Patrick's Place
@patricksplace.bsky.social
I'm Patrick, a Gen X INFJ content creator who posts about grammar, blogging, journalism, & faith. Knows a little about a lot of things. Accused of being "too nice." https://linktr.ee/patricksplace
If I follow you, that is NOT an invitation for chat. 🚫💬
If I follow you, that is NOT an invitation for chat. 🚫💬
But If I Stop the WordPress Heartbeat, Wouldn’t That Kill My Site?
But If I Stop the WordPress Heartbeat, Wouldn't That Kill My Site?
I recently received reports of problems with my website from the hosting company. This time, they suggested I stop the WordPress heartbeat.
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:15 AM
But If I Stop the WordPress Heartbeat, Wouldn’t That Kill My Site?
‘Heated Rivalry’ Reveals Double Standard for LGBTQ Roles
‘Heated Rivalry’ Reveals Double Standard for LGBTQ Roles
A streaming TV gay romance series is drawing a lot of attention and exposing a double standard for actors taking on LGBTQ+ roles.
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:02 AM
‘Heated Rivalry’ Reveals Double Standard for LGBTQ Roles
What’s the Panic Prompting Transgender Student Bathroom Bills?
What's the Panic Prompting Transgender Student Bathroom Bills?
Several states, including mine, are pondering bathroom bills that would dictate which school restrooms transgender students may use.
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 22, 2026 at 1:40 AM
What’s the Panic Prompting Transgender Student Bathroom Bills?
Ever Heard of a Pangram? There's One You Probably Know! #grammar
Ever Heard of a Pangram? There's One You Probably Know!
I suspect there are a great many people who have never heard the term 'pangram.' But despite that, most people do know an example of one.
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 21, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Ever Heard of a Pangram? There's One You Probably Know! #grammar
Did You Suspect a Missing Comma in MLK Day Coverage?
Did You Suspect a Missing Comma in MLK Day Coverage?
Every January, the nation pauses to honor the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Some may notice a missing comma.
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 21, 2026 at 1:09 AM
Did You Suspect a Missing Comma in MLK Day Coverage?
Paid or Payed? The One Time the 2nd One is Correct #grammar
Paid or Payed? The One Time the 2nd One is Correct
Ok, grammar enthusiasts: It's time to pay attention so you're sure to know the difference between the words paid and payed.
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Paid or Payed? The One Time the 2nd One is Correct #grammar
How Much Did the Big X Outage Affect Your Life?
How Much Did the Big X Outage Affect Your Life?
Depending on how much you use it, you might have known about Friday's massive X outage that interrupted service for hours.
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 20, 2026 at 1:13 AM
How Much Did the Big X Outage Affect Your Life?
Is Queer an Acceptable Term for the LGBTQ+ Community? #grammar
Is Queer an Acceptable Term for the LGBTQ+ Community?
Since June is Pride Month, you're going to see a lot of LGBTQ+ stories. You're going to see an increasing use of the word 'queer' as well.
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 19, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Is Queer an Acceptable Term for the LGBTQ+ Community? #grammar
Happy Belated Birthday? That's Not the Way to Say It! #grammar
Happy Belated Birthday? That's Not the Way to Say It!
I freely admit that I've been doing it the wrong way. For years, I'd wish someone a 'happy belated birthday' if I was a day or two late.
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 18, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Happy Belated Birthday? That's Not the Way to Say It! #grammar
Areal or Aerial? Yes, They're Both Valid Words #grammar
Areal or Aerial? Yes, They're Both Valid Words
A weather alert about possible flooding prompted a debate among viewers over whether a TV station meant areal or aerial.
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 17, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Areal or Aerial? Yes, They're Both Valid Words #grammar
Ever Heard of a Mondegreen? You Definitely Have! #grammar
Ever Heard of a Mondegreen? You Definitely Have!
A joke about the national anthem is a good example of a mondegreen. It's something you may have experienced without knowing the term.
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Ever Heard of a Mondegreen? You Definitely Have! #grammar
Is AI Writing Killing Our Writing Skills?
Is AI Writing Killing Our Writing Skills?
I saw a post on social media the other day lamenting the dependence on AI writing and how it'll only make everyone's writing worse.
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 16, 2026 at 1:12 AM
Is AI Writing Killing Our Writing Skills?
