Spring supposedly began March 19th. Words fail me when it comes to describing the fickleness of the weather. Shakespeare knows just what to say.
As sun and showers
There had made a lasting Spring.
– Henry VIII Act III, Scene i
The spring is near when green geese are a-breeding.
– Love’s Labour’s Lost Act I, Scene i
Unruly blasts wait on the tender spring;
– Lucrece (Poem)
Yes, last week crocus flowers heralded the arrival of sunny days and I basked in spring’s warmth while reading. Today it’s stoking the fire and watching the grey skies dribble out its watery lament.
February usually wants to relinquish its wintery self with more yard than snow pack showing allowing daffodil buds to shyly poke up from the ground. This year’s February started along those lines and then in a fickle moment gave way to snow once again. For three days. Back to a snowladen landscape. I imagine the daffodils are confused.
More snow calls for more reading. Here are the five star reads for February.
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
image: Amazon
Having read this fun twist on a murder mystery two years ago and having watched the adaptation (also written by Horowitz) twice, I gave the book another read, especially upon hearing the second Susan Ryeland editor/sleuth novel Moonflower Murders will be coming out in a filmed series. Horowitz’s humorous and clever approach to the mystery genre is a delightful change up and the fact that he can take his novel and make it even better as a filmed version is notable.
Children of the Gold Rush by Claire Rudolph Murphy
image: Amazon
Images of the gold rush era usually bring to mind bearded men hunched over a sluice box diligently working in less than ideal conditions in hopes of striking it rich. While that may be true, there were also women and children who experienced the gold rush in their own way as they accompanied their husbands and fathers. The book is filled with photographs and stories of children who endured and even thrived during their gold rush days. This book primarily centers on the Yukon gold rush. The information provides a greater perspective of this aspect of history.
The Dream Peddler by Martine Fournier Watson
image: Amazon
The title and premise is reminiscent of a Ray Bradbury story. A stranger comes to town selling dreams with the plot focused on the impact of these dreams. Yet, Watson takes a different turn with her story. The dream peddler arrives the same day a boy goes missing and it’s his ability to provide dreams that helps heal the ripples from this tragedy. Unfortunately, his presence stirs up agitation and misunderstanding and truths become veiled in ugly rumor. The author’s lovely, lyrical prose wraps itself around this unique tale of peddler offering dreams for a handful of coins.
Winter Wheat by Mildred Walker
image: Amazon
Set in Montana as WWII starts, Ellen will leave the only life she’s known, that of a daughter of wheat farmers, to attend college in Minnesota. It is there she finds how different the world is from her isolated ranch life, and she finds love with Gil, a privileged young man. However, her eyes are now opened and she draws unsavory opinions about her parents and her Montana life as she sees her world through Gil’s eyes. In order to find peace once again Ellen will have to reconcile her views with the life she has chosen. Ellen’s quotidian life is flavored by her poignant insights and the author’s lyrical prose. A satisfying read in which nothing, but everything happens.
As I type up these reviews the sun is shining and the snow is slowly receding once again. No sign of daffodils yet. Time to go to the library.
Make heads nor tails: failing to understand something. Cicero claimed this one, or a similar phrase, as denoting confusion, although he is attributed as saying, “Neither head nor feet.” Tails could refer to the other side of the coin, because before it is flipped and seen no one knows if it will be heads or tails lending itself to confusion as to the exact outcome of matters.
Make no bones about it: no hesitation. An ancient saying that has different possibilities of meaning with one referring to how dice used to be made from bones and when someone threw them in a decisive manner.
March to the beat of a different drummer: to follow beliefs or a style diverging from the usual. A noted source is traced to Thoreau’s Walden: If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it sis because he hears a different drummer.” This idea of individualism was embraced by the 1960s era, especially, and has even been found in the business world where in a New Yorker article, Connie Bruck wrote, “We saw ourselves…as the tough guys, very smart, who were marching to our own drummer.”
Mincing words: to speak plainly. Shakespeare used the phrase, “not to mince matters” in his plays, to mean “let’s moderate what is being said.” Over time “matters” became “words.”
Misery loves company: it’s easier to bear pain when shared with others. This idea hails back to ancient Greek and Roman times, and has traveled to modern times and has been broadened as Brian Moore suggests: “If misery loves company, then triumph demands audience.”
Monday-morning quarterback: someone who criticizes after the fact. This phrase is also known as “twenty-twenty hindsight.” When football became popular in the 1930s and mainly available on the weekends, it was not unusual for discussions to take place on Monday where “experts” would review the game, offering their “expertise” how the game should have gone. It now refers to someone who tends to second-guess decisions made.
Moon made of green cheese: response indicating something is outlandish to consider. The idea is attached to how “green” the new moon appears in the night sky.
More than meets the eye: seeing only the top part or surface of something that has more depth. Going back to the nineteenth century in England when a fictional detective noted when viewing a dead body that “there is more here than meets the eye.” Today this cliché is pulled out to indicate that a matter needs to be looked at more carefully.
