outings, for example.  What does a picnic look like today?  AI has an answer for me - a blend of rustic charm and modern aesthetics. There is only one page of picnic articles, including the information that Picnic day is in March, an odd time of year for a picnic.   Then the "picnic" topic turns to what Prince Archie looks like now, Steven Kwan's future, what the iPhone 18 Pro looks like and May Day Italy 2026.  Picnics are not much of a 2026 activity.  What if this is one of those filler ideas that is fun to read? It does have a nostalgic sense for those of us who were children in that nuclear family of the 1950s to the 1970s.  A little nostalgia has made its way into the retro parenting topic.    I have three bee houses for native bees.  I put one of them on the top shelf of the potting bench to keep it out of the rain.  I now share the potting bench with the bees who come and go.  These aren't honey bees who have a hive to defend and would sting.  Our native stinging bee - the bumble bee - is too big to fit into any of the holes.

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