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.
While you may or may not be guilty of this egregious and oh-so-grievous sin, you probably have been in close proximity to one who has.
So close.
So very, very close.
Close enough for them to step on your sore feet, willy-nilly.
BALTER
archaic
Photo by Tomascastelazo via Wikimedia Commons.
Are you one? A nemophilist, that is?
I suspect you are.
No, it’s not a lover of the little fish from the Pixar film, though we like him, too.
Photo by zannaland via Wikimedia Commons.
Here’s a hint:
photo by Jason Sturner – Rockefeller Forest, Humboldt Redwoods State Park – Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) via Wikimedia Commons
nemophilist
Ne`moph´i`list
NOUN
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in The Atlantic Monthly.
Ah ha! A lover of woods and forests. Fireplace smoke, pinecones, needle-coated hiking trails, shady glens, and majestic firs … what’s not to love?
Hi, my name’s MaryJane, and I’m a nemophilist.
There is no cure.
Winnie Nielsen says: For sure I am a nemophilist. As a matter of fact, I have a pretty little pinecone I stuffed in my purse from a beautiful conifer tree that I found in Paris on a long walking trek to visit the actual painting locations of several of the Impressionist painters in the St. Germain suburb of the city. I can’t resist different and unique pinecones from conifers. One always ends up in my pocket to bring home.
calle says: I love it all, have learned to be a nature bug.
Grasslands, river valley’s and forests.
We just got back from driving the back roads of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.
Rivers abound, forests with small clearings for homesteads.
The interstates are for “non-adventurers” , get off and see the small towns, the hidden landscapes and the massive trees.
We talked about Abe Lincoln and how he grew up.
The grandeur must have been amazing, only trails, no large cities and all of the fal colors and nature sounds.
Finally after five years we are going to plant trees.
Bambi eats them so we have to build pallet fences, put down landscape cloth and hook up barrel watering systems so they grow.
City kids don’t realize how forests help cool our land and add to the amazing sky lines.
A self planted Cottonwood in my front yard is our pride and joy. It sings and is an art work in and of itself.
I almost cry when I see clear cutting and those mighty trees being cut.
Karlyne says: In the midst of pushing 100′ weather, I am most certainly a nemophilist. And also at Christmas tree hunting. And all points in between.
BB king says: Now I know I have a name for my addiction- yep that’s me! There are 50 acres of undeveloped woodland behind my farmette and 100+ acres across the road , my 2 1/2 acre farmette is half woodland. I mean big trees. the ones by my cottage ere 5- 6 stories high . I adore trees. They have been doing alot of clearcutting on the mountain where I l live, makes me so sad to hear those chainsaws.
Karlyne says: I’m trying to remember where you live, BB, so I can envision your trees! What kinds are they?
BB king says: HI Karlyne,
I live in what I call Amishland ( the name of my business too) in Southeastern Lancaster Country, PA
I have nearly every deciduous tree you can imagine, PawPaw, tulip poplar, all the maples, Shagbark hickory, Jap maple, antique Pear, and apple,Red oak,mimosa, holly, sicamore, false honeysuckle, tons of dog roses and a whole slew of trees I have yet to ID despite all the tree ID books I keep buying. I don’t have many pines. But do have vast quantities of the dreaded, most invasive plant on the earth -Japanese Knotweed- pretty but lethal.
Krista says: I definitely have a love for the woods, so I guess I am a nemophilist as well. I love the isolation feeling and cooler weather they provide. Some of my favorites were in Hawaii. The trees there are absolutely stunning!
darlene ricotta says: Well I guess I am an Nemophillist as well. I love the forest and everything about them. I live by the Redwoods and they are beautiful. Thanks you for that word Mary Jane.
darlene
Teresa De Bruin says: I’m glad there’s no cure. I would rather be in the woods or outside any day rather than put up with some of the stuff that’s going on in todays world
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.
yep altho Im not too bad all those years of ballet. and then Daddy insisted I take ballroom dancing lessons too. I hated it until I met my first crush then it was not so bad. I was 12 almost 13.
Well, I had ballet and tap lessons for about 4 years as a child. Then, it was the thing that 6th graders take ballroom dancing which I also did. Did it help me to dance or be graceful?? Nope! I was more likely than not, the one stepping on someone else’s feet.
I danced almost my whole childhood and up until I was 18 years old. I miss dancing a lot and I believe it provided me with much grace. Now that I am years past dancing, I am more likely to balter, but not as much as my husband though!!