Sad Day

 

My daughter lost her little buddy today; she came home from school to discover that her pet rat, Sylvester, had passed away. Her other rat, Lucas, had to be euthanized this summer, so today was not a surprise. Despite it being expected, it didn't make it any easier to say good-bye. He was a good little rat and he will be remembered for his wiggling whiskers and how cute he was when he nibbled on Cheerios. 

Fall

Fall has hit Mackinac and it has been a delight. There is a chill in the air and the fall flowers are out. Fall on Mackinac, is by far, my absolute favorite season.

Pet Peeve

My youngest and I were in Mackinaw City recently and I noticed this business in the Mackinaw Crossings Mall. When I saw their signs, my heart sank. Not because I have a personal problem with psychics, tarot cards, or mysticism, but because I have an issue with people who don't have their signage proofread.

 

 Here's a close up of the windows:

I suppose it is possible that the owner did have the design proofread first, and the proofreader missed it. Either way, correctly using an apostrophe to form a possessive is introduced in second grade, revisited in third grade, and then should be mastered. Third grade!

Common Core State Standards

English Language Arts

Second Grade

(CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.2.C)

Use an apostrophe to form contractions and frequently occurring possessives.

Common Core State Standards

English Language Arts

Third Grade

(CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.2D)

Form and use possessives. 

So many adults make this mistake and I know it is taught and reviewed repeatedly. (Well, I know it is reviewed repeatedly in my school.) OK, I get it, people make mistakes, I do too; trust me - I do.

Here's a few more from around town:

The problem isn't with "Jose's." That is correct - Smokey Jose owns the place, so it should be possessive. But, what does the taco own? It should just be "tacos" plural (as in more than one taco,) instead of "taco's" possessive (as in the taco owns something,) or "taco's" contraction (as in "My taco's too hot!") That last one would be considered slang, but it would be OK in quoted dialogue. 

This one's not too bad:

Mary's and Michigan's are correct, but what do the HGTVs own? 

This one needs some serious help:

I see these errors everywhere!

When I find signs like these around town, I usually take pictures so I can show my students at school. We play "Spot the Mistake" since they are fifth and sixth graders and should be able to find them.

How about you? Do you have a pet peeve? (I hope it isn't people who silently correct the grammar of others!)

Inappropriate

I firmly believe we are all entitled to our own opinions. However, one's desire to share one's opinion does not give one the right to deface another's property. I highly doubt the owner of the gas station was the one who placed the "FEAR IS THE REAL VIRUS" sticker on the changing table. Of course, I could be be wrong - but I highly doubt it.

I have a problem with these, too:

Whether gas prices are Biden's fault or not, it is inappropriate for people to slap these stickers on gas pumps. (Unless, of course, they happen to own the gas station.) I'm guessing both of these people would be pretty upset if I were to show up at their house and place stickers on their front door or on their car. It seems incredibly rude and disrespectful to me. Just my two cents.

I'll step down from my soap box now...

A First

I was at Lake State University recently and I saw this. It was the fist time I've seen  free hygiene products. Have you seen these out and about?

Mackinac Challenge #17

One of the challenges of living on Mackinac Island is donating things to charity. My mom keeps a box at her house and as she finds things she no longer uses, she places them into the box. When it's full, she puts it in her car and drops it at one of the thrift shops in town (Goodwill, The Salvation Army, The Gold Mine or New Beginnings.) It's a snap for her to just drive up to the donation door and drop off the box while she is out and about running errands. 

For me, it isn't quite so easy. I have to get the box to the boat dock, which can be challenging when you are walking or riding a bike. And then I have to find the time to top in a day often filled to the brim with off Island appointments. So, generally the boxes just end up piled in the basement. This summer the pile hit critical mass; with 18 boxes (and bags) of unneeded stuff, it was time for it to go. 

We arranged for a dray to pick the boxes up and deliver them to the boat so I could drive down to donate them. The intake lady at New Beginnings smiled when I opened up the back of the van. "Is that all for donation?" she asked. She was a little worried that it was a bunch of leftovers from a garage sale at first, but as soon as I explained my situation she was happy to help me unload the car. I felt good as I drove away; it was a three way win: none of it went into a landfill, New Beginnings is a good cause, and it was finally out of my house. 

Long Did She Reign

In honor of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, I share one of my Grandma's favorite tea cups - from the Queen's coronation in 1953. 

I'd also like to share this photo of the Royal Yacht HMS Britannia as she carried Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip through the Straits of Mackinac in 1959. I wasn't on Mackinac at that time; the photo was taken by the then Director of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, Eugene Peterson. (Thanks to his daughter, Marta Olson, for sharing.)

Recently I have been reminded of the Queen's words: "When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future." Wise words from a strong and courageous woman. May she rest in peace...