Wacky Word Wednesday - Xanthippe or Xantippe

Xanthippe / Xantippe

(zan THIP ee / zan TIP ee)

 

by Rachel Hoyt

 

photo by imagerymajestic via freedigitalphotos.net

 

 A xanthippe or xantippe,

Like Socrates' wife is snippy,

Nags more than a campaigning hippy,

Might also be described as lippy,

A 'debate' starter - xanthippe.

 

© 2013 Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved.

Every week I rhyme and define a new wacky word.
Come on over to indulge your inner nerd.
And, please let me know of any weird words you've heard.

Technorati Tags: Words, Vocabulary, Poem, Rhyme, Xanthippe, Poetry

Crambo Winner Announcement

The first Crambo game on Rhyme Me a Smile took place last Friday.  I was very appreciative of the enthusiasm shown by multiple players, but especially by the winner: M. James of Slow Wit Poet.  He uses rhyme beautifully in the witty verse on his blog and cranked out these giggle worthy lines last week:

Follow the rules or you'll be in trouble
It's clear that pop doesn't come before bubble

The reason to your rhyme makes me wonder
but I wouldn't call it any kind of blunder

I know too, how it goes, once the lines pop
the rhymes begin to flow and it just don't stop

The irony here is that M. James broke the rules himself in previous entries.  (Read them here.)  I didn't plan on requiring strict adherence to them to win, but I learned while reading this week's entertaining responses and trying to chose, that one who can adhere to the historic rules and pack a wallop of wit will win my heart every time.  Congratulations M. James!

Friday Fun - Larry Flynt's Bounty for Mitt's Tax Returns

Mr. Larry Flynt, Teller of Turpitude, King of Horny,

 

You finally did something to bring me to my knees.

My jaw dropped open when I saw the cash bounty

being offered for the tax info on Mr. Mitt Romney

(who should have given us this information for free

to back up his supposed integrity).

I didn't know you'd helped unearth so much dirt,

in the past on politicians who did more than flirt,

although it seems you don't always blab or blurt,

the truth to the public which makes me feel hurt.

 

When you engage the public by dangling rewards;

asking janitors, clerks, bellmen, and security guards,

to show you their hands, then muck your cards,

you seem slipperier than banana peels, yet tougher than gourds.

 

I believe you are right that six degrees of separation,

could bring figures and facts on the financial fornication,

that is rampant among the Richie Rich's of the nation,

and could curtail one candidate's clout, hardly in gestation.

 

If loose lips come to you, your lips should be loose too.

Yet why should I have to say that to one as experienced as you?

Why wouldn't you want to spill the beans and screw

Romney's chances? I'm sure this time you'll spew.

 

May your lips find loose friends and show them love, truth bomb style!

 

Sincerely,

 

Rachel Hoyt

of Rhyme Me a Smile

 

 

© 2012 Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved

 

 

(For more information

on this news that brought me elation,

click here or here without hesitation.)

 

 

Technorati Tags: Mitt Romney, Taxes, Avoid, Rhyme, Poetry

 

 

Read more rhymes by Rachel at her new column, Clickety Clack -

poetic news about Santa Barbarians talking back

Sunday Fun Day - Rock Eating Limerick

Rockin' Taste

by Rachel Hoyt

A woman who tried to persuade
her taste buds not to feel betrayed,
said, "Rocks taste earthy 

and crispy crunchy.
They're the best free snack nature made!"

© 2012 Rachel Hoyt.  All rights reserved.

This rhyme was written for Mad-Kane's Limerick-Off,

where the humor will make you giggle and snicker, not scoff,

and inspired by the news linked to above and right here

about a woman who eats whatever rocks lie near.

Technorati Tags: Rocks, Eating, News, Humor, Limerick, Poetry

Friday Photo Fun - Something Scrumptious

Something Scrumptious

by Rachel Hoyt

In ancient times, some slaves survived on this, water and bread.

Some said it cures drunkenness, overeating and sicknesses of tummy or head!

Currently China produces around 66% of the world's supply.

It's a member of the lily family often eaten by you and I.

So what is this thing that my senses find scrumptious?

Go ahead, take a guess.  Be presumptuous!

© 2012 Rachel Hoyt.  All rights reserved.

Friday Photo Fun is when I share a randomly captured moment,

or perhaps a photo experiment with more purposeful intent,
then pair it with a rhyming riddle to exercise your mind
and teach you more weird facts to which you once were blind.

