MAR 30, 2023: W-I-P

 PARODY-LYRICS

ORIGINAL SONG: "Java Jive", The Ink Spots, 1940. 

MAR 29, homophonous verse: deserving/commendable

Authors' Note: 

syl: jargon used in the doggerel trade; a short form of syllable

Although the adjective deserving has come euphemistically to be applied to the needy, it classically was applied only to people or things that were commendable or admirable.

You can view our whole collection on this topic -- verses intentionally crafted with contentious repetition of the rhyming syllables --  in a wider context on our full-service blog "Edifying Nonsense". Check the post "Homophonous Verse" by clicking HERE. 

MAR 28, reconstructive attitudes: popcorn ceilings

You have seen the 'staged' (hyped) photos of this suite on the post of March 19. Here is the reality, as we get ready to undertake a massive reno under the supervision of 'Carl the contractor'. 

THE PRE-RENO (realty) REALITY

hall (den on left)

kitchen

LR (balcony through doors on R)

Carl checks the location of service conduits

 

MAR 27, wordplay maps: Scramble-towns, 'postal supplements'

You can get into the sequence of earlier wordplay posts on this topic by following these links  .... 

Back up to the first Canadian map.

Back up to the first American map.

MAR 26, lexicon of word-pairs: alliterative binomials R to Si-

 

And, for those with a musical bent, we have a song-cycle of 9 songs displaying the spectrum of these binomial expressions. They have lyrics stuffed with word-pairs, arranged to familiar tunes. You can readily access this singable treasure trove of binomial expressions of various types by clicking on the link for the first song, "WORD PAIRS", HERE. 

MAR 25, submitted palindromes: RANDOM PILES 15

 

You have reached the "Submitted Palindromes" thread on the blog "Daily Edifying Nonsense", a light literary entity that emanates through the blogosphere daily (almost), i.e. 30 times per month.

  On the 25th of each month you will find a slide-filling group of palindromic phrases submitted to the editors by a panel of 7 palindromists. These folks have all been working on this project since January 2020. The personal profiles for each of these contributors are displayed in panels published here at the start of things, and then, we have asked them to provide (palindromically, of course) their views on one of the iconic items in the classic literature, starting with "A man, a plan, a canal -- Panama", continuing with other well-known phrases, such as "Dennis sinned". Otherwise, their contribution will be grouped in monthly random piles (a phrase that you might recognize as an anagram of the word p-a-l-i-n-d-r-o-m-e-s).

You can access this delightful entertainment right here by entering submitted palindromes in one of the two search bars at the top of this post and scrolling downwards through the wordplay posts that you will discover, OR, just follow the links indicated above. 

Devotees of palindromic wordplay can further explore limericks and other short verses about the classic palindromes (and quite a few recent concoctions) that are randomly scattered on this blog after September 2000, or collected into grouped postings on our more encyclopedic blog "Edifying Nonsense" -- start HERE.

MAR 24, lexicon of word-pairs: alliterative binomials N to Q

 Giorgio's lexicon of binomials   (alliterative)

And, for those with a musical bent, we have a song-cycle of 9 songs displaying the spectrum of these binomial expressions. They have lyrics stuffed with word-pairs, arranged to familiar tunes. You can readily access this singable treasure trove of binomial expressions of various types by clicking on the link for the first song, "WORD PAIRS", HERE. 

MAR 23, photo-exposé (saving the planet): last free lunch for swans

mute swan at Lake Ontario,
feasting on corn left by a misinformed well-wisher

 

City of Toronto urges residents to refrain from feeding local wildlife

 

News Release

March 22, 2023

The City of Toronto is urging residents to protect both people and wildlife by refraining from feeding local wildlife. In recent years, there has been an increase in negative interactions involving people and wildlife in Toronto. Most interactions with wildlife, including coyotes and foxes, are the result of a nearby, regular food source, primarily from people leaving food or garbage out.

