[rap-sod-ik] adjective extravagantly enthusiastic; ecstatic. pertaining to, characteristic of, or of the nature or form of rhapsody. While driving through the Smoky Mountains to get to Asheville, green overwhelmed me until I was utterly rhapsodic. There were so many different shades, I took my sunglasses off to make sure I was seeing it right. Highlighter green, deep kale green, Ninja Turtle green–it was overwhelming compared to the everContinue reading “rhapsodic.”
Category Archives: Making Friends As An Adult
oology.
[oh-ol–uh-jee] noun the branch of ornithology that studies birds’ eggs. I do not know an oologist. Dictionary.com picks the word of the day, not me. But I do now know a geologist. He’s a friend of my cousin’s and we went on a hike to Bridal Veil Falls together yesterday. Some people truly enhance a hike and he was one of thoseContinue reading “oology.”
panoply.
[pan–uh-plee] noun a wide-ranging and impressive array or display. [more at dictionary.com] Estes Park, Colorado is picture perfect. The charming downtown full of cabin-like looking coffee, book, and ice cream shops ends and the same road runs into the entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park. The aptly named Rocky Mountains serve as the backdrop to every drive, walk, and adventure theContinue reading “panoply.”
beamish.
[bee-mish] adjective bright, cheerful, and optimistic. Oregonian hosts have been over the top lovely..as in, homemade waffles, Americanos, a handmade satchel gift, curry dishes, enriching conversation, snacks to go, and so many hiking suggestions kind of lovely. Oregon has made me positively beamish. I’m now in Bend, staying with a friend of a friend whom I had never met.Continue reading “beamish.”
intenerate.
[in-ten–uh-reyt] verb (used with object), intenerated, intenerating. to make soft or tender; soften. When I was in Doe Bay, I was surviving on protein bars for breakfast, lunch, and dinner until the café opened on Thursday evening for a menu full of pizza and pizza alone. It was also Open Mic Night. I showered and didn’t wear a hat and nobody recognized me without dirtContinue reading “intenerate.”
phillumenist.
[fi-loo-muh-nist] noun a collector of matchbooks and matchboxes. Wow. Orcas Island. I had about a 45 minute drive from the ferry to the retreat center on the other side of the island. With each turn, I gasped. At one point, I cried a little bit. The trees are magnificent. There’s water everywhere. The mountains surround me on all sides. TheContinue reading “phillumenist.”
clothing optional.
I am glad I’ve had some uncomfortable experiences around people who are quite opposite from me, in thoughts, looks, language, and beliefs. I don’t always feel grateful for the discomfort in these situations, but when I look back on the last few years of my life, I think they’ve been crucial in helping me become moreContinue reading “clothing optional.”
Brobdingnagian.
Brobdingnagian \ brob-ding-NAG-ee-uhn \ , adjective; of huge size; gigantic. noun: an inhabitant of Brobdingnag. a being of tremendous size; giant. While hiking in Yosemite, Caroline asked me, “What has been your favorite part so far? The trees, the waterfalls, or the mountains?” Questions like this are why I like Caroline. But this was hard to answer! I sighed and considered saying something other than trees, butContinue reading “Brobdingnagian.”
commensal.
\ kuh-MEN-suhl \ , adjective; eating together at the same table. Right now we are accidentally watching a Chinese New Year Parade full of elementary school aged in the town of Mendicino. It happens to be going on in front of the most delicious coffee place on the Pacific Coast Highway. I really like my new friend, Caroline, that I’ve been workingContinue reading “commensal.”
epistolize.
\ ih-PIS-tl-ahyz \ , verb; to write a letter. to write a letter to. My Napa Valley hosts, John and Cathy, are the kind of people that give you space, but you find you don’t really want the space away from them. I’ve been at this help exchange job for over a week now and I’ve heard their stories several times. NoneContinue reading “epistolize.”
beth of fresh air 