Lily's Language Lab: 02/01/2026

 Compiled by Lily Randall, Staff Writer & Wortschatzmeisterin

"Resilient" refers to the ability to recover quickly from difficulties or adversity. It's commonly used to describe someone who has the strength and capability to overcome challenges and adapt to changing circumstances. It's a positive and uplifting word that highlights one's ability to stay strong and positive even in the face of adversity.

Zenobia (pictured above), the renowned Queen of Palmyra in Syria during the 3rd century CE, was a descendant of Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt. Zenobia defied the Roman Empire's dominance of the Middle East for several years. (Her military campaigns are mentioned in 2 Esdras 15:28-33.) After Zenobia was defeated and captured by the Romans, she was allowed to retire to a villa near Rome, where she became a renowned Neoplatonic philosopher. In this digital image, created by the Editor, Zenobia is clothed in royal purple and residing in Elysium, the postmortal paradise in Graeco-Roman religion.

Weekly Haiku: 01/28/2026

 This week's haiku, by the Editor & his cousin Rowan!

"Nymph Egeria,

Advisor to King Numa --

Champions of peace."

Image by the Editor: The amphibious naiad Egeria would need a wheelchair on land b/c she was used to being weightless underwater.

Image Description:

Egeria, a naiad (an amphibious freshwater nymph), was the trusted advisor of Numa Pompilius, the 2nd King of Rome (reigned 715-673 BCE). In this image by the Editor, Egeria is dressed in royal purple robes and wears an ankh pendant (the symbol of immortality in ancient Egypt). 

Lily's Language Lab: 01/25/2026

Compiled by Lily Randall, Staff Writer & Wortschatzmeisterin

“Ephemeral" is the Word of the Week!

Ephemeral means "lasting for a very short time" in Greek. It is typically used to describe things that are transitory or fleeting. It can refer to things like "ephemeral beauty" or "ephemeral pleasures.”

Lily enjoys the recent snowfall in her backyard. (Digital image processed by the Editor.)

"Up and Down"

By George MacDonald (1824-1905)

Excerpted from Chapter 37 of At the Back of the North Wind (1871)

The Sun is gone down

And the Moon's in the sky

But the Sun will come up

And the Moon be laid by.

The flower is asleep.

But it is not dead,

When the morning shines

It will lift its head.

When winter comes

It will die! No, no,

It will only hide

From the frost and snow.

Sure is the summer,

Sure is the Sun;

The night and the winter

Are shadows that run.

Lily's Commentary:

This is a beautiful poem! I love the message of hope and the idea that the night and winter are temporary, and the summer and day will come back. It reminds us that everything in life is fleeting, but there is a cycle to life, and the darkest moments will pass. It's a comforting thought, especially during the coldest months of the year.

Weekly Haiku: 01/21/2026

This week's haiku, by the Editor & his cousin Rowan!

"Wintertime is here.

Nature’s icy dance unfolds.

Snowflakes gently fall."

Digital image by the Editor: Rowan stands next to a pine tree sprinkled with hoarfrost!

Image Description:

The Editor's cousin Rowan is standing next to a pine tree during a snowfall. The pine needles on the branches are sprinkled with hoarfrost due to the extremely cold temperatures.

Lily's Language Lab: 01/18/2026

 Compiled by Lily Randall, Blog Staff Writer

This week's Word of the Week is called "doppelgänger."

Doppelgänger, which comes from the German language, literally means "double-goer." It refers to a double or a look-alike of a living person, appearing to be the person's identical twin. The origin of the term is unknown, but it has been commonly used since the 19th century.

In this digital image created by the Editor, we see Mallory (left), the Editor's cousin, and her doppelganger (right) at a bookstore. (Mallory is the Teen Bookworm Queen, BTW.) ;)

Weekly Haiku: 01/14/2026 -- Happy 12th Birthday to My Blog!

 Today is the 12th birthday of my blog @ https://rhcfortnightlyquotemail.blogspot.com! Here's a special haiku by my cousin Rowan & me!

"Twelve years of blogging.

An edutaining milestone!

Happy Birthday blog!"

Digital image by Yours Truly: My blog co-editor, Sophie, with birthday cake & blue roses!

Image Description:

Sophie, the co-editor of my blog, is seated at a table with a bouquet of blue roses and a birthday cake with the Roman numeral XII (12) on top. The color blue is in the flowers, the vase, the cake, Sophie's outfit, and the party decorations! :)

Lily's Language Lab: 01/11/2026

 Compiled by Lily Randall, Blog Staff Writer & Wortschatzmeisterin

For this week's Word of the Week, I have chosen the word "suzerain."

Suzerain or suzerainty refers to a feudal relationship in which a vassal or subject is subordinate to a sovereign or overlord. The term is derived from the Old French word suzerain, which in turn comes from the Latin phrase, “Superior imperat,” meaning, "The superior commands.”

 

In this digital image by the Editor, we see Nitocris, Queen of Babylon during the 540s BCE, standing in front of Babylon's renowned Ishtar Gate. She was the ruling suzerain of Babylon's extensive empire while her husband, King Nabonidus, was living in the desert oasis of Tema. Her son, Belshazzar, is the Babylonian king who saw the famous "handwriting on the wall" during the night before Babylon fell to Cyrus the Persian (October 29th, 538 BCE). She is referred to as Babylon's queen mother in Daniel 5; she is identified by name in the Histories of Herodotus, who also gives an account of her noteworthy achievements during her suzerainty.