Beast or Breast? What Can Music's Charms Soothe? #grammar
Beast or Breast? What Can Music's Charms Soothe?
There's a well-known saying about music having charms that can soothe a savage something. But is it a savage beast or breast?
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Beast or Breast? What Can Music's Charms Soothe? #grammar
Why AP Style Doesn’t Like Brackets in Quotes
Why AP Style Doesn't Like Brackets in Quotes
You can find valid reasons to use brackets in quotes when you're writing about what someone said. But AP Style argues against their use.
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:59 AM
Why AP Style Doesn’t Like Brackets in Quotes
Acronyms or Initialisms? Here's the Very Simple Difference #grammar
Acronyms or Initialisms? Here's the Very Simple Difference
Can you spot whether abbreviations are acronyms or initialisms? Many can't, even though we all encounter plenty of both regularly.
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Acronyms or Initialisms? Here's the Very Simple Difference #grammar
Sorry, Diet Coke, but it's time for a break. You're my favorite soft drink and have been for a long time. But if you think almost $9 is reasonable for a six-count, you've priced yourself of my budget. Until you get your prices back to something reasonable... #inflation #dietcoke
January 14, 2026 at 2:19 AM
Sorry, Diet Coke, but it's time for a break. You're my favorite soft drink and have been for a long time. But if you think almost $9 is reasonable for a six-count, you've priced yourself of my budget. Until you get your prices back to something reasonable... #inflation #dietcoke
Now’s the Time to Check My 2025 Blog Stats
Now's the Time to Check My 2025 Blog Stats
I normally check in with my website's numbers throughout the year. But with a new year comes a full look at my 2025 blog stats.
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:03 AM
Now’s the Time to Check My 2025 Blog Stats
AP Style's Rules on Street Abbreviations Cause Confusion #grammar
AP Style's Rules on Street Abbreviations Cause Confusion
Of the various AP Style rules I teach new writers at my real job, one of the most consistently confusing rules involve street abbreviations.
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:27 PM
AP Style's Rules on Street Abbreviations Cause Confusion #grammar
Pimento or Pimiento? How Both Can Be Correct #grammar
Pimento or Pimiento? How Both Can Be Correct
When I was a kid, I wasn't a fan of pimento cheese sandwiches. That would eventually change. But should it be pimento or pimiento?
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Pimento or Pimiento? How Both Can Be Correct #grammar
Do You Need Commas with Namesakes? #grammar
Do You Need Commas with Namesakes?
Namesakes are people (or things) who have the same name as another. For this post, we'll focus on names that include Sr., Jr., III, etc.
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 11, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Do You Need Commas with Namesakes? #grammar
AI-Written Posts Make Me Block Pages, Not Follow Them
AI-Written Posts Make Me Block Pages, Not Follow Them
You’d think artificial intelligence would be able to ferret out falsehoods better. But a recent AI-written post proved that assumption wrong.
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 11, 2026 at 1:50 AM
AI-Written Posts Make Me Block Pages, Not Follow Them
When is a Golf Cart Not a Golf Cart? #grammar
When is a Golf Cart Not a Golf Cart?
During the summer when more are on the road, we occasionally see a story about a crash involving a golf cart. But all aren't created equal.
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:34 PM
When is a Golf Cart Not a Golf Cart? #grammar
Why Do We Say 'One Fell Swoop'? #grammar
Why Do We Say 'One Fell Swoop'?
The phrase 'one fell swoop' is a popular idiom that dates back hundreds of years. But its original meaning has shifted a bit.
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:52 PM
Why Do We Say 'One Fell Swoop'? #grammar
News Site’s Facebook Comment Policy Lays Out Valid Complaint
News Site's Facebook Comment Policy Lays Out Valid Complaint
An independent news site in New York state announced a new Facebook comment policy it was putting into place amid a change many have noticed.
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:59 AM
News Site’s Facebook Comment Policy Lays Out Valid Complaint
It Must Be Difficult to Find Good Podcast Guests #blogchat
It Must Be Difficult to Find Good Podcast Guests
I received an email inviting me to join a group of registered podcast guests in a database. It’s one reason I don’t have a podcast.
www.patrickkphillips.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:32 AM
It Must Be Difficult to Find Good Podcast Guests #blogchat