Remember that old song, too? It goes on: “….ain’t got no money….”

Great grammar. But in songs, especially blues songs, the grammar is off–has to be off–and wouldn’t sound right if it was proper grammar.

Grammar can be so difficult, though, esp. if you grow up with parents who don’t speak the language, as I did. Italian was both of their first languages and so often, around the house, they’d be speaking Italian slang–I later learned–which they didn’t want me to learn. It truly wasn’t until I was into my 30s that I understood when to use lay and lie! Or what the difference between go and come.

It’s true.

Everyone, it seems, hates grammar. A few good books, though, make grammar fun. Spunk and Bite by Plotnik. Sin and Syntax by Connie Hale. Woe is I and Words Fail Me by Patricia O’Conner (I think that’s her name….)

Any other you recommend?

The image is from our trip to Catalina last week, Travis and me. This tile is vintage Catalina tile. Gorgeous, don’t you think?