Ten Questions ESL Podcast

Wow, it's been more than two years since I have posted a podcast episode! Today I have been experimenting with a new way to make a podcast and decided I wanted to send you a message saying "Hello" and also telling you that I teach online now. I specialize in giving mock exams for the IELTS speaking test. You can find me on https://www.italki.com/. Search for "Miss Buswell". 

TQ Sven and Erna Sven from Switzerland and Erna from Indonesia stayed with me in December 2018, just a month before I left China to live in the US. They were my last visitors there. Listen as they talk about their countries, how they met, and the trips they have taken. Sven is special, because he stayed with me nine years ago! It was such a thrill to see him again and to meet his wife. If you are new to my podcast, this is a "Ten Questions (TQ) episode. That's where I interview people so that you can learn from them and also hear different English accents. Most of the time I post "Listen and Repeat (LnR) episodes, which can help you improve your pronunciation and intonation. Since I left China two years ago I have been posting old episodes. This is the first one that is new. Soon I will be making new podcast episodes for you, but I haven't decided what kind they will be!

LnR Black Beauty 32      "Thank God!" said my master. "You Beauty!" said John, and took the bridle and gently turned me round to the right-hand road by the river side. The sun had set some time; the wind seemed to have lulled off after that furious blast which tore up the tree. It grew darker and darker, stiller and stiller. I trotted quietly along, the wheels hardly making a sound on the soft road. For a good while neither master nor John spoke, and then master began in a serious voice. I could not understand much of what they said, but I found they thought, if I had gone on as the master wanted me, most likely the bridge would have given way under us, and horse, chaise, master, and man would have fallen into the river; and as the current was flowing very strongly, and there was no light and no help at hand, it was more than likely we should all have been drowned. Master said, God had given men reason, by which they could find out things for themselves; but he had given animals knowledge which did not depend on reason, and which was much more prompt and perfect in its way, and by which they had often saved the lives of men. John had many stories to tell of dogs and horses, and the wonderful things they had done; he thought people did not value their animals half enough nor make friends of them as they ought to do. I am sure he makes friends of them if ever a man did.      At last we came to the park gates and found the gardener looking out for us. He said that mistress had been in a dreadful way ever since dark, fearing some accident had happened, and that she had sent James off on Justice, the roan cob, toward the wooden bridge to make inquiry after us.      We saw a light at the hall-door and at the upper windows, and as we came up mistress ran out, saying, "Are you really safe, my dear? Oh! I have been so anxious, fancying all sorts of things. Have you had no accident?"      "No, my dear; but if your Black Beauty had not been wiser than we were we should all have been carried down the river at the wooden bridge." I heard no more, as they went into the house, and John took me to the stable. Oh, what a good supper he gave me that night, a good bran mash and some crushed beans with my oats, and such a thick bed of straw! and I was glad of it, for I was tired.

LnR Black Beauty 31      So back we went and round by the crossroads, but by the time we got to the bridge it was very nearly dark; we could just see that the water was over the middle of it; but as that happened sometimes when the floods were out, master did not stop. We were going along at a good pace, but the moment my feet touched the first part of the bridge I felt sure there was something wrong. I dare not go forward, and I made a dead stop. "Go on, Beauty," said my master, and he gave me a touch with the whip, but I dare not stir; he gave me a sharp cut; I jumped, but I dare not go forward.      "There's something wrong, sir," said John, and he sprang out of the dog-cart and came to my head and looked all about. He tried to lead me forward. "Come on, Beauty, what's the matter?" Of course I could not tell him, but I knew very well that the bridge was not safe.      Just then the man at the toll-gate on the other side ran out of the house, tossing a torch about like one mad.      "Hoy, hoy, hoy! halloo! stop!" he cried.      "What's the matter?" shouted my master.      "The bridge is broken in the middle, and part of it is carried away; if you come on you'll be into the river."

LnR Black Beauty 30      "I wish we were well out of this wood," said my master.      "Yes, sir," said John, "it would be rather awkward if one of these branches came down upon us."      The words were scarcely out of his mouth when there was a groan, and a crack, and a splitting sound, and tearing, crashing down among the other trees came an oak, torn up by the roots, and it fell right across the road just before us. I will never say I was not frightened, for I was. I stopped still, and I believe I trembled; of course I did not turn round or run away; I was not brought up to that. John jumped out and was in a moment at my head.      "That was a very near touch," said my master. "What's to be done now?"      "Well, sir, we can't drive over that tree, nor yet get round it; there will be nothing for it, but to go back to the four crossways, and that will be a good six miles before we get round to the wooden bridge again; it will make us late, but the horse is fresh."

LnR Black Beauty 29 Chapter 12 A Stormy Day      One day late in the autumn my master had a long journey to go on business. I was put into the dog-cart, and John went with his master. I always liked to go in the dog-cart, it was so light and the high wheels ran along so pleasantly. There had been a great deal of rain, and now the wind was very high and blew the dry leaves across the road in a shower. We went along merrily till we came to the toll-bar and the low wooden bridge. The river banks were rather high, and the bridge, instead of rising, went across just level, so that in the middle, if the river was full, the water would be nearly up to the woodwork and planks; but as there were good substantial rails on each side, people did not mind it.      The man at the gate said the river was rising fast, and he feared it would be a bad night. Many of the meadows were under water, and in one low part of the road the water was halfway up to my knees; the bottom was good, and master drove gently, so it was no matter.      When we got to the town of course I had a good bait, but as the master's business engaged him a long time we did not start for home till rather late in the afternoon. The wind was then much higher, and I heard the master say to John that he had never been out in such a storm; and so I thought, as we went along the skirts of a wood, where the great branches were swaying about like twigs, and the rushing sound was terrible.

LnR Black Beauty 28      "Steady, steady, my boy," he would say; "wait a bit, and we will have a good swing, and soon get the tickle out of your feet." Then as soon as we were out of the village, he would give me a few miles at a spanking trot, and then bring me back as fresh as before, only clear of the fidgets, as he called them. Spirited horses, when not enough exercised, are often called skittish, when it is only play; and some grooms will punish them, but our John did not; he knew it was only high spirits. Still, he had his own ways of making me understand by the tone of his voice or the touch of the rein. If he was very serious and quite determined, I always knew it by his voice, and that had more power with me than anything else, for I was very fond of him.      I ought to say that sometimes we had our liberty for a few hours; this used to be on fine Sundays in the summer-time. The carriage never went out on Sundays, because the church was not far off.      It was a great treat to us to be turned out into the home paddock or the old orchard; the grass was so cool and soft to our feet, the air so sweet, and the freedom to do as we liked was so pleasant--to gallop, to lie down, and roll over on our backs, or to nibble the sweet grass. Then it was a very good time for talking, as we stood together under the shade of the large chestnut tree.  

