Diary of a Word Nerd

Yosemite: Travel Tips and Info

Posted on August 17, 2016 by Julia Tomiak / 8 Comments

Hello, Word Nerds! I’m sorry I’ve been gone for so long, but I had a fabulous summer traveling and spending time with the kids, and I hope to share some things I learned in the weeks to come. For starters, I’m highlighting my trip to the amazing Yosemite National Park.

The Origin of “Yosemite”

The name of this famous park has an interesting history that I’d like to explore in honor of Wondrous Words Wednesday. If you like to learn about words, visit Bermuda Onion for the Wondrous Words Wednesday meme, where bloggers share new words they’ve learned from reading.

Yosemite is filled with amazing natural beauty, so you might think its name means “beautiful” or “impressive”. Nope. In the Indian language of Miwok, Yosemite means “those who kill”. The Miwok people who lived near the Yosemite Valley used this name to describe the fearsome tribe of renegades who lived in the valley under the rule of Chief Tenaya.

Tenaya’s people called the Valley Awooni or Owwoni for (gaping) “large mouth.” This is an excellent description of the Valley, which is walled in on each side by breathtaking and enormous rock formations.

Yosemite Falls, as viewed from the Valley floor

If the people who lived in the Valley actually called it Awooni, why do we call it Yosemite today? L.H. Bunnell named the Valley in 1851, following a common practice of European settlers to ignore Indian place names. Bunnell was part of the Mariposa Battalion, a group of local miners who joined ranks to defend themselves against Indian raids. Bunnell named the area after the Indian tribe the battalion captured and drove out of the Valley.

More info at Origin of the Word Yosemite.

The view down Nevada Fall. “Don’t drop the camera, Mom!”

If you’ve never been to Yosemite, I highly recommend it. The views are gorgeous, and you can find easy hikes or very challenging ones. The hike to the top of Nevada Fall took us up to 9600 feet. My legs shook while I took the shot above.

Everything at Yosemite is huge, making you feel small and bringing life in general into perspective. It’s a great destination for a family trip, with long hours to bond while hiking, chatting, and sharing PB&J sandwiches.

Yosemite Travel Tips

Stay inside of the park. We rented a VRBO cabin in Wawona, about a 30 minute drive from the Valley, and avoided huge lines of traffic at the gates.
Get up and out early, again to avoid the congestion and the heat.

Biking is a great way to explore the Valley

Rent a bike to explore the Valley floor. The price was reasonable, although the bikes were cruisers with coaster brakes. (I was jealous of the tourists with mountain bikes.) We pedaled past great views of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome and covered much more ground than we could have on foot.
A great hike: the Mist Trail. If you make it to the top, you’ll see two fantastic waterfalls. You’ll also climb over 600 steps. *feel the burn*
Intersperse hiking trips with less strenuous activities, like horseback riding or hanging out in a river.
Make the hour drive out to Toulunme Meadows. You’ll be treated to gorgeous views of the Sierras and Alpine Lakes, especially if you do the Cathedral Lakes hike.

We were at 10,000 feet for this shot of one of the Cathedral Lakes

Travel with experienced hikers and backpackers. Our friends Kate and Aaron came prepared with mosquito netting, plenty of water bottles and backpacks, and tons of general hiking knowledge, like how to prepare for using the bathroom in the wilderness. (You’ll need a small roll of TP and an extra zip lock to “pack out” any used paper. )
Pack “lip goop” and lotion. Our east coast skin wasn’t used to the California dryness. And be ready to breathe some dust.
For a great resource, check out the travel book Yosemite: The Complete Guide, by James Kaiser.

Have you ever been to Yosemite? Can you share any tips? Do you know an interesting story behind a popular vacation destination?

Thanks for adding to the discussion!

How to encourage reading/Words and Technology

How Technology Has Changed How Children Discover Reading

Posted on July 15, 2016 by Julia Tomiak / 4 Comments

Please welcome my guest Caroline from Culture Coverage. Check out the site for some great reading info on popular culture, and of course, reading. (Image credit: Pixabay)

Most of us enjoy a good book, but it’s not always easy to figure out how to share that feeling with others, especially children. We’d like to extend our thanks to Julia for featuring our post and contributing to a needed area. If you’re looking to do some reading of your own, check out her summer reading list.

