112. The word "chowder" comes from the French, "chaudiere," referring to the pot. It could also be from Old English "jowter," the one who sells fish.
113. In my next life, I am going to be a gospel singer. A good one.
114. JRR Tolkien worked for the Oxford English Dictionary, primarily in the W section, with words with Germanic roots.
115. He sent his four children letters from Father Christmas, with a number of characters including Polar Bear, the Snow Man and Illbereth the Elf. He might be more of an anti-Grinch than me!
116. Helene Hanff's "Q's Legacy" is one of the best books ever for me. She was an autodidact, but he, through his collected lectures and essays, guided her and "taught" her about literature. I just find this such pure thirst for knowledge and love of literature.
117. Q, also known as Arthur Quiller-Couch, completed Robert Louis Stevenson's "St. Ives," when he died in the middle of its writing.
118. Q was also the antithesis of F. R. Leavis (horrible man, Leavis)!
119. Helene Hanff's phone number was inadvertently printed in "84 Charing Cross Road" and not only did she leave it in, she did not change her number, talking to fans whenever they called.
120. Eating chocolate when the kids aren't around. I feel like I'm sneaking.
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