Welcome February!

 Click here to go directly to our webpages and read the Update and other pages. 

Listen to and follow our podcast "Sorry. What Did You Say?" on Spotify 

TIP: As you read this Update, pay attention to the apostrophes. ('). How are they used? What are the conditions.

Hello Friends.

Do you wonder how to pronounce February? It is a great question and open for debate. The Cambridge Dictionary offers the UK and the US pronunciations. Can you hear the difference? 

February is African American Month.

February Days

The Snow Moon (February 1) or the full moon of the month gets it's name because traditionally this is the month for the most snowfall. January will be hard to beat!

We have had cold and snow all across the U.S. for the past weeks. February is a very important month for us here because on February 2 we turn to the Groundhog to tell us how much longer we get to enjoy (or put up with) winter weather. 

Superbowl (February 8) is an important holiday. This foodball game ends the season and even if you are not a fan watch the commercials and the halftime show. Throw a party. Celebrate with themed snacks and cook offs. This the real reason for the holiday!

• Food and Wine has 50 snacks.
• Food Network has 101 snacks.

Valentines Day (February 14) is the day to show your love to your family, friends, classmates, neighbors, or anyone else. In the U.S. giving chocolates, Valentine cards, flowers, stuffies, are all ways to show your appreciation for the people in your life. Of course, save dinner for your sweetie!

Galentines Day (February 13) was created by a character in the sitcom Parks and Rec. On this day girlfriends get together and celebrate that special relationship with all things girlie.

The Chinese Lunar New Year (February 17) has become a popular celebration in our communities. Join in with delicious treats as we welcome in the year of the horse.

Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday (February 17) is the feast day before the Christian Lenten season. This is a secular holiday in many communities.

Ramadan (February 17) begins the holy holiday for Muslims. This holiday lasts until the next crescent moon (29-30 days) and is observed  by focus on God-consciousness, self-reflection, and self-improvement all month as they fast, abstaining from food and water from sunrise to sunset. 

Ash Wednesday (February 18) begins the 40 day Lenten season. Churches may hold services. People may have ashes on their foreheads as a part of observing this day. Christians may give up something that is special as a part of observing these days (ending on Easter Sunday).

The Old Farmer's Almanac has more to think about and to celebrate (including beginning to plan your garden).

Affectionate Alphabets

Acronyms are shorthand and sassy ways to talk about your favorite things. Here is a list that celebrates our favorite people in the month of February.

OG: Original Gangster

GOAT: Greatest Of All Time

MVP: Most Valuable Player or Person

BFF: Best Friend Forever

BF: BoyFriend

LOML: Love Of My Life

BAE: Before Anyone Else

SO: Significant Other

BB: Best Buddy, baby

ILY: I Love You

ILYSM: I Love You So Much

IMY: I Miss You

WCW: Woman Crush Wednesday:

MCM: Man Crush Monday

XOXO:

OTL: Only True Love or One True Love

QT: Cutie

And how to label a romantic household:

DINK: Dual Income No Kids

DINKWAD: Dual Income No Kids With A Dog

Picture Books: Reading for More Than Content

Dads rap-reading Pout Pout Fish to their babies is a trend.

Dr Seuss Event, Feb 21 at the Carmel Clay Public Library.

International Friends Meeting Notes

Practicing your American English is important. Join us! Click here to register and get the Zoom link.

International Bible Study: Monday, 8-9:00 PM, Zoom

We made up for lost time with two chapters. Exodus 31 details more about the artisans selected to create and design the elements outlined in the previous chapters' plans. God also specifies that the Sabbath is to be honored and no one is to work. God sets forth the consequences of not observing this day of worship and rest.  

While Noah is away, the Israelites decide that they need a new god. Exodus 32 tells the story of the Golden Calf. When Moses returns off the mountain, where he and God were working on plans that would bring the people closer to go God. We talked about how it could be disappointing to work hard on a project only to find that the people that you were working for had given up on you. Moses steps up to defend the people, yet there are still consequences of their actions.

February 2: We will read beginning with Exodus 3#.