LnR Black Beauty 27 Chapter 6      I was quite happy in my new place, and if there was one thing that I missed it must not be thought I was discontented; all who had to do with me were good and I had a light airy stable and the best of food. What more could I want? Why, liberty! For three years and a half of my life I had had all the liberty I could wish for; but now, week after week, month after month, and no doubt year after year, I must stand up in a stable night and day except when I am wanted, and then I must be just as steady and quiet as any old horse who has worked twenty years. Straps here and straps there, a bit in my mouth, and blinkers over my eyes. Now, I am not complaining, for I know it must be so. I only mean to say that for a young horse full of strength and spirits, who has been used to some large field or plain where he can fling up his head and toss up his tail and gallop away at full speed, then round and back again with a snort to his companions--I say it is hard never to have a bit more liberty to do as you like. Sometimes, when I have had less exercise than usual, I have felt so full of life and spring that when John has taken me out to exercise I really could not keep quiet; do what I would, it seemed as if I must jump, or dance, or prance, and many a good shake I know I must have given him, especially at the first; but he was always good and patient.

Black Beauty 26      Our master had two other horses that stood in another stable. One was Justice, a roan cob, used for riding or for the luggage cart; the other was an old brown hunter, named Sir Oliver; he was past work now, but was a great favorite with the master, who gave him the run of the park; he sometimes did a little light carting on the estate, or carried one of the young ladies when they rode out with their father, for he was very gentle and could be trusted with a child as well as Merrylegs. The cob was a strong, well-made, good-tempered horse, and we sometimes had a little chat in the paddock, but of course I could not be so intimate with him as with Ginger, who stood in the same stable.

LnR Black Beauty 25 James Howard, the stable boy, was just as gentle and pleasant in his way, so I thought myself well off. There was another man who helped in the yard, but he had very little to do with Ginger and me. A few days after this I had to go out with Ginger in the carriage. I wondered how we should get on together; but except laying her ears back when I was led up to her, she behaved very well. She did her work honestly, and did her full share, and I never wish to have a better partner in double harness. When we came to a hill, instead of slackening her pace, she would throw her weight right into the collar, and pull away straight up. We had both the same sort of courage at our work, and John had oftener to hold us in than to urge us forward; he never had to use the whip with either of us; then our paces were much the same, and I found it very easy to keep step with her when trotting, which made it pleasant, and master always liked it when we kept step well, and so did John. After we had been out two or three times together we grew quite friendly and sociable, which made me feel very much at home. As for Merrylegs, he and I soon became great friends; he was such a cheerful, plucky, good-tempered little fellow that he was a favorite with every one, and especially with Miss Jessie and Flora, who used to ride him about in the orchard, and have fine games with him and their little dog Frisky.

LnR Black Beauty 24 When John went into the stable he told James that master and mistress had chosen a good, sensible English name for me, that meant something; not like Marengo, or Pegasus, or Abdallah. They both laughed, and James said, "If it was not for bringing back the past, I should have named him Rob Roy, for I never saw two horses more alike." "That's no wonder," said John; "didn't you know that Farmer Grey's old Duchess was the mother of them both?" I had never heard that before; and so poor Rob Roy who was killed at that hunt was my brother! I did not wonder that my mother was so troubled. It seems that horses have no relations; at least they never know each other after they are sold. John seemed very proud of me; he used to make my mane and tail almost as smooth as a lady's hair, and he would talk to me a great deal; of course I did not understand all he said, but I learned more and more to know what he meant, and what he wanted me to do. I grew very fond of him, he was so gentle and kind; he seemed to know just how a horse feels, and when he cleaned me he knew the tender places and the ticklish places; when he brushed my head he went as carefully over my eyes as if they were his own, and never stirred up any ill-temper.

LnR Black Beauty 23 The next day I was brought up for my master. I remembered my mother's counsel and my good old master's, and I tried to do exactly what he wanted me to do. I found he was a very good rider, and thoughtful for his horse too. When he came home the lady was at the hall door as he rode up. "Well, my dear," she said, "how do you like him?" "He is exactly what John said," he replied; "a pleasanter creature I never wish to mount. What shall we call him?" "Would you like Ebony?" said she; "he is as black as ebony." "No, not Ebony." "Will you call him Blackbird, like your uncle's old horse?" "No, he is far handsomer than old Blackbird ever was." "Yes," she said, "he is really quite a beauty, and he has such a sweet, good-tempered face, and such a fine, intelligent eye--what do you say to calling him Black Beauty?" "Black Beauty--why, yes, I think that is a very good name. If you like it shall be his name;" and so it was.

LnR Black Beauty 22 "Well, John, how does he go?" "First-rate, sir," answered John; "he is as fleet as a deer, and has a fine spirit too; but the lightest touch of the rein will guide him. Down at the end of the common we met one of those traveling carts hung all over with baskets, rugs, and such like; you know, sir, many horses will not pass those carts quietly; he just took a good look at it, and then went on as quiet and pleasant as could be. They were shooting rabbits near the Highwood, and a gun went off close by; he pulled up a little and looked, but did not stir a step to right or left. I just held the rein steady and did not hurry him, and it's my opinion he has not been frightened or ill-used while he was young." "That's well," said the squire, "I will try him myself to-morrow."

LnR Black Beauty 21 The next morning he took me into the yard and gave me a good grooming, and just as I was going into my box, with my coat soft and bright, the squire came in to look at me, and seemed pleased. "John," he said, "I meant to have tried the new horse this morning, but I have other business. You may as well take him around after breakfast; go by the common and the Highwood, and back by the watermill and the river; that will show his paces." "I will, sir," said John. After breakfast he came and fitted me with a bridle. He was very particular in letting out and taking in the straps, to fit my head comfortably; then he brought a saddle, but it was not broad enough for my back; he saw it in a minute and went for another, which fitted nicely. He rode me first slowly, then a trot, then a canter, and when we were on the common he gave me a light touch with his whip, and we had a splendid gallop. "Ho, ho! my boy," he said, as he pulled me up, "you would like to follow the hounds, I think." As we came back through the park we met the Squire and Mrs. Gordon walking; they stopped, and John jumped off.

LnR Black Beauty 20      "Well, I don't think she does find pleasure," says Merrylegs; "it is just a bad habit; she says no one was ever kind to her, and why should she not bite? Of course, it is a very bad habit; but I am sure, if all she says be true, she must have been very ill-used before she came here. John does all he can to please her, and James does all he can, and our master never uses a whip if a horse acts right; so I think she might be good-tempered here. You see," he said, with a wise look, "I am twelve years old; I know a great deal, and I can tell you there is not a better place for a horse all round the country than this. John is the best groom that ever was; he has been here fourteen years; and you never saw such a kind boy as James is; so that it is all Ginger's own fault that she did not stay in that box." Chapter 5      The name of the coachman was John Manly; he had a wife and one little child, and they lived in the coachman's cottage, very near the stables.

