Good morning, reader friends. Today’s varied offerings are surely not the stuff of prize-winning journalism.

Mostly it’s just a bit of mental meandering. The substance of which doesn’t rise to a level of much importance, I admit. But maybe, just maybe, some of you might find an item or two of interest in this buffet of disparate topics. Just maybe.

That out of the way, let’s get started.

OKAY — From time to time I express consternation at the Associated Press Stylebook decreeing that “okay” was to be changed to “OK.” You know, as in the abbreviation for Oklahoma. Since WWII I believe that the one American word that is most universally used is “okay.” And spelled that way. One would be hard pressed, especially in Europe, to find anyone who didn’t know and use “okay.” That way.

Using “OK” all in caps truly begs the question. If not at the beginning of a sentence, why caps? Go figure.

Alas, the AP Stylebook police often seem to be on the lookout for my use of the word in its original form. Sententiously so.

MY ROLE — Referencing “Oklahoma,” I always sort of saw myself in the role of Curly in “Oklahoma.” You know. “Oh what a beautiful morning . . .” Oh, yes. (Well. An inflated sense of one’s talent in one’s more youthful years isn’t a crime. Is it?)

FIG LEAF — Check out group photos — or sometimes just an individual pose — in the paper, and you see the “fig leaf” stance by many. You know, hands folded one over the other down by, er, below the waist. An ‘I’m a little shy, and uneasy at having my picture taken’ stance.

Come on, folks. Whether you’re having a photo taken, or singing or speaking in public, just keep your hands at your sides, naturally so. Just because Adam was modest around Eve doesn’t necessitate such an affectation, especially when you have clothes on.

THEIR DECISION? — More and more the disappearance of someone is written about as “they (or he/she) went missing.” Went missing? That sounds as if they chose to do so. Not so. Now, they just possibly might have chosen to go away. If so, then they’re simply missing. But in cases where a disappearance is certainly not of the subject’s own volition, “went missing” is inappropriate.

FESTIVAL — Another Summer Festival has come and gone. Kudos to all who work so hard, and for so many months in the lead-up to it. This was the 34th such event, said the advertising.

Most probably don’t know that we — and I was a part of it — had an annual summer event in the mid-60’s. It was the result of the idea and leadership of Dr. Leo Miller of Texas Gulf Sulfur.

The emphasis was on participatory activities, on land and water, involving many, many people taking part. Funnel cakes and the like were not a part of the event. I’ve kept a couple of the specially designed patches from ’65 and ’66. Good memories.

REDUNDANT — We read in obituaries about a “funeral service.” Just “funeral” will suffice. Look up the word “funeral.” You’ll understand.

WORD TENSE — One funeral home has changed from “was preceded in death” to “is preceded in death.” Seems like if it’s past tense it should be “was.” Seems like. As it previously “was.”

A PROBLEM? — Have you noticed more and more folks shown on TV speak of something as “problematic?” Is that an automatic problem? Why not, well, just “a problem?” Or, maybe the trendspeak of the day out of the NASA space headquarters might be “Houston, things are problematic.” Oh, my.

CORRECTION — Bill Taylor apprised me that Coach Choppy Wagner’s last year as varsity coach of Pam Pack football was 1966, not ’67. Bill played for him and also for Dick Cherry in ’67, and then for the UNC Tar Heels.

And now for the good news, folks: That’s all for today.

See you next Tuesday.