Lay as a verb requires the use of a direct object. [Lay the packages over there.]

Lie does not require an object. [I will lie down on the bed.]

Accept is a verb meaning to take or receive something offered, to agree, accede to or consent to, to undertake responsibility of, or to respond or answer affirmatively to. In a sense, it means to acknowledge. [I accept the invitation to meet Jim for lunch on Sunday.]

Except is a preposition meaning with the exclusion of, excluding. [Everyone had met Jim except me.]

Latter is an adjective meaning the second mentioned of two or comparatively near the end. [I prefer the first suggestion to the latter.]

Former is an adjective meaning past or ancient, preceding in order, being the first of two, or having previously been. [I prefer the former suggestion to the last one.]

Use "that" with a restrictive clause. A restrictive clause is a part of a sentence that, if removed will alter the meaning of the statement. [Four out of five criminals that are convicted spend time in jail.]

Use "which" with non-restrictive clauses. A non-restrictive clause can be removed from a sentence and the sentence still makes sense. [Plane tickets, which are expensive, can be purchased online.]

The question of personal identity lasts with us until we either find something or someone to devote ourselves to, or until we cross a significant milestone in our lives. Which one of these is more important or relevant, or which one is higher on our priority list, is what makes us who we are.

I've felt like a figure in one of Picasso's paintings, disjointed, cut up, her knees where her nose should be. Not a person so much as a patched-up doll. But, today, the first day of 2012, a feeling of contentment, like ice on skin on a hot summer's day or running your fingers lightly over a patch of grass, wrapped around me.

Hello again, Doc. It seems like almost 14 minutes since we last talked, and I don't think I can stand another minute of being too detached and lost in a flurry of regrets.

You know what it is today? That's right, it's January 3, 2012 (or at least I hope this letter arrives within today, I mean you know how slow your train of thought is during vacations like these).

What was with all the posts you keep putting on your wall, deleting, then reposting? You HAVE to stop that. That is not a healthy way to behave and it makes ME look crazy. You do realize that your actions cause people to look at me differently, don't you? Control yourself, Man!

I can't do much for these people except to show them love, compassion, an ear to listen, a hug to comfort, perhaps a breakfast sandwich and a coffee. I would like to do more. To know them is to love them. What has been seen cannot be unseen.

This is it, the year we've been thinking about for a while. With the encouragement of Peter and a few of our other friends, we actually made that New Year's Resolution to get off our collective duff and get to the gym. It's not a pretty gym, but we don't do pretty, anyway.

Hello, Bertie. It's time to step back and take a good look at yourself. Do you like what you see?

"Yeah, sure I do."

Do you, really?

"Yeah, sure, I'm fine."

I've taken an informal poll using statistics gleaned from my Portfolio stats and received reviews, and this broad-base support by many WDC constituents has bolstered my desire to invest more time in my writing future. Publication--this initiative is a call to action.

I will never give up my passion for the english language.
I may languish in the hades of the disadvantaged.
meditating long on medieval torture tactics

I know not why I walk this path,
At this time, on this day,
A Winter Wind blows from the North,
Yet grass and Trees failed to sway.

School is the thing that we remember the most when we grow up. Our memories are refreshed. We may forget other school experiences but you don't forget your first experience at school when someone bullied you or who were your first best friend and many other things.

Tonight, I discovered that I'm also the type of person that sees writing on the screen that needs to be something expressed by how you feel and not something that you make up in a static item that would sound good for readers. I am not sure how many times I've try to edit an item and than end up putting it the trash because it didn't go by what I mean.

You're very welcome. I'm so glad you found it helpful.

Thank you for writing in and letting me know this was helpful - appreciate you!

Your comment was my inspiration for this issue. I really appreciate you writing in and letting me know how useful the last edition was. I hope this one is just as interesting.

That would annoy me too! Thank you for writing in and letting me know you enjoyed it. Share some of your writing with us. I would have liked to highlight it in this issue. Write on!

I'm glad you found this issue helpful. Thanks for writing in. If you had something posted in your port, I could have featured you this month. Share with us!

I'm glad you found this issue useful.