New Sunday Word Puzzle aired yesterday on NPR! Check how well you find HOMOPHONES in English.

Each answer today ends in "___ to ___." You fill the blanks with a pair of homophones.

Ex. The bicycle salesman had an innovative new ___ to ___. --> PEDAL to PEDDLE

 

 

1. The thieves prowling around the Pittsburgh mill were looking for some ___ to ___.

2. When you want to slow down in front of a busy intersection, that's a bad time for a ___ to ___.

3. As I watched the seabird walk 100 yards straight down the beach, I kept waiting for the ___ to ___.

4. To prepare the dough for the oven, the baker will first ___ to ___.

5. My toes since the foot injury are better now, but I still have to wait for my ___ to ___.

6. The strip of art along the ceiling needs warm temperature to dry, so I certainly wouldn't want the ___ to ___.

7. To make some money, the illustrator for the old Disney film has a sample ___ to ___.

8. Do you know when the TV network has scheduled "Jane ___" to ___?

9. When the physician's boat was moving erratically, the Coast Guard ordered the ___ to ___.

10. Regulations may not allow you to speak, but you always have the ___ to ___.

 

 

 

 

Answer Keys

1.  steel to steal

2.  brake to break

3.  tern to turn

4.  need to knead

5.  heel to heal

6.  frieze to freeze

7.  cell to sell

8.  Ayre to air

9.  doc to dock

10.            right to write

 

My thoughts on the current battle with winter storm in Texas

 What I have felt in the still of the disastrous winter storm in Texas

Written by Jean Lee

As well aware, sprawling snowstorm and the onslaught of brutal winter chill have been sweeping many parts of the US states, including the states that have rarely gone through this unprecedentedly devastating scale of arctic blast. For example, more than millions of people in quite a lot of areas in the State of Texas still remain suffering and enduring the state of no power and no water supply in freezing temps as you speak. It is just like getting a strong, unexpected hit head-on without ever dreaming of how to prepare for sudden attack of winter storm. Even the ones who headed out to local hotels, seeking warmth and water, have also experienced power outage right there. Being exposed to the unimaginably low temperature without electricity for days would gradually make your body numb and rigid. As a last resort, many people -including myself and my husband - kept their cellphones charged in their cars and became inexplicably frustrated to hear only static and hiss when trying to hear updated news from radio. It just felt as if we were completely forgotten and deserted from rescue team or State government. To top it all off, this extremely low temperature has disrupted Covid-19 vaccinations here and there as well.

 

In summary, this week here in Texas could be described by frozen or burst water pipes, nervously counting your bottled waters left in the pantry, ghastly sights of icicles hung from outdoor spigots and under the roof, the constant noise of blaring ambulances from the roads, empty residential areas covered with 6 inches of snow, closed stores and restaurants, hundreds of people waiting in line to get inside of grocery stores, and you name it.

 

I still hear we are supposed to prepare for cold temperatures that will be staying across many parts of the States for more days ahead. Preparation sounds good and safe in general. However, when people have never been ready or exposed to this type of abrupt, punishing slap in the face from mother nature, especially when they hardly feel they are truly taken care of by the State government that shows no leadership but keeps passing the buck, how could they properly prepare for disasters? In the middle of this ordeal, what we could do at the moment is try hard to survive on our own and keep praying for better tomorrow.

NPR Word Puzzle of Finding Anagrams!

Here’s another batch of this last Sunday’s Word Puzzle from NPR. Every answer is a familiar phrase in the form "___ of the ___." I'll give you anagrams of the first and last words. You give me the phrases.

 

Ex. SING of the ITEMS --> SIGN OF THE TIMES

 

 

(*Picture Source: https://www.thejavaprogrammer.com/ways-check-string-anagram-java/)

1. TASTE of the RAT

2. LAST of the HEART

3. LILTS of the THING

4. AMEN of the MAGE

5. STOOL of the TREAD

6. SHAPES of the MONO

7. HIPS of the RESTED

8. TABLET of the BUGLE

9. LICENSE of the BALMS

10. DEN of the NILE

 

Answer Keys   

   1.  STATE of the ART  

   2.  SALT of the EARTH

   3.  STILL of the NIGHT

   4.  NAME of the GAME  

   5.  TOOLS of the TRADE 

   6.  PHASES of the MOON

   7.  SHIP of the DESERT

   8.  BATTLE of the BULGE

   9.  SILENCE of the LAMBS  

   10. END of the LINE

Let's learn about Groundhog's Day, which falls on February 2nd every year!

Can you fill the following blanks that complete the information about Groundhog Day?

Today, let us learn about Ground Hog’s day, which traditionally marks the midpoint between winter ______________ and spring ______________. Around this time, farmers used to determine when to sow seeds of their crops, so they tried to forecast whether there would be an early spring or lingering winter.

 

Sunshine on __________mas (February 2^nd) was said to indicate the returns of winter. Similarly, “when the wind is in the east on ____________mas Day, there it will stick until May 2^nd.”

 

It was not held as a good _____________ if the day itself was bright and sunny, because that betokened snow and frost to continue to the hiring of the laborers 6 weeks later on Lady Day. If it was cloudy and dark, warmth and rain would thaw out the fields and have them ready for planting.

 

Our Groundhog Day is a remote survivor of that belief. According to legend, if a groundhog sees its _____________ on the day, there will be six more weeks of winter; if it doesn’t, then spring is right around the corner.

 

For centuries, farmers in France and England looked to a ______________; in Germany, they kept their eye on the badger. In the 1800s, German immigrants to _______________ (=> Which US State?) brought the tradition with them. Finding no badgers there, they adopted the groundhog to fit the lore.