LnR Black Beauty 19 "I beg your pardon," I said, "I have turned no one out; the man who brought me put me here, and I had nothing to do with it; and as to my being a colt, I am turned four years old and am a grown-up horse. I never had words yet with horse or mare, and it is my wish to live at peace." "Well," she said, "we shall see. Of course, I do not want to have words with a young thing like you." I said no more. In the afternoon, when she went out, Merrylegs told me all about it. "The thing is this," said Merrylegs. "Ginger has a bad habit of biting and snapping; that is why they call her Ginger, and when she was in the loose box she used to snap very much. One day she bit James in the arm and made it bleed, and so Miss Flora and Miss Jessie, who are very fond of me, were afraid to come into the stable. They used to bring me nice things to eat, an apple or a carrot, or a piece of bread, but after Ginger stood in that box they dared not come, and I missed them very much. I hope they will now come again, if you do not bite or snap." I told him I never bit anything but grass, hay, and corn, and could not think what pleasure Ginger found it.

LnR Black Beauty 18 He gave me some very nice oats, he patted me, spoke kindly, and then went away. When I had eaten my corn I looked round. In the stall next to mine stood a little fat gray pony, with a thick mane and tail, a very pretty head, and a pert little nose. I put my head up to the iron rails at the top of my box, and said, "How do you do? What is your name?" He turned round as far as his halter would allow, held up his head, and said, "My name is Merrylegs. I am very handsome; I carry the young ladies on my back, and sometimes I take our mistress out in the low chair. They think a great deal of me, and so does James. Are you going to live next door to me in the box?" I said, "Yes." "Well, then," he said, "I hope you are good-tempered; I do not like any one next door who bites." Just then a horse's head looked over from the stall beyond; the ears were laid back, and the eye looked rather ill-tempered. This was a tall chestnut mare, with a long handsome neck. She looked across to me and said: "So it is you who have turned me out of my box; it is a very strange thing for a colt like you to come and turn a lady out of her own home."

LnR Black Beauty 17 Squire Gordon's park skirted the village of Birtwick. It was entered by a large iron gate, at which stood the first lodge, and then you trotted along on a smooth road between clumps of large old trees; then another lodge and another gate, which brought you to the house and the gardens. Beyond this lay the home paddock, the old orchard, and the stables. There was accommodation for many horses and carriages; but I need only describe the stable into which I was taken; this was very roomy, with four good stalls; a large swinging window opened into the yard, which made it pleasant and airy. The first stall was a large square one, shut in behind with a wooden gate; the others were common stalls, good stalls, but not nearly so large; it had a low rack for hay and a low manger for corn; it was called a loose box, because the horse that was put into it was not tied up, but left loose, to do as he liked. It is a great thing to have a loose box. Into this fine box the groom put me; it was clean, sweet, and airy. I never was in a better box than that, and the sides were not so high but that I could see all that went on through the iron rails that were at the top.

LnR Black Beauty 16      My master often drove me in double harness with my mother, because she was steady and could teach me how to go better than a strange horse. She told me the better I behaved the better I should be treated, and that it was wisest always to do my best to please my master; "but," said she, "there are a great many kinds of men; there are good thoughtful men like our master, that any horse may be proud to serve; and there are bad, cruel men, who never ought to have a horse or dog to call their own. Besides, there are a great many foolish men, vain, ignorant, and careless, who never trouble themselves to think; these spoil more horses than all, just for want of sense; they don't mean it, but they do it for all that. I hope you will fall into good hands; but a horse never knows who may buy him, or who may drive him; it is all a chance for us; but still I say, do your best wherever it is, and keep up your good name." Chapter 4      At this time I used to stand in the stable and my coat was brushed every day till it shone like a rook's wing. It was early in May, when there came a man from Squire Gordon's, who took me away to the hall. My master said, "Good-by, Darkie; be a good horse, and always do your best." I could not say "good-by", so I put my nose into his hand; he patted me kindly, and I left my first home. As I lived some years with Squire Gordon, I may as well tell something about the place.  

Note! I am sorry for the bad sound quality of the recordings in the past. I didn't realize until a couple days ago that the music at the beginning and end was really loud and my voice was soft. I am using an online program to even out the sounds to make it much easier to listen to. My podcasts will be better to listen to in the future; unfortunately, it is hard to change them after they have already been posted, so the older ones will have to remain as they are. I'm really sorry for that. LnR Black Beauty 15 I shall never forget the first train that ran by. I was feeding quietly near the pales which separated the meadow from the railway, when I heard a strange sound at a distance, and before I knew whence it came--with a rush and a clatter, and a puffing out of smoke--a long black train of something flew by, and was gone almost before I could draw my breath. I turned and galloped to the further side of the meadow as fast as I could go, and there I stood snorting with astonishment and fear. In the course of the day many other trains went by, some more slowly; these drew up at the station close by, and sometimes made an awful shriek and groan before they stopped. I thought it very dreadful, but the cows went on eating very quietly, and hardly raised their heads as the black frightful thing came puffing and grinding past. For the first few days I could not feed in peace; but as I found that this terrible creature never came into the field, or did me any harm, I began to disregard it, and very soon I cared as little about the passing of a train as the cows and sheep did. Since then I have seen many horses much alarmed and restive at the sight or sound of a steam engine; but thanks to my good master's care, I am as fearless at railway stations as in my own stable. Now if any one wants to break in a young horse well, that is the way.

LnR Black Beauty 14 And now having got so far, my master went on to break me to harness; there were more new things to wear. First, a stiff heavy collar just on my neck, and a bridle with great side-pieces against my eyes called blinkers, and blinkers indeed they were, for I could not see on either side, but only straight in front of me; next, there was a small saddle with a nasty stiff strap that went right under my tail; that was the crupper. I hated the crupper; to have my long tail doubled up and poked through that strap was almost as bad as the bit. I never felt more like kicking, but of course I could not kick such a good master, and so in time I got used to everything, and could do my work as well as my mother. I must not forget to mention one part of my training, which I have always considered a very great advantage. My master sent me for a fortnight to a neighboring farmer's, who had a meadow which was skirted on one side by the railway. Here were some sheep and cows, and I was turned in among them.