Feeding wild animals changes their natural instincts and may increase their presence and tolerance of people, creating problems for both wildlife and Toronto communities.

When food is left out for animals, it can attract other animals such as mice, rats, squirrels, and raccoons which in return can attract other larger predators. Feeding birds may encourage large flocks to roost or perch nearby, creating unsanitary conditions and potentially spreading diseases such as avian flu among large bird populations.

To help keep people and wildlife safe, new regulations under Chapter 349, Animals Bylaw will come into effect on April 1 making feeding wildlife prohibited on both private and public properties across Toronto. The new regulations do not apply to feeding songbirds on private property, provided bird feeders are kept above grade, are kept in a sanitary condition and do not attract other animals or wildlife.

MAR 22, classic palindrome: no 'D'; no 'L -- London

                                                                                                          

You can review these illustrated verses in a wider context by proceeding to 'Reversing Verse: Limericks About Classic Palindromes' on the full-service blog 'Edifying Nonsense'. 

MAR 21, W-I-P

 

MAR 20, singable satire: "The MAPLE LEAF AD INFINITUM", updated national hymn

PARODY-LYRICS

Alexander Muir

ORIGINAL SONG: "The Maple Leaf Forever", by Alexander Muir, 1867

PARODY COMPOSED: Giorgio Coniglio, September 2013

PHOTOS: from Google Images, several derived from the wonderful blogsite TorontoThenandNow

PARODY-SONGLINK: To find ukulele and guitar chord-charts to help you accompany "The Maple Leaf Ad Infinitum" on your favorite instrument, click HERE.

HISTORICAL UNDERPINNINGS:

  The original song proposed Canada’s national symbol, and acted for decades as the unofficial anthem of (English) Canada; it was officially replaced in 1980 by “O Canada”. The old tree which had presumably inspired the original lyrics was destroyed by a storm in July 2013.
   The version we sang long ago in school evoked a Canada that extended from Cape Race in the east to the Pacific. In fact, at the time Muir created the song, Newfoundland and British Columbia were separate colonies, and the new country had only 4 provinces.  
   Research into the song's historic underpinnings, as portrayed here, as well as personal experience, evolved into the nostalgic piece "Canadian School Reunion" - see the post highlighting this parody-song.

"Maple Cottage" Leslieville,
(now part of Toronto)
Muir's residence  

1867: A fragile line

THE MAPLE LEAF ad Infinitum

(to the tune of Alexander Muir's "Maple Leaf Forever")

In days less pure, the clan named Muir brought young Alex to these shores;

He breathed old T.O.’s Orangeman’s air, worked with skill his teaching chores.
He honored shamrock, thistle, rose, tall trees, and roots with Britain;

And second-prized our Founding Year a songsmith’s competition.

No copyright, no fleur-de-lys; of insight only traces -

His “Maple Leaf” excluded half our country’s founding races.

On days of pomp, when bands would romp from Lakes to FroBay and Sea to Sea,

The trick was to pick “God Save the Queen” from “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”.

The music-sheets for these two treats seemed equal when you scanned them;

We’d need decide in love and pride the True North’s national anthem.

Untwine the Line at Forty-Nine, les Ricains might endeavour;

Could we that fragile Line define with “Maple Leaf Forever”?

Robert Stanley Weir
 lyricist

Calixa Lavallee
 composer

St-Jean-Baptiste in Canada East resounded with Lavallée’s score;
R.Weir took on the daunting task - Theme O-Canada's breadth restore.
The over-zealed paroles part-spared, the English not so prominent,

Still women and newcomers griped, “It’s sexist and male-dominant.”

As reg'ments touted "Leaf" their tune, did Anglo journals shout and rant, 
But decades past, "O Canada" did Muir's time-worn chant supplant.
In time for our Centennial, new flag and hymn to savour, 
Still stuck with macho lyrics and a pinch of maple flavour ! 

Last year, Muir's ancient fabled tree was felled by stormy weather;
Still sometimes heard but seldom hymned - "The Maple Leaf Forever".