Many times technology designed for adults finds its way into the hands of children. As a child, I found myself fascinated by the toys and gadgets used by adults; now, I’m on the other end of the spectrum. What TV was then, tablets and smartphones are now. Let us see then how things have changed.

In School

Several decades ago, the educational system set a goal to encourage children to read books. They did so in a variety of ways: the Reading Rainbow series, point-based test taking (e.g., Accelerated Reader), summer readings, group sessions, book reports…the list goes on.

And while many of those ideas have stuck around, smart technology has changed the delivery system. For instance, better-funded schools have begun providing tablets for each child in a classroom. Others have gone the route of individual laptops or even desktop computers. All have software installed designed for a few different things.

These apps tend to focus on helping kids get better at ready either by having them listen and respond or by playing games that incorporate reading skills. While this doesn’t replace group reading, it definitely offers some alternatives to allow each child to get more personalized attention.

The programs mentioned above such as Reading Rainbow have naturally jumped on board by creating their own apps to expand their original program to more children. Non-physical books are considerably cheaper in most cases, meaning parents can afford to purchase more reading material for their kids.

At Home

Naturally, the environment at home mirrors some of what’s happening at school. Children just barely able to walk are playing first with devices that resemble phones and tablets, while kids just entering kindergarten may already have their own devices. If configured right, these tools enable parents to offer their children entertainment beyond the television.

Busy parents may find it difficult to sit and read to their kids as often as they’d like, but with digital audiobooks, they can offer alternatives. Another big area of change is for parents that simply can’t be home: Skype or similar programs allow them to come face to face with their children no matter what the distance. It’s much better than phoning in and makes reading together very close to sitting together the old fashion way.

Tomorrow and Beyond

Today’s newest methods of engagement may not be tomorrow’s. Sure, new apps are always being developed to answer new needs, but will the technology remain the same? Wearable smart items and previously unconnected items are becoming more and more popular. In time, our children are also likely to become more connected, which means their connection to reading is likely to change as well.

Thankfully, books don’t appear to be going anywhere too soon. Kindles might be convenient, but there’s still no substitute for the physical copy of a favorite book. Children are engaging in different ways than before, but the more things change, the more they stay the same.

My own kids have very mixed interests: they read books at school, but at home they’re already becoming pretty attached to my tablet (it’s bigger and easier to use than my phone and a lot less personal). While they tend to enjoy games the most, I have to remind myself that nearly all games require some degree of reading. Even outside of the games though, they find it easier to read at home sometimes because they aren’t distracted by all their friends.

Do you have children? How have you encouraged them to become avid readers? Share with us in the comments how technology has changed the game for you!

About the Author: Caroline is a technology enthusiast and internet security specialist. Reading is an integral part of staying current in these areas; if you’d like to read more, check out some of her posts on Secure Thoughts and Culture Coverage.

Favorite Authors/Favorite Characters/News from book business

New Releases from J.K. Rowling

Posted on July 8, 2016 by Julia Tomiak / 2 Comments

I’ve seen posters at Barnes and Noble and excited updates on social media – new Harry Potter stories are coming out soon!! J.K. Rowling’s name is floating around on many upcoming releases, and the kids and I had to figure out what is going on in the world of magic. Here are some Word Nerd updates on everything Rowling.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Currently in previews, this play by Jack Thorne will open officially at the Palace Theater London on July 30, 2016. Based on a story written by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany, Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series, where we find Harry as an adult, struggling with his past while he juggles fatherhood and his job at the Ministry of Magic. Find more information about Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the official play website. Here’s a snippet about the premise:

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

The official script book (official rehearsal edition) of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will go on sale July 31, 2016; according to Amazon, a “Definitive Edition” of the script will go on sale in early 2017.

Barnes and Noble will host release parties nationwide to celebrate this new story in the Harry Potter series.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

This movie about Newt Scamander, author of the Hogwarts text Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, follows his adventures in New York’s secret community of wizards and witches seven decades before Harry reads his text at school. Release date: November 18, 2016. See more about Fantastic Beasts on IMDB.

The screenplay for Fantastic Beasts, written by J.K. Rowling, will be available November 19, 2016.