After the answer is guessed, I will post a second, non-abstract photo,

and just in case you wanted to know,

the first is not a photoshopped version of the second -

they're shot using different techniques that to me beckon.

Wanda is on a rhyming riddle solving roll!
She solved this one so fast it makes me think I have a mole.

Answer:  Garlic

Technorati Tags: Game, Abstract Photo, Rhyme, Humor, Guess, Poetry

Wacky Word Wednesday - Nugatory

Nugatory

by Rachel Hoyt

Something nugatory

wouldn't be a star in a story.

It's like moss on a tree.

You'd be lucky to see

something nugatory -

not important to me.

© 2012 Rachel Hoyt.  All rights reserved.

Technorati Tags: Words, Vocabulary, Poem, Rhyme, Nugatory, Poetry

Thursday Thoughts - Helicopter Noise

Shushing Helicopters

by Rachel Hoyt

Image by africa via freedigitalphotos.net

Helicopter, helicopter I hear you.

Helicopter, your noise makes me blue.

I worry for the reason that you hover -

Are you saving some poor soul's lover?

I'm also sad for those who say that the noise

disrupts their sleep and wrecks their poise.

Is it possible that your cousin, the fan,

could show you the quieter ways that the man

has invented in more recent days

which have made his cool ways

even cooler than they were before

because he no longer sounds like a snore?

Are stealth spy-copters only in the movies?

Are the quietest helicopters the military's?

Could it be that the problem is in the design

and the flight patterns they use now are fine?

The more that helicopters fly over my town,

the more I wonder about the noise they send down.

© 2012 Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved.

Teachnorati Tags: Helicopter, Noise, Rhyme, Humor, Poem, Poetry

I searched and searched, but couldn't find,

helicopter information that truly blew my mind,

so I think I'll write to Mental Floss to see

if they can track down better info for you and me.

Thursday Thoughts - National Optimism Month

Dream Me a Smile

by Rachel Hoyt

Image by Federico Stevanin via freedigitalphotos.net

I'd had one terrible, awful, bad day -

That day optimism killed my dismay.

Around every corner harm had been lurking.

On every face, I saw frowns and smirking.

I'd gone to bed angry, wishing on a star

That tomorrow would be more up to par.

The second that my head hit the pillow,

My dream of the day began to flow,

Except that it wasn't exactly the same.

Everyone smiled as if they knew my name.

Laughing was heard everywhere

Life felt happy and laissez faire.

I did dribble coffee on my clean shirt,

When Jerry said that he had bought a yurt,

But Jerry laughed at me and I, him,

Then he admitted he'd purchased on a whim.

I didn't get mad that he'd "made me spill"

And he wasn't hurt that I'd "mocked his thrill".

Then we walked together to the corner store

Where I bought a pen that made my stain "no more".

I skipped with joy the two steps down the aisle

Which changed the grumpy cashier's style.

He wasn't angry that I'd used it before paying

And I didn't lie, "I was in the line waiting!"

I did not step in gum outside the library,

Thanks to a timely warning from Jerry.

The librarian still kicked us out due to noise,

But this time laughs (not yells) pricked her poise.

She wasn't mad, just enforcing the rule.

We knew that and magically kept our cool.

By the time I awoke, I'd relived the whole day

Acting just slightly happier along the way.

Somehow the day seemed to go smoother,

Making optimism seem like a maneuver -

One that I planned to try out in real life

To see if it really could make good days rife.

© 2012 Rachel Hoyt.  All rights reserved.

Teachnorati Tags: Optimism, Happiness, Rhyme, Humor, Poem, Poetry



More fun reading for National Optimism Month:

The Most Optimistic Places in America

Laughter Therapy

Optimism and Humor Help Dental Fears

Wacky Word Wednesday - Eleemosynarius

Eleemosynarius

by Rachel Hoyt

Image by njaj via freedigitalphotos.net

Eleemosynarius

Isn't Latin for hilarious,

It's the antithesis of nefarious,

Benevolently delirious,

Unselfishly mysterious,

And for giving, notorious -

Eleemosynarius.

Poem Copyright © 2012 Rachel Hoyt.  All rights reserved.

Every week I rhyme and define a new wacky word.

Come on over to indulge your inner nerd.
And, please let me know of any weird words you've heard!

Thank you, Mary Hudak-Collins for suggesting the above word.

