What do Charles Dickens and Keith Richards have in common?
A Victorian-era author and a modern-day rock star? What?!
Probably not much, right? But there’s at least one thing I know of.
Bet you can’t guess what it is.
Before we talk about that, let’s talk about …
It’s finally flat-out spring, my dears. I bet this weekend you’re out there with your grills frying up some burgers, changing your oil, raking the lawn—complete with a break on the porch drinking some of your best homemade iced tea. One thing I hope you are not frying is …
Here’s an old word we need to put a farmgirl spin on: oikology
I know what you’re thinking. No, it’s not the science of pigs—that would be oinkology!
Here’s a hint … “oikos” means “house” in Greek.
Houseology?!
Again, I know what you’re thinking. That I’ve gone off my rocker. Not so …
Pleach.
Hmmm … okay …
The pleading cry of a baby bird? As in,
PLEACH! (Translation: Momma, I need a worm NOW!)
Nope, that’s not it. Try again.
Maybe it’s shorthand (shortmouth?)—a new slang term around the orchard, as in:
“Please pass the peach!”
Uh-huh. Not even close.
I’m grasping at straws, aren’t I? (How farmer of me.)
Pleach [pleech] is a verb that means to interweave or braid. Think branches, vines, wreaths, arbors …
I don’t believe I’ve ever encountered such an all-inclusive word!
Gallimaufry (gal-li-maw’-free) n.
A hodgepodge, jumble; a mixture of diverse things. From the French galimafrée, “a stew, hash, ragout,” from galer, “to make merry,” plus “mafrer, “to eat heartily.”
This divine little word has been used to denote everything from a stew of leftover odds and ends from the kitchen, to a collage of art pieces or photographs, a collection of short stories, an assortment of musical pieces, a mismatched and motley crew of folks, and so on … you get the picture.
My crazy quilt closet is a gallimaufry of fabric. What does yours look like:)?
Buy props used in MaryJane’s books and magazine!
All proceeds (minus shipping and packing) will benefit www.firstbook.org, a non-profit that provides new books to children from low-income families throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Here’s how:
MaryJane will post a photo of the prop and its cost here along with a few details as to its condition. The first person to call the farm and talk with Brian, 208-882-6819, becomes the new owner of a little bit of herstory. Shipping will be either USPS or UPS, our choice. No returns.
