Now I would have thought that the English word "salve" was tied directly back to Latin but it appears to have had a few stops along the way. etymonline.com gives the origin as "medicinal ointment or adhesive preparation for external use on wounds and sores," from the Old English sealf "healing ointment," from West Germanic *salbo- "oily substance". So... Continue Reading →
Bird Talk
I once worked with this Polish sales lady who was always done up to the nines. (It was a direct marketing company whose product was English lessons. It could have been umbrellas for all they cared about teaching.) She wore high heels and form fitting jackets, a real mani-pedi lady. We were talking politics with... Continue Reading →
Siphonophores
I didn't go down a rabbit hole but a jellyfish hole, a totally natural, normal segue in a conversation to suddenly want to learn everything I can about dangerous jellyfish. Does this happen to anyone else? You're organizing your week, making breakfast or repairing a sock (I repair socks when it's just a hole, but... Continue Reading →
Solstice
I'm always a bit relieved when I make it to this part of the year, although this year I kind of gave up on trying to see the sun or get any air the last few months. It was a choice. I did get exercise -- the pool, a bit of climbing in the gym,... Continue Reading →
Moove your cow, and your mind will follow. 