American English Language and Culture: Thursday, 9:00AM- 11:00 AM, Zoom

After a week of wintery weather, we were glad to gather in the warmth of our Zoom room to reflect on the cure for cabin fever—a good book. There are so many genre to choose from. We love to recommend our favorite selections from various genre: kids’ books like the Pout-Pout Fish series, classic fiction like Heidi, informational non-fiction like How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci by Michael J. Gelb, and science and self-help books like Menopause Manifesto by Dr. Jen Gunter. As we read and talk about books, we learn new vocabulary and practice important rhetorical tasks like taking a position, making a statement, articulating a point of view, examining experience, and comparing and contrasting ideas. The topic of the day was the introduction of Menopause Manifesto. We shared our first impressions of the material and noticed the author’s direct appeal and reference to shared experience to build rapport with readers. The conversation broadened to address how to be informed and communicate about health concerns. Managing personal and family healthcare can be challenging visit our Class Notes page for the list.

February 5: We are continuing to read and comment. Our reads for the week: 

• Heidi by Johanna Spyri
• Switzerland Travel Guide

Enjoy the journey!

American English for Kids: Thursday, 6:00-6:30 PM, private Zoom

We finished Go, Dog. Go! This book is fun for kids in middle school, too.

February 6: Keep your ears open during the week for prepositions both in English and in your home language. Let's talk about how we use them!

Words and Phrases and Resources

articulating a point of view: stating an opinion or position

cabin fever: being stuck in the house during cold weather

given up on: stop hoping or believing in someone or something; lose faith

keep your ears open: listen, be aware of

rhetorical: words or conversation to provoke discussion or to persuade

steps up: takes action

Look Out For Ice!

Click here to go directly to our webpages and read the Update and other pages. 

Listen to and follow our podcast "Sorry. What Did You Say?" on Spotify 

Hello Friends.

Have you seen the weather forecast for this weekend? There is a giant swath of pink, blue, and magenta on the United States map. Click and go to the National Weather Service (NWS) map and then you can click on the most current predictions for a particular state and county. We are lucky to only get snow here in the Midwest. This is nothing too unusual for us. But the South will see sleet and freezing rain resulting in ice and record levels of snow. These areas do not usually get this type of weather, so they do not have the equipment to move the snow and they are not at all used to driving in this weather. People may be stuck for days.  

Want to be a weather spotter? NWS dates and times to train and join others who enjoy geeking out on Mother Nature.

Winter Weather Preparation

If you have been watching the news, you may have seen empty store shelves and city and state officials leading initiatives to prepare streets and citizens for the upcoming storms. News outlets are touting great words like "massive" storm and travel "nightmare" and "suffering" with temperatures. 

Enjoy weather history: Calm down. Stay warm. Hunker down and sip tea, coffee, soup, hot chocolate (or any other warming beverage). Charge your electronics. Take your time. Top off your tank.

While snow can cause trouble moving around, ice can bring down powerlines and trees. Ice on your front steps are the unexpected risk!  Watch your step!

Travel could be very difficult.

• If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. 
• The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Here in Central Indiana the storm is predicted to last from 7:00 PM Saturday to 7:00 AM on Monday and have snow accumulation of four to eight inches with temperatures in the single digits. Wear layers and bundle up when you go outside. Cover exposed skin. 

Close to Home: Carmel is Winter Ready

Each community has systems in place for this events. Be sure to follow instructions from your local community. Here is the communication from the City of Carmel (our homebase) as an example:

Carmel Is Prepared for Changing Weather Issues

The City of Carmel works hard to provide timely and accurate information to its residents and visitors regarding severe weather and snow removal throughout the winter season.

The Carmel Street Department has a fleet of 90 salt trucks and plows ready to battle the elements and keep our city streets safe.

The general threshold to trigger a city-wide plow is three inches. Once the heavy snow stops, main thoroughfares and secondary streets will be cleared and safe for travel. An all-city plow will then begin, including all neighborhood streets. Residents are advised to stay off the roads during the heavy snowfall and then afterward, be patient and allow for plenty of travel space while the snowplows are clearing the main thoroughfares. Paths and trails will be cleared in the days that follow once roads are cleared.

The city’s public safety leaders regularly work with county officials to ensure emergency services continue to operate throughout anticipated severe weather. 

Updates related to street conditions and other storm-related matters will be posted on city social media pages. From the Carmel Weather Aware page.

Click on the picture for full screen.

Picture Books: Reading for More Than Content

Read Go Dog Go by P. D. Eastman. We spent almost 45 minutes on what is often a 5-15 minute read with a toddler or beginning reader. This book is a feast of learning color, prepositions, and understanding place. There is even a little romance for those of us who love a good serial rom com (pages 8, 26, 36, 62). Notice that we are watching the fun until you are asked to join when the  word "come" is introduced. There is plenty of drama to talk about and describe. These are classics for the whole family.