LnR Black Beauty 13 Next came the saddle, but that was not half so bad; my master put it on my back very gently, while old Daniel held my head; he then made the girths fast under my body, patting and talking to me all the time; then I had a few oats, then a little leading about; and this he did every day till I began to look for the oats and the saddle. At length, one morning, my master got on my back and rode me round the meadow on the soft grass. It certainly did feel queer; but I must say I felt rather proud to carry my master, and as he continued to ride me a little every day I soon became accustomed to it. The next unpleasant business was putting on the iron shoes; that too was very hard at first. My master went with me to the smith's forge, to see that I was not hurt or got any fright. The blacksmith took my feet in his hand, one after the other, and cut away some of the hoof. It did not pain me, so I stood still on three legs till he had done them all. Then he took a piece of iron the shape of my foot, and clapped it on, and drove some nails through the shoe quite into my hoof, so that the shoe was firmly on. My feet felt very stiff and heavy, but in time I got used to it.

LnR Black Beauty 12 I had of course long been used to a halter and a headstall, and to be led about in the fields and lanes quietly, but now I was to have a bit and bridle; my master gave me some oats as usual, and after a good deal of coaxing he got the bit into my mouth, and the bridle fixed, but it was a nasty thing! Those who have never had a bit in their mouths cannot think how bad it feels; a great piece of cold hard steel as thick as a man's finger to be pushed into one's mouth, between one's teeth, and over one's tongue, with the ends coming out at the corner of your mouth, and held fast there by straps over your head, under your throat, round your nose, and under your chin; so that no way in the world can you get rid of the nasty hard thing; it is very bad! yes, very bad! at least I thought so; but I knew my mother always wore one when she went out, and all horses did when they were grown up; and so, what with the nice oats, and what with my master's pats, kind words, and gentle ways, I got to wear my bit and bridle.

LnR Black Beauty 11 (Replay) Chapter 3: My Breaking In I was now beginning to grow handsome; my coat had grown fine and soft, and was bright black. I had one white foot and a pretty white star on my forehead. I was thought very handsome; my master would not sell me till I was four years old; he said lads ought not to work like men, and colts ought not to work like horses till they were quite grown up. When I was four years old Squire Gordon came to look at me. He examined my eyes, my mouth, and my legs; he felt them all down; and then I had to walk and trot and gallop before him. He seemed to like me, and said, "When he has been well broken in he will do very well." My master said he would break me in himself, as he should not like me to be frightened or hurt, and he lost no time about it, for the next day he began. Every one may not know what breaking in is, therefore I will describe it. It means to teach a horse to wear a saddle and bridle, and to carry on his back a man, woman or child; to go just the way they wish, and to go quietly. Besides this he has to learn to wear a collar, a crupper, and a breeching, and to stand still while they are put on; then to have a cart or a chaise fixed behind, so that he cannot walk or trot without dragging it after him; and he must go fast or slow, just as his driver wishes. He must never start at what he sees, nor speak to other horses, nor bite, nor kick, nor have any will of his own; but always do his master's will, even though he may be very tired or hungry; but the worst of all is, when his harness is once on, he may neither jump for joy nor lie down for weariness. So you see this breaking in is a great thing.

Hi! I just uploaded episodes 2-10 in the Black Beauty series. They are each about five minutes long. LnR Black Beauty 10      There was now riding off in all directions to the doctor's, to the farrier's, and no doubt to Squire Gordon's, to let him know about his son. When Mr. Bond, the farrier, came to look at the black horse that lay groaning on the grass, he felt him all over, and shook his head; one of his legs was broken. Then some one ran to our master's house and came back with a gun; presently there was a loud bang and a dreadful shriek, and then all was still; the black horse moved no more.      My mother seemed much troubled; she said she had known that horse for years, and that his name was "Rob Roy"; he was a good horse, and there was no vice in him. She never would go to that part of the field afterward.      Not many days after we heard the church-bell tolling for a long time, and looking over the gate we saw a long, strange black coach that was covered with black cloth and was drawn by black horses; after that came another and another and another, and all were black, while the bell kept tolling, tolling. They were carrying young Gordon to the churchyard to bury him. He would never ride again. What they did with Rob Roy I never knew; but 'twas all for one little hare.

LnR Black Beauty 9 "His neck is broke," said my mother. "And serve him right, too," said one of the colts. I thought the same, but my mother did not join with us. "Well, no," she said, "you must not say that; but though I am an old horse, and have seen and heard a great deal, I never yet could make out why men are so fond of this sport; they often hurt themselves, often spoil good horses, and tear up the fields, and all for a hare or a fox, or a stag, that they could get more easily some other way; but we are only horses, and don't know." While my mother was saying this we stood and looked on. Many of the riders had gone to the young man; but my master, who had been watching what was going on, was the first to raise him. His head fell back and his arms hung down, and every one looked very serious. There was no noise now; even the dogs were quiet, and seemed to know that something was wrong. They carried him to our master's house. I heard afterward that it was young George Gordon, the squire's only son, a fine, tall young man, and the pride of his family.

LnR Black Beauty 8 "Now we shall see the hare," said my mother; and just then a hare wild with fright rushed by and made for the woods. On came the dogs; they burst over the bank, leaped the stream, and came dashing across the field followed by the huntsmen. Six or eight men leaped their horses clean over, close upon the dogs. The hare tried to get through the fence; it was too thick, and she turned sharp round to make for the road, but it was too late; the dogs were upon her with their wild cries; we heard one shriek, and that was the end of her. One of the huntsmen rode up and whipped off the dogs, who would soon have torn her to pieces. He held her up by the leg torn and bleeding, and all the gentlemen seemed well pleased. As for me, I was so astonished that I did not at first see what was going on by the brook; but when I did look there was a sad sight; two fine horses were down, one was struggling in the stream, and the other was groaning on the grass. One of the riders was getting out of the water covered with mud, the other lay quite still.

 LnR Black Beauty 7      And soon the dogs were all tearing down the field of young wheat next to ours. I never heard such a noise as they made. They did not bark, nor howl, nor whine, but kept on a "yo! yo, o, o! yo! yo, o, o!" at the top of their voices. After them came a number of men on horseback, some of them in green coats, all galloping as fast as they could. The old horse snorted and looked eagerly after them, and we young colts wanted to be galloping with them, but they were soon away into the fields lower down; here it seemed as if they had come to a stand; the dogs left off barking, and ran about every way with their noses to the ground.      "They have lost the scent," said the old horse; "perhaps the hare will get off."      "What hare?" I said.      "Oh! I don't know what hare; likely enough it may be one of our own hares out of the woods; any hare they can find will do for the dogs and men to run after;" and before long the dogs began their "yo! yo, o, o!" again, and back they came altogether at full speed, making straight for our meadow at the part where the high bank and hedge overhang the brook.

LnR Black Beauty 6 Before I was two years old a circumstance happened which I have never forgotten. It was early in the spring; there had been a little frost in the night, and a light mist still hung over the woods and meadows. I and the other colts were feeding at the lower part of the field when we heard, quite in the distance, what sounded like the cry of dogs. The oldest of the colts raised his head, pricked his ears, and said, "There are the hounds!" and immediately cantered off, followed by the rest of us to the upper part of the field, where we could look over the hedge and see several fields beyond. My mother and an old riding horse of our master's were also standing near, and seemed to know all about it. "They have found a hare," said my mother, "and if they come this way we shall see the hunt."