Die hard Potter fans can also buy their own copy of the textbook, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Hogwarts Classics

In June of 2016, publishers released a box set of two classic texts any Hogwarts student (or fan) should read: Quiddich Through the Ages and The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Available at Amazon.

Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination

I stumbled across this book by J.K. Rowling on one of those “must read” tables in the middle of Barnes and Noble. In 2008, Rowling gave the commencement speech at Harvard University. Very Good Lives is the transcript of that speech, which many reviewers on Goodreads found inspiring. Profits from the sales of Very Good Lives benefit Lumos, a non-profit international children’s organization founded by J.K. Rowling, which works to end the institutionalization of children around the world.

Goodreads fans say it takes 15 minutes to read and is worth every second. I could use a short but inspiring speech right now…

Do you have any news to add on these releases or others from J.K. Rowling? Do you plan on getting the books, or seeing the play and/or movie?

I’m leaving on vacation next week and will return with more Word Nerd tips, and hopefully some fabulous photos, in August. Watch for a guest post on kids, books and technology soon.

Thanks for getting fangirl with me!

Improving grammar/Improving vocabulary

When to Use Capital vs. Capitol

Posted on July 1, 2016 by Julia Tomiak / 4 Comments

I traveled with my daughter’s eighth grade class to Washington, D.C. this spring, and one of the things that struck me, besides how loud teens can be on a bus at 11pm, was that I still don’t know the difference between capitol, Capitol, and capital.

Clearly, a woman who prides herself on “Word Nerd Knowledge” should have this basic spelling issue resolved, especially during a presidential election year. Do you know when to use which?

Let’s start with the one with the most inclusive definition first:

capital \ˈka-pə-t^əl\ from the Latin caput, head [Merriam-Webster]

Noun:

the uppermost part of a column or pilaster

Adjective:

describing an uppercase letter <A, B, C, etc>
punishable by death <a capital crime>
important or influential <capital ships>
the seat of government <Richmond is state capital>
relating assets that add to the long-term net worth of a corporation <capital improvements>
excellent <a capital book>

Now, for capitol (switching the second “a” to an “o” makes a big difference here):

capitol, from the Latin Capitolium, temple of Jupiter at Rome on the Capitoline hill

a building in which a state legislative body meets
a group of buildings in which the functions of state government are carried out

Capitol (note capitalization)

the building in which the United States Congress meets at Washington

[Merriam-Webster]

I think it’s cool how the word etymology reflects a significant difference in the different spellings here.

Word Nerd Workout

Choose the right word, (capital/ capitol / Capitol) for each of the sentences below.

We went on a field trip to Columbia, the state capital/capitol/Capitol of South Carolina.
Picketers were protesting outside of the capital/capitol/Capitol building in D.C.
Proper nouns should always begin with a capital/capitol/Capitol letter.

Thanks for getting nerdy with me!

How to encourage reading

How to Save a Wet Book

Posted on June 24, 2016 by Julia Tomiak / 9 Comments

You’ve got the perfect summer set-up: feet ankle-deep in sand, hat on head, book in hand. But then, that wave hits. You know, the one that you never thought would come all the way up to your spot on the beach. The one that soaks your towel and, worse, soaks your book.

Calamity!

The book disaster in our house wasn’t as exotic as a beach flood. More like a water bottle explosion inside a backpack. Nevertheless, we ended up with the same problem.

Have you experienced a wet book crisis? Good news. You can preserve your book after excessive water exposure. (If you read on a Kindle or iPad, seek help elsewhere. This post is about good old-fashioned printed books.)

Luckily, the bottle explosion we experienced only dampened the edges of Orwell’s 1984. (Daughter is plowing through classics with admirable determination. Since I’ve never read Lord of the Flies, and she has, that’s up next on my TBR. According to daughter, I need to finish before the end of summer because it’s too depressing for the winter. Can’t wait.)

wet book 2 — Lucky for us, just the edges got wet. The potential for damage increases if the binding gets soaked.

The procedure for drying damp books vs. completely soaked books varies, so read the directions carefully.

For soaked books:

Do not open the book or fan the pages. Place it on its end on absorbent paper, like paper towels.
Place the book in a spot with good air circulation; fans are helpful.
Replace the paper towels as they become wet.
Let the book dry like this for an hour or so before trying the next step.