 

MAR 19, reconstructive attitudes: planned demolition

 

Authors' Note: Contractors will describe the first phase of your tired old home's renovation as demolition, forgetting that, to the sensitive older homeowner, that term may conjure up visions of damage caused by aerial bombing, earthquakes or cyclones.

We will be posting a series of photocollages next week as the fun begins!

LEAD-IN PHOTOS

These pictures were taken from the sales information with the suite 'staged' in 2021.

front hall

kitchen

LR

master BR

master bath

ACTUAL PRE-RENO PHOTOS: 

You can view these on a post next week by clicking HERE.

MAR 18, waterfowl: pescatarian choice

You can review these illustrated verses in a wider context by proceeding to 'Immersible Verse: Limericks about Waterfowl' on the full-service blog 'Edifying Nonsense'. 

MAR 17, palinku (poetic novelty): pets

  In this post, we  continue with a novel form of poetic wordplay. Inspired by Japanese haiku poetry, this new form is used for a terse verse with a total of 17 syllables displayed on three lines. Unlike its earlier analogues, this concoction does not mandate the precise distribution of the syllables among the three lines, but does stipulate that each word in the poem be included in a palindromic phrase or sentence in English (i.e. one that can be read either forwards or backwards). 

  To help the reader discern the origin of the lyrics, each palindrome (generally occupying one of the three lines of the poem) has been color-coded.

  And, just in case you have forgotten what palindromes are about, your blogsite hosts have arranged a serial set of brief lessons on the topic ('Political Palindromes') which you can review by clicking HERE. 

 

A limerick dealing with pets and vets can be found HERE.

 You can readily view all our "palinku" verses if you proceed with a single click to our more encyclopedic blog "Edifying Nonsense". Click HERE. (Or if you prefer, you can stay on this particular blogsite and look for the offerings for the 17th day of each month -- there are now more than 60 of these.)

MAR 16, handyman's lesson: restoring your old greenhouse, followup

Following up on lesson #1 

work continues under wraps
March 21

wet snow, late in season 

update: spring has sprung, April 16

A NOTE FOR (potentially) DISAPPOINTED READERS !!!

Although the Palm Court has been closed for renovations, portions of the Conservatory facility remain open. If you can't manage to come by for a look in-person, you can still take in the joys of an on-line visit by clicking HERE. 

MAR 15, special events: percussion quartet

 The torQ Percussion Quartet at the Art Gallery of Ontario:

MAR 14, homophonous verse: a toast to French homophones

 You can review verses on this topic in a wider context on our full-service blog 'Edifying Nonsense'. Check the posts 'Savoir-Faire' by clicking HERE, and 'Homophonous Verse' by clicking HERE. 

MAR 13, at heart: torsade de pointes

Authors' Note: 

Torsade de pointes (tor-sad duh PWAnT), is an Anglo-French medical term for twisting of the peaks, named in 1966 by its French cardiologist discoverer. It is a pattern seen on the ECG (electrocardiogram), with 'twisting' or cycling of the height of the ventricular 'QRS' complexes, and is often associated with factors, inherited or acquired, that widen the 'Q-T' interval on the tracing. This pattern is associated with nasty ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. If you are lucky, you have survived the initial episode and have correctable factors (e.g. electrolyte disorders, certain pharmaceuticals, etc.)

Flying straight is a casual metaphor associated with performing expected or routine function.

You can view more poems on this topic by proceeding to "Cardiologic Tracings: AT HEART" (parts #1 and #2) on our full-service blog "Edifying Nonsense". Click HERE! 

MAR 12, signs of confusion: fourth collection

This post is the fourth in a series of 5. You can attempt to get all of this straight by reviewing the collections in the previous posts ...

signs of confusion #3
signs of confusion #2
signs of confusion #1

This post has been the fourth in a series of 5. If you have been having fun, you could soldier on and get all of this straight ...

signs of confusion #5