LnR Black Beauty 5 There was a plowboy, Dick, who sometimes came into our field to pluck blackberries from the hedge. When he had eaten all he wanted he would have what he called fun with the colts, throwing stones and sticks at them to make them gallop. We did not much mind him, for we could gallop off; but sometimes a stone would hit and hurt us. One day he was at this game, and did not know that the master was in the next field; but he was there, watching what was going on; over the hedge he jumped in a snap, and catching Dick by the arm, he gave him such a box on the ear as made him roar with the pain and surprise. As soon as we saw the master we trotted up nearer to see what went on. "Bad boy!" he said, "bad boy! to chase the colts. This is not the first time, nor the second, but it shall be the last. There--take your money and go home; I shall not want you on my farm again." So we never saw Dick any more. Old Daniel, the man who looked after the horses, was just as gentle as our master, so we were well off.

LnR Black Beauty 4 Our master was a good, kind man. He gave us good food, good lodging, and kind words; he spoke as kindly to us as he did to his little children. We were all fond of him, and my mother loved him very much. When she saw him at the gate she would neigh with joy, and trot up to him. He would pat and stroke her and say, "Well, old Pet, and how is your little Darkie?" I was a dull black, so he called me Darkie; then he would give me a piece of bread, which was very good, and sometimes he brought a carrot for my mother. All the horses would come to him, but I think we were his favorites. My mother always took him to the town on a market day in a light gig.

LnR Black Beauty 3 One day, when there was a good deal of kicking, my mother whinnied to me to come to her, and then she said: "I wish you to pay attention to what I am going to say to you. The colts who live here are very good colts, but they are cart-horse colts, and of course they have not learned manners. You have been well-bred and well-born; your father has a great name in these parts, and your grandfather won the cup two years at the Newmarket races; your grandmother had the sweetest temper of any horse I ever knew, and I think you have never seen me kick or bite. I hope you will grow up gentle and good, and never learn bad ways; do your work with a good will, lift your feet up well when you trot, and never bite or kick even in play." I have never forgotten my mother's advice; I knew she was a wise old horse, and our master thought a great deal of her. Her name was Duchess, but he often called her Pet.

LnR Black Beauty 2 Black Beauty The Autobiography of a Horse  by Anna Sewell, 1877 http://www.cybercrayon.net/readingroom/books/blackbeauty/blackbeauty.html      While I was young I lived upon my mother's milk, as I could not eat grass. In the daytime I ran by her side, and at night I lay down close by her. When it was hot we used to stand by the pond in the shade of the trees, and when it was cold we had a nice warm shed near the grove.      As soon as I was old enough to eat grass my mother used to go out to work in the daytime, and come back in the evening.      There were six young colts in the meadow besides me; they were older than I was; some were nearly as large as grown-up horses. I used to run with them, and had great fun; we used to gallop all together round and round the field as hard as we could go. Sometimes we had rather rough play, for they would frequently bite and kick as well as gallop.

LnR Black Beauty 1 (Replay) This is a series I started 2 1/2 years ago. At the time, I had planned to make YouTube videos out of the recordings, but actually I only made two or three. It takes time to make YouTube videos! Normally these Black Beauty podcast episodes will be about five minutes long. This one is longer because I give a long introduction. ========= Hi everyone, I'm changing the way I do the LnR Classic Literature podcasts. I will now make short recordings of about four minutes and 30 seconds, plus the time for the happy music at the beginning and end of the recording. I'm doing this because I am concerned that some listeners are not interested in listening to longer podcasts. ----------- Black Beauty The Autobiography of a Horse  by Anna Sewell, 1877 http://www.cybercrayon.net/readingroom/books/blackbeauty/blackbeauty.html Part 1 Chapter 1 The first place that I can well remember was a large pleasant meadow with a pond of clear water in it. Some shady trees leaned over it, and rushes and water-lilies grew at the deep end. Over the hedge on one side we looked into a plowed field, and on the other we looked over a gate at our master's house, which stood by the roadside; at the top of the meadow was a grove of fir trees, and at the bottom a running brook overhung by a steep bank.

Hi! Here's another episode from about three years ago. I hope you find it useful. LnR 130 (Casual Language) Praise Good job! Well done! Way to go! Great! Wonderful! Incredible! Outstanding! Excellent! Terrific! Superb! Awesome! Fabulous! Fantastic! Magnificent! Marvelous! Remarkable! Spectacular! Unbelievable! Phenomenal! You did a ______superb______ job on the project. Last night we saw a _____fantastic _____ movie. She's a ____marvelous_____ volleyball player. My friend is a(n) ____outstanding _____ photographer.  

My country is having a very difficult time right now. We have three problems happening at the same time. First, there is very poor leadership at the top. Second, the pandemic. Third, another (another!) black man was killed by a policeman, and protests have broken out all over the country. I support the peaceful protesters, because Black Lives Matter. Yes, I'm a white American, but the vast majority of us believe that all people have value, though blacks (and other minorities) have been treated unfairly at times. This is not right and should stop. Though things are not good in the U.S. now, I have hopes that the race relations will improve, a vaccine will be found for COVID-19, and that there will be a change of leadership at the top in November. In the meantime, here is a podcast episode from almost three years ago. I talk about how hot it it. Right now it's June and not very hot and humid yet. It will be soon, though. In this dialog two women are talking at work about the weather and other things. nancy@missbuswell.com LnR 128 (Casual Language) Hot and Humid A: Hey, is it hot enough for you? B: Yeah, no kidding! I can't believe how hot and humid it is today. I think it'll hit 100 this afternoon. A: I'm sure it will. Most of the time I hate this boring office job, but in the heat of the summer I'm glad that I work in the air conditioning. B: Yeah, it's not a great job, but it pays the bills and keeps us cool in the summer. Speaking of keeping cool, my kids and I are going to the local pool Saturday afternoon. Do you want to come? A: Sorry,  I can't. My youngest has a softball game in the morning then my oldest has a baseball game in the afternoon. Saturdays are always busy for us in the summertime. B: I guess I'm lucky that my kids don't like organized sports. My boy likes to play video games and my girl, believe it or not, loves to read. A: That's nice. Say, I'm free Saturday night. You can bring your kids over to my place and we can cook some hot dogs on the grill. B: That sounds great, but I'm busy Saturday night. Once a month my husband and I have a date night. We go out to eat and see a movie, just like when we were dating years ago. A babysitter comes over to watch the kids and we order a pizza for their dinner. A: Oh, wow, that sounds so good. I wish I could do that, but my husband is working two jobs now to make ends meet and he's so tired when he finally has some free time at home. But that's life. You gotta do what you gotta do (You've got to do what you've got to do.) That's why I'm still working at this terrible job. B: I hear you, sister! We've all got bills to pay.