Technorati Tags: Incongruent, Words, Vocabulary, Poem, Rhyme, Teaching, Poetry

Thursday Thoughts: Valentine's Day is Just Days Away

A Purrfect Valentine's Day

I've been single for many a Valentine's Day

and still find it a hard time to know what to say

when the question starts to echo in my brain,

that horrible one that can drive a gal insane,

"Why aren't you dating anyone?

What happened with that last one?"

This incessant brain chatter inevitably leads

to a see if anything online could fulfill my needs.

I'm told the options are constantly expanding

to keep up with what the public is demanding.

I peeked early this year at what's new and exciting,

but didn't really find anything intriguing or inviting.

I tried to learn new pick up lines through my phone,

in case I see any handsome foreign men all alone,

but learning to say "I like you" in four languages,

is proving harder than driving while making sandwiches.

I can do Spanish because I learned it years ago,

but learning a third, fourth and fifth?  I don't know.

I found one truly fascinating new "dating" website

which I bet lots of Icelanders are searching tonight

to make sure that cute girl or guy they just met

isn't a familial relation that could cause regret.

(The same families have bred on that island for years.

This digital genealogy tree should help prevent our fears.)

Yet, my favorite thing I learned wasn't really about dating.

In fact, it could in a way prevent some future mating.

You see, I learned my cat's purr has super healing power,

and since she likes to cuddle with me hour after hour,

I'm now not quite so sad to spend V-Day with her,

because who hasn't once wished their Valentine could purr!

© 2012 - All Rights Reserved - Rachel Hoyt

Technorati Tags: Valentine, Dating, Rhyme, Humor, News, Poetry

The Grinch and Godzilla

Image by Simon Howden via freedigitalphotos.com

The Grinch has a friend named Godzilla.
He treats him like a pet Gorilla.
They make people frown
In malls around town
Then relax at the Grinch's villa.

© 2011 - All Rights Reserved - Rachel Hoyt

Thank you Neatorama for inspiring this limerick!

Rubber-Band Regret

These rhymes were written for Mad-Kane's Limerick Off.

Click to read more funny entries.  I promise you won't scoff.

VERSION #1:

A guy who was frequently prone

to gain cash that others had blown

spent a small fortune on

rubber-bands, with a yawn.

"I'd invested if only I'd known."

© 2011 - All rights reserved - Rachel Hoyt

VERSION #2:
   

A guy who was frequently prone

to gain cash that others had blown

spent a small fortune on

rubber-bands, with a yawn.

"Esto me hace un papelón?"

© 2011 - All rights reserved - Rachel Hoyt

(Non-Rhyming Side Note: I changed the final line because I have always wanted to rhyme in Spanish and this seemed a great time to try it.  The translation is, roughly, "This makes me foolish?" or "This makes a fool out of me?")

Technorati Tags: Cash, Money, Rubber-Bands, Humor, Limerick, Poetry

I've Got a Sweet Tooth for This Book

Once upon a time, at the edge of the galaxy,

two sweet tooths decided to start a family.

The cravings these two shared weren't all about candy,

but while drawing and writing they surely ate plenty.

The she sweet tooth spun silly tales with hidden adult meaning.

The he sweet tooth doodled them to make kids think they're dreaming.

Together they created a new type of candy store -

one with bubbly cartoons and rockin' rhymes galore!

Everyone who wants to can visit their store

and come back again anytime they want more

in The Candy Store at the Edge of the Galaxy,

a rhymetastic new book I thought you should see.

The brief theme of gambling and talk of rear ends

might bother my more conservative friends

but really the collection is wholesome and cute

and contains lessons written by someone very astute.

© 2011 - all rights reserved - Rachel Hoyt

Before I go, let me leave you with one poem from the book.

I should hope that, by now, you're dying to take a look!

BAD DAY

by Aleza Freeman

My hair is tangled,

My nails are a mess,

I spilled a soy latte

all over my dress.

There's a hole in my sock,

I tripped over a rock,

I was late for my date

'cause I don't have a clock.

My head is pounding,

My pet bird is dead,

I just got a ticket

for running a red.

Overdue for vacation

but working instead.

Oh, why did I even

get out of bed?

© 2011 - Big Doodle Head


This post was written for Smiley Sociology Study #9.
Come join the book review link exchange while there's still time!

Smiley Sociology Study #9 - It's Book Review Time

Image by Surachai via freedigitalphotos.net

This month I'm writing my first book review,

so I thought I'd make you write one too

unless, of course, you've already reviewed one

and don't have time to write another 'cuz you're busy having fun!

