Today we observe National Speak in Complete Sentences Day.

In this age of Twitter, chat, and other forms of instant communication, proper grammar–whether in speaking or writing–is a vanishing skill.

Example: A recent conversation I had went something like this:

“Oh, my sister’s all toody.”

I thought, Too much information. Your sister’s intestinal problems aren’t of interest to me.

“I said leave the baby sleep, and she just got this tude and went toody and I was like, you know–.”

Ah. Attitude. Right.

But who am I to talk? When I work on guest blogs, I have to be very careful to answer the questions in complete sentences.

Example: An upcoming blog asked, “What aspects of the writing process do you find most difficult?”

My initial response was: “Getting back into the flow of the story after a break.”

The editor in me took one look at that and donned her Grammar Police hat.

The response now reads, “Getting back into the flow of the story after a break is probably the most difficult part of writing for me.”

See the difference?

My landscaper said he’d be around last weekend, but it was too cold. At least, that’s our theory.

In the mean time, spring has finally come to this part of the world, and the posies I planted the first autumn we lived here are now making me cheerful.

Greek windflowers, grape hyacinths, tulips.

(I’ve never had much luck with daffodils, which I adore.) And these two items were here when we bought the property.

The peonies are sprouting, but I believe my rose bush is gone.

Maybe the landscaper will show up this weekend. I’d love to get moving on my outdoor office!