Blog Schedule

I post on Monday with an occasional random blog thrown in for good measure. I do my best to answer all comments via email and visit around on the days I post.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

B is for... (and IWSG Day)

Click HERE for a list of all
the participants!
For this, my 5th year doing the Challenge, it's the
A to Z of Anansi the spider.


Brer Rabbit and an owl, 1881
Br'er Rabbit and Owl.
B is for Brar, Brer, Bru, Br'er, Brair, Bra'


It means, in all it's various forms, brother.

"Brer" was also used as an informal title before a man's name. Brer John.

"Br'er" is more Southern United States and dates to the mid to late 1800s.

In the U. S. Virgin Islands I heard "Bru" being used most of the time: Bru Nanci, Bru Tiger.

In Jamaica Anansi Stories by Martha Warren Beckwith, Brar and Brer seem to be the most common spellings.





Today is also Insecure Writer's Support Group Day!

The brainchild of Alex Cavanaugh, the 
You can sign up HERE.
purpose of the Insecure Writer's Support Group is: to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting is the first Wednesday of every month.





Federico Fellini NYWTS 2
Today I offer up this quote from Frederico Fellini. I first heard it in the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun." It has stuck with me. 

"You have to live spherically - in many directions. Never lose your childish enthusiasm - and things will come your way."

Do this, and you will not only be content, you might even be happy. 

24 comments:

  1. Wow. Five years of A-Z? You should get an award! Great quote!

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  2. Br'er Rabbit and Br'er Fox were always favourites of mine.

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  3. Decided on A-Z rather than Camp NaNo. Both would have been way too much. Stumbled upon the Insecure Writers Support Group yesterday. Glad you mentioned it. :)

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  4. Too often in the details of daily life, we forget to keep our eyes open with the innocence of childhood. That quote is a great reminder for me today.

    Thank you!!

    Terri @ Scribbler's Sojourn

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  5. Do throw me in the briar patch, especially if blackberries (the fruit, NOT the electronic gadget) are involved. I loved Brer Rabbit as a kid.

    I really should join IWSG, but am feeling a bit insecure about it. ;)

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  6. I am ALL about the childish enthusiasm. Thus my A to Z of fairy tales. Awesome post. Great quote.

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  7. If that gives me permission to act like a kid, I'm all for it!

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  8. That's a great quote, one definitely worth repeating. Not sure I'd call my older brothers a bra though...they'd probably thump me, if I did :)

    MJ, A to Z Challenge Co-Host
    Writing Tips
    Effectively Human
    Lots of Crochet Stitches


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  9. I loved that word in your book. It added personality.

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  10. Thanks for the interesting info about "brother." I liked the quote, but - uh-oh - my "childish enthusiasm" disappeared a long time ago. Does my sense of humor count? 'Coz I still have that! :)

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  11. Can't believe I forgot that quote. I enjoyed "Under the Tuscan Sun". It's a great one to live by.

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  12. Childish enthusiasm is great - I'll never lose mine!

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  13. Now you see I learned more today. I didn't know Brar meant brother. So Briar Rabbit takes on a whole new meaning. I'd always thought it was about the briar patch.

    The Fellini quote, like the man, has such depth and yet is quite simple.

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  14. I agree, you should get an award for five straight years of this! And great quote.

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  15. Great writer's quote! Thanks! :)

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  16. Think this is my fourth a to zed but not sure! Have to go investigating. Like your theme! When I have a little longer I will come back and tell you my Anansi dream.

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  17. I don't remember hearing that from Under the Tuscan Sun, but it makes sense- that movie was full of wisdom.

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  18. Hey, Bish,

    Saw Anansi featured at Mike's blog yesterday. Brer is the popular around these parts.

    Love that quote. My inner child is out and about each day.

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  19. I feel my childish enthusiasm bubbling up all the time.

    This reminds me of how my students call each other bruh.

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  20. That's a great quote! I like the idea of being open to many directions.

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  21. Love that Fellini quote. Must repeat it to the hubby the next time he asks me to focus on One thing :)

    Damyanti Co-host, A to Z Challenge 2014, Latest Post

    Twitter: @damyantig
    #atozchallenge

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  22. Bish
    I like the brother explanation. I never thought much about it. Sorry I missed this yesterday. Later I realized I was going into a toxin discharge from a cleanse. I'm always happy about that. It means it's working.

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  23. As our mild winter keeps dragging on here, I'm more and more homesick for de islands. Not sure if I can keep coming back here.

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  24. Love the advice of Fellini! You will be happy, I don't think there's a might be.

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Your Random Thoughts are most welcome!