By ANNE DONNELL

Is it possible to have a conflict of rules in grammar and usage so that there is no clear answer? Since my school days, I have often wondered if all the “laws” could always be applied. -Betting on a “Yes” Answer for the Question

Through the years of column writing (debut June of 2003 with the birth of The Wilson Post) I have become aware of the serious vein of grammar gambling amongst the readership. Home after home seems to be filled with Betcha this, Betcha that. And the bets seem to be about grammar and usage. Remarkable.

I really hadn’t noted a correspondingly high level of interest in the classroom as I rolled out the cases, the tenses, the commas and more. But, apparently I was missing the real action, as it appears I have been doing in many areas for many of my so numerous years. The real action, with results probably posted in a school restroom, was grammar betting.

Now I know, but like so much other wisdom – too little, too late, ole creaky bones.

By ANNE DONNELL

What is the difference between the Odyssey and the Iliad? I remember studying the Odyssey in the ninth grade. Are there any more great ancient works about the Trojan War? -Noticed a Book on This Online

The two works, long thought to be about a mythical city, have deep roots in history. Credited to Homer, whose existence, birthplace, and time of birth are disputed by many miles and hundreds of years, the two works have some significant differences.  Some scholars insist the Iliad came first, perhaps by several decades. The Trojan War, which could be something with little resemblance to the epics about it, is often dated to the 12^th century B.C. (or B.C.E. – your preference). Homer, code for the person or persons who created these works, is placed closer to the 800’s B.C., maybe earlier.

  Perhaps these are works polished over many generations of bards, an appealing idea as we think of the input of many gifted people contributing speech patterns both refreshing but also typical of specific locations in the ancient world -- people with prodigious memories who could repeat these works “by heart” to audiences equally capable of reciting the epics. Art growing through the ages.

By GEORGE ROBERTSON, M.D.

Did you ever ask the question, what has the Earth done for me?

Too often we want everything for ourselves and give nothing in return. Well this Sunday is Earth Day, and we can focus on the reciprocal of the equation. I call it an equation because the sides of the problem must be equal, meaning that if we continue to draw from the earth without paying back on the other side, our earth will eventually be bankrupt.

One day a year we try to think of a way to be earth friendly – which is not the usual give-me-what-I-need attitude – but what can I do for you? In past years, I've made it a priority to ride my bicycle to work instead of burning up all the gas like I usually do the rest of the year. But this time on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day the request is to try this mindset for at least 40 days which still means that for the other 325 days we are still borrowing from the earth's side of the balance.

By PATRICK HALL

There is a lot going on this weekend that makes me proud of the community I grew up in and call home.

From this weekend’s Whip Crackin’ Rodeo, the Hits for the House concert and Watertown’s spring Mile-Long Yard Sale, there’s plenty to see and do in Wilson County in the next few days.

While the traffic can be a little maddening for folks driving down Sparta Pike, the Mile-Long Yard Sale is a time when one of our smallest and most tight-knit communities becomes the center of attention.

The term “mile-long” certainly is a misnomer, as you can be sure to find yard sales all over the place from the outskirts of Lebanon all the way to downtown Watertown.

By SAM HATCHER

Congratulations to Debra Martin of Mt. Juliet, Wilson County “Teacher of the Year.”

Mrs. Martin, a guidance counselor at Mt. Juliet Middle School, was presented the “Teacher of the Year” honor last Friday night at a special dinner at Cumberland University hosted by the event’s sponsors CedarStone Bank and Wilson County Motors.

“She has won her place in heaven” one family wrote about the recipient describing the care, compassion and concern she has shown for their child, a student at Mt. Juliet Middle School.

Accepting the award, Mrs. Martin attributed her career in education in part to her mother whom she said was her second grade teacher.