mem-ber-ship /  ˈmem-bər-ˌship noun   the state of being an individual who belongs to a group, club, etc. Innovation grows out of membership and a sure sense of responsibility people feel for their work and the organizations that employ them. Abraham Zaleznik, 1924-2011   the total number of persons belonging to an organization, club, etc. What started out as a trio has grown into a... Read More

em-brace / əmˈbrās   verb   to hold tightly in an affectionate manner; to hug Each time we embrace someone warmly, we gain an extra day of life. from ‘Aleph’ by Paulo Coelho, 1947-   to encircle or enclose You enter the mouth of a valley; the hills reach forth their arms to embrace you, and you consciously enter a new world. from ‘The... Read More

Idle i-dle / ˈīdl   adjective   not active or employed It is only idle people who can find time for everything. French Proverb   not spent in activity or work I would love to get a place out in the country and spend my idle time just remodeling and planting seeds and watching them grow. Joe Lando, 1961-   unused A book lying... Read More

blue / blo͞o   adjective   of the color between green and violet on the spectrum Blue skies smiling at me, Nothing but blue skies do I see. Irving Berlin, 1888-1989   of the skin, discolored due to cold I play until my fingers are blue and stiff from the cold, and then I keep on playing. From ‘Revolution’ by Jennifer Donnelly, 1963-  ... Read More

white / (h)wīt adjective   of the color of milk or new snow Even the white lily casts a shadow. Hungarian Proverb   light in color Yellow gold is plentiful compared to white-haired friends. Chinese Proverb   belonging to a group of people with light skin pigmentation, usually of European descent; Caucasian As long as the white man stutter, the interpreters have a lot... Read More

red / red   adjective   of the hue resembling the primary color at the warm end of the spectrum The red sun was pasted in the sky like a wafer. From ‘The Red Badge of Courage’ by Stephen Crane, 1871-1900   having the warmest primary color as a distinguishing hue A red rose is not selfish because it wants to be a red... Read More

pro-pose / prəˈpōz   verb   to present a plan or intention for consideration Anyone who proposes to do good must not expect people to roll stones out of his way but must accept his lot calmly if they even roll a few more upon it. Albert Schweitzer, 1875-1965   to make an offer of marriage You don’t propose marriage after one date. Dave... Read More

dire dire  /  dīr, dīər   adjective   disastrous, terrible, dreadful A thousand fearful images and dire suggestions glance along the mind when it is moody and discontented with itself. Walter Scott, 1771 – 1832   urgent, desperate Nothing has more strength than dire necessity. Euripides 480 – 406 B.C.   indicative of great trouble or disaster This system must be demystified, politicized, and... Read More

sub-ject / səbjekt   noun   something which forms a matter of discussion, thought, etc. It is a narrow mind which cannot look at a subject from various points of view. From ‘Middlemarch’ by George Eliot, 1819-1880   a branch of study or knowledge Instead, we could teach them important subjects such as How the Mind Works, How to Handle Finances, How to Invest... Read More

confidant con-fi-dant  /  kŏn-fĭ-dănt, –dänt   noun one to whom secrets or private matters are entrusted Wise men have but few confidants, and cunning ones none.  Josh Billings, 1818 – 1885       confident con-fi-dent  /  kŏn-fĭ-dənt   adjective having or showing self-confidence; self-assured Act confident, even when you’re not.  Larry Ellison, 1944 –   having or showing assurance; having no doubt; certain... Read More