Enjoy more in this genre:

Dr. Seuss: Cat in the Hat; One Fish, Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish; Green Eggs and Ham; Hop on Pop; Fox in Socks; The Lorax; And to Think That I Saw in on Mulberry Street; How the Grinch Stole Christmas; The Sneetches; Oh, The Places You’ll Go

P. D. Eastman: Are You My Mother?; The Best Nest

Who or Whom?

Who and whom are always a conundrum for everyone. We had a nice discussion about which to use in our meeting, but what does AI have to say?

The difference between "who" and "whom" lies in their grammatical roles:

Who is used as a subject pronoun, referring to the person performing an action (e.g., "Who is coming to the party?"). 

Whom is used as an object pronoun, referring to the person affected by an action or following a preposition (e.g., "To whom should I address the letter?"). 

A simple rule to remember: if you can replace it with "he" or "she," use who; if you can replace it with "him" or "her," use whom. While "whom" is technically correct, it is less commonly used in casual conversation. 

Then check the work and sources: 

• idp ELTS: Grammar 101: Who vs whom: Grammar rules. 
• GrammarBook.com: Who vs Whom
• Merriam-Webster: How to Use "Who" vs. "Whom"

International Friends Meeting Notes

Practicing your American English is important. Join us! Click here to register and get the Zoom link.

International Bible Study: Monday, 8-9:00 PM, Zoom

No one was available to study. It is good to be with family and out of town!

January 26: We will read beginning with Exodus 31.

American English Language and Culture: Thursday, 9:00AM- 11:00 AM, Zoom

We had a massively interesting class where we picked apart sentences and then identified and labeled what we were observing using grammar labels and rules. Our practical example was "Go Dog Go", and you can find a comprehensive list of all the wonderous content we discovered packed in these 64 pages [in, at, or on--which is it?] our Class Notes tab.

Take a look at our whiteboard in Class Notes for a graphic summary of our conversations. 

Explore diagramming sentences (by American grade level standards). K12 Reader offers worksheets and basic instructions to work through a graphic understanding of American English grammar by school grade level.

Or jump to the Quick Guide and go crazy making your own diagrams.

January 30: We are going to continue to lean in to reading and dissecting American Language and Culture. We have a snippet to read from Menopause Manifesto by Dr. Jen Gunter coming from one of our Friends.

American English for Kids: Thursday, 6:00-6:30 PM, private Zoom

We talked about standard ability tests. Ability is a great word. It can be

• Capability: can someone or someone do a particular thing
• Fitness: is someone or something prepared to do a particular thing 
• Status: whether someone has the right or means to do or have something

A test is a measure. There may or may not be judgement in a test. Tests are used to gather data.

We started on Go, Dog. Go! We noticed the punctuation that the author uses to make his point. American English writing relies on punctuation to direct the intention of the story. That being said, be sure not to overuse exclamation points...Nothing is that exciting!

January 23: We will pick Go, Dog. Go! back up with page 24. Forget everything in the previous writing: spoiler!

Words and Phrases and Resources

comprehensive: complete

genre: a specific type

go crazy: to do something too much, in a way that is not usual or sensible, especially because you are excited (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English On Line--another fun resource for logophiles)

initiatives: take steps, put plans into action

on Mother Nature: about or regarding our physical world

serial rom com: a humorous (funny) love-themed story that occurs in intervals (either in time or publication)

swath: a broad strip or area of something

single digits: numbers less than 10 (these numbers should be written out in formal writing, double digits and above are written as numbers)

that being said: a popular transition statement, so

top off your tank: make sure your car is fully fueled

touting: selling aggressively or using an aggressive or bold manner

Bundle Up, Chowing Down

 Click here to go directly to our webpages and read the Update and other pages. 

Listen to our podcast "Sorry. What Did You Say?" on Spotify 

Hello Friends.

What do you like to do in the winter? January is notorious for people resolving to make healthy changes in their lives. Some people give up drinking alcohol for the month. Others are determined to exercise more or loose unwanted pounds. Some like to curl up and catch up with reading. The new year gives us hope and ambition to do more.

Festival of Ice This Weekend!

It's going to be a cold weekend in Carmel!  Add those extra layers and visit the Carmel Arts & Design District and Carter Green and catch some of the most talented ice carvers in the country, joining us again for the annual Festival of Ice.

The 2026 Festival of Ice weekend begins today in the District, with carvers creating incredible ice masterpieces from 4 – 8 p.m. 

