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.
On a recent trip to Genesee, I saw in the distance something recherché—a great blue heron, poised ever so …
Oh tintinnabulation, tintinnabulation, tintinnabulation …
… all the way! Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh. Hey! Say THAT (tintinnabulation) three times. Fast. New word for me is …
Come wassail away, come wassail away, come wassail away with meeeeee. Ooops. Wrong song. Have you always known what the holiday word wassail means? I didn’t until a few years ago. So, just in case …
Lauren N says: What a beautiful ornament!
Do you take these “photos of the day” or are they sent in by readers or others?
MaryJane says: Most have been taken by me over the years. Some have been taken by farmhands. We don’t keep them separate. They all go into our bank of photos. It’s been a walk down memory lane to go through my old photos and come up with one for every day of the week .
You know, decolletage. Say it with me:
dey-kol-tahzh
Chances are this Thanksgiving you and loved ones will gather around the table, say what you are thankful for and then delve into the pilgrim tradition of stuffing your tummies with all sorts of delicious fare — candied yams, green bean casserole, stuffing, mashed potatoes …
Annika Laurea-Wood says: Oh MaryJane, what a wonderful word! I am proud to admit that I’m a language lover and read dictionaries (The older the better) for fun! I do believe you may be right, it likely is where the term crappy comes from!
Happy Thanksgiving from my home to yours =)
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.
Lovely MaryJane! The perfect thought for a New Year ahead!
xo
Deb~