Wackadoodle Just the other day I had this clue in a crossword puzzle: “not completely whack-a-doodle.” The answer they wanted was “sane.” Until that moment, I’d never heard that word before. I know, you are probably thinking I’ve led a sheltered life. In some ways, I probably have. I checked out the definition online andContinue reading “Weird Words, Part 13”
Category Archives: This and That
Losing Bonfire
Bonfire was the sweetest, kindest, gentlest, most generous soul I have ever known. When my mother died, she wanted to get rid of Dad’s stuff. She said it was too painful to keep because it reminded her of him and her loss. But I think it’s the other way around. It’s the absence of allContinue reading “Losing Bonfire”
Anniversaries
Some anniversaries are cause for celebration. Some are cause for regret. Some are unremarkable and pass by without notice. Birthdays are great. Wedding anniversaries can go either way. I’m just saying. I don’t really know why we put such stock in the passage of one year. Or why we have to commemorate in some wayContinue reading “Anniversaries”
Jerrold George Walter Edward Aldrich
Jerry, to his friends, was born on July 23, 1920 and died on August 4, 1969. If he were still alive today, he would be 100 years old. He was born in Wesley, Iowa at a time when it was common for young boys to wear knickers and knee socks and lace-up ankle-high boots. HeContinue reading “Jerrold George Walter Edward Aldrich”
Creativity
I don’t just write. I have a number of other outlets for my creative spirit. I like to crochet. I just finished making a new leash for Maddie. My sister doesn’t know it yet, but I am making an afghan for her. Well, I suppose she knows it now. She likes greens and browns together.Continue reading “Creativity”
Would the World be a Better Place without Mosquitoes?
In a poll of one, me, the answer would be a resounding “yes.” At least on the surface. But when I think about it for a moment, maybe not. Mosquitoes are flies. They belong to the order Diptera; DI (two) plus PTERA (wing). They are distinguished from most other insects by the number of wingsContinue reading “Would the World be a Better Place without Mosquitoes?”
I’m Annoyed
There are a lot of things that annoy me. Honestly, I’d like to think of myself as a tolerant person. But the truth probably lies somewhere between those two statements. Maybe, sadly, a little closer to the first one. Yes, police brutality is a problem. Yes, it’s been a problem for a long time. YesContinue reading “I’m Annoyed”
Tidying Up
We have oak cabinetry throughout our house. There have been times in the past when I got so tired of all the oak that I wanted to paint it all. The interior doors are all cheap hollow core, but they are sheathed in real oak. And the door frames are oak as well. Adds upContinue reading “Tidying Up”
Weird Words, Part 11
Nincompoop Even though the word “nincompoop” is considered to be colloquial, it’s claimed that it has a very learned past. One account reports that it stems from non compos mentis, which is Latin for “not of right mind.” It’s claimed that it was once actually a legal term. The idea of a lawyer using thatContinue reading “Weird Words, Part 11”
Pure Delight
We used to feed all the birds. We had thistle seed for the finches. We put out mixed seed for the various songbirds. We were sure to have plenty of black sunflower seeds on hand. And we scattered unsalted, roasted peanuts in the shell for the scrub jays. We tried a suet feeder for aContinue reading “Pure Delight”
