Tami Ryan proposed a challenge to write a piece using the following difficult English words:
To, two, too
By, buy, bye
It’s, its
Than, then
Your, you’re
There, their, they’re
We’re, were
Where, wear
Who’s, whose
Bear, bare
Which, witch
Loose, lose
Choose, chose
Quite, quiet
Whether, weather
Further, farther
Breath, breathe
Accept, except
Desert, dessert
Capital, capitol
Affect, effect

It’s a fact that lack of capital was going to affect my ability to buy the loose fitting clothes I would need to wear with my group on their trip into the desert where they’re going to have a great time. But then a friend, whose father works at the Capitol, quite suddenly chose to repay an old debt I thought I would lose. I was quite happy to accept it, for now I could breathe easier and choose a store in which to shop. Further, this friend, who’s planning to go on a trip even farther than I, where the weather is too hot too, took a deep breath and asked whether he could come with me to shop for a hat for his bare head. “You’re welcome,” I said. “I’m not going to be some grumpy old bear about the loan repayment. Except for having been a bit of a witch about it for a while, I bear you no ill feelings for its tardiness. I expected you were going to pay me back, but there was no way your oversight would have an effect on our friendship.” So the two of us shopped, had a quiet lunch with dessert, then said bye. Now we’re best friends and I’m with my group in the desert.    

© 2004 R. Leland Waldrip