Moldova’s vote is a clear yes to a European future. Despite Russia’s massive efforts to spread disinformation and buy votes, no force can stop a people committed to freedom. We stand with Moldova on their path to the EU.

Medium is planning a new app - read all about it: medium.com/@johnpearce6...

Word of the Day - badonkadonk- in urban slang, a large and formidable posterior.

“People say I’ve got no willpower, but I’ve quit smoking loads of times.”  -Kai Humphries

Word of the Day - scurryfunge scurryfunge – The rather wonderful word is from American dialect, and describes that familiar activity when we rush around tidying up before visitors arrive.

“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” — Louis L’Amour

“My wife told me: ‘Sex is better on holiday.’ That wasn’t a nice postcard to receive.”  -Joe Bor

Word of the Day - humdudgeon – an imaginary illness, possibly brought about by an episode of low mood, perhaps also brought on by the return to work. It is a portmanteau word formed from the first part of humbug, and the word dudgeon, as in to be in high dudgeon: being angry or offended.

“Your writing voice is the deepest possible reflection of who you are. The job of your voice is not to seduce or flatter or make well-shaped sentences. In your voice, your readers should be able to hear the contents of your mind, your heart, your soul.” — Meg Rosoff

“My Dad told me to invest my money in bonds. So I bought 100 copies of Goldfinger.” - Nick Hall

Word of the Day - Ergophobia- the fear of work.

“Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” ― Anton Chekhov

“I usually meet my girlfriend at 12:59 because I like that one-to-one time.” -Tom Ward

The latest pick of Medium, Substack and the wider world from Eco: medium.com/eco-news/set...

Word of the Day- dunderwhelp dunderwhelp - stupid or foolish person. Its origin is thought to be Dutch combined with a British element. It’s thought to first feature in a tragicomedy called ‘Women Pleased’ in 1647 and read “You know what a dunderwhelp my master is”.

One sure window into a person’s soul is his reading list.” — Mary B. W. Tabor

You can’t lose a homing pigeon. If your homing pigeon doesn’t come back, then what you’ve lost is a pigeon.

Word of the Day - mumpsimus – noun - a traditional custom or idea adhered to although shown to be unreasonable; a person who obstinately adheres to old customs or ideas despite evidence that they are wrong or unreasonable.

“To write a great book, you must first become the book” - Naval Ravikant

I was thinking of running a marathon, but I think it might be too difficult getting all the roads closed and providing enough water for everyone.

Word of the Day - crambazzlement – The state when you've had far too much drink and cannot function properly.

“Do the best you can, where you are, with what you have got.” - Phil Neville, football manager

I got a great deal on a second-hand karaoke machine- it was going for a song.

The latest edition of "The Word Collector": medium.com/writing-acad...

Word of the Day - huffle buffs – a rather lovely Scottish expression, these are old, warm, comfortable clothes that you put on when you want to relax.

“The Six Golden Rules of Writing: Read, read, read, and write, write, write.” -Ernest Gaines

One in four frogs is a leap frog.

My wife said I’m average. I thought that was mean.

Word of the Day - snaccident – the accidental consumption of an entire packet of biscuits.

“Read, read, read. Read everything  —  trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You'll absorb it. Then write. If it's good, you'll find out. If it's not, throw it out of the window.” — William Faulkner