Who knows if anything sociological will be concluded

but into my mind this theme sharply protruded

as a way to encourage book gifting through the holidays

and give our fellow writers the kind of advertising that pays.

Remember, although it can be, your post need NOT be poetry.

Bloggers of all types may use Mister Linky.

I only ask that you stick to this month's chosen theme,

read others' post and leave comments (that aren't mean).

Next month, after I've analyzed all your posts,

I'll write my own rhyme and link to the entries I liked most.

If you don't already have a new book in mind,

many bloggers have e-books which are easy to find!

Non rhyming directions for the poetry challenged:

(1) Create a new post about a rare animal or link to one that was already on your blog. Please note: your post does not need to be poetic or rhyming. All styles of blogs are welcome as long as their post is a book review.

(2) Please include a link back to the Smiley Sociology Study within your post to help spread the word about the link exchange. The more "data" / posts I have to peruse, the better pseudo sociological results I can produce!

(3) copy the link for that post and paste link into Mister Linky below.
Please link directly to the post you want to share, not to your home page.
I will delete your link from the study if I cannot find a book review to link to directly.

(4) leave a comment here to let me know you've posted a link

(5) read links left by others and tell them (nicely) what you think

  

Painter Pauly and Ruler Ronnie

Image by Renjith Krishnan via freedigitalphotos.net

Why must we always choose left or right?

Sometimes the middle road is a delight.

Could it be that "easy" route doesn't actually exist?

Or is clearing the stuff in the way the thing we resist?

I've heard many dark worker's comp insurance tales,

handled claims, seen scams and where the system fails.

So, to illustrate how silly each extreme actually is,

I've written some 'nursery rhymes' about the worker's comp biz.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Painter Pauly

Painter Pauly felt a pain

shoot from his right elbow.

"Ouch!" yelled Pauly, though in vain.

No one could hear him. (Low blow.)

Painter Pauly's boss said he

should go straight to the doctor.

The company would pay the fee

with Work Comp as its proctor.

Later Pauly's boss found out

he played a bit of tennis.

This fact did not make him pout,

it made Pauly a menace.

No one proved without a doubt

what injured Painter Pauly,

though the signs did scream and shout

his lifestyle was the folly.

Other painters heard the news

(Painter Pauly's settlement).

Now Pauly's boss has the blues

and bills that are exorbitant.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Ruler Ronnie

Ruler Ronnie sent his bellhop
out into the dust storm.
He wouldn't risk leaving the shop
where it was safe and warm.

The skyscraper next door had been
demolished that morning,
but Ruler Ronnie, like some men,
refused to change a thing.

So Bellhop Bill braved the dust storm
to get his boss breakfast,
but soon his lungs showed the dust harm
was bad enough to last.

Bellhop Bill told Ruler Ronnie
he needed to get help.
The Ruler said, "Ok with me.
There is no need to yelp."

But Ruler Ronnie said that he
was not going to pay.
His sources tested and said the
air was just fine that day.


© Rachel Hoyt 2011.  All rights reserved.

Technorati Tags: Entertainment, Opinion, Worker's Comp, Humor, Insurance, Poetry

If you're visiting from D'Verse Poets Pub Open Link Night,
please leave a link to your work so I can read them tonight!

Student Life Envy

Image by digitalart via freedigitalphotos.net

If you are one of the many without a job right now,

you may be wishing to go back to school somehow.

If not, you probably haven't heard about how modern

some of the schools' college courses have gotten.

I can't imagine preferring to revise resumes

over a student's study filled, quasi-lazy days.

Perhaps it's just because I majored in Sociology,

that these courses cause me student life envy.

At UCSB there's a Video Study of Social Interaction.

Bellmont University has one on Embracing Distraction.

Occidental offers the chance to study stupidity.

There's Psychology of Exceptional Human Experience at Coventry.

Heck.  I have a good job and wish I could go.

Daily work in an office isn't super exciting, you know?

Of course, I'd want someone else to pay the bill.

I'd just be there to lighten my mood without a pill.

If you are unemployed, why not invent your own course?

Perhaps search for modern remnants of the influence of the Norse?

At least you'll have something to discuss at your next interview.

You never know what that random knowledge will do for you.

© Rachel Hoyt 2011.  All rights reserved.

 

Technorati Tags: Entertainment, Education, Unemployment, Humor, Poetry, Writing