Things worth remembering

Over the years certain things I committed to memory long ago have turned out to be useful on a regular basis.

Below, some I invoke frequently:

1. 2.54 centimeters = 1 inch. I use this conversion several times every week, on the fly.

2. Not only... but also — it is not appreciated by most writers and publications that the words "not only" must always be followed by "but also." Even august publications forget this fact. I don't, nor should you.

3. "Misspelled" and "misspelling" are often misspelled. Two s's, two l's. Memorize it, then laugh whenever you see it wrong. Which will be soon and often.

4. ROY G BIV — Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Indigo Violet. The order of colors (longest to shortest wavelength) into which white light separates passing through a prism. Useful when you want to order groups of objects differing only in color: nature makes it easy to be natural if you know the drill.

5. "Red sky at night, sailor's delight; red sky at morning, sailors take warning." Not just for sailors.

6. "30 days hath September, April, June and November; all the rest have 31...." At least once a week I rerun this refrain in my head to pinpoint how many days till something happens.

What about you, joehead Nation?

What you got to make life easier?

Here's your big chance to strut your stuff under the bright lights for the whole world to marvel at.