Vinaceous ~ WordWayzzz™ JUNE 2023

Flowering into Colors of Summer!  

It’s JUNE! We’re breaking out of Spring and flowing boldly into Summer shades of vibrant colors. It’s #NationalRoseMonth and If you don’t have a garden and want to see the flower that defines the month, and you live in or near (or traveling to) San Diego, California, head over to the San Diego County Fair and enjoy their stunning flower competition winners / exhibition. How does that tie into our #WordWayzzz word of the month? Take a look-see …  

VINACEOUS (vī-‘nā-shǝs; 1688) adj. – of the color of red wine. [WW #330] 

Such a long word for a simple meaning. But vinaceous is terrific for inserting in your fiction and nonfiction writings, when “red” just doesn't do the scene justice. It’s also vague enough for readers to envision their own shade of red … burgundy, maroon, claret, or ruby … take your pick! If you’re into wines, @SDFair is the place to be this month for wine tastings!

Stretch your thoughts a little further to consider the “vine” reference beyond the wine vine to rose vines! Often regarded the “Love Month” for its traditional plethora of weddings, June’s birth flower is appropriately, the beautiful rose. Pair roses surrounded by colorful honeysuckle (the other June flower) with a vinaceous wine and you’re in for a romantic night. Don’t forget to set the whole scene with music …  

JUNE’s Song of Note ♪
While this month’s Song of Note isn’t about roses, it is about tender love. Canadian band, Skylark, rose

to fame in the top ten tunes at WCFL/Chicago with their soft melody of “Wildflower.” The sultry song was inspired by a poem by Dave Richardson, a friend of band member, Doug Edwards, and generally considered a one-hit wonder. ♪… She's a free and gentle flower | Growing wild … ♪ While you’re in the mood, see what other tuneful tidbits await in the musical world …50 Years Ago this Month.

Word Challenge: VINACEOUS. Feel the love in the air, and in all colorful elements of your writing, as you fit vinaceous into your ardent month of amorous prose and casual conversations.

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

Cheers to learning a new word today!
@PenchantForPen
@Irishwriter

WordWayzzz^TM is currently created for your literary pleasure every first Wednesday of each month. Thank you for stopping by! Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and it isn’t harmful to your health! Expanding your mind is a no-cost, simple joy. Do you feel that way too? What’s your inspiration? Share your creative genius and WordWayzzz comments.

[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!]

LR Notes: 1) Dictionary definitions are quoted from Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary – Eleventh Edition, unless otherwise noted. Yes, we sometimes present them out of “official” context—but that’s half the fun! Think of it as “creative context.” 2) a] Recent dictionary additions to definitions include a date of first use, if known; b] words in small caps indicate “see also.” 3) Neither I (LinDee Rochelle) nor Penchant for Penning are responsible for how you use information found here, that may result in legal action.
        And please note, I do not receive compensation from any company or person for commercial or commodity links I may include in my posts. 

 E-N-Dzzz   

 

Hagiography ~ WordWayzzz™ MAY 2023

Royal Tattler, Commoner Gossip, & a Wildflower

Is our interest—and in some cases, obsession—of all things British, spawned from their early voyage across the pond? Or simply the fascination of all things royal?

Kings and queens, princes and princesses have been part of our ordinary lives for centuries; though born and bred Americans know of them mostly through European history, legends, and fairy tales.

On the other hand, the Brits’ fascination with our rebellious nature is also legendary. After all, The United States of America became a nation unto its own, unwilling to be ruled by the royals of jolly ol’ England.

Nevertheless, our televisions will hum this month with King Charles III’s lavish coronation and all the pomp, circumstance, and family disputes that go with it.

May ends with our own highly patriotic and revered Memorial Day, a bit more somber but no less celebrated. Yes, May is the perfect time to bring you a word that fits the legends …

hagiography (,ha-gē-ʹä-grɘ-fē; 1821) n. – 1) biography of saints or venerated persons; 2) idealizing or idolizing biography. [WW #329]

A few months back, when news reports swirled and proliferated throughout the world of Queen Elizabeth II’s death (September 8, 2022), one British reporter remarked on the “hagiography and persiflage (frivolous, bantering talk)” that will likely follow, further immortalizing or vilifying the long-reigning queen.

Of course, wordsmiths know that every word ending in “ography” is the study of something. Those of you in religious studies may know this word, but for most others, simply biography works in common language for the story of a life. Hagiography goes beyond the study of saints or perceived saintly people, to include the adoration of biography, itself, which speaks to writers, in general.

A meandering thought: not all royals are regal and not all commoners are ordinary … which brings us to …

MAY’s Song of Note ♪ 
An apt song for blooming May flowers and a lightly glowing hagiography, is “Wildflower” by Canadian band, Skylark. It ranked #4 on WCFL/Chicago’s Super CFL Survey May 19, 1973. The tune was a collaborative effort between Skylark’s Doug Edwards, who put music to a poem written by then-police officer, Dave Richardson. Rumor has it, it was for his girlfriend. Obviously, Officer Richardson still found beauty in his life beyond the daily grind ♪ … Let her cry | For she's a lady | Let her dream | For she's a child ... ♪ 50 Years Ago this Month   

Word Challenge: hagiography. Whether writing of royalty, a person with a noble life, or simply your Mom (May also honors Moms on the 14^th), think about what makes them worthy, as you fit hagiography into your month of principled writings and casual conversations.

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

Cheers to learning a new word today! 
@PenchantForPen
@Irishwriter

WordWayzzz^TM is currently created for your literary pleasure every first Wednesday of each month. Thank you for stopping by! Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and it isn’t harmful to your health! Expanding your mind is a no-cost, simple joy. Do you feel that way too? What’s your inspiration? Share your creative genius and WordWayzzz comments.

[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!]

LR Notes: 1) Dictionary definitions are quoted from Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary – Eleventh Edition, unless otherwise noted. Yes, we sometimes present them out of “official” context—but that’s half the fun! Think of it as “creative context.” 2) a] Recent dictionary additions to definitions include a date of first use, if known; b] words in small caps indicate “see also.” 3) Neither I (LinDee Rochelle) nor Penchant for Penning are responsible for how you use information found here, that may result in legal action.
      And please note, I do not receive compensation from any company or person for commercial or commodity links I may include in my posts.

E-N-Dzzz