Hi! This episode is almost three years old. I talk about how I enjoy driving when I'm home for the summer. Of course, things have changed, and now I live at home all the time. I haven't been doing much driving, though, because of the pandemic. I teach English online (Cambly, PalFish, Kouyuxia, and now Amazing Talker) and am just about to launch (that's business vocabulary for "start") a course on how to teach IELTS speaking. If you are an English teacher who is interested in learning how to teach IELTS, contact me at nancy@missbuswell.com for more information. My course is not cheap, but it's not expensive, either. Best wishes to all of you during this COVID-19 time. I hope that you and your family are all well.   LnR 126 (Casual Language) Driving The word I couldn't spell is "demographics"! Dictionary.com says: " the statistical data of a population, especially those showing average age, income, education, etc." A: Hi, Nancy! Are you having a good time at home? B: Oh, yeah. It's great to be home. I love spending time with my mom and her cats. I like being in my country again, of course, and I like driving. A: Driving? Really? B: Yeah, I don't drive in China because I don't need to. Plus, I don't have enough money to buy a car, and it's hard for a foreigner to get a driver's license. A: Ah, makes sense. Is it strange to drive again? B: No, it feels natural. Like a lot of Americans, I've been driving since I was 16. A: Did you take Driver's Ed in high school? B: No, my dad taught me to drive. My sister also helped me. My high school had Driver's Ed as a summer school class, but I didn't take it. I think it's more common now to take Driver's Ed at school. I think the parents get a discount on their car insurance if their teenage children pass the class. A: When did you get your first car? B: I drove my parents' cars when I needed to. I didn't have my own car in high school or college. A: Were you from a poor family? Oh, maybe that's a personal question! B: No problem. No, we were middle class, but with four children Mom and Dad couldn't buy us everything we wanted. We had everything we needed, though, and that's what's important. I bought my own car when I started teaching.

Hi! This podcast episode is from almost three years ago. I made it in July in China, which is why it's about the summertime. Now, in 2020, it's early May and of course I live in the U.S. now. And things are very different than they were three years ago! I am doing well because I live in a small town, with few or no active cases of COVID-19. There are many other places in my country and around the world where people are still struggling against this illness. I hope that you and your family are doing well, wherever you are. I was listening to this recording a few minutes ago. There's a lot of good information in this episode, but I think I may have talked too much! So sorry! LnR 124 (Casual Language) Summer Vacation A: What are you doing for your summer break? B: Well, for my summer vacation I'll be an intern at a local company. I'll get some practical experience to go with all the things I've learned in class. A: Will you get paid? B: No, darn it. It's hard to find a paid internship nowadays. What will you do during your summer holiday? A: As you know, I failed my world history class. I don't like history as much as I like my other subjects, so I slacked off on studying for it and ended up failing the class. My parents said I had to take it again during the first summer school term. B: Oh, that's too bad. A: Yeah, what a bummer. It's only for six weeks, but I've got class for four hours a day. That'll be hard. B: Drink lots of coffee! Or Cokes. A: Yeah, I'll have to do something to stay awake. At least I have free time when the first summer semester ends. I'm going to spend that time relaxing at the local pool, until my family takes our annual summer vacation to California to see Grandma and Grandpa. B: Sounds like a busy summer for you. A: And sounds like a useful summer for you. I hope you learn a lot at your internship. B: And I hope you learn a lot in your World History class. A: Yeah, right.

Hi! Like most smart Americans, I'm staying at home most of the time, just going out to run errands for my mother or go shopping. I live in a small town that has only had five cases of COVID-19. I wear a mask when I go out, but most people don't. I want to be extra-careful because I live with my mother, who is 84. Today's podcast episode is from 2 1/2 years ago, talking about when I went home for the summer. Of course, my life is different now. I live at home full time! LnR 122 (Casual Language) Insomnia A: Hey, are you OK? B: Yeah, so-so. I'm having trouble sleeping. A: Oh, I've had insomnia before. It wasn't fun. B: I seldom have insomnia. I mainly get it if I'm worried about something or if I've had too much caffeine. A: Yeah, I get it when I'm worried or have a lot of stress. So why do you have it now? B: Actually, it's jet lag, not true insomnia. I arrived from China three days ago and still haven't adapted to the time zone here. I can't get to sleep until very early in the morning, and then I’m so tired that I take a long nap in the afternoon. Which, of course, makes it harder to get to sleep at night. It's a vicious circle. A: Oh, I see. That's too bad. But you'll get over it soon, right? B: Yeah, in a few days. I'm glad to be back, though. It's always good to be home. A: What do you miss the most when you're in China? Your mother? B: I call my mother twice a week, so I can't really say that I miss her. What I miss the most are milkshakes and Mexican food. And driving. I really enjoy driving when I'm back home. A: You don't drive in China? B: Are you kidding!? First of all, I don't have enough money for a car. Second, I don't need a car because I live on campus and almost everything I need is close to me. And finally, I'd be too afraid to drive in China! A: But you drove when you lived in Mexico. B: I was younger then. I'm not as brave now.

Hi! This podcast episode is from 2 1/2 years ago, when I was still teaching in China. I've been back in the U.S. for almost a year and a half now, teaching online. If you want to talk with me, go to Cambly and sign up for a free trial. On Cambly I specialize in free talk and in IELTS preparation. Here in the U.S. most people are staying home, if they can, because of the coronovirus pandemic. It's very still very serious in many parts of the world, though the good news is that it seems like China is starting to get back to normal. I hope we can all get back to normal soon. I live in a small town, where we have only three cases of COVID-19. I go out once a week to go grocery shopping. Otherwise, I stay at home like we are supposed to. Best wishes to all my listeners, for health and happiness in this difficult time. ----------- LnR 120 (Casual Language) Heads up! A: Wow, that's amazing! I've never seen a double rainbow before. B: It's a first for me, too. That's why I sent messages to you and my other neighbors. A: Yeah, thanks for the heads up, Nancy. I think I've got some good shots of it. B: Great. I know you like to take pictures and play around with photo-editing software. A: Yeah, I use a free online one now, but I want to buy Photoshop soon. Say, how are your classes going? B: I'm almost finished for the term. I just have to give some oral English exams in a couple of days. A: Lucky.  I've got lots of papers to grade, and then final exams. Speaking of papers, I'd better get back to work. B: OK. Hey, heads up! A car's coming! A: Oh, wow, thanks! I didn't see it.