 

Though we recognize that animal behavior isn’t the only way to judge planting dates, the tradition continues often with a wink and a smile.

 

Here is a quick question about Groundhog’s Day in 2021:

So, will the groundhog see his shadow? The answer is…._______________________________________________________.

(*Source from the Old Farmer’s Almanac)

Answer Keys

    1.  Solstice, equinox

    2.  Candlemas, Candlemas

    3.  Omen

    4.  Shadow

    5.  Bear

    6.  Pennsylvania

7.  Answer to the quick question: It depends on whether February 2^nd is sunny or cloudy! 😆

(*Picture source from https://www.lwtears.com/blog/5-fun-facts-about-groundhog-day-teachers-and-students)

Time to play the NPR Sunday Puzzle aired on this Sunday

 Today's puzzle is all about "me." Specifically, every answer is a word or name in which the accented syllable "me," in any spelling, appears somewhere inside it.

 

Example: Serving to fix or correct things --> REMEDIAL

 

1. Person who tells jokes

 

2. Single-celled creature

 

3. Friend in Mexico

 

4. Minor criminal infraction

 

5. Part of Ukraine annexed by Russia in 2014

 

6. Country located between Turkey and Azerbaijan

 

7. Ancient Greek mathematician and inventor

 

8. In Greek myth, the Titan who's said to have created humanity from clay

 

9. Basic kind of acid

 

10. Composer Shostakovich

 

 

Answer Keys

1.  Comedian

2.  Ameba

3.  Amigo(a)

4.  Misdemeanor

5.  Crimea

6.  Armenia

7.  Archimedes

8.  Prometheus

9.  Amino

10.              Dmitri

Celebrating the African American History Month

 12 years ago, the United States of America welcomed the first African American president, Mr. Barack Obama as the leader. He was not a politician whose life could be filled with megalomania, but rather a man who had been there living in the less privileged circumstances and dreaming of a true change in this nation. February is the Black History Month in the States, and today I reminisce the emotion we all had back in the year of 2009.

On the Day When America’s Dream Came True

 

written by Jean Jiyoung Lee on January 20, 2009

(on the day of 44^th Presidential Inauguration)

 

Who could ever let go of this day’s spirit in history?

Who would forget this shout of glee?

Myriads of tearful but joyful eyes are watching this man of strong conviction,

Believing he will make all the changes that have been no more than fiction.

Unforgettable excitement and energy fill the air.

All the people of different races, origins, and cultures give an embracing smile to one another, not a hostile glare.

Glory is all yours and mine.

The new wind of change today seems so divine.

Praying that the sacred promise of this faithful president will unite us all,

We teach our young ones to stand proud and tall.

Since the justice we’ve dreamt has seen the light of day,

The ultimate peace and harmony in this nation are already on their way.

Got skin problems in winter?

Whenever we ring in a new year, the first wish that comes to most of our minds is “to stay healthy”. I hope and pray that every one of you out there has been off to a perfectly healthy start of this new year of the Ox. Well, even if you might not need to learn medical terms or how to express your health problems in English, I hope you find the following expressions to describe some of your skin probs/symptoms useful during this season of dry wintry chill at a dermatologist office.

 

At Dermatologist Office 

    1.   Irritating sensation of the skin that makes you want to scratch: I feel itchy on my scalp/ all over my body (especially when I don’t sleep tight or enough).

 

 

    2.   In case you have painless skin growth: Could you please check on this skin tag on my neck?

 

    3.   Asking about the store-bought patch/cream/ointment for small solid texture of skin growth: Is the OTC (Over-The-Counter) wart remover/ wart freeze safe to use?

 

    4.   Asking about some scars/  wounds of stitches: Will these stitches go away or stay for good?

 

    5.   To learn about a section of toughened or thick part of your skin – often on your feet – due to constant pressure or friction:  I run every day and have developed calluses on the big toe. Should I get rid of them even if they don’t hurt?

 

    6.   To see if a stitch or row of stitches holding together the edges of a wound or surgical incision will stay or go away: How long will it take for my sutures (or stitches) to dissolve/ disappear on their own?

 

    7.   In case you wonder if your dark spots/moles may need to be more thoroughly examined to check for the possibility of malignant melanoma: Do I need biopsy of this mole?

 

    8.   When you feel your skin getting too dry or lacking moisture to the point of peeling: What should I do about my flaky skin during winter?

 

    9.   If you have sudden burning or itching sensation on one side of your body: My lower back has been feeling tingling. Could it be the Shingles?

 

    10.  Asking about the availability of a doctor-recommended skincare products in online or offline markets: Would I need a prescription for this emollient cream?

 

    11. In case you give your doctor information/descriptions about your skin type when you often develop pimples: I have acne-prone skin.

 

    12. Asking about the possible relationship between the symptoms of having red blemishes and your hormonal imbalance or contact inflammation: Does my rosacea have something to do with hormonal fluctuations or allergic reaction to cosmetics?

 

    13. Asking about the possibility to remove reddish or brown mark on your body from birth: Can I get my birthmarks on the forehead removed?

 

    14. To be correctly informed about skin exfoliation and its possible harmful effects on your outer most skin layer: Does frequent use (=overuse) of exfoliators weaken your skin barrier?

   

    15. Asking about the well-known anti-ageing injection Botox and the duration of its valid effects: Would Botox keep crow’s feet at bay permanently?

 

    16. Asking if self tanners (lotion/cream/booths) might be harmful on your skin: Is it safe to use self tanning products? / Could self tanning booths be damaging on your skin?