2026.07 schedule
Just realized I never uploaded June’s image (which I did create), but accidents happen….
Here’s the online-lesson schedule for July, if anyone needs it.
For fun, I added images for Canada Day (July 1st), Independence Day (USA, July 4th), Bastille Day (France, July 14th). None of these impacts availability; it’s just a little flag-related fun for each country’s national day.
終
Casual chat
I just watched an Instagram video about old gravestones in the New England area of the United States. For some reason, these gravestones listed the cause of the person’s death. That’s not something I’ve ever seen, and it’s not a custom I was ever aware of.
One headstone includes, as the cause of death, “casually killed by a wagon”. That’s an entertaining phrase in current English(!), but at the time “casual” must’ve meant “accidental” or “by chance”.
So I looked it up to confirm and found that that is actually the original meaning of “casual”! I did not know that.
But here’s the part that blew my mind:
The fairly-common phrase “casual acquaintance” doesn’t (or didn’t originally) describe a current relationship. Rather, it describes how the relationship started: accidentally. 🤯
And a “casual laborer” works when fortune provides a chance at some income. 🤯
Words are so cool. Some gravestones are cool, too, it turns out.
終
A Year Gone By
Somehow, a year has passed since I started this school. It was a year ago yesterday, in fact. Time flies. It’s been a weird but fun year. Thanks to everyone for the help and the patronage!
Now, on to year number two!
終
Izumo’s Taisha
I went to Izumo-Taisha for my birthday, and it was truly stunning – a beautiful place with perfect (fortunately!) weather. If you’ve never been there, I strongly recommend visiting.
You can even walk to the coast in only about 15 minutes – which I also did, and froze to death.
終
