\ 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.”
Category Archives: Travel
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.”
winnow.
win-oh; verb: To separate or distinguish valuable from worthless parts. We must know how to winnow while working on this vineyard and garden in Napa. John, the host and vintner, has been doing the pruning as we clean up the vine full of tendrils. I said, “I should probably know, but what do you callContinue reading “winnow.”
indemnify.
\ in-DEM-nuh-fahy \ , verb; to compensate for damage or loss sustained, expense incurred, etc. to guard or secure against anticipated loss; give security against (future damage or liability). This one might be a stretch. But help exchange is sort of like being indemnified for the loss of our free time and the damage to our smooth hands that are now filled with blisters and calluses. In Napa Valley, we are compensated heartily. In mushroom risotto, homemadeContinue reading “indemnify.”
dalles.
\ dalz \ , plural noun; the rapids of a river running between the walls of a canyon or gorge. This was the word of the day at dictionary.com the day we went to the Grand Canyon! The Grand Canyon…wow oh wow. It reminded me of being in New Zealand when Brittany said something enlightening like, “Don’t you wish you had saved words like ‘awesome’ or ‘incredible’ for moments like this?Continue reading “dalles.”
sodality.
\ soh-DAL-i-tee, suh- \ , noun; 1. fellowship; comradeship. 2. an association or society; Roman Catholic Church . a lay society for religious and charitable purposes. Dream catchers hang in the windows next to oranges with cloves stuck in them. The wood stove heats the three bedroom house and the three dogs compete for the spot right in front of it. The coffee is half caf so we all drink twice as much. Rachel makes herContinue reading “sodality.”
alight.
catchpenny.
kach-pen-ee; adjective: 1. Made to sell readily at a low price, regardless of value or use. Noun: 1. Something that is catchpenny. Fifteen years ago (in 2000, which sounds crazy to say that was fifteen years ago), my family took the most memorable road trip of my life. My brothers and I drew names so weContinue reading “catchpenny.”
afflated.
uh-fley-did; adjective having inspiration; inspired. The clock on the oven blinks 7:03. 7:03. 7:03. The water is turned off but I only remember after I squirt soap in my hands. There’s a bookmark in the August 8th page of the 2006 Guidepost. I read it and only have a few tears form in my eyes.Continue reading “afflated.”
astir.
Uh-STIR ; adjective 1. Moving or stirring, especially with much activity or excitement. 2. Up and about; out of bed. Not many places thrill my heart quite like Western North Carolina. Asheville is astir with kind folks off to hike to mountains, strong coffee to fuel them, and organic restaurants to sustain them. I livedContinue reading “astir.”
beth of fresh air 