Mum’s the word: keeping something secret. Shakespeare once again. In Henry VI the line reads, “Seal up your lips, and give no words but–mum.” Mum means to keep silent and refers to the “mmm” sound the lips make when pressed together.
Mutual admiration society: shared feeling of regard between individuals. While it might have been a term of sincerity when first used, it is now considered sarcastic.
Mmmm, so many clichés got left on the editing floor. Which “M” phrases were you hoping to see?
The upside of the rainy days we are experiencing is the snow has melted. Usually this is an inducement to get back outside and start walking once again. However, low temps and blustery winds are keeping me inside.
My YouTube walking workout is not the same as striding along the sidewalk and hiking along trails, but it’ll do for now.
I do miss being outside closer to nature, listening to birdsong, squirrel chatter, and watching the deer slipping in and around our yard. This winter we set out more food than usual for the critters and have reaped the benefits of armchair observing.
Here are a few favorite moments:
Outside my office window. One of our resident squirrels enjoying his bounty.
This guy will sit up in the apple tree as if he is surveying his kingdom.
Starlings have been attempting to bully their way into the feeding fun. Not my favorite bird but they were fairly impressive in their gathering.
*Oh oh, news flash–seven inches of snow expected to come in at 9 pm. Yikes! Hoping spring will rally forth soon.
While new words are appreciated finds, there are those favorites that are like old friends that I haven’t seen in awhile and suddenly pop up unexpectedly.
smithereens: small pieces; bits. I tend to associate this one with Yosemite Sam who I recall would now and then threaten to blow Bugs Bunny to smithereens.
copacetic: fine; completely satisfactory; okay. This is a great word to toss out when asked to describe how the meeting went.
morass: any confusing or troublesome situation, especially one from which it is difficult to free oneself. This is not how you want to describe the meeting.
egregious: extraordinary in some bad way. This one usually finds its way describing a mistake. All those “e” sounds make it worse than it probably is.
luddite: someone who is opposed or resistant to new technologies or technological change. Since learning about Luddites in English literature it’s fun to see how it is found in today’s world.
Resistance is futile.
collywobbles: a feeling of fear, apprehension, or nervousness. Hah! Used this one the other day and stumped The Hubs—“this is a word?” Indeed it is.
brouhaha: excited public interest, discussion, or the like, as the clamor attending some sensational event. This one is simply fun to say.
abscond: to depart in a sudden and secret manner. Chocolate tends to do this in our household.
twee: affectedly dainty or quaint. When it’s just too cute or trying to hard to be cute.
Too twee, or not to twee?
natter: to talk incessantly. Yes, this one is not far out of reach. It’s very appropriate in describing how some people like to have conversations in public with their phone speaker fully blaring.
ennui: a feeling of utter weariness and discontent resulting from satiety or lack of interest; boredom. Also found this one in English—from the short story “The Most Dangerous Game.”
I grew up with movies being a big deal. Going out to the movie theater was a special event involving dressing up and best behavior. Stars like Sean Connery, Elizabeth Taylor, Barbara Streisand, and Gregory Peck graced the screen. Bugs Bunny cartoons opened the show and it wasn’t unusual to have a double feature with “B” film sometimes being better than the main movie. Theaters had only one screen, with two floors, complete with balconies. There were even smoking rooms and crying rooms for babies. I really aged myself there, didn’t I?
Velvet plush seats—no cup holders—very retro
Of course television changed access to movies, which changed how we watched movies. Then VCRs, DVDs, Blu-Ray and now streaming has all but obliterated the theater experience.
I held out for the theatre experience for the longest time. Going to matinees with my girlfriends, then moving on to boyfriends, and finally creating my own family outing.
Then the movie experience changed. People used to watching movies at home brought that casual attitude to the theater. Talking, feet up on the seat backs, and don’t get me started about phones during the show.
“Let’s wait for the DVD,” became the going phrase in our house. Plus, we like those special features. As discs gave way to streaming I remained hesitant, especially since it involved paying for a service that I might not use enough to justify. Besides, I can check out free DVDs at the library.
No more little envelopes in the mail
Then my phone carrier offered free streaming for two major companies. “Why not?” The problem is that there are hundreds of choices. Selecting a movie has gone from one of several up on the marquee or grabbing a couple off the library rack to an involved decision-making process that can take longer than watching a movie. There is also the issue of internet connection cooperation.
I admit I haven’t been in a theater for over three years. I still have an AMC gift card from 2019. I’ve become just another streamer and I am not sure if that is considered evolutionary progress.
Simple question: do you prefer the theater experience for watching a movie or appreciate watching from the comfort of your home?
Shakespeare is an unrefuted wordsmith. He knew how to pen a phrase with a lexiconical fragrance we still admire centuries later such as Romeo’s eloquent description of Juliet: “O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright.”
