Penchant for Penning

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 19^th), 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 …

Green, Green Grass of Home

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

Green Onions

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

Greenfields

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

The Ballad of the Green Berets

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

Evergreen / Love Theme from A Star is Born

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

It’s Not Easy Bein’ Green

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)

Cheers to learning a new word on Wordplay Wednesday!

@PenchantForPen

@Irishwriter

[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 1 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959; and Book 2 – Rock & 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

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Impuissance – Wordplay Wednesday™ 03/11/2020

What is Normal?

In light of, or in spite of, recent global events that directly or indirectly involve everyone, if we’re still fortunate to be healthy, we strive to live a “normal” daily life.

But as one psychologist put it nearly ten years ago, what is normal? is not an idle question … “Nor can it mean ‘free of discomfort,’ as if ‘normal’ were the equivalent of oblivious.” (Psychology Today, 2011)

With media hype—real and fake—we walk a fine line between helplessness and traumatized …

IMPUISSANCE (im pyōōʹi sɘns) n. – lack of power, weakness (adj. – impuissant). [WW #259]

Don’t let current disturbing global news leave you in a state of impuissance.

Trauma comes in many forms and degrees of distress and for many, when we feel helpless, we succumb to impuissance that could lead to debilitating trauma. Yes, it’s stressful … find ways to ease your stress and strategize your perspective.
In perspective … if you have not traveled recently or been around anyone who has, your chances of contracting COVID-19* are slim. As of this date, the US death toll is at 25, with 647 known cases … those are still minute numbers, considering there are more than 300 million of us.

One of the primary triggers for not surviving a health issue of this magnitude is “underlying medical conditions” that weaken your immune system (Mayo Clinic, accessed 03/10/20). And mental stress, like worrying, can exacerbate a multitude of health issues.

It’s amazing how much a healthy attitude goes a long way to helping your body combat a devastating, chronic condition. Even a small smile will lift your spirit. It doesn’t matter if you’re alone. Smile anyway. It feels good.

It’s a tough world full of dangers and distress that can cause a state of impuissance. Don’t let it. Acknowledge the dangers but don’t be afraid to live your life. Be safe out there …

Word Challenge: IMPUISSANCE. Take a break. De-stress with mood music, comfort food (just this once, but don’t totally blow your health regimen), and/or a good friend, as you fit impuissance into your week of powerful writings.

* Please do not take this information as medical advice. I am not a health professional and take no responsibility in your health or your actions to maintain it. Along with good health habits, I practice a healthy dose of Common Sense. This article is not meant as health advice, but as “Grandma’s advice” … in case you don’t have one.