Author Archives: bethoffreshair

altruistic \al-troo-IS-tik\  , adjective: 1. Unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others. My altruistic Aunt Heather passed away almost two weeks ago.  What struck me is how quickly it all happened.  In mere seconds, my extraordinary Aunt Heather went from “is” to “was.”  I hated how fast this happened.  None of us were ready.  “Heather wasContinue reading “altruistic.”

\HOH-luhs-BOH-luhs\ , adverb; 1.      All at once; altogether. The class of 2015 moved to ‘The Hill’ last week.  I’ve been semi-pretending I am one of them, but I am too old to wander around campus at 2 am and I’m too tired to play ultimate frisbee for hours and hours.  I’m just not that ultimateContinue reading “holus-bolus.”

\am-uh-RAN-thin\ , adjective; 1.Unfading; everlasting. 2.Of or like the amaranth flower. 3.Of purplish-red color. To most who have had the pleasure of soaking up knowledge in Cornwell, climbing the walls of the infirmary, or eating a famous Miss Virginia omelet, Mars Hill College is a place full of people who leave an amaranthine mark onContinue reading “amaranthine.”

\GUHMP-shuhn\ , noun; 1.Initiative; aggressiveness; resourcefulness. 2.Courage; spunk; guts. Gumption can come and go.  I think some folks naturally have more spunk and courage, sure.  But I feel like my gumption has returned to me as of late.  Yesterday even, actually.  My initiative is through the roof, my optimism is leading me to be resourcefulContinue reading “gumption.”

\BED-luhm\ , noun; 1.A scene or state of wild uproar and confusion. 2.An archaic term for an insane asylum or madhouse. It was a scorching Saturday to start the 4th of July weekend.  Some friends of mine were meeting at the Hemlocks to swim and I gladly agreed to meet them.  I packed my towel and bookContinue reading “bedlam.”

\dih-SIJ-oo-uhs\, adjective; 1.Falling off or shed at a particular season, stage of growth, etc. 2.Shedding the leaves annually, as certain trees and shrubs. 3.Not permanent; transitory. The magic of fall and winter are still astounding to this Florida girl.  Thus, the deciduous process of the leaves falling off is even fondly accepted.  Deciduousness brings hotContinue reading “deciduous.”

\suh-BAT-i-kuhl\ , noun; 1.Any extended period of leave from one’s customary work, especially for rest, to acquire new skills or training, etc. adjective: 1.Of or pertaining to or appropriate to the Sabbath. 2.Bringing a period of rest. At the end of my delightful four year pursuit of a liberal arts education, my advisor asked me what myContinue reading “sabbatical.”

\PUHL-yuh-leyt\ , verb; 1.To exist abundantly; swarm; teem. 2.To send forth sprouts, buds, etc. 3.To increase rapidly; multiply. This is a stretch, folks.  But I want to share this gem of an article I read tonight.  So my stretch of a connection is:  Odd words for odd things pullulate this day and age. http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/85591 1. You know howContinue reading “pullulate.”

\YAIR-lee\ , adveb; 1.With quickness or agility. Not too long ago there was a snake swimming yarely in our pool.  My mom said to my dad, “Please get that snake out of the pool yarely (she might’ve used another word…hard to say.)”  My fearless father bent down, grabbed the snake, and aimed to throw it over theContinue reading “yarely.”

\KOSH-er\ , verb; 1.To treat with special fondness. Many Jewish folk cosher items that are kosher.  I coshered my Jewish professor at Mars Hill, Dr. Ziffer.  A Holocaust survivor, I imagined he’d be a wealth of knowledge and history.  I was right, but he very much surprised me with his spirituel wit and charm.  He told storiesContinue reading “cosher.”