LnR 118 (Casual Language) Side Hustle (Replay) Hi, I hope that everyone is doing well. The U.S. is finally getting serious about trying to stop the spread of the coronavirus in the country. We are supposed to stay at home if we can. I'm in a small town, so we aren't very worried about it, though we are being careful. Other places in the country have more cases of the virus and are facing stricter rules about staying inside. I know that my listeners in other countries, particularly in Europe and Asia, have already faced many problems because of the virus. I wish all of you the best. This podcast episode is about having a "side hustle". Right now I am working on several side hustles, mainly involving selling online and writing ebooks. A couple years ago I tried selling bookmarks on Amazon. It was an interesting learning experience, but it was also a failure! I learned how to contact a Chinese company to make the kind of bookmark I wanted. That was good. But losing money because no one bought the bookmarks on Amazon was not good. I should have done more research before I chose that product. I liked giving bookmarks as a gift, so I thought other people did, too. Anyhow, I have boxes of unsold bookmarks under the bed in the guest bedroom of my mother's house, where I live. If you are thinking of doing a side hustle or two or three, I encourage you! Be sure to do enough research before you start, though. I learned the hard way! From Nancy at nancy@missbuswell.com.   LnR 118 (Casual Language) Side Hustle A: Hey, do you want to go see a movie tonight? B: Nah, I want to work on my side hustle. A: Your what? What do you mean? B: My side hustle. It means a part-time job, in addition to your full-time job. Usually it means starting an online business. A: Oh, really. I've never heard that expression before. I guess I could say that I have a side hustle, too. I’m writing a short ebook about how to take care of hamsters. I love hamsters and know a lot about them. I’m going to publish the ebook on Amazon Kindle. B: That sounds great. My side hustle is selling things online. I’m actually still doing research on the best way for me to do it. A: I've heard you can make a lot of money as an affiliate seller. B: What's that? A: That's when you sell someone else's product, usually on your own website. You get a percentage of the sales price. You can sell real products, like things on Amazon, or digital products, like computer programs or online courses. B: Wow, I need to do some more research! Thanks for telling me.

LnR 116 (Casual Language) Desert/Dessert  (Replay from 2 1/2 years ago)        A: Teacher, how to pronounce this word? B: This one, with two s's, is pronounced "dessert". It means sweet food after dinner. A: Oh, like ice cream or chocolate cake? B: Exactly. As a matter of fact, that's what we usually had for dessert when I was growing up. Though sometimes Mom made us have fruit instead of cake or ice cream. A: And what about this word? B: It's pronounced "desert". Like the Sahara Desert in northern Africa. Are there any deserts in your country? A: No, but we have lots of hills and mountains. B: That's nice. By the way, please don't call me "Teacher". Use my name, Miss Buswell. But don't call me only "Buswell", because it's not nice to call a lady only by her last name. A: Oh, I didn't know that. In my language, we call our teachers "teacher" or "professor". B: Oh, I see. Also, it's bad grammar to say, "How to pronounce." You should say, "How do you pronounce". A: OK, thanks. I learned a lot with this question!

Hi everyone around the world! I love looking at my statistics each night, seeing all the countries where people who download my podcast episodes live. I get a kick out of it! Thanks for listening. I hope you find the podcast useful. Here's an episode I recorded 2 1/2 years ago. You'll learn some new things in it. LnR 114 (Casual Language) Way to go! (Replay) Parents talking to their child after a soccer game. A: Hi, Mom and Dad! Did you see my goal? B: Yeah, honey, it was great! Way to go! C: It was so exciting. The score was tied for a long time, and I thought the game would end in a draw. Then Tracy kicked the ball to Robin, who kicked it to you and you headed it right into the goal between the arms of the keeper. A: Yeah, we really had good teamwork on that play. We had a few chances earlier, but the ball wouldn't go in the net. B: That's how it goes. You have to keep trying. And you did. C: Yeah. Good job today. Really good job. B: Yeah, way to go, Kelly. Are you hungry? A: Yeah, I'm starvin' like Marvin! Can we have some pizza? B: Sure. We'll go to that place that has the buffet. I like all the choices they have there. A: I like it, too. Especially the pepperoni pizza. 

TQ 109 Jasmijn from Belgium Finally I am giving you a new podcast episode! I've been using old Listen and Repeat episodes for over a year, but now I have a Ten Questions episode. When I started the podcast, the original idea was to interview people so that my listeners could hear many different types of accents in English. After a few months I realized that there was a need to help people improve their intonation (similar to accent), so I started making Listen and Repeat podcast episodes. Its been almost a year and a half since I posted a new interview, so newer listeners won't realize that I used to post them often. This interview actually was made back in the fall of 2018, when I was still living in China. I have three interviews on my old laptop that I have never edited and used in my podcast. Here is the first one. The others will come later. Jasmijn, 26, is from the town of Hasselt, Belgium. At the time she was staying with me (from couchsurfing.org) she had already been traveling in China for two months and was about to go to Vietnam. Listen as she talks about how she studied to become a silversmith and jewelry designer, and about a festival for an alcoholic drink (Genever or Jenever) in her hometown, and about how she visited the Uyuni Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni) in Bolivia. Also listen as I say that I lived in Xi'an, China for two years. That was obviously a slip of the tongue, because I lived in Xi'an for five years. Here are some words and phrases that you may not know: internship, to work on my technique, coal, grottoes, pottery, porcelain, surrealist painter.

Happy 2019 Everyone! I'm still living in the U.S. with my mother . . . and now my brother is living with us while he's between jobs. He quit a terrible job teaching English at a high school in a very small town. His students weren't respectful and the school administration weren't helpful when he asked for help in disciplining his trouble-making students. I'm so fortunate that I spent the last 19 years teaching in China, with wonderful students. I"m still teaching, but only online now. I do mock IELTS exams on the two Chinese apps PalFish and Kouyuxia, And anyone in the world can find me on Cambly. I do Free Talk and IELTS preparation on Cambly. I use the same name on all three teaching platforms: Miss Buswell. Call me! I would be so excited to talk to one of my podcast listeners! By the way, people from 109 different countries listen to this podcast! The top ten countries in terms of downloads of my podcast episodes are: China, U.S., Japan, Brazil, Germany, Iran, Canada, Russia, Korea, and Spain. And then 99 more! LnR 112 (Casual Language) As You Know (Replay from 2 1/2 years ago) Two friends are talking A:  Hey, good to see you again! B: Yeah. Me, too. What have you been doing lately. A: Well, as you know, I went on vacation to Disney World in Florida. B: I didn’t know that. How would I know that? I haven’t seen you for two months! A: I posted pictures on Facebook. Didn’t you see them? B: I haven’t been on Facebook for a long time.  I had to give it up because I was spending too much time on it. Now I spend that time reading for pleasure and watching classic movies. A: That sounds good, but I couldn’t do it. I like seeing what my friends are doing and looking at their pictures. B: Well, I call my closest friends every week. A: Hey, you don’t call me! B: Oh, look what time it is. I’m going to be late! See you later.