On Saturday, Jan. 17 catch the ice carving  at Carter Green from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Watch sculpting professionals create unique ice masterpieces and participate in the People’s Choice sculpture voting from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

If you are looking to add some adventure and you are local, Devour Indy Winterfest is on! Venture out and try some new dishes.

Dine in Delaware County? Destination Munchie (a play on the name of  Muncie, IN). Delaware County’s first restaurant rally. This two-week event (January 18-31) celebrates the county’s dining scene. Each of the 20 participating restaurants will offer a special, limited-time three-course menu. Explore the full list of participating restaurants using our mobile passport! 

Making America Healthy

Make America Healthy Again or MAHA is a slogan that emerged in the last year. The anticipated Dietary Guidelines for Americans was published this week. The headline is "eat real food." Scientific Foundation For The Dietary Guidelines For Americans explains reasons for the changes.  As early as 1894 the U.S.D.A made dietary recommendations. 

You can browse through historical documents at the USDA Historical Dietary Guidance site and see what was trending.

Adapting to What is Available

Finding food products and produce that are familiar may be difficult. Many markets carry international foods these days. There may be international markets locally or within the area. Many people crave their home-style cooking.  But, in the melting pot of America, everyone enjoys each other's dishes. People are less afraid to try food that is culturally unusual. This article from Men In Aprons gives the top 10 cuisines. This is not a new phenomenon in the United States. Beautiful and new fusion dishes and tastes are developed using what is available. 

International Friends Meeting Notes

Practicing your American English is important. Join us! Click here to register and get the Zoom link.

International Bible Study: Monday, 8-9:00 PM, Zoom

We are back on track in Exodus. This past week we covered two chapters (Exodus 28-29). Exodus 28 describes the attire of the priests as and the actions to make the priests holy. Exodus 29 covers the practices to consecrate the priests. Exodus 30  describes the alter and described elements.  We enjoyed our discussion about the precision and details in these chapters. Atonement Money gave us food for thought: everyone paid the same amount regardless of their status or wealth to maintain the tent (11-16). The anointing oils and incense aromas that were to be concocted only for sacred use in the temple (22-38). What do these detailed chapters tell us about God?

January 19: We continue to read beginning with Exodus 31.

American English Language and Culture: Thursday, 9:00AM- 11:00 AM, Zoom

Welcome back everyone! In our warmup, sharing memories of our pets allowed us to practice
past tense and present perfect tense. 

Past tense:

• I got a dog for my sixth birthday.
• She had a turtle when she was younger.
• He won a goldfish at the county fair.

Present perfect tense:

• I have had my two cats for sixteen years.
• She has never had any pets.
• They’ve always had huskies as their pets.

Be aware that "lost" can have multiple meanings. Listen to the context and sensitively ask
questions to be sure you understand. You may notice a “Lost dog/cat“ sign posted near the road
with information about an animal that is missing. However, lost may also mean that a pet has
“died or passed away.” In some cases, a very sick pet may be “euthanized or put down” to
prevent suffering. In any case, expressing sympathy is appropriate.

A fun show-and-tell game with kitchen utensils taught us new vocabulary and helped us practice
the sentence pattern that names an object and describes how we use it:

• I use these tongs to toss the salad. OR I use these tongs for tossing the salad.
• They use these corn picks to serve corn on the cob at their barbecues.
• My grandmother used this nutcracker to crack walnuts to put in her banana bread.

Health is a popular topic at this time of year. Discussing health and medical care, we practiced
pronouncing some common ailments (respiratory virus, indigestion, acid reflux). Reading an
article aloud about IU Health facilities allowed us to read and listen critically (here is a page from IU Health that summarizes how to choose where to go for healthcare). When you read,
think about the author's audience and purpose. Is the text intended to define, describe, educate,
entertain, explain, inform, argue, persuade, advertise, offer solutions? Look for words you know
(and don't know) in context. Is there unique or specialized vocabulary? Are there slang or pop
culture terms that are new to you? 

Reading aloud in a group helps you be more aware of pronunciation challenges and the rhythm of English. We welcome you to contribute text samples of any kind for future read-alongs.

Other vocabulary we introduced and picked apart:

• ruckus
• rowdy
• simile/metaphor
• dramatic play

Check out some supplemental notes in our Class Notes tab.

January 22: We will read the children's book Go, Dog Go! by P.D. Eastman. Look for

a copy at the library or here is a link to a YouTube read by Nana Pam.

