Saturday, August 05, 2006

Playing with Words

Today, I wrote an e-mail and titled it "Pretty Day". (Which it is) It popped into my mind, then, that "pretty" is a word with a number of uses.

Quite often, we do have a "pretty" day. In Indiana we, also, used to say, "I'll be there 'pretty' soon." Does the person mean, in a "little while?"

"Pretty good " may mean something "not quite" good. "The bride's cooking was "pretty good."

GROWING UP DAYS
In my growing years, and with four brothers and me competing for favors, I met up with the phrase "Pretty is as pretty does."
Sometimes if I pouted, and said, "Harry Jr. got a bigger piece of cake than I did", I was scolded for pouting. Mother reminded me that a pouting look does not look pretty on anyone's face. She said "Pretty is as pretty does."

A LITTLE WHILE
Oh ho! Another word has now tickled my fancy. Just how long is a "little while?" Does a "little while" mean "pretty soon?" Do we ever hear about a "big while"? A radio commentator used to sing, "So long for awhile." (We knew he'd be back!)

Then, there's "whiling away" the time. I've known folks who play the game of solitaire, and maybe, in part, to "while away" the time and no, doubt, to enjoy an interesting pursuit, too..

I don't know if we can while away the time. I know that when we enjoy life, "time flies!"
Fortunately, time has no physical aspects, nor does time fly high enough to disturb air travel!

When it comes to mind, I'm always amused by a funny couplet, I've written of before:

Time flies like the wind.
Fruit flies like bananas.

THE WORD "MIND"
The word "mind" was effective in a phrase my Indiana Mother used with us children, Mother, on occasion, said to us, "You children are going to mind me, or else." When Mother said that phrase to us in a certain tone, the "or else" conjured up "serious" consequences. Those consequences didn't ever come to pass, but deterred uncaring behavior in us children. My brothers and I all grew up to love one another.

"Mind" and its uses: No, I don't "mind" if you use my phone "You're welcome to use it." Regarding the telephone: It's hard for folks today to believe that in Depression days, not every family had a telephone, and few people had cars. For a long time, my family didn't have a car or a telephone.

WORDS COMMUNICATE
I've finished saying about about words for now, but words will always fascinate me. Whether spoken or written, words communicate. Words bring information to us, to use and to share with others. Spoken words carry, as well, our feelings to others. I'm tickled pink that we have words in our lives.

MY BEAGLE and LANGUAGE
I share my home with a beagIe named Sammy. Nine years ago, when he outran his hunting pack, my daughter saved his life. His owner wanted only the electronic collar Sammy wore. While Sammy's way of communicating with me is different, he conveys information to me, quite well. My dog understand my words, also, and even understands what various tones in my voice mean. Thus, Sammy and I have a congenial relationship, and our days, together, are pleasant.

Note: The Full moon is August 9th, 2006. I believe, as the moon is filling to whole, we have more energy. Note if when the moon is rising to full, whether you accomplish something you are glad to have completed.

Marylee Manson Armour
August 5, 2006

P.S. See an interesting new Bicycle (for seven!) at the site below.
ConferenceBike.com

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