Here's another episode from 2 1/2 years ago. LnR 110 (Casual Language) What did I do? (Replay) Ten questions starting with the word "what". What did I do? What did he do? What did she want? What did they say? What are you doing? (Whatcha doin'?) What are you talking about? (Whatcha talkin' about?) What are you looking at? (Whatcha lookin' at?) What happened? What's happening? (as a greeting and as a question) What's the matter?

LnR 106 (Casual Language) Wikipedia (Replay) Listen and Repeat: A: Hi there, what are you doing? (Watcha doin'?) B: Oh, hey. I'm working on my paper for World History class. A: Oh, yeah. I finished mine three days ago. It's due tomorrow, you know. B: Yeah, I know. I should've started it last week, but I just kept putting it off. A: You mean you haven't started it yet?! B: Well, I started it an hour ago. I've already written two pages. A: You know we're supposed to write eight to ten pages and use three sources. B: I've already taken notes from my three sources. I'm using two websites about history and also Wikipedia. A: What? Our teacher told us clearly that we can't use Wikipedia as one of our sources! B: What? That must have been the day I slept late and missed class. Oh, shoot, I'm in a lot of trouble. I'll have to stay up all night working on this. A: Good luck! I'll go get you some coffee.  

Hi! Thanks for downloading my podcast! I hope that you will find it useful. If you are new, my name is Nancy Buswell. When I recorded this podcast episode 2 1/2 years ago I was teaching in Nanning, China. This summer I moved home to the US and am now living with my 83-year old mother. She is still in good health, thank goodness. I work online. I give mock IELTS exams on two Chinese apps, and teach on the website/app Cambly Fridays and Saturdays. Most of my students there are from Saudi Arabie, Turkey and Brazil. If you use Cambly, please look me up! I'm Miss Buswell on Cambly, and I prefer giving mock IELTS exams or having interesting conversations. Call me and let's have an interesting conversation! ====== LnR 104 Extracurricular Activities (Replay) Listen and Repeat: A: We had an interesting discussion topic in English class today. B: Oh, yeah? What was it? A: Our teacher told us to talk to our partner about our first jobs. B: That's easy! My first job was working at a KFC when I was 18. It was the summer before I started university. I only worked there two months. Now I can't stand the smell of fried chicken! A: Funny! As for me, I haven't had any kind of job yet. My parents wouldn't let me do anything except study, study, study. I wanna find a part-time job now, to make some pocket money, but my parents have forbidden it. B: Why? You’re over 18 now and can make your own decisions. A: Yeah, sure. Tell them that. As long as they are paying for my education, I have to do what they say. At least they send me pocket money when I need it. I just hate asking for it. B: Yeah, I get it. I hate asking for money, too. But I don’t want a part-time job now. I’m too busy with my extracurricular activities. I’m in two clubs and play intramural volleyball with people from my dormitory. A: Really? I’m no good at volleyball. I don’t know how to make the ball go the right direction. Which clubs are you in? B: Well, one is a church club. They have a small house just off campus for the meetings. I go every Wednesday night for singing and Bible study. I usually get there early to talk with my friends. The other one is the chess club. I’ve played chess since I was a little kid. We meet in a classroom every other Monday night to talk about chess and then play a couple of games. I’m a pretty good chess player, but there are several others who are a lot better than me. A: I can see now why you don’t have time for a part-time job!

Hello from the U.S. state of Arkansas, where fall weather has finally arrived! Many people like the fall, but I like hot weather, not cold weather. Fortunately, it's only cool now, not cold. Here's another podcast episode from 2 1/2 years ago. I think I talk about my YouTube channel in this. Ignore it. I haven't done anything with my YouTube channel in a couple of years. I started a series called "Ask Miss Buswell", but it only lasted three days! I didn't follow up on it. I tend to procrastinate on some kinds of work. "Procrastinate" means to delay, to do something later. LnR 102 (Casual Language) Fast Food (Replay) Listen and Repeat: A simple dialogue between a customer and a cashier at McDonalds A: Welcome to McDonalds! How may I help you? B: Hi, I'd like a double cheeseburger. A: Would you like the combo or just the burger? B: Pardon? A: The combo includes fries and a drink. B: Oh, OK.  Just the burger. And something to drink. What do you have? A: The drinks are listed right here. We have Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and Fanta. B: I'd like a Sprite. A medium one. No ice. A: No ice, sure. That'll be $2.75. B: Here you go. A: And 25 cents is your change. Here's your order. Have a nice day! B: Thanks. Say, where is the WC? A: The what? B: Uh, the bathroom. A: Oh, it's around the corner and down the hall. B: OK. Thanks a lot.  

I made this recording 2 1/2 years ago when I was still teaching in a classroom. Now I'm teaching at home, online. What a change! I miss being in front of my students, though it's nice to work at home, too. I hope you enjoy this podcast episode and that you learning something new about learning vocabulary. LnR 100 (Casual Language) Vocab (Replay) I talk about a good way to study vocabulary so that you will remember it.  Dialogue between two students A: Hi, Jack! How did you do on our vocab quiz this morning? B: Oh, man, I bombed it! A: What do you mean? B: I mean I think I failed it. A: How did that happen? Miss Buswell told us what to study. It was an easy quiz. I think I made a perfect score. Jack: I'm really hacked off at myself. I waited until last night to cram for the quiz. But then I forgot most of the words in the morning. Jill: Well, that's too bad. Maybe next time . . . . Jack: Yeah. Next time I'll remember to start studying earlier. Cramming sure isn't the best way to prepare for a test.  

Hello as usual from Arkansas, a small state in the American South! The weather is still hot, which I like a lot, though I know that fall is around the corner. Here is a dialog about computers that I made 2 1/2 years ago. Since then I had to replace that old computer. A different student helped me buy a much better new one. I really liked it, but couldn't take it with me when I left China because it was a desktop and much too big and delicate to transport to the US. I sold it to a friend when I left. Here at my mother's house I use a nice laptop, though I do miss the big monitor I had with my desktop in China. I hope you like the vocabulary in this dialog and that you find it useful.   LnR 098 (Casual Language) Are you serious? (Replay)   A: Hey, thanks for coming over! B: Sure, no problem. A: Like I told you on the phone, I've got a problem with my desktop computer. B: What's wrong? A: I need a new video card. The old one is finally kaput. My laptop is fine, but I use my desktop for most of my schoolwork. B: OK. I'll check with a repairman on campus. [He speaks to a repairman in Chinese on the phone] Bad news. He said he couldn't replace it. A: Are you serious? What's he talking about? He can't replace it? B: Oh, wait, he just told me he figured out a way to fix it. I'll take your CPU to the repairman now. A: Thanks. You're a lifesaver.