Blog Entries

Haunting Words for Halloween

edenrivers@gmail.com — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The Eden Rivers Top Ten Horror Stories

In honor of All Hallow's Eve, it's my top ten scary stories from literature short and long. In no particular order, so read them at your own pace. If you dare.

"The Tell-Tale Heart"/"The Cask of Amontillado"
Edgar Allen Poe

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The Twittiness of Twitter

edenrivers@gmail.com — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100

I don't get Twitter.

twitter, v. (used without object)
1. to utter a succession of small, tremulous sounds, as a bird.
2. to talk lightly and rapidly, esp. of trivial matters; chatter.
3. to titter; giggle.
4. to tremble with excitement or the like; be in a flutter.

twit, v.
1. to taunt, tease, ridicule, etc., with reference to anything embarrassing; gibe at.
2. to reproach or upbraid.

twit, n.
Slang 1. A [...]

Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling

edenrivers@gmail.com — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0100

So today, at the Today website, a new article was published about the wacky world of grammar snobs. Entitled, "Fastidious spelling snobs pushed over the edge," this quirky little story takes a peek into the world of those who love, love, love to correct the grammar.

The argument of the story is that although bad punctuation has plagued city signs and menus around the country for decades, the stress of war and economy have made folks a little snappy with the spelling corrections.

[...]

Thank You January

edenrivers@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0100

It's the time of year for thank you notes to enter into our lives, in much smaller quantities than the holiday cards of December. I am reminded of this not only from my own card sending, but from my friend Wendy, who commented on receiving a number of thank you cards, and being revived that so many people were still sending them.

There is a feeling that no one sends thank you notes anymore. Some of my younger relatives receive gifts from my husband and me regularly, but we have never received [...]

Social Media and Faux Friendships

edenrivers@gmail.com — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Unlike millions of others around the world, I'm finding social media depressing these days. Maybe I'm hanging out on Facebook too much, but suddenly I'm finding the old-fashioned idea of friendship put to the test, and I'm in unfamiliar cyber territory.

For example, one of my college friends announced his engagement online this past Friday. A few days later, I was the 27th person to send a congratulatory message, most of those other messages, mind you, are from folks I don't know. Not that I h [...]

This Corny Connotation Isn't So Sweet

edenrivers@gmail.com — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100

The interpretation and connotation of words is fun game we writers play, but sometimes in our 24/7 stream of mega media information, some folks get a little stretchy with their word choices.

Specifically, I've noticed a new sales pitch spewing from my television, defending the reputation of high-fructose corn syrup, "in moderation."

These new pro-corn syrup commercials are proclaiming that HFCS isn't the bad kid on the block. It is, after all, made from corn, and just like sugar, it is a [...]

It's my first blog ever!

edenrivers@gmail.com — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0100

When I was a child, I loved going back to school. And not because I was a geeky, smart kid. It was because I loved, loved starting something new, like opening the first few pages of a Ramona Quimby book. I loved the smell of new pencils and erasers and having clean notebooks and new shoes. I liked starting over and seeing my friends change from their three months off—I loved carrying around the knowledge that I was getting older.

And I hated summer.

I know, I know, most people [...]