Inspiring lines with a potent message

A nod,/ a bow,/ and a tip of the lid/ to the person/ who coulda/ and shoulda/ and did. Robert Brault
— I Tweet Wisdom (@iTweet_Wisdom) March 30, 2013

I CAME ACROSS this poem by Robert Brault on Twitter and was STRUCK by its inspiring message. It's like a short story with a somewhat unexpected ending and a POTENT reminder for all of us to FOLLOW THROUGH on our goals and dreams. It's called "A Poem Missing the Word Woulda."

In English, coulda, shoulda, and woulda (could've, should've, & would've) often go together when we talk about regrets about the past. It's true, isn't it? We do TIP OUR HATS to those who actually do something and act on their dreams instead of just making excuses later. (I would've done that if ...)

Robert Brault is a writer from Connecticut. His blog, A Robert Brault Reader, has lots of inspirational and insightful poems and quotes. You should check it out, especially if you like the poem above. He is also The Quote Guy on Twitter @RobertBrault1 

COME ACROSS - encounter; see
STRUCK (strike) - hit; impressed
POTENT - powerful
FOLLOW THROUGH on something - finish what you start; pursue completely
TIP OUR HAT to someone - recognize; acknowledge / tip of the LID (cover, as in a cover for the head) 

Btw, I'm also on Twitter @joeyu2nd and on Facebook as the small guide site. FOLLOW and LIKE! :-)    

Winter's GRIP

The snow last night was definitely surprising. In the end, it wasn't much & it
was mostly gone in the morning, but I don't think anyone expected this much
accumulation this late in the season. Most of us are ready for warmer weather.

Because it's now the middle of March and just a couple of days before the official start of spring, it's weird to have to BUNDLE UP and BRACE OURSELVES for the freezing temperatures whenever we HEAD OUT the door. I love the snow, and I don't mind the cold weather, but it just feels like it should be warmer by now, and it's a bit disturbing that it isn't. I just checked the 10-day forecast, and it doesn't seem like winter is leaving us soon. There's no warm weather IN SIGHT AS OF YET. In fact, there's another round of rain-snow mix ON TAP for next Monday. Does this mean that summer will be cooler than usual? Now, that would be nice. :-)


BUNDLE UP - dress very warmly
BRACE ONESELF - get ready; hold on to something
HEAD OUT - go out
IN SIGHT - in the near future
AS OF YET - so far
ON TAP - scheduled; expected
GRIP - a tight hold


Have you LIKED the small guide site on Facebook and FOLLOWED @joeyu2nd on Twitter? Click on over and be a fan! We'd love to have you. :-)

On my way vs In my way

Pedestrians ON THEIR WAY to work on a rainy weekday
morning in Midtown Manhattan hoping nothing gets IN
THEIR WAY as they rush to their destinations.

These two expressions, ON ONE'S WAY and IN ONE'S WAY, differ by just one preposition, but they are very different in meaning.

When we say I'm ON MY WAY, we mean we are en route or moving toward our destination.

1. I'll be there soon. I'm ON MY WAY.
2. Tim said he'd be a bit late, but he's ON HIS WAY.
3. The cops are ON THEIR WAY. They should be able to help us.
4. The package is ON ITS WAY to Boston.
5. We're ON OUR WAY; don't start eating without us!

On the other hand, when we say that a person or thing is IN OUR WAY, we mean that that person or thing is blocking our path and is usually preventing us from moving forward.

1. Could you move to the side? You're IN OUR WAY.
2. They left because you're busy. They didn't want to be IN YOUR WAY.
3. These boxes are IN MY WAY. Do you mind if I move them?
4. The cyclist almost hit a dog that was IN HIS WAY.
5. The angry manager simply kicked a box that was IN HER WAY.

It's also possible to use the article THE instead of possessive pronouns. This works with both expressions.

1. She's ON THE WAY to the concert. She should be back in a few hours.
2. If I get IN THE WAY, let me know, and I'll move.

Alright, folks. Try to use these expressions soon, so you won't forget them. Good luck! If you have any questions, you can ask them here, on our Facebook page, or @joeyu2nd on Twitter. Until next time, take care!