Words

I’ve written in this column before about how much I like words. I play Words with Friends, work crossword puzzles, occasionally do a word search, and just enjoy words.

When I run across a word I’m not familiar with, I look it up. Often, at least at the office, if I run across the unusual word, I look it up. I do this even if I discern the meaning from the context. Because I like words. And, if I might use it one day, then I need to fully understand it.

But, I’ve also admitted here that I’ve gotten out of the habit of reading for pleasure. Well, guess what? I was gifted a novel, and I started reading it. I kept reading it, couldn’t get enough, and have now finished it and recommend it to anyone wanting to read a good story.

I’m proud of myself; my screen time has gone way down, and I took great pleasure in reading it. So, I brought it to Hannah, and she gave me the one she had just finished. I’m not so sure about it. So far (which isn’t very far), it is written in second person, and I’m very unfamiliar with that.

Newspapers are third person, as are most novels I think. Some are first person. But, second person…you, you. I’m not so sure. But I’m going to read a little more, and hopefully it will grab me and I’ll finish it. It’s a slim book, so I think if I get into it I can make short work of it.

However, if I don’t get into it, and put it down indefinitely, I have a couple others I’ve started and I think now I could finish, and then there’s a whole bookshelf…and we have a great library I pass by every day when I go home. I can stop in any time.

Obviously, if you’re reading this, you like words at least a little bit. I’d love for you to recommend good books for me to read, and I’ll try to remember to do the same for you.

In the meantime, one book I read most days is Daily Guideposts, or as it’s called now, Walking in Grace 2024. However, I’m behind so I just encountered a great word this weekend…ineffable. It means unable to describe; beyond expression, according to the author. The first entry when I looked it up was: too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words, such as “the ineffable natural beauty of the Everglades.”

Now, will I remember the word and use it? Possibly, but not often, as it is not a word to be used often. Let’s face it, not much we see is ineffable. But when we look on the bright side, then we can appreciate the beauty of the little things.

The author I quoted was talking about the ineffable joy of reliving her childhood as the grown woman rode a bicycle down the same hill she rode as a child with the same fearlessness, as the wind blew her hair from her face, and she manuevered the bicycle safely down the hill.

We should all look for joy in our daily movements. I think I may find joy in the next book I read. I hope you do too!