Shakespeare could also have his characters sling some stinging verbal mud as in The Comedy of Errors: “The tartness of his face sours ripe grapes.”
While insults aren’t something we should be dwelling on in our present societal focus on mindfulness, Shakespearean insults are more of a study of impactful imagery. There is also a plus of them being quite funny.
Creating a Shakespearean insult involves knowing the terms. Here are a few, some known and others relevant to only Elizabethans.
Ape(n) – 1. Imitator 2. Fool 3. Term of endearment
To assemble your insult find a noun and then a couple of adjectives that do it justice, and then begin with “You,” which depending on if it’s the 15th, 16th, or 17th century, is either a formal or informal address:
How about:
Yourump-fed, gor-bellied wag!
This might be directed to a youth caught hogging the buffet at family gathering. Or, at a young man showing rude manners. Either way it’s a definite call out by an older person to a younger one.
May this post prompt your tongue to choose words other than the usual curses, especially when driving. These also might be handy since it is an election year.
As much as I am a fan of the new year because it provides a fresh start, I am not a fan of the cold weather January brings. Most of the first days have been in temperatures of single digits and in minus increments. And then there was those two four days of snow. Going outside has become a matter of great consideration and since cold weather is keeping me more inside than outside I’m looking for day brighteners. Words are often my go to happy place. There are some words that when I hear them bring a smile because of the way they sound, and sometimes their meaning is amusing:
hobbledehoy: an ungainly youth—I had a few of these in class
sklent: any slanting surface, such as a slope—noted, when it freezes after a snowstorm
feirie: healthy, strong—are fairies feirie?
cakeage: a few a restaurant charge for bringing in an outside cake—you can have your cake and eat it too, as long as you pay for it
kvetch: to chronically complain—the extra snow has me doing plenty of this
No more snow!!!
tintinnabulation: the ringing of bells—which gets tinnitus riled up
yestreen: during yesterday evening
elsewhither: in another direction; toward a different place or goal—I travel here often
nibling: a child of one’s sibling—a solution to gender identification?
quiddity: the essential nature of a thing—snowy days create this feeling that winter is essentially cold and annoying
pulchritudnious: physically beautiful—this one is baffling in that it is an unlovely sounding word to describe loveliness
skookum: large; powerful—can’t wait to try this one out
mountweazel: a decoy word used in a dictionary or encyclopedia to catch publishers who might try to copy the content—like paper towns
cromulent: acceptable or legitimate—reminds me of crumpets
And an appropriate word to end with is:
jollify: to make merry—when the snow fades and spring begins to be a reality
Nifty Beans! My yearly challenge is designated as 101 books, which I have been surpassing, especially now that I’m retired. I hit 171 this year. Woo Hoo! Maybe I should readch for165 or even 175. Then again, I really like the sound of 101, even more so when I pass it up big time.
Goodreads provides a colorful graphic off all the books I read in 2023. It’s fun to revisit all those books read throughout the year. Here are the highlights:
Book with most pages:
626 pages–read it again for a book club–twice is enough
I really enjoyed Doerr’s first book, All the Light We Cannot See, reading that one twice as well, since I devoured it in one sitting and after a student presented it as her author spotlight I reread it and was glad I did. However, even after a second reading of his second book, Cloud Cuckoo Land, which I read for the library book club, I am still not a huge fan. One reason is that it is vastly different in theme and style. While it is still well-written, it did not resonate with me quite like his first. I watched the film adaptation of AtLWCS on Netflix, and as they say, “The book is the book and the movie is the movie.”
I look forward to his next book. He is a writer worth waiting for.
Book with fewest pages:
a quick book at 21 pages
This is for those who enjoy fables/parables like Animal Farm and animal dramas like Watership Down. A quick read and one read is enough.
Average book length in 2023: 299 pages (not a fan of super long books, unless the writing is amazing)
My average rating for 2023: 4.3 (check out my Reader Roundup posts for those fabulous five star books)
Highest rated on Goodreads: 4.40
rated a solid 5 with me
First review of 2023:
started off with a 5 star
Last review of 2023:
And ended with a five star revisit to a childhood classic
Going through my personal book collection I came across Marguerite Henry’s Wagging Tails. Published in 1955, my brother owned this book first and also first owned our collie mix, Toby. My brother being nine years older than me, passed on the book and the dog when he got busy being a teenager. This is the one book I have leftover from my childhood. I’m not sure why I’ve kept it all these years, especially since I am definitely a cat person. It might be because Toby was an exceptional dog, and I thought it a very big deal him giving me this book. I think I drove him a little crazy with how I always got into his stuff. He finally gave me his marble collection after years of messing with it. Little sisters must be pain for older brothers.
Feeling nostalgic on 123123 I reread these twenty-three stories and once again appreciated Marguerite Henry’s affinity for telling a story. Although she is best known for her horse stories, like Misty of Chincoteague, her love of animals comes through with each dog story presented.
Pam Webb 