The following questions led from Google to this humble blog:

1. What is a semicolon?

2. When was the semicolon invented?

3. Is Christopher Paolini a Christian?

4. How long does it take schooling-wise to become a pediatrician?

5. Campaign slogans rhyming with Vicky?

6. What makes a book a classic?

7. Who is Possum in To Kill a Mockingbird?

8. Ways to take care of water moccasins?

I thought the least I could do was to attempt some answers:
1. According to World Book Encyclopedia (1963 edition), a semicolon is “a dot above a comma. It is used in a compound sentence between two principal clauses which are not joined by a conjunction or between principal clauses with commas evan if a conjunction is used. The semicolon is also used instead of a comma after items in a series when these items are long or complicated.”

2. According to the same encyclopedia article on punctuation, the ancient Greeks often used a semicolon where nowadays we use a question mark, at the end of a question. Aldus Manutius, an Italian printer and publisher of books in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, is thought to be the first typographer to use the semicolon as we use it today. By the late sixteenth century, semicolons were being used commonly in English books. Ben Johnson and Shakespeare used the semicolon frequently.

3. I don’t know the state of his soul, nor his relationship with Christ, nor whether he claims to be a disciple of Christ. His books don’t embody a Christian worldview as far as I can tell and in fact, the elves, who are supposed to be the wisest characters in the world of Eragon, preach a philosophy of atheism. See this review of Eragon and this one of the sequel, Eldest.

4. A very long time.

5. It’s not tricky; Vote for Vicky!

6. I wrote some thoughts on the question of classic literature here. Feel free to give your opinion on this question in the comments.

7. I don’t think there is any such character, but some of the country people in the novel may eat possum.

8. There’s only ONE way to take care of a water moccasin. You do it with the nearest available blunt instrument—a shovel perhaps? If the snake in question is in the water, you swim in the opposite direction as quickly as possible, and don’t swim in that particular area anymore.

You must read the hilarious account of the Beehive’s trip to Scotland and England. Here are a couple of excerpts to whet your appetite:

We tried to understand the Scottish counter girl. She didn’t seem to have the proper ratio of consonants to vowels in her life.

It was here that we first encounted the British custom of serving potatoes with potatoes — our lunches came [with] a small baked potato AND with chips (somewhat like french fries but thicker and less salty). We learned quickly that chips are served with everything.

Delightful travelogue, especially if you’re a Scot-ophile.

>Christy Award Finalists (CBA fiction), a list at Faith in Fiction blog. Of the finalists, I’ve read Levi’s Will by Dale Cramer and River Rising by Athol Dickson. I must say that both books were excellent, especially River Rising. All those folks who complain about the quality of “Christian” fiction should read both of those books, and then come back and talk to me. Has anyone read any of the other nominees that you could recommend?

Norma’s Reading Club is reading these selections this year. Have you read any of these? (Note to Norma and whoever else is interested: Great Expectations is a great story and not so hard to understand that you would need a guide.)

Rebeca Writes about Virginia Lee Burton, a beautiful post about the Caldecott award winning author and illustrator who married her art teacher and wrote her books for her two sons, of whom she said, “Children are very frank critics.”

Jeanette’s nine year old grandson could teach us all a lesson —do all the good you can do. Via The Anchoress.

After reading this post, I’ve decided that here at Semicolon, we’re Semi-schooling. Go read to find out what that is and why I like the idea –other than the euphonious combination of the two semis.

I have learned whatever state I am in therewith to be content. Relevant Girl in France learns to find her refuge and her home in Jesus.

“I realized a long time ago that I was never going to be the Cookie-Baking Mom or the Sewing Mom or the Better Homes and Gardens Mom or the Ma Ingalls Mom: I figured the best I could do was try to be the Fun Mom.”—Melissa In the Bonny Glen.
So what happens if I’m none of the above? I think I’m the Grouchy, Messy, Reader/Blogger Mom, but my Karate Kid still says I’m the best mom in the world—when he wants a cookie.

Susan Wise Bauer’s new book, The History of the Ancient World: From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome, is available on Amazon for preorder. It’s due out next February (2007).

Stefanie hears voices, a multiplicity of voices telling her to read multiple books. Oh, that I could blame it all on my voices!

Amardeep Singh gives an overview of a discussion in the Indian blogosphere about how to review a book. That’s Indian, as in India. I’m still just amazed that I can sit at my computer in Houston, TX and read the opinion of an Indian reviewer on the latest book or political event or ….. What a wonderful world!

Mr. Dawntreader tells us why men hate Pride and Prejudice. I think he’s got it about three-quarters wrong, but then, he’s a man. You read it and judge for yourself. And if you think he should now be required to READ Pride and Prejudice, leave him a comment.

This series of Russian detective novels sounds interesting. Have any of you read any books by Boris Akunin?

Patry Francis of Simply Wait is fast becoming one of my favorite writers. I can hardly wait to read her first novel, Liar’s Diary, when it is published next March. Meanwhile, there are short stories and blog posts, like this one about a chlldhood memory of a teacher with a secret.

Rick Saenz writes about a diverse family economy, putting together several small family enterprises, none of them large enough or profitable enough to support the family by itself, and making of all of them a workable family economic plan. I wonder if this idea can work. I’m intrigued, but somewhat skeptical. What if each business or enterprise requires a lot of time, especially to start up, and still none of them is profitable enough to justify all the time spent? I have been and will be watching the Saenz family to see how they make it all work.

Debra envisions a Homemaking Retreat where the inspiration consists of BLondie, June (Cleaver), and Debra’s very own home, decorated in vintage 1930’s style decor. The decorating isn’t something I could do, but a retreat to enjoy hers would be lots of fun.

Lars Walker writes about living in the first draft. Basic idea: This life is a first draft. We need to tolerate imperfection in ourselves and others and keep on muddling through.

Blest With Sons is taking control of her ADD, by God’s grace, and asking for organizational tips. Go on share your best advice. She asked for it.

At Read Roger, they’re discussing popular songs that borrow lyrically or title-wise from children’s literature. Contributions, anyone?

Barbara Curtis of Mommy Life has some great ideas for celebrating Easter. I posted about Semicolon Family’s Easter traditions here and here.

Joe Carter of Evangelical Outpost on What Men Lose When They Marry. Engineer Husband is still trying, after 20+ years of marriage, to get a nap, but it’s not my fault he can’t. A four year old in the house is the perfect antidote to naptime.