This weekend I was bombarded with issues and anecdotes pertaining to our class and have finally found some time to share them.  First, when I got home Thursday afternoon there was an article in the TU about classifying eggs.  There were eleven different categories to consider that included the expected organic and free-range labels.  But there are also vegetarian fed, Food Alliance certified, and Animal Welfare approved!  Wow!  The article had an amusing first line leading into the topic - something about buying eggs scrambles the brain . . . A good example of how to lure readers in. 

While at the dentist on Friday, I read an article about food language - how there is a difference between the words "homemade" and "housemade" despite them both meaning "prepared from scratch."  The connotation (implied meaning) of homemade often includes the image of a sweet grandma wearing an apron and baking cookies and pies in a cozy kitchen, whereas housemade is associated with a creative chef who personally and critically selects fresh ingredients and turns them into an imaginative culinary creation in the back of the house (establishment's kitchen).  I'm wondering what you think about this seemingly subtle distinction . . .

On Friday my eight year old son brought home a worksheet on paragraph development.  At the top there was a picture of a juicy burger with all the fixings (interesting enough given the "healthy eating" movement taking place in our school district right now).  However, what stood out were the suggestions next to the image:  the top bun is the introductory sentence; the meat and fixings are the supporting details; the bottom bun is the concluding sentence.  Does this sound familiar?  I threw out this same strategy for integrating outside material, but it's the same principle.  This is something we all have been doing since we were seven or eight years old.  At this point, it's expected that you have "gourmet" meat and fixings by now though.  Those supporting details should be carefully selected and arranged.  Think of a Black Angus burger encrusted with tri-colored cracked peppercorns; smothered with Blue's Ewe (blue cheese); topped apple-wood smoked bacon and carmelized onions; and served on homemade ciabatta (Italian bread).  Not for you? Then visualize your own to-die-for sandwich when writing and create it!  Just as a food creation is a reflection of the cook, your writing is a reflection of who you are, and this goes far beyond WRIT100.  For many, it's easy to throw together a mediocre meal.  The same goes for a piece of writing. 

Again, I enjoy reading your comments - whether you're commenting on the class or material, whether you're reflecting upon your own life, or whether you're flat out procrastinating.  I, too, get caught up with life; I need to write more often.