Blog Posts

#295: valetudinarian

3/30/2016

in her own shadow,
valetudinarian,
sun's contrarian

Are hypochondriacs — or valetudinarians — really helped or just enabled by the Internet?

An excess of information makes self care difficult at best. Overmedication, unnecessary prescriptions, unneeded surgeries, dangerous hospitals and a pervasively profit-above-all-else "health care" system makes the decision to take charge of your own health attractive... but at what costs? It's an opportunity for solutioneering.

DEFINITION of this 7-syllable noun:

a person who is excessively concerned about his or her poor health or ailments.
an invalid.
in poor health; sickly; invalid.

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#294: tessellate

3/29/2016

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Tess of late
has taken to decorate
in form tessellate

M. C. Escher, master of tesselated graphics, mathematical genius, fractal wizard, unparalleled mastery of perspective, taking perspective beyond reality.

Yes, I'm a fan of MCE. One of my very favorite artists.

If you are too, and wish to explore an interactive game that does Escher proud, check out Monument Valley. Beautiful, brilliant game that actually takes MCE's work to the next level.

DEFINITION of this 3-syllable verb:

to form of small squares or blocks, as floors or pavements; form or arrange in a checkered or mosaic pattern.
tessellated.

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#293: cognomen

3/28/2016

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Robin's cognomen
omen for the rich roamin'
... beware the bowman!

"It's a hot day my friend, to burden your horse with such a heavy purse!"
My lady, a woman of your beauty has no need for such... decorations."
— Sir Robin of Locksley

We just watched the 1938 classic version with the ever swashbuckling Errol Flynn... GREAT!

DEFINITION of this 3-syllable noun:

any name, especially a nickname.
a surname.
the third and commonly the last name of a citizen of ancient Rome,
indicating the person's house or family, as “Caesar” in “Gaius Julius Caesar.” Compare agnomen.

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#292: paschal

3/27/2016

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in pastoral seas
a paschal pastime finding
eggs hid in seaweed

Wait... What!??

That's our friend, Alison Teal, being goofy as usual... enjoying Easter as only she would. More about her work HERE.
The photo is probably by Sarah Lee, Alison's long-time friend and photography goddess... see her work HERE.

DEFINITION of this 2-syllable adjective:

of or relating to Easter.
of or relating to Passover.
a paschal candle or candlestick.

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#291: sophrosyne

3/26/2016

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no sophrosyne
was Dionysus' want in
her epiphany

This haiku intentionally leaves the story in your own mind... Whatever you think it means is correct.

The artist is the amazingly talented Julie Bell who has depicted Dionysus riding a chariot pulled by leopards. Not sure about the woman... maybe Ariadne...? Hard to tell with only a cursory look into Greek mythology. According to the Wikipedia entry, Dionysus had 16 wives or consorts, 26 children and 3 grandchildren!

DEFINITION of this 4-syllable noun (sah-frah-sa-nee):

moderation; discretion; prudence.

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#290: vernissage

3/25/2016

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Vernon's vernissage
featured venison and veal
vexing vegan friends

DEFINITION of this 3-syllable noun:

a reception at a gallery for an artist whose show is about to open to the public.
Also called varnishing day. the day before the opening of an art exhibition traditionally reserved
for the artist to varnish the paintings.

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#289: kenspeckle

3/24/2016

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a kenspeckle play
by the freckled May 'twas missed
his spectacles lost!

(click on the image if you can't see her winking!)

I love freckles! My wife has a jillion of 'em. Best quote I've heard:
"A face without freckles is like a night sky without stars."

DEFINITION of this 3-syllable adjective:

Scot. and North England. conspicuous; easily seen or recognized.

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