Arrrgh!!!

Manse.....the Buffy manse is full to overflowing with family this weekend. We are fortunate to have Dear Husband's oldest son with us for a few days. His siblings have come to visit through out the past day or two, and they will all gather tomorrow to sail with Dear Husband and then have dinner here.

Have you ever heard of this word? This is the first time I've seen it. It means a person who is learning the alphabet, a novice.

I wonder if Big Bird ever used abecedarian?

Verdant

The grounds have gone from being sere and brown to verdant, now that the rains have returned.

We have had a dreadful summer. I made a serious effort to water my gardens this year, and if next year should turn out to be the same, I am going to become an expert on installing watering systems. I'm going to have to ask my PT guru if hand watering of the pots along the sidewalk can be considered exercise!

Rain.....we've had rain, and may possibly have more rain this weekend. I'm not going to complain. Instead, you'll find me outside doing a rain dance!

Caitiff.

I've never heard this word. I've never heard anyone use it; I've never read it. What's more, I've never heard my MOTHER use this word (and, of course, Mother knows everything). It's new to me.

It made me think of Jamie Frasier, in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, but on reflection, while Jamie was miserable in prison, I think he had enough purpose in seeing to the care of his men that you couldn't say he was caitiff. Now, the MEN may have been caitiff.

You learn something every day.

(N.B. When I ran Spell Check, it made no comment about "caitiff.")

Pike....

I noticed that the word of the day is "pike," and my first thought was....I wonder which definition? A LOT of them!

I thought of:
1. A freshwater game and food fish
2. A long spear formerly used by the infantry
3. A mid-air position in sports such as gymnastics or diving in which the
athlete bends to touch the feet or grab the calves or back of thighs
while keeping the legs straight
4. A turnpike, or a toll gate
5. Zebulon Montgomery Pike for whom "Pike's Peak" is named

These are the ones which weren't familiar:

6. A hill with a pointed summit (chiefly British)
7. A spike, or a pointed head
8. A hay fork
9. A pick
10. A haycock
11. A toll bar

I also read a definition of pike that suggested it was a broad road intended for ultra fast travel. I tend to think of the pikes that were around in the 1700s in Pennsylvania, although I've ridden on the Pennsylvania turnpike. So, the definition must have evolved as the roads did.

That's a pretty amazing group of definitions for a small word.

I believe I like Dictionary.com's definition of "avid" much better, especially when the term is used to describe my relationship with quilting:

"Marked by keen interest and enthusiasm"

Even a "fierce devouring affection" seems preferable to Google's definition of the word: "Longing eagerly for; eager; greedy. "

Truth be told, I dislike the idea of being called greedy, but it's possible the shoe fits where quilting is concerned. Quilters have what they call "stashes" of fabric, so that you have the piece you need at 3:00 in the morning when the stores are closed and you can't sleep. Actually, I've never pieced or quilted at 3:00, but I AM a fabriholic. One hundred per cent cotton is a beautiful fabric, and the colors and patterns available today are astonishing! I have the fabric to make at least eight quilt tops, and probably many more.

If only I had the time.

So...maybe I am greedy, but couldn't we put a nicer face on it??

If you've checked out the "Word of the Day" box to the right, you'll see that Google has chosen "prolix."

In reading the definition of "prolix" I suspect that many of you are thinking it applies to this blog! *G* Yeah, what can I say? I'm mired in detail, and rarely see the bigger picture.

It strikes me that if ALL of us were to be focused on the "bigger picture," there would be no one to handle the details, right? I'm content to be a bean counter, and a tiny detail person, as long as I can quilt, too. Take away my quilting and I'd have to get involved in the "bigger picture."

I'd be focused on improving the quality of education in my school district, while cutting the budget.

I'd be removing fast food and vending machines from the cafeterias at school, and requiring the students to eat a healthy breakfast prior to class.

I'd be gathering votes to push our representatives and senators into participating in the Social Security system, rather than paying them a lifetime salary after retirement.

I'd be campaigning to limit the benefits of our welfare system. (I believe in giving a helping hand....but not a welfare lifestyle.)

I'd be pushing for increased research on alternate forms of energy.

I'd be focused on finding ways to check every cargo container that comes into the United States, for drugs, disease and weapons of mass destruction.

And more....I know there's more that I worry about out there.

...that's the word of the day. See....look over there to the right. You might have to scroll down a bit to see it.

We have numerous gardens around the house, under cultivation. There is a patch of ground north of the house that is waiting for Dear Husband to cultivate, in preparation for veggies.

We cultivate low maintenance friends.

Raising a family could be considered the art of cultivation. You prune away bad habits, and supply your children with a healthy stream of nutrients in the form of food, ideas and experiences.

Go forth and cultivate today. You'll be better for it, no matter which medium you choose.