Top 10 posts in the Red Jacket Diaries in 2025
Happy New Year! As is my annual tradition, I’ve taken a look under the blog hood to find the 10 most-viewed posts in 2025. 1. One of my clients regularly surveys its members for the views on topical issues. The most-read post was a reprint of an article for this...
One last Wordnerdery, and I’ve put a bow on it
It turns out there was more to the writer’s block I wrote about in my November newsletter than the need for a simple recharge. That block prompted me to do a little more soul-searching. Once the thought of “Should I keep publishing or end it?” popped into my head, it...
Drawing a blank? Try recharging (in November Wordnerdery)
As I sat down to write my monthly newsletter in November, I hit a wall. For the first time since launching Wordnerdery in March 2013 — after 152 issues! — I drew a blank on what to write about. The newsletter usually touches on recurring topics, like plain language,...
Fun gifts for readers and writers, 2025 edition
Halloween is long over and the windup to American Thanksgiving and Christmas is in full swing. I hear that some people have already finished their Christmas shopping. Good show, people! I have bought exactly one gift. But I am sniffing around for ideas. And if it’s...
Bank email inspires confusion, not action (a Before & After in Wordnerdery)
My bank tried to call me three times while I was on vacation earlier this month, about reviewing the profile of my business account. They had already emailed me a few times to ask me to update my profile – IF anything had changed with my account or my business....
More things people are saying about AI, in links you might have missed
While the use of artificial intelligence is growing, so are the concerns. One is that it hurts the environment due to high energy consumption involved in training generative AI models. The technology has been a major driver of increasing energy demands, says MIT News....
The ‘bioluminescent wonder’ of fireflies prompts a look at similes in the latest Wordnerdery
For me, September is always a little bittersweet. While I appreciate spectacular fall leaves, summer is my season, and saying goodbye to it is hard. Among the joys of the season? Spotting fireflies at dusk on a warm summer evening. These days, this doesn’t...
Assignment: Share how members celebrate their culture and community
Sharing our cultures with others doesn’t just instill pride; it promotes understanding and acceptance. Both seem to be in short supply these days, don’t they? My client asked its members to share their own particular cultural celebrations, some of which...