For partially wet books:

Blot the cover and pages with paper towels. Never rub, as this will damage the soft paper.
Carefully open the book and interleave (!?! New word!) paper towels every 20 pages or so.
Lay book on its side.
Replace the paper towels as they become wet.

I interleaved book pages with paper towels.

For damp books:

Place book upright in a dry spot with good airflow and fan out the pages.

For almost dry books:

Place book flat and put a weight on top (I used a big fat dictionary).

To de-wrinkle pages once the book dries:

Water damaged pages will most likely wrinkle. The Chicago Tribune suggests placing a tissue over the warped page and ironing it on low heat. We didn’t mess with this step. If it had been that beautiful hard cover copy of Pride and Prejudice, maybe.

Make sure the book is thoroughly dry – check the binding and cover- before storing on the shelf. Or in your backpack. 😉 You don’t want to grow mold!

For more details and advice, consult

This article from The Chicago Tribune
This piece from the Cornell library
This article from Dartmouth

Have you ever had to save a wet book? Can you share any other tips or tricks?

Thanks for getting nerdy with me!

Who I Am

Betcha Didn’t Know: Who I Am

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Julia Tomiak / 9 Comments

Sure, most of my friends and blog readers know that I love to read, run, and write. They’ve picked up on the fact that I enjoy coaching (soccer or running), and that I dabble in painting and photography. They might even suspect that, as a Word Nerd, I silently correct grammar. However, for this month’s Who I Am prompt, Dana asked me to share a few things that people don’t know about the Word Nerd who loves fitness.

Three Things You Might Not Know About Me

Photo credit: gacabo via Flickr CC-BY-SA

I lived in Germany for a year and a half and during that time visited Neuschwanstein castle. Sadly, I was an infant, screamed during the tour, and don’t remember anything about Germany or the castle. My dad was in the U.S. Army and stationed in Stuttgart, Germany when I was born; we returned to the states before I was old enough to form memories. After Germany, we lived in New Jersey, Arizona, Wisconsin, Norfolk, VA, and finally settled in Alexandria VA. So, this Word Nerd with an army background knows words like commissary (the post grocery store) and exchange (the post “K-mart”).

Hopefully, one day I’ll get back to Neuschwanstein, preferably during a castle tour of Europe. I won’t scream inside the palace. 😉

I love Coke, particularly from a soda fountain. Most people think I’m super healthy, and I try to eat lots of plant-based foods and limit sugar, fat, and salt. But I love my Coke. There’s something about the combination of fizz, burn, and sweet that picks me up at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. And nothing pairs better with pizza or popcorn than Coke. (Note: I hate beer.)

I’ve tried to give it up, but I can’t kick it, even though I know it’s terrible for my body. For example, one can of Coke has 10 teaspoons of sugar. In most cases, you’d puke if you consumed that much sugar at once, but the phosphoric acid cuts the sweetness and inhibits the action of sugar for a bit. It also rots your teeth. One article I read said that Coke has the same effect on the brain as heroin; I’m not surprised. On those days when I’m tired or cranky, that first fizzy sip feels like a fix.

Clearly, Coke can’t be an everyday drink. Or every other day. But how about every other week? I’m currently in a soda detox challenge with my sister-in-law. So far, I’ve only had two Cokes in the month of June. That’s good, right?

Photo credit: Bryan Wright via Flickr CC-BY-ND

Nirvana’s in my running playlist. I particularly like “Breed” for hill work. I’ve explored eclectic music styles over the years, including Twisted Sister, Black Sabbath, and Judas Priest in middle school, and Candlebox, Nirvana, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers in the 90’s. When daughter downloaded a ton of Linkin Park, I was a bit concerned. Why all the screaming? Then I remembered what I listened to at her age. Sometimes you need an angry song, and not all Linkin Park involves yelling. (Take ”Leave Out All the Rest”, for example.) When I recently found her jamming “Baby Got Back”, I panicked. That came from my music library: parenting fail! She said, “Mom, I’m doing a leg workout. It’s perfect.”

If you had to share three quirky things about you, what would they be? I’ve bared my soul… how about you?

Thanks for stopping by this installment of the Who I Am Project, hosted by Bev and Dana. If you’d like to join in, visit Dana’s blog for details.