We’ve all made or laughed at punctuation goofs. 

Long ago, messages were chiseled in stone with no punctuation. All words ran together until the Greeks and Romans rescued us by inventing the comma and period. 

Thank goodness, other marks came later. We’ve all heard, “I’m giving up eating chocolate for a month.” versus, “I’m giving up. Eating chocolate for a month.” 

These are also good for a laugh:

• The sign posted by the lake said, “Crocodiles Do Not Swim Here.” I hope they can read!
• A pasture sign said, “Cows please close gate.”
• A restaurant poster insists, “Tables are for eating customers only.”
• And no host should ignore this offer: “Learn how to cut, marinate, and cook friends!”
• Or, “We’re going to learn to cut and paste kids” And. “Man bacon makes anything taste good.” Or, “I love baking my family and my friends.”
• Don’t forget the comma when you tell someone, “I’m sorry I love you.”
• Here’s another favorite: “A woman, without her man, is nothing. Or, “A woman: without her, man is nothing.”

These examples make us love small but essential punctuation marks.

Do you have any examples of entertaining punctuation goofs? Leave them in the comments below and let’s all have a good laugh together!

A Reader Question

A new reader asked me to answer some author questions:

• Tell me about yourself.
• What do you like reading and/or writing most?
• Which Girl Scout cookie is your favorite?

I was born in Vancouver, Washington, the end of the Oregon Trail, and where Fort Vancouver was built in 1825 on the Columbia River. That gorgeous area and its history appear in three of my books.

I have two grown sons who are medical doctors so I call them the paradox “pairadocs” in my life. Both live near the greater Twin Cities and both have small farms we love.

My college Psych aptitude test said I should be a teacher, pastor, or forest ranger. I’ve had fun being variations all three, sometimes at the same time.

I love to travel, especially to the homes of foreign exchange students who’ve lived with us for long periods. I’ve also taken many mission trips to Mexico, Canada, Europe, the Philippines, Indonesia, Macau, Israel, and Colombia, South America. I maintain relationships with many friends in those places.

For years I’ve taught in universities, sometimes writing the courses I teach. I love reading and writing historical fiction and suspense as well. Here’s a list of my novels:

• Books Afloat 

• Strong Currents (sequel to Books Afloat)

• Wilderness Wife

• Christmas Tree Wars 

Two of my favorite current reads are Mollie Rushmeyer’s The Bookshop of Secrets and Amy Lynn Green’s The Blackout Book Club. I see a common theme. 

I hope you enjoy my answers. I’d love to hear yours, too.

Traveling Grandma Book Update

My Israel book, The Traveling Grandma’s Guide to Israel: Adventures, Wit, and Wisdom, has left my hands and moved on to formatting, cover approval, and printing. Look for the pre-order and release dates soon.

Have a wonderful two weeks until next time, and check these earlier blogs for similar posts you might enjoy:

“Jokes make us better storytellers”

“Word Games are a sign of intelligence.”