Weekly Haiku: 03/05/2026

 Composed by the Editor

Princess Nausicaa:

Leader, author, Dreamtime friend –

Always in my heart. 💙

Nausicaa (pictured above) was the daughter of King Alcinous of Phaeacia in Homer's Odyssey. During her lifetime, she would have had to lead her people through the turbulent Bronze Age Collapse (1177 BCE) and its chaotic aftermath. According to Classical scholars Samuel Butler and Robert Graves, she might have composed an early version of the Odyssey herself, in Mycenaean Greek, using the Linear B script. The Editor had a lucid dream about her when he was in third grade, which helped him to chart his future career as a scholar of ancient and medieval languages and literatures. (Digital image created by the Editor.)

Lily's Language Lab: 03/01/2026

 Compiled by Lily Randall, Blog Staff Writer & Wortschatzmeisterin

According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, synergy is the interaction or cooperation of two or more entities — such as people, organizations, or substances — to produce a combined effect that is greater than the sum of their individual contributions. It is often colloquially expressed by the equation 1 + 1 = 3.

Synergy is a term that describes how the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. When things or people work together, they create something more impactful than they could have achieved individually. It's like the magic that happens when we combine our strengths and talents to create something truly amazing.

Above: Both nations and astronauts will need to cultivate synergy with each other in order for humanity to reach Mars in the mid-21st century. (Digital image created by the Editor.)

Weekly Haiku: 02/26/2026

 This week's haiku, by the Editor, is about the world's first known author!

"Enheduanna –

First known author in the world!

Priestess and poet!"

Enheduanna (fl. ca. 2300 BCE) was the daughter of Sargon the Great, the founder of the Akkadian Empire in Mesopotamia. Sargon appointed her to serve as High Priestess in the city of Ur, where the biblical patriarch Abraham would be born a few centuries later. Enheduanna composed beautiful sacred poems that were preserved on clay tablets in cuneiform writing; they were sung for almost 2000 years, until Sumerian ceased to be used as a sacred language after the Hellenization of the Middle East by Alexander the Great. In this image, we see Enheduanna on a balcony overlooking the city of Ur, whose skyline is dominated by a ziggurat (temple tower), where her poems were performed as sacred hymns. (Digital image created by the Editor.)

Lily's Language Lab: Week of 02/22/2026

 Compiled by Lily Randall, Blog Staff Writer & Wortschatzmeisterin

I’ve got so much love for the word "groove.” It's a versatile word that can mean a lot of things — like the feeling you get when you're in the right place, with the right people, doing something you love! “To be in the groove” can mean being at the perfect balance of flow, focus, and fun. A song has a groove when it's just the right rhythm to bob your head to! :)

Way back in the 1970s, the Editor got into the groove of learning at his elementary school in SW Illinois, and one of the grooviest things that he learned was that friendship knows no boundaries or barriers. In this digital image, created by the Editor from memory, the Editor (at right) is seated on a playground bench at recess with his friend Lisa (at left) during the spring of 1977 (third grade). Five decades ago, it was rather unusual for boys and girls to socialize at recess as friends, but these two younglings broke the mold! :)

Weekly Haiku: 02/19/2026

This week's haiku was authored by my cousin Rowan! :)

"Echoes of laughter!

The playground’s memory blooms

In the heart of youth!"

In this digital image by the Editor, we see a group of 5th graders practicing their disco dancing skills during noon recess in the spring of 1979! As reconstructed from memory, the Editor is pictured (at front right) along with his friend Elanor (at front left). Needless to say, we all had the "Boogie Fever" way back when!

Lily's Language Lab: 02/15/2026

 Compiled by Lily Randall, Blog Staff Writer & Wortschatzmeisterin

For the Word of the Week, let's focus on "compassion." *Compassion* is an incredibly valuable characteristic that's based on the principle of empathy, or the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. It's a selfless and kind expression of concern for others that involves caring for the welfare of others beyond one's own needs. Do you know someone who's really compassionate? It's amazing to recognize and celebrate the compassionate people who make a positive difference in the world through their kindness and empathy. It's a valuable character trait that enhances our interactions.

Above: St. Brigid of Kildare (ca. 450-525 CE) was the abbess of a dual monastery for men and women, a bishop (yes, really!), and above all else, a kind and generous soul who put her compassion for the poor and the sick into action throughout her long life. (Digital image created by the Editor.)

Weekly Haiku: 02/12/2026 -- Lincoln's Birthday

A haiku by the Editor, in honor of President Lincoln's birthday today!

"Abe Lincoln’s first love –

Ann Rutledge, a guiding light –

Unsung heroine."

Digital image by the Editor: Ann Rutledge (1813-1835), Lincoln's first love, in New Salem, IL.

Image Description: Ann Rutledge was Abraham Lincoln's first love, when they were living in New Salem, Illinois. Her tragic death (at age 22) sent Lincoln into a downward spiral of melancholy. However, he later came to see Ann as the inspiration for his aspiration to study law and enter upon his melioristic career as a public servant.

"Ann Rutledge's Epitaph"

(Engraved on Her Tombstone in 1921, Petersburg, IL)

By Edward Lee Masters (1868-1950)

Out of me unworthy and unknown

The vibrations of deathless music:

"With malice toward none, with charity toward all."

Out of me the forgiveness of millions toward millions,

And the beneficent face of a nation

Shining with justice and truth.

I am Ann Rutledge who sleeps beneath these weeds,

Beloved in life of Abraham Lincoln,

Wedded to him, not through union,

But through separation.

Bloom forever, O Republic,

From the dust of my bosom!