Tuesday, March 24, 2020

CHARY – Wordplay Wednesday™ 03/25/2020


Caution is Advised. Mean and Miserly is Not. 

Generosity of spirit does not always extend to deed. Our word for this week depicts many folks who exhibit its qualities in these stressful days …

CHARY (cherʹē, charʹē) adj. – 1) not taking chances, careful, cautious [to be chary of offending others]; 2) not giving freely, sparing (chary of his hospitality). [WW #261]

In one context chary is smart and practical; turn it around and it describes the mildest side of hoarding. Now there is a word that’s getting a lot of attention these days.

Examples of chary are all around us, as we navigate a new world order. Even if temporarily. Caution in people contact is smart and advised. Stocking up is an astute cautionary action. Hoarding unnecessarily, is just plain mean and miserly.

Excellent word for giving your characters or nonfiction subject a human dimension. Need help to draw a complete picture of an imperfect personality, in all its fateful flaws? It’s a fine line that separates chary from stingy. Make notes on what you see around you today—physically and virtually—you never know when they can be used to create a vivid, chary persona.
 
I’m simply an armchair psychologist, but perhaps the person who demonstrates a chary personality in a normal situation is pre-disposed to becoming a hoarder in extraordinary circumstances.

An interesting article on PsychCentral for instance says, “Many people hoard during normal times, under the rubric of “bulk purchasing.” This is an example of rational hoarding …”
Another term you might hear regarding chary motivations is “panic buying.” What do you think? Feel free to chime in on this, psyche experts!

Word Challenge: CHARY. Being cautious is often advised, but fight the desire to be miserly, as you fit chary into your week of generous writings.

Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and it isn’t fattening! Expanding your mind is a no-cost, simple joy. Do you feel that way too? What’s your inspiration? Share your creative genius and Wordplay Wednesday comments below.

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


[LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books in her Blast from Your Past series (of three) about pioneering R&R Radio DJs. True behind-the-mic tales make GREAT Holiday and anytime Gifts available on Amazon (eBook and print): Book 1Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959; and Book 2Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon … The Psychedelic Seventies!]

*Note: 1) Dictionary definitions are quoted from Webster’s New World College Dictionary. Yes, we sometimes present them out of “official” context—but that’s half the fun! Think of it as “creative context.” 2) Neither I (LinDee Rochelle) nor Penchant for Penning are responsible for how you use information found here, that may result in legal action.

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz  

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Verdure – Wordplay Wednesday™ 03/18/2020


Turning Green for Spring 

Still dancing the Irish jig this day-after-St-Paddy’s-Day Wordplay Wednesday? While you dive back into your corner of the world, splash a little Irish Cream into your morning cuppa Joe to take the green edge off. Well, maybe not all of it …

VERDURE (vurʹjɘr) n. – 1) the fresh-green color of growing things, greenness; 2) green growing plants and trees, green vegetation; 3) a vigorous or flourishing condition (characteristic of/adj. – verdurous). [WW #260]

… or your morning-after skin tone! Just kidding. But this week (Thursday, March 19th), without much else to celebrate as we quarantine ourselves for the good of all, we look forward to and welcome a quick end to our global madness, with the First day of Spring and everything verdure.

50 Shades of Green Home Décor
As a reward for being vigilant and sensible during crisis, Mother Nature comes through with a breath fresh air. As Space.com announced, “In fact, it will be a rather auspicious occurrence: the earliest that the equinox has occurred nationwide in 124 years.”

Have too much idle time on your hands and already tired of games? Turn personal misfortunes into opportunities and miracles—begin your Spring plans to promote a new life in vibrant shades of verdure.

To put you in the mood, enjoy some tunes of classic verdure while you seek ways to constructively build toward a second “new beginning” for this anything-but-normal year … imagine you’re dancing through fields of fine greenery in the …

Tom Jones took it to #1 on WLS/Chicago’s Silver Dollar Survey February 11, 1967

            Booker T & the MGs’ instrumental hit #6 on WACK/Newark NY Top 50 Tunedex September 9, 1962

            The Brothers Four claimed the #1 spot on WIBG/Philadelphia’s Top 99 Records April 18, 1960

            Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler struck a U.S. nerve at #1 on WILS/Lansing MI Top 20 February 23, 1966

            Barbara Streisand topped KTNQ/Los Angeles’ Prime Hits at #10 February 24th & hit #1 by March 17, 1977

            Kermit the Frog (1970, Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets)—too much fun not to include

Need some planning ideas that may help you fashion an active life after our sedentary solitude? Don’t stagnate—learn, strategize, create.

Word Challenge: VERDURE. Another quirk of the English language—we change a D into a J to pronounce this week’s word. Let’s set our sights on greener pastures of the near future, as you fit verdure into your week of Spring-fresh writings.

Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and it isn’t fattening! Expanding your mind is a no-cost, simple joy. Do you feel that way too? What’s your inspiration? Share your creative genius and Wordplay Wednesday comments below.

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


[LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books in her Blast from Your Past series (of three) about pioneering R&R Radio DJs. True behind-the-mic tales make GREAT Holiday and anytime Gifts available on Amazon (eBook and print): Book 1Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959; and Book 2Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon … The Psychedelic Seventies!]

*Note: 1) Dictionary definitions are quoted from Webster’s New World College Dictionary. Yes, we sometimes present them out of “official” context—but that’s half the fun! Think of it as “creative context.” 2) Neither I (LinDee Rochelle) nor Penchant for Penning are responsible for how you use information found here, that may result in legal action.

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz