The working vocabulary of the average 14-year-old has declined in the last 50 years from 25,000 words to 10,000. Language reflects the depth of our human experience. Because we think in words, are we losing the capacity to say what we feel?
Like, whatever.
I’m … what?
You de monia, MJ.
I’m de, er, the? I’m the … monia?
You de monia.
Okay, I don’t have pneumonia if that’s what you mean. In fact, I’m feeling pert, perky, in the pink, positively …
Not pneumonia, silly! Sound it out: Yoo-di-moh-nee-uh.
AH-HA! You said “eudemonia”!
Kathy Beachy says: I’m trying to be. At almost 60 with osteoarthritis, it’s getting harder to move around in my garden. But when I’m out in my garden, hands deep in the moist earth, alone with my plants and God….that’s when I feel the most eudemonia-like.
Thanks for getting me moving more. You and all the MJF sisters have inspired me to ‘do’ instead of ‘don’t’, ‘can-do’ instead of ‘can’t do’. I’m really enjoying my life more now.
I wish I would have found you a long time ago.
Thanks again.
Kathy Beachy
MaryJane says: Eudemonia-like. Love it. Welcome!
Mary ann says: My friend Natalie for Beyond the Reef sent me over. I too am striving this year to find a better balance and find eudemonia in my life!
Winnie Nielsen says: I would say that this week, I have been on a eudemonia High!!! The source you might ask??? Working with a talented young entrepreneur who has invited me to ride along! Yep, this Farmgirl is ridin’ shot gun in the farm wagon in my best apron!! Try it yourself and see what I mean!!
MaryJane says: Winnie, you make our hearts sing!
What do Charles Dickens and Keith Richards have in common?
A Victorian-era author and a modern-day rock star? What?!
Probably not much, right? But there’s at least one thing I know of.
Bet you can’t guess what it is.
Before we talk about that, let’s talk about …
Winnie Nielsen says: What an amazing connection with Keith Richards! Ha!! And I quite agree that we all need to renew tha micawberish optimism on a regular basis!! I am working on it as we speak!
Winnie #3109
It’s finally flat-out spring, my dears. I bet this weekend you’re out there with your grills frying up some burgers, changing your oil, raking the lawn—complete with a break on the porch drinking some of your best homemade iced tea. One thing I hope you are not frying is …
Here’s an old word we need to put a farmgirl spin on: oikology
I know what you’re thinking. No, it’s not the science of pigs—that would be oinkology!
Here’s a hint … “oikos” means “house” in Greek.
Houseology?!
Again, I know what you’re thinking. That I’ve gone off my rocker. Not so …
And, the word “ecology” comes from the same root–the study of house/home, as in Planet Earth. All those interconnected niches and relationships…a lovely metaphor.
Thanks for the nifty tidbit!
Winnie Nielsen says: I am finally glad to hear that there is actually a scientific acknowledgement for what I have been doing the past 33 years!!! Nothing like validation to make this Farmgirl push onward!
Winnie # 3109
Debra, what an interesting thought. Thanks for contributing that.
Thanks MJ for the information.
Pleach.
Hmmm … okay …
The pleading cry of a baby bird? As in,
PLEACH! (Translation: Momma, I need a worm NOW!)
Nope, that’s not it. Try again.
Maybe it’s shorthand (shortmouth?)—a new slang term around the orchard, as in:
“Please pass the peach!”
Uh-huh. Not even close.
I’m grasping at straws, aren’t I? (How farmer of me.)
Pleach [pleech] is a verb that means to interweave or braid. Think branches, vines, wreaths, arbors …
Eileen Widman says: Would I were there I would happily partake in your fun pleaching party! I usually Plait mine in a french braid because it is so slippery that I cannot keep it in a strait braid. I saw a photo of a woven braid this week that I would love to try but it would take another person. I simply do not have eyes in the back of my head no matter how many times I have wished for them.
I don’t believe I’ve ever encountered such an all-inclusive word!
Gallimaufry (gal-li-maw’-free) n.
A hodgepodge, jumble; a mixture of diverse things. From the French galimafrée, “a stew, hash, ragout,” from galer, “to make merry,” plus “mafrer, “to eat heartily.”
This divine little word has been used to denote everything from a stew of leftover odds and ends from the kitchen, to a collage of art pieces or photographs, a collection of short stories, an assortment of musical pieces, a mismatched and motley crew of folks, and so on … you get the picture.
My crazy quilt closet is a gallimaufry of fabric. What does yours look like:)?
Naomi says: My craft room is a gallimaufry of patterned papers. I can’t wait to see what greeting card I come up with next! Thanks for this bounteous word! 🙂
Tomi says: Love it! Pastiche describes my art. Yes, I use a hodgepodge of materials!
I would love to see a close up of your crazy quilt. I just finished a throw this February. Love, Love those crazy quilts!
Diane Sanderson says: My husband and I are both excessive gallimaufriests.
Buy props used in MaryJane’s books and magazine!
5% of profits will benefit www.firstbook.org, a non-profit that provides new books to children from low-income families throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Here’s how:
MaryJane will post a photo and a description of a prop and its cost along with a few details as to its condition here: https://shop.maryjanesfarm.org/MaryJanesCurations. It’s a playful way to be the new owner of a little bit of farm herstory.
I love the look of Indian corn!! Beautiful! Last summer I got my first Retsel grain grinder and in addition to wheat, I ground Indian corn into corn grits. They were so delicious! However, you have to put them through the grinder 3 times because the corn is so hard. It is quite time consuming and hard work with a hand crank grinder!! So the rest of the corn looks just like this photo and I am keeping it in a basket to enjoy. But I still think about grinding more again……. But just thinking!! Ha!