Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Jejune – Wordplay Wednesday™ 12/27/17



New Year’s Eve 2018: Resolutions or Not? That is the Question!

At the beginning of each year, we hope for the best and vow to make it a better year than last.

Did you? Was 2017 your best year yet? For some, yes. For others, this past year fell short by a long shot. Was that you? Was 2017 …

JEJUNE (ji jōōnʹ; jejunely/adv.; jejuneness/n.) adj. – 1) not nourishing, barren; 2) not interesting or satisfying; dull or empty. WW #144]  

If your 2017 was a jejune kinda year, remember, there are a thousand ways to change your life, and as many “experts” to tell you how.

Bottom line, change comes from within. Change your attitude, and you change your life … so they say.

The first sentence can hardly be argued. Not so sure I believe the latter. In the real world, it takes more than a desire, or a different way of viewing your world, to make a change that matters. I do, however, believe the oft-quoted but un-attributable definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results.

So, for 2018, let’s make a pact. No resolutions. Well, just one; which rather affects any others we might think we can get away with:

When faced with a decision, remember how you responded to a previous, similar one, and do the opposite.

We may not achieve better results, but I guarantee, we won’t suffer through another jejune year! Embrace change in every decision. Don’t sneak up on it … take charge!

With any luck—a huge part of any positive change—we’ll stroll into the right place at the right time and there will be no jejune feelings at the end of this year.

Word Challenge: JEJUNE. With a New Year, your fate lies in your hands. Don’t leave your destiny with  a what will be will be attitude. Banish jejune from your dictionary and make 2018 your best year ever, as you fit it into your week of fresh and determined writing.

Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle) 

                       


E-N-D

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Gorp – Wordplay Wednesday™ 12/20/17



Mixing it Up for the Holidays 

This week’s Wordplay Wednesday is not for the Scrooges of the world. Offered for your Holiday enjoyment … it’s Christmas!

Let’s spark some merriment and tweak the story of Santa Claus, with a twinkle in the eye, plate of milk, and cookies by the tree.

Oh, wait, there’s no time to bake or buy the cookies, and we’re out of milk! Hmmm, there must be something around here …

GORP (gôrp) n. trail mix. [And we’ll add a yummy hot toddy to take the chill off his whiskers; WW #143]

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, 
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there

I know, I know … poor substitute for soft-baked chocolate chip cookies and mustache-coating milk. Gorp is a mostly American term to describe a nutritious snack of good ol’ raisins and peanuts (for a healthier Santa), along with a little granola and dried fruit. Well, we could jazz it up with a few M&M’s. Mmmmmm …

After munching on gorp, of course, Santa’s only going to take a couple sips of the tummy warming Toddy … after all, we don’t want him to get a DUI while driving the sleigh around the world!

Fantasy mixed with fact has always been a part of life. From the myths and legends of ancient cultures, to the urbanization of modern tech tales. Try as you might, you can’t dampen the spirits of those who want to enjoy their cultural traditions. Even if they’re tweaked with gorp.

Engaging stories tinged with truth, permeate history. They’ve been re-told for centuries, with personal spins added—like switching cookies for gorp—to the delight of children in every culture. Santa Claus among the most endearing.

From St. Nicholas, to Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, to Santa Claus, traditions may differ, but the pleasure is universal.

No matter the name, the meaning is the same. Joy, generosity, laughter, and love. With a wink, a nod, and a whistle, Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Word Challenge: GORP. Munch, munch, crunch …  as you fit gorp into your week of traditional writing.

Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle) 

                       



E-N-D


Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Joie de vi vre – Wordplay Wednesday™ 12/13/17



Skating through the Holidays

Last week we perused the planning, organizing, and resolute demeanor of a telic person during Holiday festivities and into New Year’s goals.

This week, let’s cross the Pond to France, and explore the carefree folks who skate through it all, albeit at times, on thin ice

JOIE DE VI VRE (zhwåd veʹvr’; French) n. – (the) joy of living; high spirits; exuberance, etc. [WW #142]

Ah, the language of romance. Being a ne’er-do-well, or at the very least, one who skates through life with nary a New Year’s goal in sight, never sounded so good.

Taken to the extreme, with no structure whatsoever, joie de vi vre can be as disastrous as the ultimate planner hampered by blinders.

It’s becoming increasingly apparent (to those without blinders, and those with even a little focus) that an old adage proves true once again: “Everything in moderation.”

If moderation were applied to every aspect of life, from business to diet and exercise, it’s a fair guess success would follow, with tempered joie de vi vre. 

However, we are human after all. The retail industry created the modern Holidays, which often result in excessive joie de vi vre or opposing telic abstinence. Rarely the two shall meet.

Word Challenge: JOIE DE VI VRE. May your Holidays be bubbly and effervescent, without excess, as you fit joie de vi vre into your week of spirited writing.

Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle) 

                       
     

E-N-D