American English for Kids: Thursday, 6:00-6:30 PM, private Zoom

We played with Elevator Pitches: an introduction and ask when meeting someone new. We also talked about reading Go Dog Go for next week. This simple book is silly and great for brushing up on grammar and positional prepositions.

January 23: Did you make a kakizome and put it into writing?

Words and Phrases and Resources

anticipated: look forward to something

aromas: scents, smells

brushing up on: reviewing

concocted: to prepare something using raw materials

emerged: became prominent 

fusion: joining two or more things to become a single entity

picked apart: teased, examine

play on: use a word or saying and make a playful (or mocking) joke 

trending: popular and widely discussed

Welcome 2026

Click here to go directly to our webpages and read the Update and other pages. 

Listen to our podcast "Sorry. What Did You Say?" on Spotify

Hello Friends.

2026 is already shaping up to be an interesting year! Aside from the headlines, the weather has been super nice here in the Midwest. What are the headlines in your life, so far? Travel and back to school are common to all of us. The weather is our favorite headline here in the Midwest (we expect cold and get warm or it is cold and we like it or ...). 

Welcome winter. Welcome all the new adventures and interesting opportunities that this new year provides to us!

Get Out There

Hamilton County Things to Do in January

Camping and camps are an important part of life in the United States. Kids 

Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Fishers is hosting a camp in for dads and kids up to fourth grade January 30-31. Sign up for the fun and get know other families in our communities!

There are day camps and sleep over camps. Day camps are just that. Kids meet for programs during the day and sleep at home. Drop you kids for the allotted time and they stay 

It isn't too soon to be looking for summer camps for the kids. Here is the guide for the Carmel Clay Parks, but every community has summer camps. 

Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation Camp Guide 

My Kid's Camp: Type in your zip code (or you could even type in the zip code of an area where you will be vacationing to find a camps for your children to enjoy). 

If you are looking for something to help you get through the winter months or through the days and weeks before you can take another vacation, think about taking a day trip.

Indianapolis Kids Out and About has a nice list of family day trips, but never fear! You can enjoy any or all of these destinations without kids.

What the H?

The pronunciation of letter "h" can be inconsistent in American English. In the following words, the "h" is not pronounced.

• hour (OW er)
• honest (AH nest)
• herb (erb)
• honor (AH ner)
• heir (air)

In most other words, say the "h".

• hormones
• horrible
• humble
• Haiti (HAY de or HAY tee)

International Friends Meeting Notes

Practicing your American English is important.

Join us! Click here to register.

International Bible Study: Monday, 8-9:00 PM, Zoom

We are back on track in Exodus. This past week we covered two chapters (Exodus 28-29). Exodus 28 describes the attire of the priests. This YouTube narrates Exodus 28 showing the creation of garments using modern tools. This version is using the King James text (we typically use the New International Version). Exodus 29 describes how the priests were to be consecrated for service to God and to the Israelites. The consecration included specific sacrifices as well as actions.

In our current society and time, pastors and priests do not always wear specific garments. Depending on the worship service, the pastor may be as casual as jeans and a shirt or as formal as robes. We talked about the implications of dress as well as customs.

December 1: We continue to read beginning with Exodus 30. The next short chapters continue 

American English and Culture: Thursday, 9:00AM- 11:00 AM, Zoom

It is difficult to get back into the swing of things after a couple of weeks off. And then there are new year's resolutions. 

January 17: Let's start with your resolutions since we are two weeks past the first of the year. Did you make any? Did you keep them? Here are some great phrases to brush up on for our opening dialogue:

• broken or break
• recoup
• cop out
• no excuse
• resolve
• drop out or drop off
• fall off

American English for Kids: Thursday, 6:00-6:30 PM, private Zoom

Catching up is always a good thing. While not practicing English together for two weeks did not feel like a struggle (like when we break over the summer), we still had to think twice to describe what we wanted to talk about. Sharing how our families and countries celebrate the holidays is always interesting.

Jauary16:  Writing is an important part of any language. In Japan people write as a part of the new year. Read a little about kakizome in this Wikipedia article. There is ceremony in this 

Words and Phrases and Resources

allotted: assign or designate a portion of something

consecrated: being made sacred or dedicated to God's service

headlines: the phrase or title at the top of a page; in the news, it is the top stories

implications: conclusions that are made without direct statements

make and keep: resolve to do something and then support that resolve

read a little: learn a bit about something

so far: to a certain limited extent